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The historic rivalry for the Little Brown Jug ass another chapter on Saturday this weekend as Michigan travels to Huntington Bank Stadium to take on Minnesota. With both teams eager to build momentum early in the Big Ten slate, the atmosphere in Minneapolis will be electric.

Michigan is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Iowa where they lost on literally the last play of the game, while Minnesota is riding high after beating Washington in Seattle. Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey is on NFL Draft boards and running back Darius Taylor can eat up yardage on the ground. Head coach PJ Fleck's groups have always played fast and hard on defense and this year's group is no different. For Michigan, it's all about the continued development of sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood. He played his best game against Iowa, but it wasn't enough. Against Minnesota, he needs to keep taking steps forward while the running game gets going as well. Michigan's defense has been very solid week in and week out, so expect that to continue on the road.

From high-stake defensive stands to game-changing plays by rising stars, here are some bold predictions for the matchup.

1. Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter will score two combined touchdowns

Minnesota boasts the No. 29 rush defense in the country, but Michigan has started to figure out its running game as of late. Down near the goal line, both backs have shown the ability to break tackles and overpower defenders on their way into the end zone. Despite being a freshman, Hiter has shown a strong ability as a receiver out of the backfield. One way or another, both backs will score. 

2. Bryce Underwood will account for at least 3 touchdowns

Michigan's sophomore quarterback played his best game as a Wolverine last week against a stingy, Phil Parker-coached Iowa defense. Unfortunately, too many mistakes cost U-M the game. Still, Underwood found guys open, made better reads and used his phenomenal ability to throw on the move to find some chunk plays. If he plays like that again, he'll find a couple of receivers open for scores and might find the end zone as a runner as well.

3. Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan will both have at least 50 yards receiving

If Underwood has a nice day throwing the ball, Marsh and Buchanan will be the beneficiaries. They've easily established themselves as Underwood's favorite targets. Marsh has 22 catches for 239 yards and a score, while Buchanan has 20 grabs for 396 yards and four touchdowns. Both guys can do it all from the wide receiver position. Each has shown the ability to go deep, make tough catches over the middle and contort their bodies to make amazing grabs. If Underwood is on, they will be too.

4. Michigan defense will record 4+ sacks

This one could be tough because Lindsey is a heady, veteran quarterback. He's not going to stand back there and allow Michigan's defensive front to tee off on him, but U-M's D-line is too good to not get home. It will serve Michigan well to get after Lindsey, so expect Jay Hill to do whatever it takes to put him on the ground, with our without the ball.

5. Michigan defense will intercept Drake Lindsey

Even though Lindsey is a very talented, well-rounded quarterback, he does sometimes try to force it just a bit. He's thrown two interceptions on the year and Michigan has the best secondary he will have faced. Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham and Hill have talked about wanting to force more turnovers. It can be a hard thing to manifest, but they both think they're coming.

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