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The No. 16 Michigan Wolverines will kick off their season at home against Western Michigan later tonight and things are expected to go well for the maize and blue. As 27.5-point favorites over the Broncos, the outcome of the game shouldn't be in question, but there is some mystery surrounding the Wolverines under new head coach Kyle Whittingham. With new coordinators, several impact transfers and a few impact true freshmen, things are going to look a lot different in 2026. Here are some things I think we'll see in the opener…

1. Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter will both score at touchdown

Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck love to run the football. They had the No. 2 rush offense in the country last year at Utah and now they have a loaded RB room and an elite athlete at quarterback. The offensive line has reportedly come together nicely as well. With all of those things in place, expect the Wolverines to pound the ball on the ground resulting in both Jordan Marshall and freshman phenom Savion Hiter finding the end zone.

2. Michigan will force at least three turnovers

When you hear defensive coordinator Jay Hill talk about his defense, he seems to exude a quiet yet strong confidence. He has some standout players at all three levels, a ton of depth up front and an abundance of experience in the secondary. That combination should result in a stingy defense adept at taking the ball away. I see the Wolverines forcing at least three turnovers in this one as the Broncos press a bit to keep pace. A strip-sack-fumble and a couple of interceptions ought to do the trick.

3. Bryce Underwood will have at least six designed runs

Last year, Bryce Underwood was seldom used as a runner because of Sherrone Moore's ridiculous take.

"If you're going to run your quarterback you better have two," Moore infamously said during a press conference. 

It's one of the lamest quotes ever uttered by a head coach, especially when you consider that the quarterback in question is 6-4, 230 pounds and runs like a deer. Underwood can and should be a lethal weapon as a runner and I expect that to be the case in this new system.

He might not be called upon to tote it much against Western Michigan, but he needs to feel some contact and should be really effective as a runner no matter who the opponent is.

4. A true freshman will record a sack

All fall we've heard about freshmen edge rushers Tariq Boney and Carter Meadows. The pair are as freaky as they come athletically and are reportedly ready to contribute now. Boney, at 6-1, 243 pounds, is built like a Jaishawn Barham. He's a little more compact and agile, but still possesses enough strength to get around blockers. Meadows is your prototypical NFL-type of edge rusher at 6-7, 252 pounds. He's long, lean and extremely athletic. Both of these guys are going to be special in the future, but tonight, one of them will get home.

5. Chris Bracy will lead the defense in snaps

This prediction is about the position as much as it is about the player. Typically, safeties don't rotate much, which bodes well for Memphis transfer Chris Bracy. The 6-1, 200-pounder has been highlighted by his teammates and coaches all offseason and should play a lot of snaps. With fellow safety Rod Moore on a bit of a pitch count, look for the coaches to find stability in Bracy.

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