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Michigan Football vs Western Michigan: How to watch, storylines and more

By Chris Peterson

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 22: Chris Evans #12 of the Michigan Wolverines looks for running room while playing the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 22, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 41-8. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 22: Chris Evans #12 of the Michigan Wolverines looks for running room while playing the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 22, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 41-8. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan football will take on Western Michigan in its home opener Saturday, here’s everything you need to know including how to watch.

It has been a long week for Michigan football and its fans. As head coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday at his press conference, the loss to Notre Dame hurt. Not just the mind but the body.

Yes, Jim, it did hurt. However, Michigan football will be back on the field Saturday and this time it will be against Western Michigan at the Big House.

The last time the Broncos came to Ann Arbor, Brady Hoke was the head coach and Michigan rolled 34-10 in a rain-shortened affair. Denard Robinson was the star the day and that win jumpstarted an 11-2 season, one that ended with Michigan winning the Sugar Bowl.

This time around, the Wolverines come in fresh off a loss and looking for something to prove. The defense wants to be better so does the offense. Both units struggled against the Irish and face their own share of questions.

Obviously, beating Western Michigan won’t make anyone feel great about how Michigan will fare in big games but a dominant performance Saturday afternoon would be a good start. So here’s everything you need to know for the game that will kickoff at Noon EST Saturday at the Big House.

Game Info

Game 2: Michigan vs Western Michigan

When: 12:00 PM EST

Where: Michigan Stadium (The Big House)

TV: Fox Sports 1

Streaming: FoxsportsGO

Radio: WWJ (950 AM) in Detroit

Spread: Michigan -28.5

Who are the Broncos?

Western Michigan is a program that went undefeated in the regular season and won the MAC championship just two years ago under P.J. Fleck. Yet, they are coming off a 6-6 campaign in the first year of head coach Tim Lester.

Western Michigan has an explosive offense but struggles on defense. The Broncos racked up more than 600 yards in a 55-42 loss to Syracuse, yet also surrendered over 500 total yards to the Orange and more than 300 on the ground.

Yet, Western Michigan has an experienced quarterback in Jon Wassink and experience against FBS teams, so they won’t be intimidated by the Big House or by the Wolverines.

This week’s coverage

In case you haven’t had a chance to check out our coverage yet this week, here’s a look at whether Michigan football should be worried about Western Michigan. 

Also, our Mike Keenan put together an in-depth preview of the Broncos and Wolverines, while our Matthew Bartlett asked if the Wolverines can start improving every week. Also, our Peter Arango looks at why the defense will need to carry the day again for Michigan football this season.

Next. Top 10 Michigan running backs of all time. dark

Last but not least, I took a stab at making some predictions. After last week, I don’t like predicting anything, however, I see the Wolverines winning big in this one.

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