We can debate Michigan...and Franklin...and Clifford...until the cows come home, but hopefully the team has got its head back on straight and is focusing on Minnesota because that's shaping up to be a pretty huge game. The fact is, this season is salvageable. As things stand, we'll be favored in every game except Ohio State. This is not the time to lose poise and do the familiar swoon after a loss.
The Gophers have a decent defense, but their offense has recently looked mediocre. In fact, after losses to Purdue and Illinois, their emotional state can't be much better than ours at this point.
They do have an excellent back (Mo Ibrahim) and a fairly good O-line, but after the shots their QB, Tanner Morgan, took against Illinois before leaving the game late with an injury, I have a hard time seeing how he'll be ready this Saturday. Naturally, their coach is playing it coy and suggesting he could be OK to play. We'll see.
The receivers aren't great, and their passing attack has struggled in the losses, so their plan on offense is no great secret: the power game a la Michigan with Ibrahim carrying the load. Shut that down, and you shut down their offense.
Minnesota seems to be a fashionable betting pick, but I'm not buying it. I think we show up with something to prove and score a solid win in the whiteout. Then again, I thought we'd beat Michigan, so there's that.