This suddenly looks different after Week 1. Oklahoma demolished UTEP 51-0, while Michigan needed a remarkable last-second Hail Mary to escape Western Michigan 13-12. Michigan consequently fell completely out of the AP Top 25, while Oklahoma moved to No. 11.
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John Mateer looked comfortable directing the Oklahoma offense, completing 11 of 17 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns against UTEP. The Sooners obviously won’t find the same amount of space in Michigan Stadium, but Mateer’s experience is an important advantage in a road environment.
Michigan’s biggest question is quarterback Bryce Underwood. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception against Western Michigan. New Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham said afterward that Underwood remained QB1 “right now,” language that hardly suggests the position is settled beyond question.
Michigan must get its running game involved and avoid asking Underwood to win the game by himself. Oklahoma’s defense should attack the Wolverines’ protection and force the quarterback to make decisions under pressure.
The Sooners have their own challenge: winning at the Big House is substantially different from beating UTEP in Norman. Michigan’s defense and crowd should prevent Oklahoma from running away with this game.
That makes turnovers especially important. If Michigan protects the football and creates a short field or two, this could easily become a fourth-quarter game. If Oklahoma gets an early lead and forces Michigan into a pass-heavy offense, the advantage swings strongly toward the Sooners.
I’m not ready to write Michigan off after one ugly performance, but Oklahoma looked like the more complete football team in Week 1.
Prediction: Oklahoma 27, Michigan 20
