You may want to read this.....................................................................................................................................Even in a down cycle, Michigan remains one of the most prominent college football programs in the nation and the hiring of Jim Harbaugh back to Ann Arbor puts the Wolverines back in the national spotlight. Harbaugh inherits a veteran roster and his reputation for quick success in his previous stops has many feeling very optimistic about Michigan’s chances to seriously compete right away in the Big Ten. Harbaugh has not officially announced a starting quarterback with Iowa transfer Jake Rudock and junior Shane Morris both in the mix. While it was a very disappointing 5-7 season for Michigan in 2014 under Brady Hoke, a -16 turnover margin and a handful of close losses are things that could turn around this season to produce better results with a similar roster.
Michigan actually had very respectable defensive numbers last season allowing just 22 points per game and 311 yards per game with particular success against the run, allowing just 3.2 yards per rush. The Wolverines also allowed only one 300 yard passing game all season. Seven starters are back on the defense and there is little reason to expect much of a drop off with the secondary for Michigan looking especially strong. In last season’s home meeting with Utah, Michigan lost 26-10 at home, but the Wolverines had more yards only to be burned by four turnovers and a punt return touchdown as Utah did not look like a vastly superior team.
The Utes wound up 9-4 last season for the most successful season for the program since moving to the Pac-12. Utah was in the Pac-12 South race for much of the season, but while it could be argued that Michigan underachieved last season, the Utes certainly overachieved with all five Pac-12 wins coming by six or fewer points and some great fortune with two double-overtime wins. Travis Wilson returns at quarterback after posting efficient numbers last season, but the Utes are a bit depleted at the receiver position with only one last season’s top four receivers back. Devontae Booker will carry a heavy load for the offense after rushing for over 1,500 yards last season, but Michigan will not be an easy team to rush against and Booker had just 34 yards in the matchup last season.
Utah will be a productive defensive team with the potential to force turnovers again as the front seven looks very promising even with the departure of Nate Orchard who had 18.5 sacks and was a second round pick in the NFL draft. The secondary remains the question mark for the Utah defense with injuries taking a toll on the defensive backs last season and limited experience for this season’s group. This is a huge home date for Utah with a truly marquee matchup for a home opener, something that has not occurred since at least 2010 when Utah beat a ranked Pittsburgh team to start the season. This will be a key game in determining the trajectory of the season for two programs looking to take the next step.
Historical Trends: Michigan last opened the season with a true road game in 1998 though the Wolverines did lose to Alabama to open the 2012 season in Arlington. Michigan is 5-1 ATS in season openers since 2009 with the loss to the Tide as the lone miss, but they were a heavy home favorite in most of those games. Michigan is on a 6-10 ATS run as a road underdog since 2009 and since 2007, Michigan is just 12-24-1 ATS in all road games. Utah is just 11-21 ATS as a home favorite of fewer than 10 points since 2000 while going just 3-7 ATS in season openers under Kyle Whittingham, though with just two S/U losses.