Staff Predictions: Michigan Football vs UTEP
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
The Michigan Wolverines (2-0) return to The Big House this weekend to take on UTEP to close out the non-conference portion of the schedule (3:30 p.m. on BTN). In this week’s Roundtable, Maize n Brew staff members give their final thoughts on last week’s upset win over Oklahoma, give some bold predictions for tomorrow’s game and more!
As we always do, let’s look back at last week’s game. Provide any takeaways or hot takes you have coming out of the Oklahoma game.
Von: The Wolverines’ defense and special teams are ELITE! Jay Hill put on a masterclass against the Sooners last week, holding them to 120 yards in the first half and forcing two key takeaways throughout the game. I thought it was pretty interesting to hear Kyle Whittingham say in the offseason that the defensive front is the strength of the defense, but boy was he right. Trey Pierce, Enow Etta, Dom Nichols, John Henry Daley, Nate Marshall and Jonah Lea’ea all made big contributions last weekend.
Meanwhile, Cam Brown may have been the team’s MVP last week with multiple punts downed at the Oklahoma goal line. He averaged 42.3 yards per punt and had 6-of-7 punts be downed inside the 20. Kerry Coombs and company also put on a show last weekend and deserve a ton of praise, considering how bad the special teams unit has been the last couple years.
Matt: The Michigan defense is elite. We knew Michigan’s offense would struggle against Oklahoma’s defense, but the Wolverine defense was the best unit on the field on Saturday.
Zach Libby: Is it too late to change my record prediction?
Kellen: Is it possible to say “the sky is not in fact falling” a hot take? The main thing I learned is this group of players and coaches are capable of rebounding from a terrible performance and beating one of the SEC teams with a legit chance to make the College Football Playoff. The offense still has a ways to go, but the defense feels ELITE, which keeps them in games with any team in the country.
Grace: Michigan’s offense improved. I thought there were some plays where Bryce Underwood had some time to make passes, even if they weren’t always completed. The staff’s decision to let him run the ball more was crucial in getting a win. The defense is legit. Also, can we just have a week where we’re not getting penalized for something silly?
Nick: The defense is strong enough to keep Michigan in any game it plays this year. Don’t get me wrong, Oklahoma isn’t some dynamite offense, but the defense on Saturday checked every box it needed to win the game. The defensive line has looked really impressive for two weeks in a row, with Dom Nichols emerging as one of the team’s best overall players so far. The secondary, especially Jyaire Hill and Smith Snowden, has been lights out as well, showing that the Wolverines might be able to limit the impact of some of the more high-powered passing attacks they see this year.
Dan: Savion Hiter is the best player on the offensive side of the ball. Period. Every time he touched the ball, he looked electric. For whatever reason, he hardly touched the ball in the second half. Michigan needs to get the ball in his hands more.
Andrew: 1) I am still stupid. 2) This is one of the best defenses in the country.
Charles: Michigan’s win over Oklahoma was not only the program’s most important win since 2024 because the Sooners were ranked No. 11, but because it was such a galvanizing performance that proved the Wolverines are better than what they showed against Western Michigan. It was exactly the type of performance Michigan needed and it found a way to pull it off, silencing the outside noise for now.
Zach Edwards: The defense is the real deal. John Mateer may not be as good as the world thought he was, but Michigan contained an offense that has multiple weapons all over the field. The Wolverines’ secondary may be the best it has been in years, and hot take, it may be the best since 1997. The run game still needs to pick up with Jordan Marshall having two underwhelming games and Savion Hiter really only getting involved in the pass game.
After two very interesting weeks to begin the season, what do you make of this Michigan team? Was Week 1 a fluke, or is WMU really just that good? Where are we at here?
Von: I’m starting to think WMU is just that damn good. The Broncos won 10 games a season ago and earned a 49-14 blowout win over Monmouth last Saturday. I’ll be keeping an eye on them as the season unfolds, but especially next week when they HOST (!) Boise State. That should be an awesome football game, and I’m really eager to see just how good they are. If they win that game and continue to win, that’ll be a pretty decent looking win for Michigan by the end of the season…
…or Michigan just sleepwalked through Week 1, WMU actually stinks and I’ll look like a total moron…it very well could be that option.
Matt: Western Michigan is very good, but the Michigan offense is certainly a step or two below where we thought it would be. Michigan’s defense is good enough to keep it in any game this season, but the offense will need to improve if the Wolverines are to accomplish their goals.
Zach Libby: Classic Week 1 jitters. Michigan will continue to clean it up.
Kellen: I lean towards Week 1 being a fluke. Football is a fascinating, unpredictable sport, and when you have players that are just removed from being teenagers play it, that makes it more unpredictable. WMU seems like a formidable MAC team, but I think Michigan’s identity is closer to this past week’s performance than Week 1’s performance. But then again, I’m an optimist.
