What channel is Michigan vs Minnesota on today? Time, TV, streaming

Kevin J. HardyThe Detroit News
Updated Oct. 3, 2026, 12:21 p.m. ET

Michigan hits the road for the first time this season Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Wolverines face Minnesota in the 100th battle for the Little Brown Jug.

Michigan (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) is looking to rebound from its first loss of the season after falling 20-19 to No. 17 Iowa last week at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines put up a season-high 429 yards of offense against the Hawkeyes but fell short in their Big Ten opener.

Minnesota (3-1) enters the rivalry game after opening Big Ten play with a 27-24 victory at Washington.

The Wolverines have dominated the historic series, holding a 78-25-3 advantage against Minnesota and a 74-23-2 record in games played for the Little Brown Jug. Michigan has won 27 of the past 29 meetings and five straight against the Golden Gophers.

Saturday’s matchup is the 100th time the Little Brown Jug will be at stake. Michigan retained the trophy with a 27-24 victory over Minnesota in Ann Arbor in 2024.

Here’s how to watch Michigan vs. Minnesota in Week 5 of the college football season:

What TV channel is Michigan vs. Minnesota on today?

• TV: FOX
• Streaming: FOX One
• Radio: 94.7 WCSX-FM in Detroit; Learfield Michigan Sports Network

FOX will carry the Michigan-Minnesota game nationally.

Michigan vs. Minnesota start time today

• Kickoff: Noon ET (11 a.m. CT) Saturday
• Where: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
• Records: Michigan 3-1, Minnesota 3-1
• Series: Michigan leads, 78-25-3

Michigan has been particularly dominant in Minneapolis. The Wolverines have won 18 consecutive games at Minnesota, with their last road loss to the Golden Gophers coming in 1977. Michigan is 4-0 at Huntington Bank Stadium, formerly known as TCF Bank Stadium.

The Wolverines’ defense enters Saturday ranked seventh nationally in total defense, allowing 236.3 yards per game, and 23rd in scoring defense at 14.8 points per game. Michigan is also allowing just 86.8 rushing yards per game.

Quarterback Bryce Underwood is coming off his best passing performance of the season. He threw for a career-high 276 yards and two touchdowns against Iowa. JJ Buchanan had career highs of 130 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Andrew Marsh added 106 receiving yards.

Michigan vs. Minnesota football odds

• Line: Michigan by 5½
• Over/under: 43½

Michigan was a 5½-point road favorite entering Friday. Odds are subject to change.

Michigan vs. Minnesota predictions

▶ Angelique S. Chengelis: Minnesota coach PJ Fleck is an emotional, intense guy, and he showed that yet again during the postgame celebration last weekend after the Gophers pulled off a 27-24 win at Washington in the Big Ten opener. Fleck wiped blood from the mouth of linebacker Maverick Baranowski, who had been hit in the face by a cleat, and smeared it on his face. Can the Gophers carry that intensity of their coach and momentum from a big road win into the Michigan game and win the Little Brown Jug at home for the first time since 1977? Conversely, can Michigan rebound from a last-play loss to Iowa that was filled with critical penalties and questionable play calls, not to mention the Wolverines gave up a 99-yard kickoff return? This will be a test for quarterback Bryce Underwood, who has shown improvement the last two games, and the Michigan offense in the Wolverines’ first road game of the season, and the defense is going to have to figure out how to generate turnovers.Pick: Michigan, 20-17

▶ Connor Earegood: As disgusting a stunt as it was for PJ Fleck to wipe his player’s blood on his face, that’s a level of emotion we’ve yet to see from Kyle Whittingham four weeks into a season best described as “meh” or “bleh” or, a long and drawn-out “ehhhh.” Sure, Michigan has the talent, but it beats itself routinely with bad penalties and mental gaffes. Its run game figured something out against Iowa in pitch-counted fashion, but then its defense took a step back. John Henry Daley might also be hurt this week, and that would be a big blow. Minnesota isn’t a juggernaut, and I think Michigan probably rebounds to win this one. But man, are the vibes this bad for any other 3-1 team? I think not. Pick: Michigan, 24-17

▶ John Niyo: Minnesota hasn’t won the Brown Jug at home since 1977, before P.J. Fleck was even born. But the Gophers nearly pulled off a win in their last meeting two years ago in Ann Arbor. And this early kickoff feels like another golden opportunity for a program win in the Twin Cities. The quarterback, Drake Lindsey, is legit, and the defense is more than passable. But injuries on the offensive line are a concern for both teams coming in, and I’ve got a bit more belief in the Wolverines’ defense to take advantage of that, especially considering Minnesota’s struggles in the run game thus far. Pick: Michigan, 24-20

▶ Bob Wojnowski: The Gophers were so exhilarated by their upset win at Washington, coach P.J. Fleck smeared a player’s blood on his face. They might be smelling blood here, looking for their first home victory over Michigan since 1977, with a dangerous quarterback in Drake Lindsey. The Wolverines hit the road for the first time, and they can’t stay shell-shocked from their crushing loss to Iowa. They were dominant defensively for three quarters, and quarterback Bryce Underwood had, arguably, his best game. But Kyle Whittingham’s team keeps making critical mistakes, with eight more penalties. UM still needs to get its running game cranked up, but Underwood has shown he can air it out to J.J. Buchanan and Andrew Marsh. UM’s defense ranks seventh nationally, and should control this one. Pick: Michigan, 30-17