No WMU scare for Michigan football in final tuneup vs UTEP

Michigan football is rolling into its final nonconference game against UTEP with a 2-0 record and feeling pretty darn good after a wild start to the 2026 college football season.

Michigan surprised people with a fantastic turnaround from Week 1 to Week 2, knocking off an Oklahoma squad that was in the top 10 after needing a Hail Mary to beat Western Michigan in the first game.

Now it's the final chance for Michigan and quarterback Bryce Underwood to show some more signs of growth and some more firepower against a UTEP squad that should be overmatched.

The Wolverines moved up five spots to No. 19 in the US LBM Coaches Poll rankings after a huge win over the Sooners at the Big House in Week 2.

So will Underwood and the Michigan offense make a statement against UTEP, or will it be another close call like Week 1 against the Broncos?

Our Free Press experts make their score predictions for Saturday's game (3:30, BTN) at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

Tony Garcia

While the transitive property isn't as consistent in football as it is in math, there's reason to believe U-M should roll here. Michigan beat Oklahoma, which beat UTEP 51-0 in Week 1. The Wolverines have given up one touchdown in two games against two notably better opponents. With U-M likely to have favorable field position and possess the ball frequently, it will give the offense a chance to find its form. The attack will look much better and Michigan ends the non-conference season undefeated. The pick: Michigan 41, UTEP 3.

Shawn Windsor

Oklahoma beat the Miners by 51. Transitive properties should apply here. The Wolverines will take it easy and get reps for their entire roster. It should also be a chance for Bryce Underwood to work on the passing game. The pick: U-M 45. UTEP 3.

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Rainer Sabin

UTEP lost to Oklahoma 51-0. Michigan beat the Sooners, 17-10. If the transitive property is applied to this matchup, then the Wolverines should dominate the Miners. They will. Unlike Michigan’s opener, this game will be decided long before the final second. The pick: U-M 38, UTEP 3.

Jeff Seidel

This is like an NFL preseason game. The only goal is to stay healthy for the Wolverines and get to the next week. So, what should Michigan do? Put a bunch false tendency on tape. Or go so vanilla, nothing can be gleaned from it.  So, yes, Michigan will roll. Everybody will leave happy. And it won’t mean a thing. The pick: U-M 45, UTEP 7.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: No WMU scare for Michigan football in final tuneup vs UTEP