Michigan tight end Colston Loveland is expected to play in Saturday’s game against Minnesota after he was not listed on the team’s official availability report prior to kickoff.

Loveland exited Michigan’s victory against Arkansas State with what the team called an injury to his shoulder, but since then has improved to the point where he will be available.

Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore said that Loveland could have played last week against USC, but elected to be more cautious and give him time to recover.

The junior tight end has enjoyed a career start to the 2024 football season, catching 19 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, and his 8 receptions in each of the first two games was a personal-best.

Loveland’s return would be highly beneficial for a Michigan passing offense that has struggled to generate momentum, and threw for just 32 yards in its win against the Trojans last weekend.

Defensive back Will Johnson and defensive end Josaiah Stewart were among four players Michigan designated as questionable for the game.

Nine players were listed as out, including defensive back Rod Moore, linebacker Micah Pollard, and running back Jordan Marshall.

More … Michigan vs. Minnesota prediction

And … Gophers vs. Wolverines score prediction by expert model

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The No. 12 Michigan Wolverines are set for their second Big Ten Conference matchup of the season as the Minnesota Golden Gophers visit Ann Arbor today for a noon kickoff.

After trailing by four points, a 63-yard rush by fifth-year running back Kalel Mullings was the key play that led the Wolverines to a 27-24 comeback victory over USC last week. Mullings led the team with 159 yards on 17 carries and had two touchdowns.

In his first start at quarterback, junior Alex Orji went 7-for-12 passing for a paltry 32 yards against the Trojans, and was sacked twice. He rushed for 43 yards on 13 carries.

The Wolverines are currently on 23-game winning streak against Big Ten opponents in the regular season. Today’s matchup will also serve as the 99th Little Brown Jug game.

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Here’s Michigan vs. Minnesota game info and everything you need to know:

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THE GAME: Michigan prediction, scouting report vs. Minnesota in battle for Little Brown Jug

Michigan vs. Minnesota time today

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 28.
• Time: 12 p.m. ET.
• Where: Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

The Michigan vs. Minnesota game starts at noon from the Big House, Michigan Stadium, in Ann Arbor.

Michigan vs. USC predictions, picks, odds

Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press: The Wolverines have blown out mid-level Big Ten teams like Minnesota a lot in recent years, but without a solid passing game it’s hard to see them pulling away, unless it happens late. The Gophers have the better pass game, and U-M has been susceptible to giving up yards when the opponent’s QB gets the ball out quickly. But if Minnesota doesn’t establish its own run game on its end, the Wolverines’ front four of Josaiah Stewart, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Derrick Moore could feast on a one-dimensional offense. Michigan will look to wear it down Minnesota in the same way Iowa did a week ago. The pick: Michigan 20, Minnesota 12.

• Spread: Michigan by 10½
• Over/under total: 34½
• Moneyline: Michigan -450, Minnesota +340

Odds provided by BetMGM as of Friday night.

Michigan football schedule 2024

• Week 1: Aug. 31 vs. Fresno State, (W, 30-10)
• Week 2: Sept. 7: vs Texas, (L, 31-12)
• Week 3: Sept. 14 vs. Arkansas State, (W, 28-18)
• Week 4: Sept. 21 vs. USC, (W, 27-24)
• Week 5: Sept. 28 vs. Minnesota, 12 p.m., Fox
• Week 6: Oct. 5 at Washington, TBD
• Week 7: Oct. 12, Bye
• Week 8: Oct. 19 at Illinois, TBD
• Week 9: Oct. 26 vs. Michigan State, TBD
• Week 10: Nov. 2 vs. Oregon, TBD
• Week 11: Nov. 9 at Indiana, TBD
• Week 12: Nov. 16, Bye
• Week 13: Nov. 23 vs. Northwestern, TBD
• Week 14: Nov. 30 at Ohio State, 12 p.m., Fox

See Michigan ticket prices for every 2024 game

Minnesota football schedule 2024

• Week 1: Aug. 29 vs. UNC (L,19 -17)
• Week 2: Sept. 7 vs. Rhode Island, (W, 48-0)
• Week 3: Sept. 14 vs. Nevada, (W, 27-0)
• Week 4: Sept. 21 vs. Iowa, (L, 31-14)
• Week 5: Sept. 28 at Michigan, 12 p.m.., Fox
• Week 6: Oct. 5 vs. USC, 5:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
• Week 7: Oct. 12 at. UCLA, TBD
• Week 8: Oct. 19, BYE
• Week 9: Oct. 26 vs. Maryland, TBD
• Week 10: Nov. 2 at Illinois, TBD
• Week 11: Nov. 9 at Rutgers, TBD
• Week 12: Nov. 16, BYE
• Week 13: Nov. 23 vs. Penn State, TBD
• Week 14: Nov. 29 at Wisconsin, 11 a.m., CBS

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The Wolverines head into the matchup with a 3-1 mark, while the Golden Gophers sit at 2-2. This game will mark the 106th all-time meeting of the schools, in which Michigan leads the series, 77-25-3. The winner of this rivalry game will receive the Little Brown Jug, a trophy that dates back to 1903, and is the oldest rivalry trophy in the Big Ten.

Here is a look at everything to know ahead of Saturday’s Michigan vs. Minnesota matchup!