Five last-minute predictions for Michigan football’s opener

Michigan football is set to begin its national title defense on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Ann Arbor, Mich., against new head coach Tim Skipper and the upset-minded Fresno State Bulldogs out of the Mountain West Conference. 

For the Wolverines, the game will be a chance to show they can still win at a high level under new head coach Sherrone Moore, who was named as Jim Harbaugh’s replacement this offseason.

For Fresno State, the game will be a chance to put the program back on the national map after a solid 9-4 season in 2023-24.

Michigan is favored by 20 points or more in most sportsbooks, but this game could be tougher than it looks on the surface.

Here are five predictions for Saturday’s game: 

1. Two QBs will play significant snaps

The Wolverines have gotten strong play from starting QB contestants Alex Orji and Davis Warren this offseason while Jack Tuttle has been working his way back from injury. 

Orji will almost certainly play the most snaps in the first half, but don’t count out Warren as a significant contributor. Moore compared the former walk-on to J.J. McCarthy for his ability to make “wow” plays in practice. 

Warren has a strong pocket presence and the goods to deliver the ball on time and on target. The key for him will be to play smart and throw the ball away if needed. 

2. Donovan Edwards will feast

Edwards was mature last season, but appears like a new man heading into the 2024-25 season. Edwards’ demeanor, body and mindset have NFL written all over them based on offseason interviews. 

The senior from West Bloomfield, Mich., tore up Washington during the national championship game. Expect him to pop off for 150 yards or more in his first game as the full-time starter since he subbed in after Blake Corum’s unfortunate injury in 2022-2023. 

3. Michigan’s defense will record six sacks or more

Bulldogs returning quarterback Mikey Keene was sacked 19 times last season for a loss of 172 yards. He’s not much of a running threat. 

That’s a bad combination going up against a swarming Michigan defense led by pass-rushing monsters Mason Graham, Derrick Moore, Josaiah Stewart and Kenneth Grant. 

4. The running game will dominate-

Michigan’s offensive line is a strong unit by all accounts heading into the 2024-25 season. 

Players like Giovanni El-Hadi, Myles Hinton and Northwestern transfer Josh Priebe all have starting experience.

Expect the Wolverines to run the ball 35-to-40 times and for Orji to have a big game on the ground en route to a Wolverines’ two touchdown-or-more victory.

5. The passing game will struggle at times

Michigan has the perfect security blanket for Orji, Warren and perhaps Tuttle in tight end Colston Loveland, who has drawn Travis Kelce comparisons from former coach Jim Harbaugh. 

Expect a few big plays from the Michigan passing game. but also mistakes that could put added pressure on the Wolverines’ highly touted defense on Saturday night.