Minnesota defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys said Tuesday that the Golden Gophers are going about their business as if ailing coach Jerry Kill won't be on the sidelines Saturday against Michigan.

But at the same time, Kill's never missed a game due to illness, and Claeys says the team is hopeful that won't change this weekend. Claeys has coached with Kill since joining his staff in 1994 at Saginaw Valley State University.

"We've always prepared in a way that he won't be there, but I fully expect he will," Claeys said Tuesday on the Big Ten's weekly coaches teleconference. "He's never missed one. But we'll prepare like he won't be there, and go from there. That's a lot better than the alternative."

After suffering a seizure during Minnesota's home opener against New Mexico State on Sept. 10, Kill re-admitted himself into the hospital Sunday after another seizure.

On Monday, Minnesota athletic director Joe Maturi told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he had "no idea" when Kill, who has a history of seizures, will return.

On the field, Claeys said that while the team's thoughts are with their head coach, Kill's absence is not a distraction.

"Since it's already happened once, it's not that big of a distraction," Claeys said. "I don't expect any problems that way. The kids are excited to get a chance to play in the Big Ten and play for the Little Brown Jug. We'll be ready to play."

Claeys said he and offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover take on a split role as acting head coach. He was also quick to add that while they all want their boss back as soon as possible, they're doing their best not to bother him with personal well-wishes.

Simply because Kill wouldn't want it that way.

"We're leaving him alone (for the most part)," he said. "If we're calling him, he gets mad at us because it takes time away from preparing for the game."

Michigan (3-0) and Minnesota (1-3) will battle for the Little Brown Jug for the first time since 2008 at noon Saturday (BTN) in Michigan Stadium.

Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.