By the numbers: Michigan's non-conference slate has been a breeze so far

While head coach Jim Harbaugh has insisted the first two games of the season haven’t been “ho-hum,” the results of the Michigan Wolverines football team’s pair of tilts have made it seem like a walk in the park. The Maize and Blue beat Colorado State 51-7 and Hawai’i 56-10 for a combined winning margin of 90 (45 points per game).

That’s the program’s highest combined winning margin in the first two games of a season since 2016 (97) when it beat Hawai’i 63-3 and UCF 51-14. In fact, it’s Michigan’s third-largest sum through two games since 1925 (102) when the Wolverines took down Michigan State 39-0 and Indiana 63-0. That season, the Maize and Blue posted a 7-1 record with seven shutout victories; they allowed only 3 points all season, in a 3-2 loss to Northwestern.

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This is just the 13th time out of the last 23 years (since 2000) that Michigan has won its first two games of the season. For now, gone are the days of playing challenging early-season opponents like Notre Dame, UCLA, Washington, Oregon or Utah.

Michigan has a great chance to keep the winning going this weekend, with a 1-2 UConn club heading to Ann Arbor. The Huskies lost to Utah State (31-20) and Syracuse (48-14) and beat Central Connecticut (28-3). They’ve won just five combined games since 2018 (their 2020 season was canceled) and haven’t had a winning record since 2010, one of just six in program history.

The Wolverines and Huskies have met twice — once in Ann Arbor and once in East Hartford. Michigan won 30-10 as it celebrated The Big House’s rededication in 2010. Quarterback Denard Robinson, now U-M’s assistant director of player personnel, made his first career start, completing 19 of his 22 pass attempts for 186 yards and 1 touchdown through the air and rushing 29 times for 197 yards and 1 score.

The clash in Connecticut was a bit more dramatic. The Wolverines actually trailed 21-7 early in the third quarter, before mounting a 24-21 comeback victory that included scoring 17-straight points. Kicker Brendan Gibbons nailed the game-winning field goal with 4:36 left to break the tie.

Betting trends: Michigan vs. UConn

Michigan is a 47.5-point favorite with the total points over/under set at 60. Here are some trends to know:

• Michigan is 1-1 against the spread (ATS) this season, covering 31 points against Colorado State but failing to win by 53 or more versus Hawai’i. The Wolverines are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home tilts.

• The total has gone under in each of Michigan’s games so far. However, it’s been extremely close to going over in both contests, missing the mark by 2.5 points and 0.5 points, respectively. The total has gone under in six of Michigan’s last seven home games.

• UConn is 4-2 ATS in its last six road games (0-5 straight up), including 2-1 this season. The Huskies covered as 24-point underdogs against Utah State and 20.5-point favorites versus Central Connecticut.

• The total has gone under in two of UConn’s three contests.

By the numbers: Michigan vs. UConn

6.9 Yards per carry for the Michigan offense, which ranks first in the Big Ten and fourth in the land. The Wolverines have also scored 9 rushing touchdowns, which is tied for the fifth-best mark in the sport.

14 Plays of 20-plus yards given up by the UConn defense. Michigan had 11 such plays last Saturday.

20 Or better is where Michigan ranks in scoring offense (2nd), total offense (19th), rushing offense (10th), scoring defense (11th), total defense (13th) and passing defense (8th). Other categories: Rushing defense (48th), passing offense (55th).

17 Points allowed for Michigan football through two contests, which is tied with the 2016 season for the fourth-lowest total through two weeks in the last 25 years (1997, 6 points; 2003, 10 points; 2000, 14 points). Michigan’s 472 yards allowed in the first two games are the least it has given up since 2017 (392 yards).

39 Total tackles for UConn linebacker Jackson Mitchell, which leads the country. He’s second in the nation with 13 stops per game. He’s also added 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.

94.7 Is Michigan sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy‘s overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade through two games, the second-highest among quarterbacks nationally. McCarthy has been especially efficient on downfield throws, completing all 4 of his passes that have traveled 20-plus yards for 146 yards with 2 touchdowns. His 36.5 yards per attempt on deep passes ranks third in the country.

100 Or worse is where UConn ranks in scoring offense (107th), total offense (104th), passing offense (123rd) and total defense (101st). Here’s where they rank in other major categories: 34th in rushing offense, 84th in scoring defense, 90th in passing defense, tied 94th in rushing defense.

112 Michigan players have seen game action during their career, including 31 Wolverines who have made their career debut this season.

384 Rushing yards for UConn running back Nate Carter (eighth nationally with 128 yards per game), who’s carried 59 times and is averaging 6.5 yards per run with 1 touchdown. He’s also caught 4 passes for 30 yards.