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ESPN analyst confident Minnesota hands Michigan first ‘L’ of the year
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Michigan fans definitely won’t be pleased with Tim Tebow’s Week 1 prediction.
The Heisman Trophy winner and ESPN analyst is convinced that the No. 18 Wolverines will begin the season 0-1 after exiting upstart No. 21 Minnesota in Saturday night’s BIG clash (6:30 p.m. CST/ABC).
“I think this Minnesota team is for real…” Tebow said. “Michigan’s gotta show up tomorrow night. If not, Minnesota could truly put an ‘L’ on their schedule…”
Minnesota is coming off a rejuvenated season in which they finished 11-2 and second in the B1G West. Minnesota’s final ranking last season (No. 10) was its best since 1961.
Meanwhile, Michigan posted a 9-4 record and finished third place in the B1G East.
Per 247Sports, this is the first time Minnesota has been ranked and faced a ranked opponent in a season opener since 1968.
Michigan has won the last two meetings against Minnesota and leads the all-time series 75-25-3. Minnesota’s last home victory against Michigan was in 1977 when the Wolverines were ranked No. 1.
The winner of the annual contest receives the Little Brown Jug, which dates back t0 1892, making it the first and oldest trophy for a rivalry game.
It’ll be fascinating to see whether Minnesota proves Tebow right or Michigan makes him eat his words.
Rolando Rosa brings his experience covering college football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RolandoRosa3.