Michigan 52, Minnesota 10

[WM Wolverine]

I felt the same about the spread being a little low at first glance. After looking at the advanced stats, and computer rankings, the Gophers were a bit better than I expected. They are closer to the Iowa/Wisconsin tier than say Indiana, Illinois tier. Yeah, I know they lost to NW but that was on the road.

Vegas maybe right, -18.5, O/U 46 which suggests a 32-14 type game. My initial reaction was a 35-10 type contest.

[Jeff Buchanan]

After looking at the advanced stats, and computer rankings, the Gophers were a bit better than I expected.

Actually, their advanced stats are inflated which is why they look like a decent team. The Gophers are not good. Brian at mgo explains why this is so:

It's hard to tell how good Minnesota's defense has been over the last few years because the Big Ten West tends to set metrics like SP+ on fire. The insular scheduling of some of the country's most offense-averse programs creates anomalies. Last year, Iowa was SP+'s top defense in America. Illinois was #2; Minnesota was #5; Wisconsin was #15. If this seems inflated, well, yeah: if you remember how last year's Nebraska game went consider that SP+ ranked the Husker defense #61—about average.

An inflated #5 is still pretty dang good, and it fit well with what Minnesota did on offense..

Unfortunately, there's been a major dropoff. Am I basing this entirely off of "blew a 31-10 lead and lost to Northwestern"? Yes. Am I wrong? No. Three Northwestern fourth-quarter touchdown drives covered 75, 69, and 80 yards in 28 plays, and the winning touchdown came on Northwestern's first snap of overtime. "Big yikes," as the kids say.

[Cody_Russell]

Can’t wait for the November schedule with those challenging games. M is for real.

Yeah, I know they lost to NW but that was on the road.

Minnesota losing to NW is a key point that I didn’t know.

Death Star gif like dominance and superiority from an eye test perspective:

[WM Wolverine]

Fleck decides to keep M's offense off the field (potentially) vs having a ton of extra time to score. He's playing to not get blown out even worse.

[WM Wolverine]

M gets the ball 1st to start the 3rd Q.

[lineygoblue]

Random:

Sainristil gets beat to end the half.

Does any M fan here still want PJ Fleck if Harbaugh leaves?

Goofers have a little bit to cheer for, but M needs to tack on another TD on this first possession in the 3rd.

Did Loveland even make the trip? So far, haven't heard his name called.

Lets see some more of those 2nd half adjustments, Coach Minter. Time to let these guys know that they're not winning tonight.

The team looks good. The game shouldn't be this close.

[klondike]

Lucky they got that gift pick 6. Otherwise Minny has played them about even. Running at will at times.

[WM Wolverine]

That last TD shouldn't have happened but it did, otherwise, we've dominated them and get the ball to start the 2nd half. Prefer this game not to get any closer than the current spread (14).

[Tom W]

Don’t be fooled by Minnie’s surge at the end of the first half. They’ll crumble soon.

[Cody_Russell]

Minnesota has found some success running the ball… at times…
Otherwise, I personally think they’re lucky the score looks this favorable. 54 yard FG + a spectacular play by their WR at the end of the 1st half. Flukey circumstance to get the TD.

[Tom W]

POW!!

[THE_WIZARD_]

Told you that no way Paddle The Dinghy scores more than 10

[edindetroit]

The Michigan player was looking at the Minnesota players as if to say "are you guys going to tackle me or not?"

[Cody_Russell]

- M dominant.
- No injuries from what I’m aware of.
- NBC broadcast really good IMO. Todd Blackledge maybe the best commentator for college sports.
- Love the new-ish and classic Jim Harbaugh postgame interview where he quickly passes the mic to his players. Selfless.

[lineygoblue]

Random II

Shut out in the 2nd half. Good adjustments, and Minny lost the will to fight.

When was the last time Michigan had 2 pick-sixes in the same game? I don't know how to look it up

JJ had a decent night, but he was throwing behind on some of his passes. I'd like to see that corrected.

I wanted Corum to get 100 yards, but alas, .. not tonight. He did tie Mike Hart for lifetime TD's at Michigan

Finally, a Colston Loveland sighting.

I love Harbaugh's post game procedure. Talk for a few seconds to the microphone airhead, then bring in a couple players, and disappear. I like how he defers to the players. Its not about him. (hello "coach prime)

Next on the schedule, Indiana. Probably a replay of tonight.