College football's oldest trophy game pairs two Big Ten founding powers battling for prestige, tradition and the legendary Little Brown Jug.
The Michigan Wolverines will take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers this weekend as in a rivalry as old as the sport itself.
While the focus will be on what happens Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis, Michigan and Minnesota have a history that dates back to 1892. The Wolverines enter this year's matchup with an all-time record of 78-25-3 against Minnesota, including an away record of 34-11-1.
Michigan has won 9 of the last 10 matchups with the Gophers and consistently keeps possession of the Little Brown Jug, college football's oldest trophy.
Michigan's longest winning streak in the series is 16 from 1987 to 2004. For Minnesota, its longest win streak is nine from 1934 to 1942.
Last Meeting
The most recent matchup between Michigan and Minnesota came in 2024, with the Wolverines coming away with a 27-24 victory.
Michigan built a quick 21-0 advantage in the first half behind two rushing scores from Kalel Mullings, a blocked punt by Kechaun Bennett and a quick 11-yard touchdown pass from Alex Orji to Tyler Morris.
Up 24-3 late in the third quarter, Michigan's offense stalled when Orji threw an interception. Minnesota erupted for 21 fourth-quarter points, capitalizing on a short field and scoring a touchdown with 1:37 left to cut the lead to 27-24.
After Minnesota recovered an illegal-formation penalized onside kick attempt, Michigan's defense locked down the final drive to seal the victory.
Making his first career start, Kalel Mullings was the clear engine of the Michigan offense on a day when the passing game struggled. He handled the workhorse role, consistently grinding out tough yards to set the tone early and protect the lead late. He finished with 111 rushing yard and two touchdowns on 24 carries.
That game was at home in Ann Arbor, while Saturday's contest will be played in Minneapolis for Michigan's first road test of the season.
Recent History
Over the last five meetings, Michigan has gone 5-0 against Minnesota.
2024: Michigan 27, Minnesota 24
2019: Michigan 52, Minnesota 10
2016: Michigan 49, Minnesota 24
2012: Michigan 33, Minnesota 10
2011: Michigan 29, Minnesota 26
There are so many games in this series, and both teams were powerhouses early on, that there's been every kind of outcome over the years.
One of the more memorable games in the series came in 2003, which was the 100th anniversary of the rivalry. The game featured the greatest fourth-quarter comeback in Wolverines history.
No. 20 Michigan trailed No. 13 Minnesota 28-7 entering the fourth quarter in Minneapolis. The Wolverines erupted for 31 fourth-quarter points and kicker Garrett Rivas nailed a 33-yard field goal with just 47 seconds remaining to take the 38-35 lead before cornerback Markus Curry clinched the win with a late interception.
What History Says About Saturday
Of course, past results don't determine what happens on Saturday. The two teams entering this year's matchup are different from ones that played in all previous matchups.
Both teams enter the game sitting at 3-1 but in very different spots after last week. Michigan has the bad taste of a last-second loss to Iowa in its mouth, while Minnesota is riding high after a great road win over Washington. Minnesota's loss came in Week 2 against Mississippi State as the Bulldogs put it on the Gophers in Minneapolis winning 38-13.
Still, the history between these programs adds another layer to Friday's matchup. Michigan will look to rebound, while Minnesota will try to keep it rolling after an impressive road win.
With another chapter about to be written, Saturday will add to a series that already includes 106 meetings and plenty of memorable moments.