Grace: It sort of feels like Western was a trap game. Western came into the Big House with a great game plan and kept it close. I still think Oklahoma has a very talented roster with the ability to make explosive plays, so Michigan’s defense is really good. Michigan did what it needed to do on offense to get the win and showed improvement. That’s a good sign.
Nick: As far as Week 1 goes, I think it’s a combination of both. Western Michigan is definitely one of the better G6 teams out there, but the fact Michigan beat a well-coached playoff team from last year goes to show that the Wolverines are clearly not as “bad” as people thought. I’d say a win just resets the expectations more than anything. The schedule with UTEP, Iowa and Minnesota the next three weeks before the bye is a nice runway to keep improving before the Big Ten schedule gets really tough.
Dan: WMU is good AND Michigan got caught sleeping ahead of the Oklahoma game. I think it was a fluke from the staff and players and they learned and grew from it.
Andrew: You do not beat Oklahoma with a healthy John Mateer and a salty Brent Venables-led defense if you are not a good team. Period. Michigan played down to the level of their opponent in Week 1, while the offensive system tried to figure out how all of the pieces fit. In Week 2, we already saw adjustments from the coaches and as the players and staff continue to strengthen their symbiotic relationship, the team will flourish. Even if this team simply protects the football, keeps pounding the rock, plays sound special teams and has a stout defense, Michigan can beat 95 percent of FBS teams.
Charles: It’s hard to tell exactly how good Michigan can be this season because the first two games have been so erratic, but one thing that is certain is the defense could be one of the best in the country. The defensive line is fast and physical, the secondary is experienced and versatile, and the linebackers are emerging. Even though the offense is still a work in progress, it’s clear the defense can carry the load when called upon. I was nervous about my preseason prediction of 9-3 following the season opener, but the win over Oklahoma makes that feel realistic again. Let’s see what the next few weeks have in store before we really get our hopes up though!
Zach Edwards: I think Week 1 was a fluke in some ways, but the offense just looked better in Week 2. I also think Western Michigan is a quality team and Michigan simply overlooked it. I originally projected Michigan to go 8-4 with a loss to Oklahoma, but I think the ceiling could truly be 12-0 and the floor can still be 6-6. If the Wolverines’ offense regresses/stays the same, they could lose against a team that fans wouldn’t expect, like Iowa or UCLA.
Given the opponent, what are you going to be keeping a close eye on during tomorrow’s game vs UTEP?
Von: I want to see the running game take a major step forward. The offensive line has done well protecting Bryce Underwood, but the ground game (oddly enough) is where this unit has struggled. Jordan Marshall had 11 carries for just 32 yards last week against the Sooners, and Savion Hiter was even worse with eight carries for six yards. Other than Underwood’s contributions, the Wolverines ran 23 times for 65 yards. Against an inferior opponent this weekend, I want to see Marshall and Hiter run, and run, and run some more, and run again. It’d also be nice to see the passing game blossom as well, but I think the bigger problem as of now — especially with hard-nosed defensive teams like Iowa and Minnesota looming — is the ground game.
Matt: Bryce Underwood. It’s clear at this point Michigan’s season success hinges solely on his play. I need to see Underwood progress as a passer against a very bad defense.
Zach Libby: Whether Michigan decides to give Tommy Carr a shot under center late.
Kellen: Can Michigan’s offensive line actually be competent? On paper, UTEP is much worse than WMU and Oklahoma, so this is a great chance for this group to work out the kinks before Big Ten play starts.
Grace: The Wolverines’ focus. Are they able to clean up the penalties? Does the offense come out and score on the first possession? Can they get UTEP off the field quickly? If they do that, I’ll feel more settled heading into Big Ten play.
Nick: I’m looking to see what happens with the rushing attack this week, particularly from the running backs. Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter have underwhelmed a bit thus far, and them getting going will be really important if Michigan is to raise the floor of its offense. I’d also like to see Bryce Underwood to show some more progress as a passer, but that’s not my biggest concern heading into this week.
Dan: Bryce Underwood. He’s still the biggest X-factor on this team. If Michigan is going to make the CFP, he’s going to have to improve, specifically with the decisions he makes throwing the ball. He showed he can acclimate to the new offense in the Oklahoma game. A continuation of that and taking care of the rock leads to him and Michigan making the next step offensively.
