UP NEXT: No. 15 Michigan
6 p.m. Saturday, TCF Bank Stadium
TV: ESPN. Radio: 100.3-FM
Records: Gophers 4-3, 1-2 Big Ten; Michigan 5-2, 2-1
The skinny: Jim Harbaugh's squad opened the season at Utah, which was not ranked in the preseason polls. Jake Rudock, a transfer from Iowa, threw three interceptions in that 24-17 Michigan loss. The Utes climbed to No. 3 in the poll before losing to Southern California on Saturday. Michigan followed the Utah loss with five consecutive wins, including shutouts over then-No. 22 Brigham Young (31-0) and then-No. 13 Northwestern (38-0). The Wolverines might have been in the College Football Playoff discussion had they beaten No. 7 Michigan State. Michigan led 23-21 with 10 seconds left, when Blake O'Neill muffed a punt, leading to a stunning 38-yard touchdown return. Harbaugh said he used the bye week to remind his 15th-ranked team, "There's never one football play in a game that decides the game."
JOE CHRISTENSEN
