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

Don't lose the turnover battle

As a 21-point favorite, Michigan football could probably afford to lose the turnover battle, but not all turnovers are created equally.

Michigan has to avoid the really bad turnovers that lead directly to points. That's enough to let a team like Fresno State hang around on the road.

Michigan football's quarterback will also be making his first career start. That's true whether it's Alex Orji or Davis Warren. There's going to be some jitters. It might take a while for the game to "slow down" and there's a chance that Michigan has a turnover or two at the quarterback position.

That's what you want to avoid and whoever is playing quarterback, taking care of the ball is job No. 1. The defense should be elite and I believe the running game will be too.

Those two things can win Michigan football a lot of games this season. But they have to execute in the simple areas and that means taking care of the ball, being solid in the kicking game, etc.

I don't have any reason to doubt Michigan at all. Sherrone Moore is going to be an elite head coach. The last two Michigan starting quarterbacks were elite at protecting the ball and it remains to be seen if Warren and Orji are made of that same ilk.