It didn't take long for Michigan football to assert its dominance on Fresno State in the opening moments of Saturday night's affair. However, things changed when Davis Warren threw an interception in the second period. Fresno couldn't capitalize on the scoreboard but kept things too close for comfort heading into the last 15 minutes. That's when the maize and blue started flexing their muscle and put the game on ice.
Here are three of the overreactions from Saturday's opening night win.
1. Kalel Mullings is a better choice at running back then Donovan Edwards
I've seen at lot of posts about this on social media and after one game there is some truth to it, but it is still an overreaction. Edwards is still the number one option at tailback and he has proven it over and over. Fresno had a great gameplan to bottle up Michigan's Edwards, as he only had almost as many total yards as did carries for the Bulldogs.
Mullings had one really impactful drive that helped extend the lead to 13 in the fourth quarter. If you go back in history it has taken a few games for Edwards to acclimate himself in the offense. This was the first time that Mullings had a game like this in his career. Factor in that Edwards has more breakaway speed then Mullings, and is more established in the passing game too.
2. Davis Warren can beat Texas with similar play
This is an overreaction because it's all but untrue. He and Alex Orji did not throw flamethrowers out there as the longest pass of the night was for 20 yards. Warren had a QBR of 33 and averaged under five yards per pass. Albeit it was his first significant action of his career, the Michigan football quarterback can't perform like that and expect to upset Texas based on what they did on Saturday.
Altogether the offense has to improve, otherwise defenses will stack the box and live with Warren trying to move it through the air. I would imagine Kirk Campbell will open up the playbook a little more to do whatever it takes to win on Saturday afternoon. Things can backfire if you expect to rely upon Michigan's defense to score every week too.
Warren didn't do enough to secure the starting role, but he appears to be the best of the bunch. Orji is a running back who they don't trust to throw it very far and Jack Tuttle should get a legit shot at starting when he returns from injury.
3. Michigan football struggled with Fresno because they were eyeing Texas
There could be some truth to this statement, but the winged helmets came out ready for a fight and that is exactly what they got. That makes this a light overreaction. You can blame the quarterback play, a bad game for Donovan Edwards, or first-game jitters, but Michigan football won in a very Michigan-like way. Credit also goes to the Bulldogs who if they play like that all year, will be in the running for a playoff spot.
Michigan's offense got better as the darkness progressed. Warren made up for his giveaway and didn't turn it over again. The line was opening bigger holes to run through on Michigan's best drive of the night. One thing is for sure though, this offense can't afford an injury to practically any of the starters. As for the defense, they'll be expected to perform like that on a weekly basis.
Fresno State is a more staunch test than Colorado State, but that doesn't mean that Michigan will conquer Texas. This is a playoff meeting in September. The Longhorns had a similar Week 2 showdown in Tuscaloosa about 365 days ago and passed it.
The loser could be in the same boat one calendar year later. The winner instantly becomes a national title contender and possibly jumps into the top two or three of the rankings.