Michigan Football 2026 opponent preview: Minnesota
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The Battle for the Little Brown Jug between Michigan and Minnesota has been less of a battle and more of a one-sided beating with Michigan swinging the hammer for the last several decades. Since Bo Schembechler took over in 1969 and rallied the troops at halftime, the Wolverines are 43-4 against the Gophers and winners of five straight.
But there have been close calls. Who could forget Michigan blowing a 24-3 fourth-quarter lead in 2024 and hanging on to win by three? Or the 2015 clash where the Wolverines needed a goal-line stand — and atrocious clock management by the Gophers — to escape Minneapolis with a win?
Michigan heads back to Minnesota in Week 5 to rekindle the rivalry. And with the stability and experience returning for P.J. Fleck’s team, the Wolverines need to come in focused or the Gophers might finally bring the jug back to the North Star State.
Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: P.J. Fleck (10th season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Greg Harbaugh Jr. (2nd season)
- Defensive Coordinator: Nick Monroe (4th season) and Danny Collins (2nd season)
2025 Record
- 8-5 (5-4), 8th in the Big Ten
2025 Production Ranks
- Scoring Offense: 101st (15th in the Big Ten)
- Total Offense: 129th (17th in the Big Ten)
- Scoring Defense: 50th (10th in the Big Ten)
- Total Defense: 34th (11th in the Big Ten)
2025 TL;DR Recap
Was Minnesota the worst good team or the best bad team in the Big Ten last year? The Gophers were undefeated at home and winless in true road games; winners by one possession in half their victories and losers by one possession only once. When facing teams below them in the Big Ten standings, Minnesota was 5-1. When playing three teams above them, the Gophers were 0-3 and lost by a combined score of 125-19. Good, bad or somewhere in the middle, Minnesota finding a way to win eight games last year was a testament to what Fleck has built over the last decade in Minneapolis.
Key Departures
- DB Koi Perich (82 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception; 19 kick returns for 499 yards)
- WR Lemeke Brockington (46 receptions for 484 yards, five total touchdowns)
- LB Devon Williams (89 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks)
- DT Deven Eastern (38 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks)
Key Returners
- QB Drake Lindsay (246-of-389, 2,382 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, six interceptions)
- RB Darius Taylor (143 carries for 670 rushing yards and four touchdowns; 34 receptions for 245 yards)
- DE Anthony Smith (38 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks)
- LB Maverick Baranowski (103 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks)
- CB John Nestor (50 tackles, six tackles for loss, six interceptions)
- S Kerry Brown (56 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions)
Key Transfer Additions
- WR Noah Jennings (Cincinnati)
- DE T.J. Bush Jr. (California)
- DT Naquan Crowder (Marshall)
- WR Perry Thompson (Auburn)
- TE Kaden Helms (Oklahoma)
- OT Bennett Warren, (Tennessee)
- DT Sid Kaba (Marshall)
Preseason Preview & Record Predictions
Per Athlon:
“The Golden Gophers have been a model of consistency under coach PJ Fleck. This program has won at least eight games in four out of the last five seasons and earned a bowl trip every year in that span. Fleck’s team isn’t going anywhere in ‘26 either, as promising sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey is due for a step forward in his second year as the starter. In addition to Lindsey’s development, the offense has optimism behind running back Darius Taylor, an improved receiving corps and three returning starters up front. Star safety Koi Perich transferred to Oregon and will be missed. However, the cupboard isn’t bare with five returning starters. Minnesota allowed over six yards a play in Big Ten action last year, so coordinator Danny Collins’ group has plenty to work on this offseason. End Anthony Smith is back after leading the Big Ten in sacks (12.5), with linebacker Maverick Baranowski and cornerback John Nestor headlining the other key returners. The Golden Gophers need to be tougher against the run (148.2 yards a game allowed in Big Ten snaps last season) in order for the defense to improve. However, if Lindsey’s play takes off, Fleck’s team can finish in the top half of the conference and potentially a spot in the top 25.”
CBS: 6-6
CFN: 7-5
ESPN FPI: 5.3-6.7
Sports Illustrated: Over 5.5
Maize n Brew Thoughts
The Fighting Flecks are in great position to win eight or more games for the fifth time in the last six seasons. With quarterback Drake Lindsay and star running back Darius Taylor returning, an experienced offensive line and a potent portal class of receivers, this unit should move up into the top half of the Big Ten. However, the Gophers must be more consistent running the football (128th in FBS last season) and cannot completely crumble if Taylor misses time.
Defensively, this unit has stars at every level. Anthony Smith led the Big Ten with 12.5 sacks, and cornerback John Nestor led the conference with six interceptions. The best linebacker name in the conference — Maverick Baranowski — anchors the middle of the defense and is coming off a 100-tackle season. Koi Perich’s absence cannot be ignored, but the Gophers have done a nice job, especially at defensive tackle, at mitigating departures via the transfer portal.
Minnesota will be a better team this season than last and will have a few opportunities to wade into greatness. When the Wolverines come to town in October, expect Fleck to have his team ready for a proper battle as the Gophers try to bring home the Little Brown Jug for the first time since 2014.
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