What to know:
- The Jug: This is the 100th Little Brown Jug game. Michigan has won the last five and hasn’t lost the trophy since 2014. Minnesota’s last home win over Michigan was way back in 1977.
- Michigan’s defense is the central matchup. The Wolverines are allowing only 236.3 yards per game, seventh nationally, including just 86.8 rushing yards per game. They’ve also averaged 3 sacks per game.
- Minnesota’s biggest problem is its running game. The Gophers are averaging only about 119 rushing yards per game, while Michigan has yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season.
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MINNEAPOLIS - The Michigan Wolverines open their Big Ten road schedule Saturday against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, with the Little Brown Jug on the line in the 100th meeting for the historic trophy.
The Wolverines enter the matchup 3-1 after wins over Oklahoma, Western Michigan, and UTEP before falling at home to Iowa last week.
Michigan has already faced two teams that won at least 10 games last season in Oklahoma and Western Michigan, and three more such opponents remain on the 2026 schedule: Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State.
Michigan has gone 18-5 on the road in Big Ten play over the past five seasons, including a 4-1 mark last season.
The Wolverines have dominated the series with Minnesota, holding a 78-25-3 record across 106 meetings.
Michigan has won 27 of the past 29 matchups.
In their last five matchups, Michigan won 27-24 in 2024, 52-10 in 2023, 49-24 in 2020, 33-10 in 2017 and 29-26 in 2015.
Saturday’s (Oct. 3) game marks the 100th Battle for the Little Brown Jug.
Michigan is 74-23-2 all time when the trophy is at stake and has won the past five contests.
The Wolverines’ offense enters the game coming off consecutive season highs.
Michigan scored 52 points against UTEP before posting a season-best 429 yards against Iowa.
Quarterback Bryce Underwood set a career high with 276 passing yards against Iowa, completing 17 of 28 passes with two touchdowns.
He has five touchdown passes this season and 16 in his career.
Underwood has also rushed for 195 yards on 42 carries this season, averaging 5.2 yards per carry when sacks are excluded over his career.
Michigan has scored 13 offensive touchdowns this season, including six rushing and seven passing scores.
Underwood, Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter each have two rushing touchdowns.
Wide receiver JJ Buchanan has emerged as one of Michigan’s top offensive threats.
He leads the team with 396 receiving yards and four touchdown catches.
He had a career-high 130 receiving yards and two touchdowns against Iowa, including a 49-yard reception.
Buchanan and Andrew Marsh have combined for four 100-yard receiving performances this season.
Buchanan had 126 yards against Western Michigan and 130 against Iowa, while Marsh recorded 105 yards against UTEP and 106 against Iowa.
Michigan’s offensive line has continued to develop, with four players having made at least 12 starts for the Wolverines.
The defense has been one of Michigan’s strengths.
The Wolverines rank seventh nationally in total defense, allowing 236.3 yards per game, and 10th in passing defense, allowing 149.5 yards per game.
Michigan is allowing 14.8 points per game and has not allowed an opponent to score more than 14 points in a half this season.
The Wolverines recorded 11 tackles for loss against UTEP, with 12 different players contributing to the total.
Michigan is averaging seven tackles for loss per game and three sacks per game.
John Henry Daley leads the team with three sacks, while Dominic Nichols has a team-high five tackles for loss.
Linebacker Troy Bowles leads Michigan with 31 tackles, nine more than the next closest defender.
Michigan has allowed just 86.8 rushing yards per game, ranking 18th nationally.
Iowa managed 58 rushing yards in its most recent game, its lowest total since 2024.
The Wolverines have forced three turnovers this season, including two interceptions.
Jonah Lea’ea returned an interception nine yards for a touchdown against UTEP, the shortest pick-six in Michigan history.
Michigan has also received contributions from several first-time starters this season, including tight ends Jalen Hoffman and Eli Owens, linebackers Bowles and Chase Taylor, defensive end Nichols, cornerback Shamari Earls, wide receiver Salesi Moa and offensive lineman Avery Gach.
The Little Brown Jug rivalry provides an early test for Michigan on the road as the Wolverines begin the portion of their schedule that will include Big Ten road games.
Kickoff is slated for high noon inside Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 3.
