The Big Ten returns in Week 8 of the college football season this weekend, and the mostintriguing conference matchup is getting the prime-time treatment.No. 18 Michigan travels to No. 21 Minnesota at 7:30 p.m. for the ABC "Game of the Week." It's a matchup between two of college football's mostpolarizing coaches.The Gophers are coming off an 11-win season under P.J. Fleck. The return of quarterback Tanner Morgan and receiver Rashod Bateman, who opted back in to the 2020 season, has Minnesota thinking Big Ten West championship.MORE: Michigan enters Jim Harbaugh's sixth season as coach with the sameold questions. The Wolverines are coming off a nine-win season and have improvedthe overall trajectoryof the program. Michigan's track Dejan Vasiljevic Jersey record in big games, however, is subject to widespread criticism.Those storylines converge in a battle for the Little Brown Jug one of Ed Reed Jersey the mostprestigious rivalry trophies in college football.With that in mind, here's a full look at the top-five showdown.Michigan vs. MinnesotaoddsSpread:Michigan -3Over/under: 54.5Point spread odds:Michigan -110,Minnesota110Michigan vs. Minnesotaall-time seriesMichigan leads the all-time series 75-25-3.The Wolverines are 2-0 against the Gophers under Harbaugh, and the last trip to Minneapolis was a 29-26 thriller in 2015.Michigan is 7-3 in the 10 matchups in which both teams were ranked.The Wolverines won the last meeting 33-10 on Nov. 4, 2017.Three trends to knowHarbaugh is 10-11 S/U against top 25 teams since coming to Michigan in 2015, but he's 8-3 S/U against teams ranked outside the top 10. Fleck is 2-5 S/U against ranked teams with Minnesota.Michigan is 15-3 S/U as a road favorite under Harbaugh since 2015. The Wolverines are 8-9-1 ATS in that situation.The Gophers are3-4S/U as a home underdog under Fleck. Minnesota is 4-3ATS in that situation.Three things to watchRashod Bateman. The star receiver opted back in to the season, and that's huge for a Minnesota offense that features a solid quarterback in Tanner Morgan, who averaged 10.2 yards perattempt last season. In the Penn State and Wisconsin games last season, Bateman totaled 13 catches for 350 yards and a pair of TDs. That's a tough a signment for Michigan cornerback Vincent Gray, Anthony Lawrence II Jersey who inherits top cornerback duties now that Ambry Thomas opted out.Joe Milton's debut. Milton will be making his first start for the Wolverines after sitting behind Shea Patterson the past two seasons. Milton has received a fair amount of hypein the offseason, but he must mesh with offensive coordinator Josh Gattis Brad Kaaya Jersey in a tough first a signment.Michigan has a young group of receivers and will be without Nico Collins, who opted out. The running back trio of Zach Charbonnet, Ha san Haskins and Chris Evans can help take the pre sure off Milton.First-game jitters. Minnesota is breaking in a new offensive coordinator in Mike Sanford, a former Western Kentucky coach and Notre Dame offensive coordinator. That poses an interesting che s match with Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown. Early turnovers could be something to watch on both sides.Stat that matters371Michigan rushed for 371 yards in the team's last meeting in 2017, and that was the difference in a one-sided blowout. Most of Harbaugh's lo ses with the Wolverines including the games against ranked teams are a product of not being able to run the football consistently. With a new quarterback in place, the pre sure to produce that running game on the Miami Hurricanes College Jersey road is the ultimate key to victory.PredictionMinnesota upset Penn State at home last season, anddid it with the help of thebig-playpa sing game. Bateman scored early, and he'll do the same in this game. Michigan will stay patient with the running game despite trailing at halftime, and Milton will match some wow plays with some inconsistency. The Wolverines, however, will tighten up enough on defensein thesecond half. Michigan emerges with a good start to 2020.Final scoreMichigan31, Minnesota 24