Michigan Football vs. Colorado: The Consequences
After a two-week glorified preseason schedule, Michigan football finally faces a team from a Power Five conference. What are the consequences of a win or loss?
On the surface of it, this looks like another weak test for Michigan football early in the season. Colorado has suffered for the better part of a decade.
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Recruiting scandals dating back to 2007 brought down a program that was once a perennial Big 12 contender. Since Colorado switched to the Pac-12, it has managed just five conference victories in five seasons.
At first glance a loss to Colorado would look to be a disaster. A deeper dive into the Buffaloes reveals that Colorado is better than most thought in the preseason. Colorado seemed to turn a corner in the second half of last year. Although the record book does not indicate it, Colorado began to be competitive in its conference. Four of its Pac-12 losses were by one possession.
This year the Buffs return roughly 80 percent of their offensive and defensive production from a year ago. They are a veteran team on both sides of the ball and have instituted a Texas Tech up-tempo offense. Given the talent of quarterback Sefo Liufau, receivers Bryce Bobo and Shay Fields, and running back Philip Lindsay, the new scheme pressures opposing defenses.
A big, veteran offensive line is good in pass and run blocking. Colorado State gave up short crosses, throws to the sidelines, and deep posts. Lindsay ran between the tackles as well as a quick hitting toss sweep that was a 1st down staple. The team attacks all areas of the field with skill and Liufau can throw and run. It is an offense that has traditionally given Michigan fits. This will be doubly true for a unit without defensive end Bryan Mone and possibly cornerback Jourdan Lewis.
The Colorado defense has actually outshone the offense. Its opening week win over rival Colorado State looked a lot like Michigan’s win against Hawaii. The Rams did not get a first down until nearly midway through the 2nd quarter. Colorado has also shown a penchant for turnovers. The Buffs have the second-best passing defense in the FBS. If Michigan cannot run the ball, it will be a tall task for Wilton Speight to carry the offense again this week.
Colorado’s combined score through two games has been 100-14. More impressive yet, the Buffaloes have shut out their opponents through the first half of both games with the starters in.
Does Michigan gain something from beating Colorado? Unfortunately, no. CU is receiving votes in the polls, but a home win against a team eking out a top-30 ranking is of little value to the No. 4 team in the country. Alabama, Florida State, and Ohio State all face top 25 teams, so losses are possible this week.
Houston just beat Cincinnati by 24 and has a win previously against Oklahoma, and No. 7 Stanford gets USC. If the Wolverines unconvincingly, there are top-10 teams getting pedigree victories that could jump them if Nos. 1-3 falter. Assuming no one loses ahead of Michigan, no margin of victory will help it move higher.
The Buffs could be shaping into a contender in the weak Pac-12 South, which could help later in the season. By the same token, a loss would look less severe. The immediate aftermath would be similar to what happened to LSU after the Wisconsin game. Colorado would soar from receiving votes to around No. 10 in the country. Michigan would fall to near No. 15, given the weak opponents it beat in Weeks 1 and 2.
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A loss would mean Michigan would have to go undefeated in Big Ten play to have a shot at the College Football Playoff, much like Ohio State’s run two years ago. That is asking a lot, given the road-heavy conference schedule in the season’s second half.