Minnesota Gophers predictions: Game 1 vs. Michigan

Big Ten football is officially back.

After a long offseason filled with ups, downs and uncertainties, the No. 21 Minnesota Gophers are set to kick off the 2020 season against 18th-ranked Michigan on Saturday night.

Minnesota has lost 16 consecutive games at home to Michigan since blanking the top-ranked Wolverines 16-0 in 1977. Can the Gophers snap the losing streak and claim the Little Brown Jug?

Here’s this week’s predictions from around the web:

The Associated Press’ Ralph D. Russo: Minnesota 28, Michigan 24.

Pete Fiutak of Collegefootballnews.com: Michigan 26, Minnesota 17. “Minnesota has several amazing pieces, but the lines won’t be able to get the job done in the opener. This will look like a game between two teams that needed a few tune-up games, but it’ll still be entertaining as Michigan keeps the Little Brown Jug.”

Bill Bender of The Sporting News: Michigan 31, Minnesota 24: “The Big Ten gets the prime-time spotlight between two polarizing coaches in Jim Harbaugh and P.J. Fleck. Michigan won the last meeting 33-10 in 2017, but the Gophers have a real shot at the upset here. The X-factor is new Michigan quarterback Joe Milton. Is the hype real?”

Josh Slagter of MLive.com: Minnesota 34, Michigan 20. “Michigan QB Joe Milton might be great, but this is his first start. And it would be unlike Jim Harbaugh to turn his inexperienced QB loose right out of the gate. This also is a chance for P.J. Fleck to knock off one of the Big Ten’s top programs, and you can bet the Gophers will be amped up. Maybe the wintry weather will neutralize Minnesota’s passing attack a bit, but Tanner Morgan and Rashod Bateman are tough to stop in any conditions.”

Aaron McMann of MLive.com: Minnesota 31, Michigan 27. “This is a tough one, and for me comes down to the unknowns. There’s too many on the offensive side of the ball for Michigan. New QB, new offensive line, plus unproven players in the secondary. I think the Minnesota offense is too explosive and wins out here.”

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report: Minnesota 27, Michigan 24: “This is easily the most intriguing game of Week 8 because of the sheer amount of unknowns surrounding both of these fringe contenders. Michigan lost its starting quarterback, two of its best receivers, most of its offensive line and three key linebackers. But Minnesota lost its top receiver, its top rusher and seven starters on defense. What the Wolverines do have returning is an excellent defensive line, which will immediately challenge a Golden Gophers offensive line with basically the same two-deep as last year. Whichever side wins that battle in the trenches will win the game, and I suspect Minnesota’s big men will keep quarterback Tanner Morgan clean enough to get the victory.”

Chris Hummer of 247 Sports: Minnesota 31, Michigan 28: “This is an extremely difficult game to pick with so many unknowns. Michigan returns fewer production than anybody in the Big Ten. Minnesota is replacing almost its entire defense, has a new OC and has at least a few unnamed players out due to COVID-19. So … who wins? Give me Minnesota. Tanner Morgan is the best QB in this game and I have some questions about the Michigan secondary without Ambry Thomas, Lavert Hill and Josh Metellus. If Minnesota’s o-line can hold up – and it’s a big if – I like the Gophers to pull the upset.”

Brad Crawford of 247 Sports: Minnesota 23, Michigan 20: “Vegas is giving me 3.5 points to take Minnesota, here? I’ll do it. It’s a big game for both programs, but since I’ve taken the Golden Gophers to start the season with several victories as one of the nation’s top teams, I have to stay accurate here. I’m interested in seeing Michigan’s offense with Joe Milton at quarterback and if the Wolverines can take advantage.”

Sam McKewon of Omaha World-Leader: Minnesota 28, Michigan 24. “Minnesota has its flaws — particularly on defense — but I’ll take the Gophers straight up.”

Joe Vozzelli Jr. of The News-Gazette: Michigan 21, Minnesota 17. “Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said ‘a number of players’ will be out for Minnesota due to COVID-19. Without offering specifics. Thanks, P.J. for the help.”

The Oklahoman’s Berry Tramel: Michigan 26, Minnesota 21. “If this game gets played, it’s a monument to football’s importance. The entire Michigan campus is on lockdown.”

Two out of three Athlon sports analysts are picking Minnesota to win.

All seven CBS Sports analysts are choosing Minnesota to win.