Angelique S. Chengelis: U-M insider

Brandon's no Minor gain for Wolverines

Ann Arbor

For a change, the news about Michigan tailback Brandon Minor is good.

Minor, who has battled a nagging high ankle/foot sprain this season, has: a) practiced this week, and b) practiced well, coach Rich Rodriguez said Wednesday.

Barring "stubbing his toe," Minor will start against Purdue on Saturday.

That he's available certainly is a positive for the Wolverines, considering the Boilermakers are seventh in the Big Ten in rush defense (161.2 yards).

Rodriguez, who said Minor has done more the last two days of practice than he has done in a month, joked that Minor has been so determined to play, perhaps he has not been entirely truthful about his physical condition with the staff.

"He may be tricking us and telling us he feels better, but I know he really wants to play," Rodriguez said. "I got on him a little bit the other day because he may be saying he wants to play, but in pregame warm-ups, he's telling us otherwise."

But with Minor back, the offense takes on a different look and feel.

In five Big Ten games, Michigan has 595 yards rushing. In the four losses, they averaged 111.5.

"When he gets going downhill, he's a big, physical guy and I've said this several times, we're different when he's running downhill," Rodriguez said of Minor, who's averaging 46 yards. "It gives a different dimension to our offense that we need, frankly."

Ortmann cleared

Left tackle Mark Ortmann told Rodriguez on Monday he did not punch Illinois defensive lineman Corey Liuget in the groin during the fourth quarter.

The Big Ten has agreed.

Extra points

Senior tailback Carlos Brown (tendinitis, knees) did not do much in practice Tuesday.

... Sophomore tailback Michael Shaw , out last Saturday (knee), should be ready for Purdue, Rodriguez said.

... With right tackle Perry Dorrestein having back issues, Rodriguez said redshirt sophomore Patrick Omameh likely will play at right guard and Mark Huyge at right tackle.

... Leading receiver Martavious Odoms (knee), averaging 34 yards, remains day-to-day.

... It appears Kevin Leach will start again at middle linebacker in place of Obi Ezeh .

Michigan is 109th of 120 Division I teams in turnover margin; Purdue is 108th.

angelique.chengelis@detnews.com

By the numbers

16 Michigan's winning streak vs. Purdue at Michigan Stadium (1966)

Purdue at Michigan

Kickoff: Noon Saturday, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor

TV/radio: Big Ten Network/WOMC 104.3, CKLW 800

Records: Purdue 3-6 (2-3 Big Ten), Michigan 5-4 (1-4)

Series: Michigan leads 41-13

Line: Michigan by 6 1/2

Breakdown

Michigan and Purdue key stats: