After a chaotic opening stretch, Michigan gets a softer landing this week. The Wolverines are heading into their matchup with UTEP carrying real momentum after knocking off Oklahoma, and the tone around Ann Arbor has changed fast.
Last week’s win came after Michigan had looked sluggish against Western Michigan and then faced a Sooners team with one of the best defenses in the country. This time, the expectation is much different.
The clearest path for Michigan in this one runs through the ground game. Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter combined for just 38 yards on 19 carries against Oklahoma, even as Bryce Underwood did plenty of damage himself with 87 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. That balance won’t be enough forever, and this feels like the kind of game where the backs are supposed to take over.
The weather could help push it in that direction, too. The forecast for Saturday calls for steady rain all day long, which would make this a prime setup for a heavy dose of rushing attempts.
Wet conditions can make ball security tricky, but they also open the door for a team with Michigan’s line to wear down an opponent. Against what is described as a weak UTEP defense, Marshall and Hiter should have room to work.
That’s why the prediction here is that the two backs combine for more than 250 yards and each reach the end zone twice. Michigan has every reason to treat this as a tune-up before Big Ten play begins next week, and the matchup should allow the Wolverines to sharpen a few things before Iowa comes to town. The focus, beyond the run game, is on cleaning up discipline and trimming penalties while giving Underwood a chance to settle in more comfortably if the passing game gets opportunities.
The bottom line is simple: Michigan should not be caught looking ahead after what happened against Western Michigan. The lesson has already been learned, and the Wolverines are in position to move to 3-0 for the first time since the 2023 season. The forecast here is a controlled, one-sided win - Michigan 38, UTEP 0.
In Other News...
Michigan Fans May Need To Rethink Pregame Plans For UTEP
Michigan fans headed to Saturdays game against UTEP may want to keep one eye on the forecast and another on Michigan Athletics social feeds. University and public safety officials are monitoring weather conditions that could affect the normal pregame routine, including when gates open and how easily fans can get into parking areas around the stadium.
With the No. 19 Wolverines already 2-0, the on-field focus remains on staying sharp in a nonconference tuneup. But for everyone planning to make a day of it, the bigger question is whether the usual arrival plan will hold up, and the school is urging fans to stay put in safe locations if openings are delayed and to keep checking official updates before heading over. [Read more 🡒]
Bryce Underwood Is Giving Michigan Fans Real Hope And One Big Debate
Michigans win over No. 11 Oklahoma did more than add another marquee result to the rsum, it put Bryce Underwood back at the center of the national conversation. The freshman quarterback drew praise from head coach Kyle Whittingham for the way he handled the game plan, and even a former rivals coach in Urban Meyer came away impressed by his athleticism. For a program that has spent plenty of time proving itself on the big stage, Underwoods early presence is giving the fan base something it has been eager to latch onto.
The bigger question now is how much of that promise can hold up when the spotlight stays on and the schedule gets less forgiving. Analyst Josh Pate said the Oklahoma win still left him unsure about Michigans consistency, which is the kind of follow-up debate a good September victory always seems to create. For the Wolverines, the appeal is obvious: Underwood looks like the kind of quarterback who can elevate everything around him, but the real test is whether the team can keep matching that standard week after week. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Is Building Real Momentum For An In-State Five-Star Flip
Michigan keeps pressing for one of the top in-state targets on its board, and five-star wide receiver Dakota Guerrant is very much in the middle of that effort. The Oregon commit recently made it back to campus to watch a game, and he came away with a positive impression of the offense, another encouraging sign for a staff that has stayed engaged throughout his recruitment.
Position coach Micah Simon has remained in regular contact with Guerrant as Michigan works to keep its foot on the gas. For now, the receiver is still locked in on his high school season, but the Wolverines clearly have built enough traction to make this one worth watching as the next stretch of recruiting develops. [Read more 🡒]