Michigan’s defense has done the heavy lifting through two games, and Saturday’s visit from UTEP gives the Wolverines a clear opportunity to start sorting out the other side of the ball before Big Ten play arrives.
That’s the common thread in the predictions from Angelique S. Chengelis, Connor Earegood, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News, who all expect Michigan to handle the Miners at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network/94.7 FM.
The biggest area for Michigan to attack is the run game. Chengelis pointed to backs Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter as the players who need touches, while also noting the offensive line has to be better.
She wrote that quarterback Bryce Underwood cannot be the only dimension of the offense if Michigan wants to get through its upcoming Big Ten schedule, and said the Wolverines need more from receivers Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan as well. Her pick: Michigan 41-3.
Earegood saw last week’s defensive showing against Oklahoma as a much better sign for Michigan, and said Underwood may not be a polished passer yet, but he is a gifted athlete the Wolverines are leaning on. He also suggested the matchup could give Jason Beck a chance to work through some offensive issues.
His take on UTEP was blunt: “The Miners are minor, and Paydirt Pete might not reach paydirt very often.” His pick: Michigan 34-7.
Niyo focused on the lack of production from the offense, noting Michigan has scored just four touchdowns in two games, with one coming on the controversial Hail Mary against Western Michigan. He called this final nonconference game a chance to rest some injured starters, mentioning Jordan Marshall, and a chance for Jason Beck to call more explosive pass plays for Underwood.
With UTEP having been shut out 51-0 by Oklahoma, Niyo said there should be no excuse for anything less than a blowout. His pick: Michigan 42-7.
Wojnowski made the point that a 58-0 result would be too easy to assume, even with Michigan favored by 35 points. He noted the Wolverines have scored only 30 points all season, but have been carried by a defense that looks fearsome with a healthy John Henry Daley.
He said Underwood was markedly improved last week and led Michigan in rushing, but stressed that Marshall and Hiter need to be more productive and the offensive line needs to keep growing. With Iowa looming in the Big Ten opener, Wojnowski said Michigan should try to get through this one with as little fuss as possible.
His pick: Michigan 37-6.
In Other News...
Michigan Fans May Need To Rethink Pregame Plans For UTEP
Michigan fans heading into the UTEP game may need a little more flexibility in their usual Saturday routine. Michigan Athletics and public safety officials are keeping an eye on weather conditions that could affect the schedule, including possible delays to gate openings and parking access, with the university directing fans to rely on official athletics channels for the latest updates.
For a No. 19 Michigan team that is 2-0, the on-field focus remains the same, but the pregame experience may look different depending on how the weather develops. If gates do not open on time, fans are being told to stay in safe locations and wait for further guidance, a reminder that the logistics around kickoff can shift quickly even when the game itself is still on track. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Still Has One Big Concern After Another Blowout Win
Michigan kept rolling in a 52-17 win over UTEP to move to 3-0, and the final score reflected how thoroughly the Wolverines took control after shaking off a sluggish start. Early turnovers could have made things interesting, but the offense settled in and the second half turned into another convincing display, with quarterback Bryce Underwood throwing for 223 yards and two touchdowns in just three quarters.
Andrew Marsh was a bright spot again, finishing with 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, giving Michigan another reliable target as the passing game found a rhythm. The defense also settled in after a few early mistakes, but even in a blowout like this, the game did not fully erase the concern that has lingered around the Wolverines through the opening stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Finally Found Some Offense But A Bigger Worry Is Growing
Michigan finally got the kind of offensive afternoon it had been waiting for, rolling past UTEP 52-17 as Bryce Underwood looked more comfortable as a passer and the unit found more rhythm than it had shown earlier in the season. There was even a milestone for the freshman group, with Tommy Carr tossing his first career touchdown pass, a small but useful sign that Michigan was getting production from more than one spot on the field.
Still, the more immediate concern out of the win may be on the other side of the ledger, where the injury list keeps getting harder to ignore. Right tackle Andrew Sprague, running back Jordan Marshall and cornerback Zeke Berry all missed time or were limited, and for a team trying to build momentum, those absences could matter as much as any box score improvement. Michigan got the offense it needed Saturday, but the health of a few key players is becoming a bigger storyline by the week. [Read more 🡒]