The Gophers are coming off their biggest win of the season against No. 24 Iowa, who the Spartans lost to earlier in the season. Their defense held the Hawkeyes to only 127 yards of total offense in the upset and only 11 yards rushing.

While Minnesota’s running back unit has been heavily dampened by injuries, underclassmen have stepped up in a big way for them. Freshman and Michigan native running back Darius Taylor has won Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times this season, while fellow freshman back Zach Evans has also taken home the honor.

MSU suffered their largest home loss in program history last week to the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines, which extended their losing streak to now five games in 2023.

The Spartans will also be without three players from the 49 point loss this weekend as redshirt senior offensive lineman Spencer Brown was suspended for a late hit on a Wolverine. He will only miss the first half on Saturday though. 

On top of the suspension, the green and white also saw defensive tackle Simeon Barrow and offensive lineman Keyshawn Blackstock enter the transfer portal earlier this week. These three losses deplete already thin offensive and defensive line units.

Graduate senior linebacker Aaron Brule stood out in a big way against the Wolverines last weekend. The sixth-year player leads the team in tackles for loss with five and a half, sacks with three and fourth in tackles with an overall of 34.

Although he was not as successful in his second start of his career compared to his first one against Rutgers, redshirt freshman quarterback Katin Houser proved to be reliable in holding onto the ball, only throwing one interception against one of the best defenses in the entire country in Michigan. He finished his night going 12-22 in the passing game, accumulating over 100 yards through the air. 

This will be the first time that Interim Head Coach Harlon Barnett will face off against Minnesota. He is currently winless in his first five games in the position.

Minnesota Head Coach P.J. Fleck is currently in his seventh season with the Gophers, accumulating 48 wins and 30 losses in his tenure. He has not been very successful against the Spartans though, only mustering one win in four tries. 

While Minnesota does have four wins, its losses prove that the Spartans should may have a shot this weekend. They lost by 42 points to U-M just two weeks ago, and dropped their match against the No. 17 UNC Tar Heels by 18 earlier this season. Their other loss came in a three point contest on the road in overtime against Northwestern. 

Kick-off is set for 3:40 p.m. on Big Ten Network.