Kirk Herbstreit expects a 'very different' Michigan team on defense vs. Texas

Michigan was a little bit underwhelming in its season opener against Fresno State as the Wolverines led only 10-3 at the half and didn’t dominate on the lines of scrimmage the way they routinely did under Jim Harbaugh.

ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit joined SportsCenter Saturday morning and shared that he expects a different version of Michigan to show up on Saturday when the Wolverines host Texas.

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“You know, I think Week 1 there were some teams that maybe peaked ahead to Week 2. I think Michigan is an example of that team,” Herbstreit said. “They played Fresno State, new era, a lot of leadership was gone from a year ago.

“I think you’re going to see a very different Michigan team today against Texas defensively. I think they’re going to play out of their minds. I think having a crowd behind them, I think the energy, being an underdog at home, I think has Michigan fired up. I’d be shocked if they didn’t play great on that side of the football.”

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Michigan and Texas both look much different this season than they did a year ago. Yes, they have some key pieces back, but they also lost a lot of talent to the NFL.

Kirk Herbstreit discussed how a Texas offense that has a bunch of new playmakers around quarterback Quinn Ewers can try to attack the Wolverines.

“Michigan has the best tandem of defensive tackles in all of college football. So Texas has gotta do a good job of getting the ball out on the perimeter,” Herbstreit said. “Whether it’s those quick throws, whether it’s getting Jaydon Blue to the outside to be able to stretch that defense out, make them run. Wink Martindale is an attacking defensive-minded coach.”

Herbstreit also shared which pass catchers could step up for Texas against Michigan after the Longhorns lost Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Jordan Whittington to the 2024 NFL Draft.

“Here are the names — Isaiah Bond, who came over from Alabama is a guy to keep an eye on today. Ryan Wingo, he’s a true freshmen. Now, true freshmen in this atmosphere, they can really come of age. So remember that name Ryan Wingo,” Herbstreit said. “You see they have a bunch of guys. Like you said, they miss so many from a year ago, led by Xavier Worthy.

“It’s that next wave, not only for Michigan, but it’s that next wave for Texas. I think that’s what makes college football so exciting. You get to Week 2, you have a huge matchup like this, and we’re going to learn about a lot of new personalities to see who can step up on that big stage and deliver.”