View gallery Minnesota running back David Cobb (27) cuts against San Jose State cornerback Maurice McKnight (10) … View gallery Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld, right, laterals the ball to running back Tevin Coleman during the … A look at some things to watch as Big Ten play begins in earnest:GAME OF THE WEEK: Minnesota at Michigan. The Little Brown Jug is on the line. So, it seems, is Brady Hoke’s job based on the noise coming out of Ann Arbor. Last week’s 16-point loss to Utah at home, following the 31-0 defeat at Notre Dame two weeks earlier, has made this as much a must-win game as there can be in late September. As of mid-week, Hoke still was undecided on his quarterback. Devin Gardner, the starter in 21 of the last 22 games, has thrown six interceptions already. One of the things Michigan has done well is stop the run, and that will be key this week. Gophers workhorse David Cobb is running for 135 yards a game and is the only weapon for a Minnesota team that ranks 124th nationally in passing. Michigan has won six straight against Gophers, all by 14 points or more, and 22 of the last 23 meetings.BEST MATCHUP: Maryland at Indiana. The Terrapins play their inaugural Big Ten game against a Hoosiers team that upset then-No. 18 Missouri on the road. Look for lots of points in this one. Indiana’s Tevin Coleman is the nation’s leading rusher (189.7 ypg), and he’ll be going against a Maryland defense that’s worst in the Big Ten against the run. Maryland QB C.J. Brown and WR Stefon Diggs could have a huge day against an Indiana defense that is second-worst in the Big Ten against the pass. …
Continue Reading: Minn-Michigan: More than Little Brown Jug at stake
