The Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) travel to the Big House to take on the Michigan Wolverines (2-2, 0-0 Big Ten) on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET.
The Wolverines are 2-2 after winning against Appalachian State and Miami (OH). However, they lost to Notre Dame, 31-0 and then they lost to Utah by a final score of 26-10.
The Golden Gophers are 3-1. They defeated Eastern Illinois, Middle Tennessee, and San Jose State. They lost at TCU in their third game of the season. The second major test for Minnesota will come against the Wolverines.
Michigan has a huge quarterback controversy heading into Saturday's game. The question is, which quarterback will be under center, sophomore Shane Morris or senior Devin Gardner?
Gardner has been the starter to this point, but has struggled. He has completed 59 of 92 passes, for 694 yards and five touchdowns. However, the senior has thrown six interceptions. This has caused many to question if he is the guy.
Morris has only gotten a few reps all season long, but he is considered Michigan's quarterback of the future. He has completed only 7 of 20 passes this season for 79 yards and no touchdowns. He has thrown two interceptions. The issue is that Morris has continued to come in the game in the fourth quarter. To understand his full potential and ability, he will need to start and play through a full game.
The run game has finally began to come alive. Derrick Green has rushed 64 times for 391 yards and three touchdowns. Michigan will need to run the ball effectively to take weight off the quarterback controversy.
Devin Funchess has been the "go-to-guy" this season for the Wolverines, yet not lately. He did not play against Miami (OH) and he only caught four passes for 82 yards in the loss to Utah. His three touchdowns came in the first game, but has not recorded one since that opening game.
Minnesota are led by their running back David Cobb. The senior has rushed 92 times for 539 yards and four touchdowns. He has been the leader on this team.
Sophomore quarterback, Mitch Leidner will take the snaps against the Wolverines. He is 26 for 54 this season, which is only a 48.1 percent completion rate. He has thrown two touchdowns and four interceptions. Leidner's issues are the reason in which the run game has to produce so often.
When Leidner does pass the ball, he likes to find Maxx Williams. The 6' 4" sophomore has six receptions on the season for 110 yards and two touchdowns. He returned to practice Wednesday after dealing with a calf injury, but Williams should be ready to go on Saturday afternoon.