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Whenever a team is favored by 4.5 points, it's supposed to be just a shade off of a toss up. However, this game doesn't really seem like it'll be close, but that's where the spread is right now. Oklahoma rolled in Week 1 smacking UTEP 51-0, while Michigan needed a miracle to beat Western Michigan 13-12 after prayers were answered on a Hail Mary heave.

Oklahoma is 1-0 after stomping UTEP and are now the favorites as they visit Ann Arbor. Yet somehow, the experts out in Vegas see the Sooners only winning by a slim margin. Things might get ugly if Michigan performs like they did last week, but those around the program swear that will not happen.

For Michigan, they have to raise their level in a major way in all areas. Quarterback Bryce Underwood needs to be better. The offensive line needs to open lanes for the running backs. Those running backs need to be more decisive and "violent" per head coach Kyle Whittingham. Wide receivers not named JJ Buchanan need to get more separation and make some plays for their young QB. 

On defense, the pass rushers need to bother OU quarterback John Mateer as much as they can and taking the ball away from the Sooners needs to be a top priority. The Wolverines did not force a turnover against Western and that really seemed to be sticking in Whittingham's craw during his Monday morning press conference.

Overall, these two teams should be closer than they looked during Week 1. They both recruit well, they both have veteran coaches who pride themselves on playing stout defense and they're both thinking conference championship and playoff appearance as realistic season goals. Still, one team seems to be trending up while another is trending down. How it plays out on Saturday will create some interesting narratives for both programs moving forward.

Our Predictions

Brandon Brown:

It pains me to keep it so real, but I just don't see how Michigan can win this game based on what we saw out of these two teams in Week 1. Oklahoma looked like a well-oiled machine with a true Heisman contender at quarterback and a Brent Venables defense that's going to make life tough for most offenses in the country.

Meanwhile, Michigan looked clunky and out of sorts on offense and Bryce Underwood actually appeared to regress after a shaky freshman season. The Wolverines were 28.5-point favorites over WMU and miraculously got a one-point win on a Hail Mary toss.  

Michigan's defense wasn't awful, but dealing with Mateer and Oklahoma is another animal. Everything that Western did, which included a 21-play drive, Oklahoma will be able to do at a much higher level. That worries me.

Barring a complete makeover after Week 1, Michigan will fall to the Sooners in Ann Arbor on Saturday. Maybe instead of playing down to an opponent the Wolverines will play up to one, but I still don't see how that results in a W for the maize and blue.

Oklahoma 27, Michigan 13

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