Preview: Michigan vs. Oklahoma

RUSH OFFENSE vs. OKLAHOMA RUSH DEFENSE
Michigan got a breakout game from Alabama transfer RB Justice Haynes last week (16 carries, 159 yards, 3 touchdowns), all of which were also career highs for him. It was a bright spot, but it was really the only bright spot of the runners as #2 running back Jordan Marshall (11 carries, 29 yards) struggled to find space and QB Bryce Underwood didn’t run at all. The offensive line played fairly well overall, helped out by tight ends Marlin Klein and Max Bredeson in the run game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Michigan work in a couple designed runs for Underwood this week. Oklahoma allowed 83 yards on 13 carries in the first half against Illinois State last week before shoring things up in the second half, allowing 13 carries for just 34 yards after intermission. Was it because Oklahoma made adjustments, or did the Redbirds just run out of gas? The defensive line is supposedly one of the better ones in the SEC and they’re all seniors, including DE Marvin Jones, Jr. (6’5″, 262), who’s the son of former FSU and NFL linebacker Marvin Jones, and TCU transfer DT Damonic Williams (6’1″, 323), who played against Michigan back in 2022 as a Horned Frog. DE R Mason Thomas (6’2″, 249) led the team last year with 12.5 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. As strong as the defensive line is, the top four tacklers last week were linebackers, led by junior Sammy Omosigho (6’1″, 235).
Advantage: Michigan

Hit the jump for more.

PASS OFFENSE vs. OKLAHOMA PASS DEFENSE
Bryce Underwood threw for more yards (251) than anyone over the past season and a half of football games, going all the way back to the mid-season win over Purdue in 2023. That’s a pretty impressive feat for a freshman playing his first college game ever. Tight end Marlin Klein led the team with 93 receiving yards, and it seems like Underwood has a good connection with first-time starter Channing Goodwin. The offensive line allowed only a few pressures, and Underwood generally did a good job getting rid of the football. This is going to be a tougher test against Oklahoma, though, and head coach Brent Venables – who is the defensive play caller – is somewhat of a legendary defensive coordinator, both at Oklahoma and Clemson. Thomas made those aforementioned 9 sacks last year and senior DT Gracen Halton (6’2″, 292) was second on the squad with 5 sacks. Junior LB Kip Lewis (6’1″, 227) had 2 interceptions last year that he returned for touchdowns (63 yards against Auburn, 49 yards against Alabama). Cornerback may be a bit of a weak spot, as the Sooners might be playing a couple true freshman in the rotation. Can someone like 6’5″, 213 lb. Donaven McCulley be a mismatch for a freshman? I think the atmosphere and the pass rush are going to be tough for Michigan to handle.
Advantage: Oklahoma

RUSH DEFENSE vs. OKLAHOMA RUSH OFFENSE
Much has been made about Michigan having six playable defensive tackles this season, but week one saw one of them out (Ike Iwunnah) and one limited due to injury (Tre Williams). New Mexico still only ran the ball 28 times for 50 yards, though (1.8 yards/attempt). Unfortunately, Michigan will be without starting weakside linebacker Jaishawn Barham for the first half of this game after he was ejected in the third quarter against New Mexico last week, so Jimmy Rolder and/or Cole Sullivan will be filling in. Linebacker Ernest Hausmann (8 tackles) and safety Mason Curtis (7) led the team in stops last week. On the other side, Oklahoma didn’t fare too well on the ground against Illinois State last week. They ran 32 times for 103 yards (3.2 yards/carry) and 2 touchdowns, and leading rusher Tory Blaylock (8 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD) is not expected to play this week after suffering a shoulder injury. QB John Mateer (6’1″, 224) had 7 carries for 24 yards and 1 TD, which may not sound like much, but last year at Washington State, he ran for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. Sophomore RB Xavier Robinson (6’0″, 239) had 8 carries for 17 yards last week, and Cal transfer Jaydn Ott (5’11”, 208) only had 1 carry for -3 yards after being injured during camp. Ott should play more this week and ran for 1,315 yards and 12 TDs back in 2023 for the Golden Bears. Oklahoma is dealing with some injuries and shuffling on the offensive line, and although offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh is highly regarded, I think this offensive line group is lacking somewhat in talent and cohesion.
Advantage: Michigan

PASS DEFENSE vs. OKLAHOMA PASS OFFENSE
Michigan’s pass defense was weaker than I hoped for last week, mainly because I felt like CB Jyaire Hill underperformed. He took an obvious pass interference call in the end zone and also got juked by a tight end for a touchdown catch. Hill needs to play better this week. The Wolverines will be without occasional edge rusher and blitzer Barham for the first half, but they have some edge guys who should be able to at least flush Mateer out of the pocket. The key for Michigan, in my opinion, will be figuring out how to cover the middle of the field while also keeping Mateer in the pocket. If you have to keep a spy close to the line of scrimmage for Mateer, what opens up behind that spy when it comes to dig routes, posts, over routes, etc.? Mateer set an OU record for passing yards in a debut by throwing for 392 yards against Illinois State last week, topping Baker Mayfield’s old record. While the numbers look good, the film study shows a guy who made his money throwing over the middle; his throws to the outside were questionable, if not inaccurate, and his receivers made some very tough catches on the perimeter. I suppose kudos are in order for throwing balls to guys who are well covered who just make excellent catches, but that’s not necessarily sustainable. Senior WR Keontez Lewis (6’2″, 197) had 9 catches for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Belleville product Deion Burks (5’9″, 187) made 7 catches for 88 yards and 1 score. Senior TE Jaren Kanak (6’2″, 233) was a linebacker up until this season, but he still made 5 catches for 90 yards, albeit with a fumble in there. The offensive line for the Sooners has had some moving parts, with Western Carolina transfer OT Derek Simmons (6’5″, 318) missing last week’s start at right tackle and redshirt sophomore OT Logan Howland (6’6″, 322) moving from the left side to the right to fill in. They also start a center from Appalachian State and a guard from North Texas. It’s a patchwork offensive line, and I think Michigan will have a good day against a line that didn’t look great against Illinois State.
Advantage: Michigan

ROSTER NOTES

• Oklahoma players offered by Michigan include: DB Michael Boganowski, DB Peyton Bowen, OL Michael Fasusi, QB Michael Hawkins Jr., TE Jaren Kanak, OL Eddy Pierre-Louis, DT Nigel Smith II, DT David Stone, RB Taylor Tatum, DT Damonic Williams, DB Gentry Williams, DB Marcus Wimberly
• Oklahoma players from the state of Michigan include: WR Deion Burks
• Oklahoma’s running backs coach is Demarco Murray, a former Oklahoma and NFL running back

LAST TIME THEY PLAYED . . .

• I posted a game recap the other day (LINK), but Michigan is 0-1 against Oklahoma historically

PREDICTION

• Even though I gave Michigan the advantage in three out of four phases, I expect it to be a close game and the tie goes to the team with the better quarterback. Underwood obviously has a higher ceiling, but he’s a freshman playing in his first road game. Oklahoma 24, Michigan 20.

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