Staff Predictions: Michigan football vs. Texas

Michigan will play Texas at home for the first time ever this year and only the second time in the schools’ storied histories. The Wolverines are a home underdog after losing a ton on offense … can they hang with the Longhorns and pull the upset?

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Once again, the national narrative is all about Texas’ speed vs. the slow, lumbering, peg-legged Wolverines of the North. Even Fox analyst Joel Klatt, who has seen this Michigan program up close several times the last few years, got into the act recently.

“I’m not as concerned about Michigan’s offense as some. You know what I’m concerned about? Texas’ speed ,” Klatt said. “You couple that with a quarterback that I think is as good as anybody in the sport. He’s an experienced guy with a lot of confidence that has weapons around him.”

The last time we heard that, we watched Washington quarterback Michael Penix limp through the NRG Stadium tunnel with tears in his eyes following a 34-13 loss in the National Championship game. His Joe Moore-award winning offensive line looked pedestrian, and a fast Michigan defense held Penix to his worst game of the season.

Now, we’re not predicting Michigan will do the same to Quinn Ewers and Co. This is a very good Texas team that deserves all the respect it’s getting, and having been to a game in Austin last year, we can say that comparisons between the cultures are real. We will say, however, that this U-M defense is even faster than a year ago, has the front seven to compete with anyone in the country — yes, including the Longhorns — and is probably taking this one personally.

For us, it’s definitely the offense we’re concerned about. If this were last year’s group, there’s no doubt we’d be picking a Michigan victory. Heck, maybe even if only J.J. McCarthy had returned healthy for his senior season. But it’s going to take a special effort for this group to beat Texas, even in front of the home crowd.

Congratulations to Clayton Sayfie, who nailed the score last week. It was a bit unconventional how it got there, but whatever works. This week’s winner gets the very last ribeye from the original Texas Bevo mascot, frozen since 1919, to enjoy with Sunday afternoon dinner, and our respect. The picks:

CHRIS BALAS: Michigan is going to have to set the tone Saturday with defense and get off to a great start offensively to win this game — can’t be playing from behind. Avoid big plays (yeah, we’re a bit nervous about those ‘0’ blitzes) and come out swinging on offense — Kirk Campbell and Co. need to script a great opening drive — and there’s a shot.

The Wolverines come up just short. Texas 26, Michigan 20

JOHN BORTON : No. 3 Texas features the speed, strength and offensive prowess to fashion Michigan’s toughest non-conference test since Florida State rolled into town in 1991. The Wolverines answer with a stout defense, excellent special teams and the full backing of the home crowd, but will field an offense trying to pull it together in a hurry. The bettors call this one for Texas by more than a touchdown, and detractors are saying it could get out of hand.

The Wolverines vow it won’t, with a Texas-sized chip on their shoulder. Michigan 23, Texas 20

CLAYTON SAYFIE : If this game were later in the season, Michigan would have a better chance of winning. The Wolverines are figuring out an identity on offense, after naming a starting quarterback mere days before last week’s opener. The defense and special teams are legit, and there’s still a lot of talent on offense, so Michigan has more than a puncher’s chance. This will be a dogfight, but Texas has the edge heading in. Texas 28, Michigan 17

ANTHONY BROOME: Michigan can win this game. So much has to be cleaned up from last week, but I expect big improvements and a team ready to compete in a College Football Playoff-type of showdown on Saturday. These two teams are more evenly matched than the Vegas line this week would indicate, but Texas has known commodities, especially at the most important position on the field. That feels like the difference in a game like.

However, we have seen Sherrone Moore play in and win some big games as head coach already. Remember last year when he outcoached both James Franklin and Ryan Day? Steve Sarkisian is prone to silly big-game moments himself.

The Wolverines hang around, but the amount of growth needed from the offense might not be there right away. Dominic Zvada has a chance to be a hero again Saturday, though. Texas 20, Michigan 16

DOUG SKENE: A week one victory against a traditionally tough Fresno team was a good win, offensive stats aside. Michigan’s defense showed it’s as good as advertised and should get better with game reps. Michigan’s offense is a different concern with struggles in short yardage downs and overall offensive line effectiveness at times. A meager 89 yards of total offense at the half was not good enough … that kind of first half performance vs Texas would be a hot mess.  Michigan’s offense will need to bring a heavy dose of the late game run game drive we saw against Fresno.

I’m not in panic mode after Fresno because I think the U-M defense is just that good. However, I do have concerns that the Michigan offense can find a way to stay on the field for long drives and keep that defense rested. They also must find the way to get north of 28 points against the Longhorns.  I’m not sure they will in just the second game of so many new faces. Texas 27, Michigan 21

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