Staff Predictions: Michigan football vs. Fresno State
Michigan kicks off the season Saturday night against Fresno State, a solid football team with some returning talent. The Wolverines are a three-touchdown favorite, but they have questions on offense that won’t be answered until game time …
RELATED: NEWS and VIEWS: On Michigan question marks on offense, Jaishawn Barham
And that alone makes this an intriguing opener. We expect the defense to be lights out, but without knowing what they’ll get at center or quarterback, it’s hard to know this team’s ceiling.
Can Alex Orji blossom into a good, dual-threat quarterback? Will former Michigan walk-on Davis Warren shock the world and go from non-scholarship player to next Michigan success story under center? Ideally, one of these guys will take the job and run with it, but we simply haven’t seen enough of either to know what to predict come game time.
We are pretty sure of one thing, however — you’re going to see a lot of the run game. That’s about as certain as a Michigan conspiracy theory on an Ohio State blog, and the Wolverines have a stable of backs ready to “smash!”
We, too, are ready for action at TheWolverine.com. Our John Borton was seen yesterday with a tear in his eye while replacing his golf clubs in his trunk with his variety of game day sweaters. Anthony Broome has replaced Metallica on his playlist with Big Ten fight songs, though he’s still working out the kinks (“Disco Duck” is not Oregon’s, son, though we can see why you’d think so). Clayton Sayfie has reluctantly given up on his dream of dunking a basketball and brought out the tailgate pigskin.
And former Wolverines Doug Skene? He’s gotten back to his playing weight for the occasion, though former strength coach Mike Gittleson might not approve of how it’s … uh, distributed.
All of us, though, are ready for a drama-free season in which we “just cover the team,” as Sayfie has displayed on a banner on his wall, leaving the drama for someone else.
This week’s picks:
CHRIS BALAS: Fresno State is a solid first test for this Michigan team. We’ve loved the last three years, but we’re just as excited to see what the young guys waiting in the wings can do. The first two games will set the tone for the season … if they avoid the turnovers, they should be fine. Michigan 27, Fresno State 10
JOHN BORTON: Defense sets the tone and gets in the scoring act, as well. Michigan’s offense shows some flashes and promise, but nobody shows Texas too much. Michigan 31, Fresno State 6
CLAYTON SAYFIE: Fresno State has an outstanding track record hanging with the big boys, so they won’t come in scared. Tim Skipper did a great job coaching the Bulldogs’ bowl game victory last season, and he seems like he’s a great fit, embodying the program and the San Joaquin Valley. Michigan fans will pack the place for a night game and to celebrate last year’s national championship in the first outing back … but the Wolverines have to stay focused.
The difference here will be Michigan’s ability to run the ball behind a new-look offensive line. Michigan 30, Fresno State 10
ANTHONY BROOME: t has simultaneously been the longest offseason ever while still feeling like yesterday that we went for post-natty BBQ at Pinkerton’s in Houston. This team has some question marks, but does that mean they have concerns?
The closest thing to that might be the quarterback position, which has proven to be the single-most consequential storyline of the season for Michigan. Fresno State is a much tougher test than recent season openers, and there will be some growing pains offensively, but U-M pulls away in the second half to secure win No. 1 on the year.Michigan 31, Fresno State 13
DOUG SKENE: Michigan’s defense shows it’s for real. Michigan’s offense is good, but not great yet. Michigan 27, Fresno State 6
