Michigan’s first road trip of the season comes with a few health questions attached.
The Wolverines head to Minnesota looking to bounce back after a painful loss to Iowa last weekend, a game that turned on several self-inflicted wounds. Michigan went just 2-for-4 in the red zone, allowed a kick return touchdown and piled up penalties at the wrong times.
Now the attention shifts to Wednesday’s initial availability report, where six Michigan starters appeared. That list matters even more with a bye week on the horizon, because the Wolverines could be careful with anyone not close to full strength.
One of the names to watch is John Henry Daley. Kyle Whittingham said Monday night that Daley would be questionable this week, and that lines up with the uncertainty surrounding his status. The encouraging sign is that he was seen walking around without a boot or crutches, though Michigan may still choose caution if he is not nearly 100 percent.
Blake Frazier, meanwhile, looks like the cleaner situation. The offensive tackle is listed as probable after leaving last weekend’s game with an apparent injury, then quickly returning a few plays later. Frazier finished the game, which already pointed toward him being available against Minnesota.
Dom Nichols is back on the report for the second straight week. He carried a questionable tag before the Iowa game, played anyway, and ended up handling most of the workload at edge alongside Daley. Unless something changes, the expectation is that he suits up again.
Wide receiver Andrew Marsh is another possible concern. He followed up his big performance with another 100-yard outing against Iowa, and he and JJ Buchanan have become major weapons for Bryce Underwood. Michigan would obviously prefer not to lose either one, especially with a road game and a bounce-back spot in front of them.
In Other News...
Gophers Offensive Line Suddenly Has A Problem That Could Change Everything
Minnesotas offensive line has been forced into emergency mode after starting center Ashton Beers was ruled out for the rest of the 2026 season with a lower right leg injury. The timing is especially harsh for a unit that had already been stretched thin, because backup center Brett Carroll was lost for the year earlier with a preseason leg injury, leaving the Gophers to reshuffle the middle of the line on the fly.
The answer so far has been to move Greg Johnson from guard to center and plug Jaden Ball into left guard, but even that setup is not settled heading into the next game. Ball is questionable, which leaves Minnesota trying to protect its offense with more uncertainty than it can afford, and the next lineup decision could shape how the rest of the season looks up front. [Read more 🡒]
Gophers Face A Serious O-Line Problem At The Worst Time
Minnesota is dealing with an offensive-line hit that arrives at exactly the wrong moment, with starting center Ashton Beers done for the 2026 season after sustaining a significant foot injury in the Akron game. The injury leaves a real hole in the middle of the line for a group that had already been managing its depth, and it is the kind of problem that can reshape an offense fast.
The Gophers are now down their top two centers from fall camp, since backup Brett Carroll is also sidelined with a knee injury. Minnesota plans to move Greg Johnson to center full-time to help stabilize things, but the shuffle only underscores how thin the room has become and how much pressure now sits on the next man up. [Read more 🡒]
Minnesotas Upset Shot Vs Michigan Comes Down To One Big Test
Minnesota heads into Saturdays matchup with Michigan knowing the Wolverines have not looked like the fully polished force many expected, which gives this one a little more intrigue than the usual Big Ten measuring stick. The Gophers have reasons to believe they can hang around if they play clean football and force Michigan into a game that tests its consistency, especially with the Wolverines still sorting through stretches of uneven play this season.
For Minnesota, the path to an upset runs through discipline, timely defense and making the most of the opportunities that come against a roster with more top-end talent. The matchup has enough variables to keep it interesting deep into the game, but the broader read still leans toward Michigan having the stronger recent track record and enough quality to survive the challenge. [Read more 🡒]