FACTS & STATS: Site: Metrodome (64,172) -- Minneapolis, Minnesota. Television:ESPN. Home Record: Michigan 2-4, Minnesota 4-1. Away Record: Michigan 0-3, Minnesota 3-1. Neutral Record: Michigan 0-0, Minnesota 0-0. Conference Record: Michigan 1-4, Minnesota 3-2. Series Record: Michigan leads, 69-24-3.

GAME NOTES: A couple of programs coming off narrow defeats hook up at the Metrodome this weekend, as the Michigan Wolverines tussle with the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a Big Ten affair. The Wolverines let one get away this weekend, as they were defeated by Purdue, 48-42, in the closing moments. It was the fifth consecutive loss by Michigan, which is now guaranteed its first losing season since 1967. That also means the program's streak of 33 straight bowl appearances, the longest in the nation, will come to an end. As for Minnesota, it also lost in heart-breaking fashion, dropping a last-minute 24-17 decision to Northwestern. The loss not only snapped the team's three- game win streak, but it also knocked the program out of the Top 25. The Gophers' outside chances of appearing in the Rose Bowl were all but shattered as well. Still, at 7-2 overall, the program has enjoyed a great turnaround from a one-win 2007 campaign. With regard to the all-time series, Michigan holds a 69-24-3 advantage over Minnesota in the battle for the "Little Brown Jug." The Wolverines are a perfect 11-0 in games played at the Metrodome and they have won 13 games in a row against the Gophers in Minneapolis, dating back to 1977.

The Wolverines have struggled on the offensive side of things this season, as they are averaging 288.0 total ypg with a whopping 25 turnovers committed. In a losing cause last weekend, Michigan totaled 300 yards and a season-high 42 points against Purdue. Brandon Minor led the charge, as he toted 24 times for 155 yards and three touchdowns. It was clearly the best effort of the season by Minor, who leads the team with eight rushing touchdowns and ranks second with 413 yards. Minor was starting in place of Sam McGuffie, the team's leading rusher (470 yards) who missed the game with a concussion and is listed as questionable for this weekend. Quarterback Steven Threet even had a decent game last weekend, throwing for 123 yards and a pair of touchdowns. On the season, Threet has now passed for nine scores against six picks, although he is completing just 50.0 percent of his tosses. Threet is also a threat to tuck the ball and take off, ranking third on the team with 189 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Michigan's struggles haven't just come on the offensive side of the ball, but on defense as well, allowing 30.9 ppg and 393.6 total ypg. The unit has been torched for 252.6 passing ypg and has allowed 14 touchdowns against only five interceptions. The defense is also coming off a dismal performance in which it allowed 522 total yards, including 256 rushing, in a loss to Purdue. The worst part of it all was that Michigan watched Purdue march 73 yards in just 54 seconds for the game-winning touchdown pass on a hook-and-ladder play with just 26 seconds left. It was a tough finish for Michigan, which gave up seven touchdowns to Purdue's offense. Donovan Warren guided the defense in defeat with seven stops and a forced fumble. For the season, Obi Ezeh leads the Wolverines with 79 stops, while Brandon Graham paces the team with eight sacks and 14.5 TFLs.

The Gophers have done an outstanding job protecting the ball all season, but last weekend they committed a turnover that was simply unacceptable. With the clock winding down in a tie game and deep in its own territory, Minnesota decided to try to move into field goal position instead of settling for overtime. The result, Adam Weber was picked off by Northwestern's Brendan Smith, who took the interception back 48 yards for the game-winning touchdown with just 12 seconds left. It was the second miscue of the game for the Gophers, who had committed just nine turnovers through their first eight outings. Weber accounted for both mistakes, but he did throw for 327 yards and a score while rushing for 53 yards on 16 carries. For the season, Weber has been effective as well as efficient and has completed 66.0 percent of his passes, with 11 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Eric Decker has clearly been is main target, as he paces the team with 73 catches, 895 yards and six touchdowns. Last weekend, Decker pulled down seven passes that went for 62 yards and a score. Tailback DeLeon Eskridge was limited to just 15 rushing yards last weekend, but he still leads the team with 535 yards and seven scores for the season.

Defensively, Minnesota has been nothing short of solid this campaign and is holding opposing clubs to only 17.9 ppg. The Gophers are giving up a little more yards (362.8 total ypg) than they should, but they have countered that by forcing an impressive 26 turnovers. Last weekend, Minnesota was solid once again on defense, as it held Northwestern's offense to 363 total yards and 17 points. The defense gave up no points in the second half and even scored on a 23-yard interception return by Traye Simmons, who had two picks in the contest. Willie VanDeSteeg also got into the mix with three TFLs and one of the team's two sacks. For the season, VanDeSteeg now has 15 TFLs and 7.5 sacks to his name, both team highs.

The Gophers have clearly been the better team this season, but don't count out Michigan in this one. The Wolverines have shown some life at times this season and if they can run the ball successfully like they did last weekend, expect an upset in Minneapolis.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Michigan 31, Minnesota 28

Saturday, November 8th, 12:00 p.m. (et)