Week 2 picks, preview: Michigan seeks bounce bank, WMU readies for catharsis
Week 2 is here with four games for the FBS teams in Michigan, including an in-state showdown with MSU and EMU.
It’s time for the Week 2 slate of games, [insert quip about a clock here].
Mitten Football is back with picks for all four of the games going on with in-state FBS programs — EMU and MSU face off — with a full slate running from a noon start in Ann Arbor to 6:30 p.m. at Waldo Stadium for WMU’s home opener against Monmouth.
Let’s dig in.
Michigan vs. Oklahoma, Michigan Stadium, noon, Fox
Michigan enters this game reeling after almost being upset by Western Michigan in the season opener, and probably deserving to lose that game given that the visiting Broncos stormed the ramparts on both lines of scrimmage and stonewalled Michigan’s offense while keeping the defense at bay and grinding out the game on offense. The Wolverines called their own performance soft, and Kyle Whittingham was not shy about calling out the lack of quality play from quarterback Bryce Underwood. A lot needs to get better in a short period of time for Michigan to make this a game.
However, Oklahoma, outside of Isaiah Sategna, doesn’t have the scariest offense in the world, and Michigan’s defense was the least troublesome part of that opener. There’s at least a reason to believe this one won’t be a runaway blowout for OU, especially if Michigan can manage even meager success running the ball compared to its struggles in the opener. But OU’s defense is also arguably the best in the country, with 11 homegrown starters. John Mateer might also not make killer downfield throws or rip off 60 yard runs, but he’ll keep making the plays to extend drives that kill a defense’s morale. Michigan can make this a grind, but the offense would need a massive one-week turnaround to really have a chance to win.
Oklahoma 20, Michigan 10
Central Michigan vs. Colgate, Kelly/Shorts Stadium, 1 p.m., ESPN+
Colgate has a big and older offensive line, not necessarily something expected out of an FCS outfit from Hamilton, New York. And Colgate comes to Mt. Pleasant at 2-0 with a Week 0 start under its belt. But after such a flat opening, it’s hard to imagine the Chippewas don’t come out of the gate on fire and with some real intensity in burying an FCS opponent quickly. While Colgate is old and big on the OL, so are the Chippewas, who are deep there, too. The Chippewas also struggled to impact the game on defense against New Mexico, something that probably changes against and FCS opponent at home, be it sacks, takeaways or the general ability for Colgate to string together first downs.
Andrew Graham
In general, the signs point toward CMU winning this one pretty comfortably, though Colgate certainly has enough to at least make the Chippewas work for it and keep it close if Central Michigan obliges. But a clean, hard-nosed performance from the home team should be enough of an edge given the FBS-to-FCS roster differences. This should also be a nice laboratory for the Central Michigan quarterbacks to get more reps in game as the staff continues to evaluate how to best use the duo of Angel Flores and Jadyn Glasser. The opener, given the lopsided nature, wasn’t the most informative for the long haul.
Central Michigan 37, Colgate 10
Michigan State vs. Eastern Michigan, Spartan Stadium, 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
If there’s one thing the Eagles have proven they’ll do early this season, it’s put the ball in Noah Kim’s hands and let the quarterback play point guard. In two games, Kim has 81 pass attempts, completing 63 percent of them for a shade more than 225 yards a game with three passing touchdowns to one interception. He also has a rushing score. And while his Week 1 performance wasn’t as clean as Week 0, Kim has largely been good with the ball in his hands in dropback situations. MSU defensive coordinator lauded Kim for his accuracy, control and maturity in protecting the football and taking throwaways. Rossi also noted Kim can be a threat with his legs and athleticism.
Andrew Graham
Andrew Graham
And Kim, a former Spartan, will face an MSU defense that has shown a penchant for giving up big plays after just one week. And that’s the pathway for Eastern Michigan to make this close: Hitting some shot plays. But MSU’s run game and likely ability to win the line of scrimmage should be the decider here. Plus, MSU QB Alessio Milivojevic looked very sharp in the opener. The Eagles have enough to make it close, exploiting a few gaps in MSU’s defensive armor, but not enough to get it over the hump and get the stops it needs — unless MSU obliges a few turnovers.
Michigan State 33, Eastern Michigan 23
Western Michigan vs. Monmouth, Waldo Stadium, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+
The Broncos seem keen on channeling every negative emotion stemming from Saturday’s loss to Michigan in controversial fashion and taking it out on the next 11 opponents, starting with Monmouth. This game was likely to be lopsided regardless, and now WMU has plans for catharsis that are really just an unfortunate break for Monmouth. One can imagine the visiting coaches punching the air in frustration the second WMU head coach Lance Taylor came to his postgame press conference in Michigan Stadium cool, calm and collected and talking about how well his team played. There will seemingly be no loss of focus from the Broncos.
Andrew Graham
Andrew Graham
And with an offensive line that proved to be about as good as the reasonable upside case in Week 1 and a defensive front that shined in its debut with remade personnel and a new coordinator, there’s proof positive for how Western Michigan can, and probably will, dominate this game. The run game should get going even better, the defense will be smothering, special teams should continue to be excellent and the passing offense will probably have a more explosive performance. Plus, Western Michigan has been promoting this game like crazy — expect a rabid crowd for a team that probably wanted to take the field and exorcise some demons way before Saturday.
Western Michigan 59, Monmouth 3
