Michigan football vs. Fresno State: 3 keys to a Wolverines victory

Looking ahead to the Fresno State game, here are three keys for Michigan football.

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards celebrates with Michigan offensive lineman Drake Nugent after a touchdown in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff national championship game against Washington at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. / Melanie Maxwell / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Michigan football is a three-touchdown favorite for the season opener against Fresno State on Saturday. Fresno State did win nine games last season and could be a threat to crash the playoff party out of the Mountain West.

But, the Bulldogs also have an interim head coach. Yet, they also have one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the Group of Five: Mikey Keene.

Fresno State isn't a power-4 opponent, but in a lot of ways, they are as good as. The Bulldogs always make a bowl and usually win 8-9 games. It won't be a walk in the park for Michigan football and here are three keys to a victory for the Wolverines.

Pressure Mikey Keene

We have been talking up the Michigan football pass rush and I want to see it wreak havoc on Saturday. Keene is a talented quarterback. He's not much of a runner though and that should allow the Michigan defense to tee off.

Of course, they'll need to slow down Malik Sherrod, a running back who had 956 yards last season. If the Wolverines can do that and force Fresno State to be one-dimensional, that should allow Wink Martindale to get creative.

I think we'll see a bunch of different pressure packages under Wink and my feeling is that the Wolverines are going to press the issue.

The best way to defend a stellar quarterback is with a good pass rush and Michigan football should be able to generate pressure with just the front four.

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