Michigan gets a quick chance to reset this week, and the matchup with Oklahoma brings a very different level of pressure than the opener did. After the NCAA rejected the MAC’s appeal to have Michigan’s Week 1 win overturned, the focus shifts fully to the Sooners - and to whether the Wolverines can respond after a performance that drew plenty of criticism inside the program.
The message coming out of practice has been blunt. Kyle Whittingham said things have been more phyiscal in practice, and captains like Jordan Marshall and Rod Moore have described the win over Western as "unacceptable." That leaves Michigan with one obvious path forward: play better, and do it fast.
That will be a tall order against an Oklahoma team favored by 5.5 points. The over/imder os 43.5, with the moneyline sitting at -215 for Oklahoma and +176 for Michigan football. If Michigan plays the way it did against Western Michigan, the day could get rough in a hurry, especially for Bryce Underwood and the offense.
One potential boost for the Wolverines is on the offensive line. Former five-star tackle Andrew Babalola is expected to return this week, according to Kyle Whittingham.
That matters because the Rhino package without him was a disaster. Oklahoma, meanwhile, has its own concerns up front.
Starting center Ryan Fodje missed last week’s game, Jake Maikkula is also expected out after getting hurt during fall camp, and left tackle Michael Fasusi was limited to 17 snaps last week.
The game will air as part of Big Noon Kickoff, with Gus Johnson on play-by-play, Joel Klatt handling color and Jenny Taft reporting from the sideline.
Weather in Ann Arbor should be workable for a September afternoon. The forecast calls for 81 degrees on Saturday, with precipitation at five percent and winds around nine MPH.
This will be just the third meeting between Michigan and Oklahoma. The Sooners won the most recent matchup last season, 24-13, and also took the 1976 Orange Bowl, 14-6.
In Other News...
Michigans Opener Already Sparked A Response Fans Will Notice Against Oklahoma
Rod Moore did not sugarcoat Michigans season-opening performance against Western Michigan, calling it below the programs standard after a sluggish start that left plenty to clean up. In the wake of that game, the Wolverines captains called an emergency player-only meeting, a sign that the locker room knew the performance needed a hard reset before the schedule got any tougher.
The response has shown up in practice, where the defense has turned up the physical intensity as it prepares for Oklahoma. Edge Dom Nichols has been singled out for both his work ethic and strong showing, and Michigan will be hoping that kind of internal push carries over when the bigger stage arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Win Is Now At Center Of A Stunning Official Fight
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Western Michigans conference is not letting it go, though. The Mid-American Conference has formally appealed to the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff, asking the sports top decision-makers to recognize the Broncos as the winner and turning what looked like a wild September-like finish into a larger fight over officiating, replay, and who gets to own the final whistle. [Read more 🡒]
J.J. McCarthy Just Hit A Brutal New Setback In Minnesota
J.J. McCarthys first season in Minnesota has already taken another turn, with Kevin OConnell saying the former Michigan star has been pushed to third on the Vikings quarterback chart ahead of Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. McCarthy, who began 2025 as the starter, will now sit behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz as Minnesota reshapes the position after a stretch marked by injuries and a changing depth chart.
The Vikings are planning to evaluate the quarterback roles on a week-to-week basis, which keeps the door from fully closing on McCarthy but also underscores how far he has slid since arriving with so much promise. For Michigan fans following along, it is another reminder that the NFL can turn quickly, and McCarthys next chance to reset this conversation may not come as soon as he would like. [Read more 🡒]