Michigan pass rush wins the way
The defensive line is one of the biggest reasons Michigan has a chance to win this matchup, even as the underdog.
Oddsmakers made Ohio State and Alabama huge favorites last season. Yet, Michigan was able to cancel out the advantage of those teams and their elite offenses with dominant play along the defensive line.
Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are done. But Rayshaun Benny, Derrick Moore, and TJ Guy, along with Damon Payne and Tre Williams can ruin this game for the Sooners. The first key is stopping the run. Oklahoma wants to throw the ball anyway.
So if the Wolverines can force Mateer to throw, in some unfavorable situations, it should allow Wink Martindale to dial up some things that Mateer hasn't seen before.
That and the ability of Michigan to throw guys like Dominic Nichols, Nate Marshall, and Cameron Brandt, as well as the defensive tackles who are six deep, should wear down the Oklahoma offensive line.
Oklahoma's offensive line is supposed to be improved. We'll see, however, I see Michigan getting to Mateer at least four times on Saturday night.