The Michigan Wolverines welcome in the Utah Utes in college football action on Saturday. Michigan is certainly on upset alert in this game, but the college football odds have them favored to get it done.
Michigan has not been a great football team this season. While they have wins over Appalachian State and Miami (OH), what Michigan team is the real thing? Is it the team that was drilled by Notre Dame, the team that played very well against App State in the opener or the team that struggled against Miami last week?
This game should give some insight. Utah is a very good football team that comes into this game after blowout wins over Idaho State and Fresno State, averaging 57.5 points per game in those two wins.
Michigan should be a better football team than the previous two opponents for the Utes, but Utah's confidence is riding high.
The last time Utah traveled to Ann Arbor back in 2008, they knocked off the Wolverines in Rich Rodriguez' first game at the helm of Michigan. Utah won that game 25-23 after leading Michigan 25-10 heading into the fourth quarter. The Utes went on to win all 13 games that season and shocked the world by beating Alabama by two touchdowns in the Sugar Bowl.
Last year Utah started the season with a 4-2 record after beating Stanford. Then the Utes stumbled down the stretch, losing five straight games before beating Colorado in the finale to finish 5-7 on the season. The inconsistencies hurt Utah last year, which is certainly something they have in common with Michigan and Brady Hoke.
Utah QB Travis Wilson tossed five touchdowns last week and hasn't thrown an interception yet this year. He'll face a much better secondary with the Wolverines in this game, with defensive coordinator Greg Mattison disguising blitzes and trying to speed up Wilson's game.
Michigan QB Devin Gardner has to stop turning the football over. Michigan ranks next to last in the country in turnover margin at -7 for the year.
The Wolverines got back to running the football well last week and have been a decent run team so far this year, except against Notre Dame. Michigan has averaged 242 on the ground so far this year. Utah can also run the ball, averaging 248 themselves.
But Michigan at home is very tough to beat, going 21-2 under Hoke.
Free Pick: Michigan 31, Utah 24
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