5 predictions for Michigan football season opener vs. Fresno State

Michigan football opens the season against Fresno State on Friday and here are five predictions for the Wolverines and Bulldogs.

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore talks to quarterback Davis Warren (16) at warmup during the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 20, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Will Johnson opens the season with an interception

Another guy I'm really excited about is Will Johnson, for obvious reasons. The former five-star cornerback has intercepted seven passes over the past two seasons and had picks against Ohio State and in the national championship game.

However, Johnson also said earlier this offseason that he was dealing with injuries in 2023. He wasn't 100 percent and it's going to be scary for offenses for Michigan to have him at full strength.

I don't see Fresno State having much success running the ball. Fresno State has Malik Sherrod, who was just shy of 1,000 yards last season. But the Bulldogs averaged just 3.7 yards per attempt.

With Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and the rest of the Michigan football defensive line, it's hard for me to see Fresno State getting any movement and the linebackers shoud be free to clean things up.

Fresno State has a stellar quarterback in Mikey Keene. He came up just short of 3,000 yards passing and if the Bulldogs are forced to be one-dimensional, I don't see them being afraid to throw it around.

That will give Johnson ample opportunity to make one of those eye-opening plays he's become famous for the past two seasons.

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