Minnesota
Recruits, targets share thoughts on Michigan football facing Minnesota this weekend
Saturday will mark the 99th game played between Michigan and Minnesota when the two schools battle for the Little Brown Jug — the oldest trophy in college football. The Wolverines have won four games in a row against the Gophers and have dominated the all-time series. Michigan has a commanding 77-25-3 lead against Minnesota.
The #12 Wolverines are coming off a major win against USC last weekend and Michigan showed it can still pound the rock to win games. With the help of Kalel Mullings, Michigan used a final drive to secure a win against the Trojans. Minnesota, on the other hand, is coming off a crushing loss at home against Iowa, The Hawkeyes ran wild on the Gophers and that will be the biggest factor in this game: how does Minnesota stop the Wolverines’ run game?
I asked some recruits to share their thoughts on the matchup this weekend and here is some insight as to what they think will happen.
The defensive lineman believes Michigan is going to be ready for the Gophers on Saturday and will get a 20-point win.
“This is the brown jug game! This is definitely a big game. Michigan will definitely go out there and ball out!”
Final score: Michigan 30, Minnesota 10
Pile is high on the Wolverines once again this week, especially with how well they played a week ago against the Trojans.
“Michigan looks good coming off a great win against USC. I’m always taking Michigan, they always come prepared.”
Conroy wants Michigan to continue to do the same thing that’s got the Wolverines to where they are now: run the football.
“Run the damn ball.”
Thomas wants to see some more out of the offense, but he has faith the Wolverines’ defense will keep Michigan in the majority of its games.
“The defense will keep BigBlue in most games. The offense just has to click. #GoBlue”
The Gophers were torched on the ground last weekend against Iowa and Patrick looks for Michigan to move the ball on the ground this week.
“I think Michigan will be able to run the ball really effectively.”
Krempin believes if the same Michigan team shows up this week as it did last week, the Wolverines will get a win on Saturday. The Gophers may have the second-ranked pass defense, but if they can’t stop the Wolverines’ run game, what matters?
“I know if the same Michigan team shows up that I saw last weekend, Michigans got it in the bag. A good pass defense doesn’t help much if you run the ball down their throat.”
Hart is extremely high on Michigan in this game due to its run game and Will Johnson on the defensive side.
“I got Michigan all the way baby!! They play hard smash-mouth football and they have the best corner in college football, Will Johnson.”
The major Michigan target thinks this game comes down to which team can run the football better. The Gophers have running back Darius Taylor who has been a very good back for the Gophers. Michigan has both Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards. He’s leaning toward a Michigan win.
“I think this game will be who wins the run game. You know Darius Taylor is going to be locked in playing his home state school. And it’s clear Michigan still is one of the top running schools in the country. Think Michigan pulls this out though.”
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Protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are continuing across the Triangle this week, fueled by anger and fear after a woman was shot and killed during an immigration enforcement operation Wednesday in Minnesota.
Adali Abeldanez, owner of Moroleon Supermarket in Durham, said fear is impacting daily life and local businesses, including his own.
“People are still stressed and worried,” he said.
Abeldanez said he has seen a noticeable change in customer behavior since ICE operations intensified. While his store has offered delivery services for years, he noticed requests surged in November, when ICE was in the state, and have remained high.
“That uptick in delivery – do you believe that’s directly tied to people’s fear about ICE?” WRAL asked Abeldanez.
“Oh yeah, for sure,” he said.
He said some store clients are afraid to leave their homes and are relying on organized deliveries instead. Abeldanez said his wife is undocumented and frightened, a feeling he said is widely shared in the immigrant community.
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Abeldanez believes ICE agents need more training and greater accountability.
“They’re dealing with people — human beings. It’s life,” he said. “The law should be enforced, but obviously with due process and taking into consideration humanity, being humane.”
He also criticized what he described as racial profiling; he said agents approach people in public spaces based on appearance rather than targeted investigations.
“They should have some kind of plan to know where to go, who to look for, and not just randomly pick people,” Abeldanez said.
Despite his concerns, Abeldanez said he felt encouraged by this week’s protests, as long as they remain peaceful.
“As long as it’s something peaceful, I feel proud,” he said. “Seeing people protest in favor of protecting the immigrant community — I think that’s awesome.”
But while both sides believe peaceful protesting is important, the divide is regarding ICE’s actions.
Matt Mercer, communications director for the North Carolina Republican Party, said the Minnesota shooting involved an agent acting in self-defense, citing video evidence and injuries the agent sustained.
“There’s a human element where someone loses their life, which you never want to see,” Mercer said. “But the video speaks for itself.”
Mercer said recent confrontations with ICE agents are not peaceful protests but attempts to obstruct federal law enforcement.
“If you wish to protest, do that in ways you can traditionally protest,” Mercer said. “Surrounding agents, obstructing vehicles or creating chaos is not legitimate protest.”
The Minnesota incident remains under investigation. Meanwhile, protests in the Triangle are expected to continue, including one Friday night in Durham.
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