For each Big Ten preview, Michigan writers Dave Birkett and Michael Rothstein will jaw back-and-forth with words, parting shots and general opinions about why we selected each team to finish where we did.

Sometimes we'll agree. Other times, we won't.

Dave Birkett: Minnesota coach Tim Brewster says there's "a real buzz around the country about" his football team. Sorry, but I don't see it. I know Minnesota's opening a new stadium this year that's supposed to be beautiful and has a locker room the size of a city block and shaped like a football. But it's still Minnesota. The Gophers haven't played in a Rose Bowl in 48 years, only made any bowl last year because of their junior-varsity schedule, and Brewster strikes me more as a car salesman than a coach. They've got a few pieces in place on offense, but I'm not buying them as a top-half-of-the-Big-Ten team.

Michael Rothstein: You mean you don't want to PLAY 4 Brew? Apparently, though, a lot of others do. Last year's leading rusher -- DeLeon Eskridge -- is back and is a sophomore. And they've got some Shadyness, Shady Solomon, to help out, too. Quarterback Adam Weber returns as does receiver Eric Decker. On defense, the top two tacklers are back. Lest you forget, Minnesota played a lot of young guys last year and did decently. This year, they are all a year older and, presumably, more talented. They aren't top half of the Big Ten yet, but they'll be there. They, in some ways, remind me of Notre Dame last year -- talent in places but will likely be wildly inconsistent.

DB: I'll trust you on the Notre Dame comparison since you covered them for so long, but I'm not sure if that's good or bad. The Irish were 7-6 last year with a home loss to lowly Syracuse. Minnesota definitely has a lot of starters back and Decker's one of the most prolific receivers in the country. Weber puts up big numbers, too, but he's hit and miss as a quarterback. If he were that good, Brewster wouldn't be in such a rush to play MarQueis Gray. I think we'll learn all we need to know about Minnesota in non-conference games at Syracuse and home against Air Force and Cal to open the season.

MR: Can't disagree with you about learning a lot about Minnesota after the Cal game. And after that game I'm saying they'll be 2-1 (just not going to beat Cal). I understand your point on Gray, but perhaps he wants to play Gray because he thinks Gray could be a gamechanger and mix it up with Weber. Good or not, many teams now run multiple quarterbacks. Some systems work well (Florida with Chris Leak and Tim Tebow) some are bad (Anthony Morelli and Daryll Clark at Penn State, any time Phil Fulmer tried it at Tennessee). But for some strange reason I think Brewster knows what he's doing and I realize I may be in the minority here. Also, remember that three of the final four Minnesota games are at home and none of the Gophers' opponents have played in a Minnesota winter before. Have you been to Minneapolis/St. Paul in November or December or January or February? I've been in ice freezers that have more warmth and fans in Minnesota need something beside the Wild and ice fishing to keep them busy. If Minnesota gets through Penn State and Ohio State (both sure losses) without too many injuries both to limbs and pride, they could be bowl-bound.

DB: I have been to Minneapolis in the winter, and I don't know that I made it out of my hotel room. The bi-level suites at the City Center Marriott are amazing. Thing about Minnesota's schedule is, the last five Big Ten games are against maybe the five best teams in the conference. Home or away, that's a recipe for disaster. The Gophers look like a four- or five-win team to me. I'll go 5-7 and give them the benefit of the doubt, and that buzz Brewster was talking about is nowhere to be found.

MR: I understand your point about the schedule, but I think Minnesota will catch at least one of those teams on a bad day and pull a win. Again, it goes to playing outdoors in too-cold-for-hockey weather. Personally, I think Brewster's on the right path. Two bowls in a row for Minnesota. I say 7-5 with a win at Northwestern and beating either Illinois or Michigan State at home.

Dave Birkett and Michael Rothstein cover University of Michigan sports for annarbor.com. They can be reached at davidbirkett@annarbor.com and michaelrothstein@annarbor.com.