By the numbers: Michigan set for seventh-ever home game against SEC opponent

Michigan Wolverines football has won its last four games against top-10 teams, with all of those coming in the last six outings of the 2023 campaign on the way to the program’s 12th national championship.

The Maize and Blue disposed of No. 9 Penn State (24-15), No. 2 Ohio State (30-24), No. 4 Alabama (27-20) and No. 2 Washington (34-13).

Texas, the No. 3 team entering the College Football Playoff, was right in that mix last season, and the Longhorns stand at that exact spot in both major polls heading into Saturday’s top-10 clash at The Big House. Michigan checks in No. 9 in the coaches poll and No. 10 by the Associated Press, setting up an exciting matchup.

RELATED
• Michigan opponent scout: Observations on the Texas offense from Colorado State win
• Breaking down every pre- and post-snap third-down look from Michigan football against Fresno State

From 2022-23, Michigan went a rare two-year stretch by playing all Group of Five teams in nonconference play. Prior to that, the Maize and Blue took on Washington (2021), Notre Dame (2018-19), Florida (2017), Colorado (2016), Oregon State (2015), BYU (2015) and Utah (2014-15) in marquee nonconference tilts.

Facing Texas in a game that was scheduled back in 2014, though, is different. Athletic director Dave Brandon had no idea how highly touted the Longhorns would be when he signed the contract that September.

Ten years later, the dreams of college football fans (and television executives and others who will profit) came true. A top-10 game is set for high noon on Saturday, at the corner of Stadium Ave. and Main St.

ESPN’s ‘College GameDay,’ FOX’s ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ and Barstool Sports’ ‘College Football Show’ will all be in attendance to preview the first-ever clash between the Wolverines and Longhorns on a college campus. The two blue bloods have played only once, when Texas won 38-37 in the Jan. 1, 2005, Rose Bowl.

Texas is Michigan’s highest-ranked nonconference opponent since No. 1 Florida State in 1991 (FSU won, 51-31). This will be the Maize and Blue’s first top-10 nonconference matchup at The Big House since playing No. 7 Colorado in 1994 (Colorado won, 27-26).

Michigan rarely hosts SEC teams

Along with Oklahoma, Texas is one of the newest members of the Southeast Conference. Michigan has played just six home games against teams that were in the SEC at the time of those matchups, posting a 5-1 record. The most recent was a 27-7 victory over Vanderbilt Sept. 2, 2006.

Michigan’s home games against SEC opponents

Michigan an underdog for first time since 2022

Texas is a 7-point favorite over Michigan, according to the DraftKings Sportsbook, meaning the Wolverines are an underdog for the first time since 2022.

The last time a U-M opponent was favored was when Michigan was a nine-point underdog at Ohio State Nov. 26, 2022. The Maize and Blue, of course, came out on top, 45-23.

Michigan was an underdog three times in 2021, winning two of those games — over Wisconsin (2-point underdog) and Ohio State (6.5-point underdog). It did lose, however, to Georgia as a 7.5-point underdog in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

Since 2003, Michigan has been a home underdog 18 times, going 9-9 against the spread and 6-12 straight up in those outings.

By the numbers: Michigan vs. Texas

1st Of two matchups with fellow 2023 College Football Playoff teams will be on Saturday. The second will come Oct. 5, with Michigan taking on Washington in Seattle.

2 Interceptions returned for a touchdown for Michigan junior cornerback Will Johnson, matching the school record. His 86-yard return for a score last week was the fifth-longest off an interception in school history.

11 Different Texas receivers combined to catch 25 passes for 355 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 52-0 win over Colorado State last week. Two transfers had big performances in Isaiah Bond (Alabama) with 5 grabs for 61 yards and 1 touchdown and Matthew Golden (Houston) with 3 catches for 50 yards and 2 scores.

12 Wins for Texas last season, its most since winning 13 games in 2009. In its final year in the conference, the Longhorns won the Big 12 for the fourth time ever and first time since 2009.

15 Completions for Michigan senior quarterback Davis Warren in his first career start last week. That’s the most by a Wolverine signal-caller in a first start since Joe Milton posted an identical number in a 49-24 win over Minnesota Oct. 24, 2020. Warren’s 15 connections came on 25 attempts, and he accumulated 118 yards with 1 touchdown.

29 Consecutive regular-season victories for the Maize and Blue, the longest winning streak in Big Ten history, surpassing 28-game streaks held by Michigan (1901-03) and Ohio State (2005-07). Michigan has won 23 consecutive home outings.

30-Plus Points for Michigan in 16 of its last 19 contests, including in last week’s 30-10 win over Fresno State.

55-Yard Field goal by Michigan junior Dominic Zvada last week was the sixth-longest in school history. He also hit from 45 and 53 yards out. Zvada, an Arkansas State transfer, was named Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. Nationally, there has only been 1 field goal make longer than Zvada’s 55-yarder so far this season, a 59-yarder by Florida State’s Ryan Fitzgerald.

1,005 Wins for Michigan football, the most in college football history. Texas is tied for fourth with 949 victories.

3,479 Passing yards for Texas junior quarterback Quinn Ewers in 2023, the fourth most in a single season in program history. Ewers was on point in the team’s 52-0 win over Colorado State to open the season, as well, completing 20 of his 27 throws for 260 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception.