WHO: Minnesota (1-3) at No. 19 Michigan (4-0).

WHERE: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.

WHEN: Noon today.

ODDS: Michigan is favored by 20 points, according to sportsbook.com.

SERIES RECORD: Michigan leads, 70-24-3.

LAST MEETING: Michigan won 29-6 on Nov. 8, 2008. (Ann Arbor News coverage)

WEATHER: Partly sunny. Breezy. Chance of showers during the morning, then a slight chance of showers ending around 4 p.m. Highs 48 to 52. Latest forecast.

PARKING: Recent wet weather has closed some lots.

BROADCAST INFORMATION: TV: BTN; Radio: Michigan Sports Network (local affiliates).

LIVE COVERAGE: Join our live chat on the Michigan football home page beginning at 11:30 a.m. and follow beat writer Kyle Meinke on Twitter @kmeinke for live updates during the game.

MICHIGAN: Roster | Stats | Schedule/Results

MINNESOTA: Roster | Stats | Schedule/Results

Associated Press capsule

WHAT'S AT STAKE: The Little Brown Jug, the oldest trophy game in major college football that dates to 1909. Michigan will defend it for the first time since 2008, hoping not to lose it for just the third time in three-plus decades. The Wolverines can keep the momentum they've built with four straight wins at home. Minnesota can get a much-needed boost after losing three of four non-conference games.

KEY MATCHUP: Michigan QB Denard Robinson vs. Minnesota's front seven. Robinson has struggled in the passing game, completing just 49 percent of his passes this season and throwing six interceptions the last three games. He might have a chance to get comfortable in the pocket against a team with only one sack in four games.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Michigan: K Brendan Gibbons has failed to instill confidence, missing a 40-yard field goal and making a 21-yarder this year after he made a 24-yard field goal and missed all four of his attempts longer than 30 yards last season. Minnesota: RB Donnell Kirkwood, a freshman who might be on his way to beating out senior Duane Bennett, ran for a 30-yard TD last week and finished with 70 yards rushing on 10 attempts. Michigan has given up 156 yards rushing per game.

FACTS & FIGURES: Michigan coach Brady Hoke said he had one conversation with the Gophers nearly a year ago while he was at San Diego State and before they hired Jerry Kill. ... Minnesota's last two wins against Michigan were in 2005 and 1986. ... The Wolverines beat San Diego State 28-7 and the Gophers lost to second-tier North Dakota State 37-24 last week.

AnnArbor.com coverage

Here we are again, in Ann Arbor for the fifth consecutive Michigan football game played at Michigan Stadium. It's the first time since 1976 the Wolverines played their first five games at home.

Minnesota comes to town for the Big Ten-opener, but the biggest stories this week have been about who would be making the trip for the Golden Gophers. Coach Jerry Kill, who checked himself into the Mayo Clinic early this week as he continues to battle seizures, is Michigan Stadium-bound. The Gophers' quarterback, MarQueis Gray, will be there, too, but a mid-week injury kept his status up in the air.

We've covered both those stories, and plenty more, this week. Here is a compilation of related stories leading up to kickoff:

FRIDAY

• In this video report, AnnArbor.com sports reporter Kyle Meinke discusses three things he expects to see from the Wolverines as coaches work to make quarterback Denard Robinson more comfortable throwing the ball:

Michigan's defense is seeking some consistency before hitting the road for four out of its next five games.

• Grading Michigan's non-conference performance: Safeties earn high marks during 4-0 start.

• Reinstated punter Will Hagerup will start, offensive lineman Ricky Barnum is doubtful and more notes.

• They haven't all been blowouts. Here are five entertaining battles for the Little Brown Jug over the past 25 years.

• During Saturday's pre-game and halftime performances by the Michigan marching band, it will leave an open space for trumpet player Patrick Fleming, who died in a car accident this week. He 'really loved that trumpet, his brother says.

• Our weekly poll: Las Vegas oddsmakers have made Michigan a 20-point favorite. What do you think?

THURSDAY

• Quarterback Denard Robinson gets down on himself as Michigan tries to solve passing woes.

• Stopping Minnesota quarterback MarQueis Gray is a primary concern for Michigan football team.

• The continuing MarQueis Gray saga: He's not on injury report, expected to play against Michigan. (This after he was considered questionable on Wednesday.)

• We take a closer look at the Big Ten game of the week (Nebraska-Wisconsin) and our staff predicts the Big Ten games. You can make your own picks, too.

• Our weekly Q&A is with Michigan linebacker Jake Ryan, who discusses Greg Mattison's criticism of him and his long, golden locks.

• The Big Ten football trophy is in Ann Arbor this weekend and you can get your picture taken with it. Find out when and where.

• Our Michigan football beat writer, Kyle Meinke, conducted a lunchtime live chat on Thursday. Read the transcript here.

WEDNESDAY

• The Michigan football team is not giving up on Will Campbell. Not even close.

• After checking himself into the hospital on Sunday, Minnesota coach Jerry Kill was back at practice and plans to be at Michigan Stadium.

• Our Michigan notebook leads with starting offensive lineman Ricky Barnum missing practice with a bum ankle and some other personnel updates.

• Our Big Ten notebook has plenty of quick-hit updates and some fun by the numbers.

• In our weekly Beat Writer Breakdown, Phil Miller from the Minneapolis Star Tribune gives us some Golden Gophers perspective on the game.

TUESDAY

• Michigan football coach Brady Hoke is displeased with hit team's defensive consistency, seeking 'drastic' improvement in passing game.

• After another fast start, Michigan is trying to avoid another 'embarrassing' finish.

• Fiery Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan is harnessing his emotions and reining in penalties.

• What statistic matters most to Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison? Wins. (Plus more in this notebook from Mattison and Al Borges' weekly meeting with the media.)

• Michigan's Tuesday football practice yielded some good news, some bad news on the injury front.

• People love the Little Brown Jug. Take, for instance, Dennis Staroska, who made a replica for his father, Tom, for Christmas. They've since had it signed by the last six Michigan football coaches: Bump Elliot, Bo Schembechler, Lloyd Carr, Gary Moeller, Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke.

• Before Jerry Kill's return, a Minnesota football assistant said the Gophers were preparing to face Michigan with or without.

MONDAY

• Michigan unveiled a wildly successful speed option play against San Diego State after months of practice.

• Michigan ready to compete for Little Brown Jug for first time in 3 years.

Will Hagerup has not been handed back his punter job after completing suspension (plus more notes from Brady Hoke's Monday press conference).

Around the Big Ten

• The AnnArbor.com staff is predicting Big Ten games this year. You can play along by voting for your own winner of each game before noon Saturday.

• Northwestern at Illinois, noon, ESPN2. (Preview)

• Penn State at Indiana, noon, ESPNU. (Preview)

• Michigan State at Ohio State, 3:30 p.m., ABC (Preview | MSU coverage)

• Nebraska at Wisconsin, 8 p.m., ABC. (Preview)

• Notre Dame at Purdue, 8 p.m., ESPN. (Preview)

• Idle: Iowa.