In life, one’s definition of success is usually a matter of perspective. In football, you’ll often hear coaches speak about telling their players, “our record is what we did this week.”
After claiming a momentum-shifting win over USC in their first Big Ten matchup of the season, Michigan looks to lay another brick in the foundation of their 2024 campaign as they welcome Minnesota to the Big House for the 99th meeting to determine who walks away with the Little Brown Jug – the oldest trophy in FBS history.
The Little Brown Jug itself dates back to a 1903 matchup between the two schools – an occasion that resulted in a 6-6 tie. The next time Michigan & Minnesota met (in 1909), both sides agreed that playing for the jug would make a fine tradition.
But in the last fifty meetings? The Gophers have only claimed the jug six times. Last year, the Wolverines defeated them in a 52-10 mauling en route to an undefeated season and a national championship.
History won’t repeat itself in that regard. Michigan hopes to finish the last of five consecutive home games to start this season with a 4-1 record, after which they’ll be on the road for four of their seven remaining matchups, including Washington, Illinois, and Ohio State.
The looming question for this Wolverine side, for better or worse, isn’t whether they can beat a team like Minnesota to keep the Jug in Ann Arbor, but rather if they can show that same competitive edge that earned them a win over the Trojans last week when faced with more formidable conference opponents that stand between them and another trip to the Big Ten Championship. And, if that is the definition of success for Michigan this season, where will the production come from on the offensive side of the ball?
I grant you, the second query isn’t so much a question as it is an attempt to ponder whether Michigan has enough firepower through the air to be true contenders. If anyone has an appreciation for what they’re up against when facing the Wolverines, it’s Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck. In his three attempts thus far, Fleck has gone 0-3, with Michigan outscoring the Gophers 134-44 in those contests. And each time, Michigan has produced no fewer than 190 rushing yards – ultimately averaging more than 270 yards on the ground in those matchups.
“In terms of their offense, they’re gonna run the football. They did that with Jim Harbaugh. They’re doing it with Sherrone,” Fleck commented during his Monday press conference. “We’ve got to be able to stop the run. We’ve got a lot of respect for what they do – and they do it at will. That’s the one thing that makes them Michigan. They run the ball at will.”
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the aspects of this Michigan offense where we still have more questions than answers. Last week against USC, Alex Orji produced only 32 passing yards in his first start of the season – albeit without the aid of Colston Loveland, who the Wolverines hope to have back on the field this Saturday. And while head coach Sherrone Moore seems eager to see Alex continue to develop as a passer as the year progresses, he didn’t shy from singing the praises of his team’s rushing attack after their win against the Trojans.
“That defense (USC) is pretty good. 291 yards on the ground. O-Line definitely played their best game. I think they averaged 3 yards before contact. If you’re blocking for three yards, that probably means you’re gonna get 4 or 5, and with Kalel back there, maybe 8.”
When asked to further elaborate on the status of the Michigan backfield and if Kalel Mullings was in line to get a starter’s share of the carries after his production has outpaced Donovan Edwards to this point, Moore played it close to the vest – but implied that Mullings could see his workload continue to grow.
“I think he earned the right to be in that conversation. Those are things we’ll talk about with them. Kalel played a heck of a game, and you can’t deny the effect that he had on the game.”
The season may still be young for these Wolverines, but this week’s matchup is another opportunity for them to lay the groundwork of what their identity will be when the road ahead becomes more treacherous and demanding. However, it’s also hard to overlook just how much the vibes in Ann Arbor have rebounded from where we were heading into the matchup with USC. It should go with saying, but winning big games matters in Ann Arbor – and so does holding on to the Little Brown Jug.
No. 12 Michigan hosts Minnesota this Saturday. Kickoff at Noon ET.
