College football’s Week 2 slate features a massive matchup in Ann Arbor as No. 11 Oklahoma travels to face Michigan.
Both teams enter the game 1-0, but they arrive with very different feelings about their season openers. Oklahoma dominated UTEP 51-0, while Michigan barely escaped Western Michigan with a 13-12 victory.
Michigan Has Plenty to Prove
Michigan’s season opener was anything but convincing.
The Wolverines struggled to move the football for much of the game and needed a 47-yard Hail Mary from Bryce Underwood to JJ Buchanan to escape with the victory. Underwood finished 12-of-22 for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
The performance was concerning enough that head coach Kyle Whittingham declined to guarantee Underwood’s starting position beyond the immediate future. Underwood remains the starter heading into Saturday, but the pressure will be much higher against Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Looks Ready for Another Big Season
The Sooners couldn’t have looked much better in Week 1.
Oklahoma shut out UTEP 51-0, with quarterback John Mateer throwing for 225 yards and three touchdowns. The Sooners’ defense also forced two turnovers and returned a punt for a touchdown.
Now Oklahoma gets an opportunity to prove that performance wasn’t simply the result of playing an overmatched opponent.
The Sooners defeated Michigan 24-13 last season, and Mateer will once again be a major factor. Oklahoma’s offensive line will also be tested by a Michigan defensive front that held Western Michigan to just 12 points despite the Wolverines’ defense spending roughly 40 minutes on the field.
Can Bryce Underwood Turn It Around?
The biggest storyline may be Underwood.
The highly touted quarterback has enormous expectations surrounding him, and Saturday gives him the perfect opportunity to silence some early criticism. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables has continued to praise Underwood’s talent, calling him one of the most talented players in college football.
If Michigan can establish its running game and protect Underwood, the Wolverines have a chance to make this a completely different game than their opener.
A Massive Early Season Test
This is already a critical game for both programs.
Oklahoma wants to build on its dominant opening performance and establish itself as a legitimate SEC and national contender. Michigan, meanwhile, needs to show that its ugly Week 1 performance was simply a bad night.
With a packed Michigan Stadium expected for Big Noon Saturday, this could be one of the best games of the weekend.
The Wolverines should be much better than they were against Western Michigan, but Oklahoma appears to have the more complete team entering Week 2.
