"College GameDay" is making its way to Big Ten territory this week for the first time in 2020.
This week, the "GameDay" crew will preview the first ranked matchup of the Big Ten season: No. 18 Michigan (9-4 in 2019) at No. 21 Minnesota (11-2). Both teams will look to start the season off on a strong note, with each game taking on even greater impact due to the COVID-19-shortened season.
Plus, there's the battle for college football's most famous trophy: the Little Brown Jug.
Tanner Morgan, arguably the best quarterback in the Big Ten outside of Ohio State's Justin Fields, will lead the Gophers against the Wolverines. He finished his 2019 campaign completing 210 of 318 passes (66 percent) for 3,253 yards and 30 touchdowns to seven interceptions. But how will the defense — which ranked 10th nationally last season — fare without seven of its eight top tacklers from 2019?
Conversely, Michigan will start a new quarterback in Joe Milton. It is seemingly the one position Jim Harbaugh has struggled to develop, and Saturday's performance by him could go a long way in determining the Wolverines' 2020 season.
Here's everything you need to know about "College GameDay" as it visits Minneapolis:
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Where is 'College GameDay' location for Week 8?
- Location: Minneapolis
- Matchup: No. 18 Michigan at No. 21 Minnesota
"GameDay" will feature the Gophers for only the second time in show history on Saturday. Minnesota's only prior appearance came in 2019 — also in Minneapolis — for the ranked rivalry matchup between No. 13 Wisconsin and the ninth-ranked Gophers. The Badgers won handily, 38-17, to clinch both the Paul Bunyan Axe and the Big Ten West championship.
Michigan, meanwhile, will make its 32nd all-time appearance in Saturday's episode. The Wolverines are 15-16 when among the featured teams on "GameDay." Moreover, they are 4-10 as the road team — which includes nine straight losses.
'College GameDay' schedule on ESPN
- TV channel: ESPN
- Start time: 9 a.m. ET
The "College GameDay" crew of Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit and David Pollack will preview Week 8's college football action live from Minneapolis. Lee Corso, whose health is at greater risk should he contract COVID-19, has to this point set up a remote office in his home. The game will be broadcast on ABC, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
"GameDay" seems to have an obvious choice for its Week 9 site: University Park, Pa., for the top-10 matchup between No. 5 Ohio State and No. 8 Penn State. This game, which has been a "White Out" every year dating back to 2012, will have no fans in the stands at Beaver Stadium, as part of the Big Ten's return-to-play protocol.
| Week | Matchup | Location | Guest Picker | Corso's Headgear | Outcome |
| 2 | No. 1 Clemson at Wake Forest | Winston-Salem, N.C. | Chris Paul | Tigers | Clemson 37, Wake Forest 13 |
| 3 | No. 17 Miami at No. 18 Louisville | Louisville, Ky. | Bill Murray | Hurricanes | Miami 47, Louisville 34 |
| 4 | Florida State at No. 12 Miami | Coral Gables, Fla. | Stugotz | Hurricanes | Miami 52, Florida State 10 |
| 5 | No. 7 Auburn at No. 4 Georgia | Athens, Ga. | Omari Hardwick | Bulldogs | Georgia 27, Auburn 6 |
| 6 | No. 7 Miami at No. 1 Clemson | Clemson, S.C. | Alex Rodriguez | Tigers | Clemson 42, Miami 17 |
| 7 | No. 3 Georgia at No. 2 Alabama | Tuscaloosa, Ala. | Derrick Henry | Crimson Tide | Alabama 41, Georgia 24 |
| 8 | No. 18 Michigan at No. 21 Minnesota | Minneapolis | Vince Vaughn | Wolverines | TBD |
Who is the guest picker on 'College GameDay' for Week 8?
"GameDay" has announced actor — and Minnesota native — Vince Vaughn as its guest picker for Michigan-Minnesota.
The Big Ten is back and we've got Minnesota native Vince Vaughn as our guest picker this week! pic.twitter.com/J3tL5ZbMXz
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 24, 2020
Michigan at Minnesota odds
Per Vegas Insider's consensus odds, Michigan is a 3.5-point road favorite over the Gophers.
