The Gophers are coming off a bad second half in a loss to Iowa. Next up is another rivalry game, but one in which they have mightily struggled: Michigan and the Little Brown Jug.
It was a good start against Iowa. The Gophers led 14-7 at the half. The Gophers did nothing in the second half though, and Iowa pulled away for a 31-14 win.
It was a disappointing finish and Fleck says the Gophers have had two bad halves of football leading to their two losses. This one against Iowa, and in the first game of the year, a loss to North Carolina.
"We gotta be able to fix that," Fleck said earlier this week. "And that falls on my shoulders and we gotta make sure that we can play the way that we start a game, the same way in the middle. Start fast, accelerate the middle and finish strong."
They'll need two very strong halves to win in "The Big House" this week, a place where they've managed to win three times in the last 60 years.
PREVIEW
Minnesota (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) at No. 12 Michigan (3-1, 1-0), Saturday, 11 a.m. (FOX)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Michigan by 9 1/2.
Series record: Michigan leads 77-25-3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The Wolverines want to extend their school-record, 26-game winning streak in the Big Ten, a run that includes three conference championship games. An upset would give the Golden Gophers a better chance to close a challenging season with enough wins to be eligible for a bowl.
KEY MATCHUP
Michigan’s running game against Minnesota’s defense. The Wolverines will not pass much because QB Alex Orji is not suited to throw and they have a tandem of running backs that can move the ball. The Gophers’ best and perhaps only shot to win is to shut down Michigan on the ground.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota: QB Max Brosmer. The sixth-year player transferred from New Hampshire and grew up in Georgia as an Ohio State fan.
Michigan: RB Kalel Mullings. He might replace starter Donovan Edwards and get rewarded for leading the team with 429 yards rushing, averaging 8.1 yards per carry.
FACTS & FIGURES
Minnesota is trying to avoid an 0-2 start in the Big Ten for the second straight year. ... Michigan has won 43 of the last 47 matchups with Minnesota. ... Minnesota allowed 272 yards rushing and 4 TDs on the ground in a lopsided loss last week to Iowa, and is facing a team that ran for 290 yards and three scores in a win over then-No. 11 USC. ... DE Josaiah Stewart has four sacks, ranking among FBS leaders. ... CB Will Johnson set a school record last week, returning a third interception for a score. In last year’s 52-10 win in Minneapolis, he picked off Athan Kaliakmanis’s second pass of the game and returned it 35 yards for his first career TD.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.