Michigan v Oklahoma Preview

Coming into this season, Michigan and Oklahoma were two teams I really considered wagering on for a College Football Playoff berth. I ended up only going with the Wolverines for the upside, but the Sooners could prove the right side on Saturday night in Norman. The things to like are similar, ironically, new QB and coordinator combinations on both sides. Extremely physical and stout defensively, new weapons returning from injury or picked up through the transfer portal. Meeting for only the second time, this is the marquee matchup of the weekend, and given my wagering interests in the Wolverines, one I will be keeping a close eye on.

Michigan- Sherrone Moore has had an air of absolute confidence throughout the fall about this group, which was again evident in his media time this week. One of the big talking points he had this summer was the depth of the linebacker corps. This will be massive for the Wolverines as their star man Jaishawn Barham will be out for the first half with a suspect targeting suspension. Cole Sullivan was the name that Moore gushed about this summer. Let's see if he has a breakout performance. Of course, one of the main talking points throughout the sport after week 1 was Freshman phenom QB Bryce Underwood, "mature beyond his years,” "cerebral,” "poise" phrases used over and over to describe the Michigan starlet. It will be a treat to lean on the offensive line experience in this one, with Moore discussing that in this presser. Undewood targeted 8 receivers in the opener vs New Mexico, I will be fascinated to see how he performs against a Brent Venables-coached defense. For Head Coach Sherrone Moore, he returns to his alma mater, and he has a lot of connections still within the program, but he seemed to brush off any suggestions that the atmosphere or moment would be any bit of a distraction.

Oklahoma- Brent Venables discussed how Bryce Underwood reminded him of a young Trevor Lawrence, high praise for the former Clemson man. He will surely have a few tricks up his sleeve for the freshman QB. Deion Burks is the name on the Oklahoma side that I really want to watch. The man who has been earning gushing praise from his coaches about the work he has put into his body is the WR threat Oklahoma desperately lacked a year ago(he was oft-injured, with the rest of the room). Seven receptions for 88 yards and a TD will do for the opener. I love to hear Venables discussing how, despite Burks' resurgence, Arkansas transfer Isaiah Satenga has been Oklahoma's most consistent receiver since spring ball. The multitude of weapons will be key against this loaded Michigan defense. Lastly, it certainly made you raise an eyebrow seeing Jaydn Ott only receiving 1 carry in the opener. OC Ben Arbuckle said Ott is "in a great headspace." That's great to hear, but does that translate to more touches against the Wolverines?

Market- Michigan is +4.5 on the road. They have been bet as the number has come in from earlier in the week. This game is very tough to call. Mateer, quite frankly, has not faced a defense like this in his career(obviously, the same can be said for Underwood). Against Boise last season (maybe the best defense he has played), he put up 327 yards and 2 TDS. I will be most focused on whether Oklahoma can run on Michigan. Oklahoma only put up 103 yards on Illinois State last week, while New Mexico only managed 50 yards on Michigan. If the Wolverines force Mateer into obvious passing situations, I fancy the Wolverines' chances in this one. Ultimately, this will be a hell of an atmosphere and occasion. You'll enjoy it with or without a wager, and that is for sure! But I lean Michigan!