Andrew: Michigan’s running back run game, specifically the play of the offensive line getting to the second level and the H-back in the blocking scheme. Michigan should not need to run Bryce Underwood much in this game to come away with a victory (he doesn’t need those hits), so the onus of the run game will fall on the backs who have been underwhelming to start the year. Far from entirely their fault, the offensive line needs to inflict their will on the Miners with a dominant performance, which means getting to the second level and finishing plays. Moreover, Jalen Hoffman, or whoever is playing H-back, must take better angles and find a way to contribute as a blocker. Of all the players Michigan misses from recent history, Max Bredeson is toward the top of that list.
Charles: I think the offense desperately needs to find a rhythm against UTEP. Michigan proved it can win by leaning on the defense and just playing a mistake-free, run-heavy offense, but that’s not going to cut it against some of the top tier opponents on the schedule. So the Wolverines need to figure out how to be more explosive in the pass and run game, and this should be an opportunity to build some confidence in that area.
Zach Edwards: Bryce Underwood. If he struggles against another non-P4 opponent, it’s a bad sign. I also want to see Michigan get a big enough lead to put Tommy Carr in the game so we can see him in live action. Given Oklahoma won 51-0 against UTEP, I’m really not going to be looking at the Wolverines’ defense at all.
Give us a bold prediction for tomorrow’s game.
Von: We finally see our first action from Tommy Carr…in mop-up duty EARLY in the third quarter.
Matt: Tommy Carr rushes for 50 yards and a touchdown….because Michigan is up 40+ by the start of the fourth quarter.
Zach Libby: It doesn’t become a fourth quarter kind of game.
Kellen: Michigan’s defense pitches a shut out for the first time since Iowa in the 2023 Big Ten Championship.
Grace: Michigan’s defense scores one touchdown and Bryce Underwood throws three touchdowns.
Nick: Michigan is going to score a touchdown on either defense or special teams. Jyaire Hill came close last week, getting pushed out of bounds inside the 10-yard line on his interception of John Mateer, but someone will get in the end zone this week.
Dan: Michigan’s defense pitches a shutout and Tommy Carr gets some run in the second half.
Andrew: Michigan scores a special teams return touchdown for the first time since 2022 (A.J. Henning vs. UConn).
Charles: It’s always tough to predict how these types of games will go against inferior opponents, but I’ll say Savion Hiter records his first career 100-yard game, Andrew Marsh leads the team in receiving yards and scores two touchdowns, Dominic Nichols records two sacks, and Chris Bracy gets his first interception at Michigan.
Zach Edwards: Michigan shuts out UTEP the same way Oklahoma did, and Bryce Underwood has two passing touchdowns. Both aren’t super bold takes, but if Michigan is to feel really comfortable entering Big Ten play, it would be nice to accomplish both of those things.
What’s the final score and why?
Von (1-1): Michigan 35, UTEP 3. Predicting a shutout is tough, but if there is any time for the Wolverines to pull one off, this is the week to do it. I think the offense takes another step forward while the defense continues to dominate. Bring on the Big Ten schedule!
Matt (1-0): Michigan 52, UTEP 3. UTEP is far and away the worst opponent on Michigan’s schedule. I expect Michigan to throw the ball early and often so Bryce Underwood can get in a rhythm.
Zach Libby (1-1): Michigan 28, UTEP 3.
Kellen (1-1): Michigan wins an ugly game, 27-0. The offense still won’t look fully realized, but the defense will be good enough for that not to matter.
Grace (2-0): 34-7, Michigan. I think Michigan gets ahead early and we see some different looks by the second half.
Nick (1-1): It sounds like the weather is going to be pretty bad in Ann Arbor on Saturday, so I’ll factor that into my prediction and keep this a relatively low-scoring yet non-competitive game. Give me Michigan winning 27-3.
Dan (1-1): Michigan 38, UTEP 0. The Miners aren’t WMU. They’re one of the worst programs in college football. Michigan shouldn’t have a problem winning handily.
Andrew (1-1): Michigan wins, 35-3. This is the game where Michigan’s run game clicks and UTEP is too one-dimensional on offense to challenge the Wolverines. The latter could have been said about Western, but 1) Michigan will not sleepwalk into another game like the opener — nor set up its opponent with three sudden-change opportunities for nine of their 12 points, and 2) the difference between Western and UTEP is wider than the gap between Western and Indiana. This is a bottom-10 FBS team, the easiest game on Michigan’s schedule, and the Wolverines should roll.
Charles (1-1): Give me Michigan, 40-7. I think the Wolverines come to play, jump out to an early lead and coast to the first easy win of the season. Michigan just has too much depth, talent, size and speed for UTEP to have much success on either side of the ball, so I think the team plays up to its potential and heads into Big Ten play with a 3-0 record.
Zach Edwards (1-1): 38-0, Michigan. The Wolverines’ offense isn’t amazing, but the defense makes the game comfortable.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos