The Last Michigan Team (1977) to Lose at Minnesota

1977 was a year full of major events. Star Wars debuted on the silver screen. Jimmy Carter debuted in the White House. Moi debuted in middle school. And Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines lost to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Minneapolis. They haven't lost in Minneapolis since then.

Trivia Question: Who was Minnesota's starting quarterback when they beat Michigan at The Brickhouse in 1977 (hint - it wasn't Tony Dungy)?

Yes, it was 46 years and two stadiums ago that Minnesota beat Michigan at home. And they'll have the opportunity to pull off a home win and take back the Little Brown Jug this week. Four other games are offered up for ATS picks to boot. Northwestern gets the week off as they host FCS Howard. Indiana, Michigan State, and Penn State have their bye weeks.

Now, I must give thanks to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota for reaffirming that I have no clue with regards of making these picks. (On another note, why couldn't have Iowa gone for 2 after the punt return? It would have earned the Hawkeyes a push at -11, and the conversion would have gotten their offense 2 points closer to the Ferentz Line!) More than a few folks had week 5 figured out though, with some 5-1 performances (and a week 3 correction for scarlet pimpernal hand).

And unless I similarly figure out a correction, I'll continue my underachievement in October thusly.

Friday October 6:

Nebraska at Illinois (-3): my pick - Nebraska. The Children of the Corn narrowly avoided their first shutout in 27 years against a very good Michigan team. Illinois got trucked by a bad Purdue team. The Cornhuskers are less bad than the Fighting Illini; thus, Nebby wins this bowl-elimination game.

Saturday October 7:

Maryland at Ohio State (-18): my pick - Maryland. No, I'm not saying that the 2023 edition of the Maryland Terrapins will be the one to break the Ohio State barrier and register the program's first-ever football victory over the Buckeyes. What I'm saying is that Maryland has the offense to beat the spread. On the flip side, Maryland doesn't have the defense to come anywhere close to pulling off the road upset.

Michigan at Minnesota (+20): my pick - Harbaugh! As stated above, Minnesota last beat Michigan at home 3 years before PJ Fleck was born. Unless the Gophers can find an offense lying around in Edina or Brooklyn Park, that 46 year streak won't be broken this time around. Michigan wins yet again in Minneapolis; covering for the second straight week.

Purdue at Iowa (-4.5): my pick - Redacted! Even with the Hawkeye's punt return team adding a late touchdown, I_wa's offense only managed 19 points against an MAMU team that might not win another game this season (or at least until their trip to Bloomington on November 18). And things aren't going to get any better in Iowa City with Cade McNamara on crutches. Purdue's offense looked serviceable in blowing out Illinois at home. Thus, the Boilers beat the spread.

Rutgers at Wisconsin (-12.5): my pick - Buttgers. In four B1G games the Badgers are undefeated against the Scarlet Knights winning by a combined score of 168-30. That's why I'm doing this... Upset special - despite this being Wisconsin's homecoming game, Rutgers wins straight up; as this will be the game where the Diary Raid offense doesn't work. A late interception seals the deal for the Jersey Boys.

Trivia Answer: Mark Carlson got the start at quarterback when the Gophers upset the #1 ranked Wolverines 16-0.