How many times on this blog did I say, please don't send Michigan on the road to start the season against a difficult opponent? Michigan has had 3 schedules this year, 1st one was on the road against Washington, 2nd one was home against Purdue, and now Michigan opens against the ranked (in the pre-season) Minnesota Gophers on the road to start the season. A trophy game to kickoff the season?
A Mgoblog poster put it perfectly. The Big Ten is all about money, put Michigan in difficult games because the Wolverines always pull a huge TV number (Even MSU/OSU fans love to watch Michigan lose and tune in) and give OSU an easy path to the Playoffs.