Michigan football vs. Fresno State: Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 1
Michigan football finally returns to the field on Saturday night, hosting Fresno State inside the Big House for the first game since winning the national title.
There's a lot of noise about sign-stealing and the NCAA, but we'll finally get back to football. On that front, there's plenty to talk about. Sherrone Moore hasn't named a starting quarterback as I write this but that could come this week, although it might wait until Saturday.
Alex Orji is expected to be the starter although I wouldn't rule out Davis Warren. Warren has done enough to keep things interesting and Moore said Michigan football "feels good" about the quarterback room. He even talked up Jadyn Davis and the fall camp had by the freshman.
Fresno State won nine games last season and eight of their first nine. They have an interim head coach after Jeff Tedford stepped down (Tim Skipper is interim head coach) but there are plenty of weapons on offense.
The defense allowed over 30 points per game last season and will need to play better than that to upset Michigan football, but here's a look at the odds, how to watch, and a prediction.
Michigan football vs Fresno State odds
The Wolverines are a 21-point favorite against Fresno State according to DraftKings. The over/under is 46 and the money line for U-M is -1600 and +900 for the Bulldogs.
Michigan vs. Fresno State Players to watch
Michigan: Donovan Edwards
Edwards is one of the cover guys for EA Sports College Football 25 and he's getting a chance to be the top running back for the first time.
When Blake Corum was out in 2022, Edwards was dynamic. He rushed 70 times for 520 yards and scored three touchdowns while averaging 7.4 yards per attempt against Ohio State, Purdue in the Big Ten title game and TCU in the College Football Playoff.
Edwards averaged 173 yards per game. Some people don't think he can be an elite running back for an entire season but he's never had the chance and I can't wait to see what he does in 2024.
Fresno State: QB Mikey Keene
Group of Five teams with talented quarterbacks are always worrisome and Keene completed 67 percent of his passes last season for 2,976 yards and 24 touchdown passes. He accounted for 26 total touchdowns.
The Bulldogs also have one of the best running backs in the Mountain West in Malik Sherrod who averaged 5.6 yards per attempt on his way to 966 rushing yards last season. He had 260 more through the air.
Those two will be the focal points for the Michigan defense, along with a talented receiving group.
Michigan vs. Fresno State How to watch
Date: Aug. 31
Game Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: The Big House
How to Watch: NBC Sports | Fubo TV
Michigan football vs. Fresno State prediction
Sherrone Moore has coached four other games as acting head coach including top-10 wins over Ohio State and Penn State. I don't see him having any jitters. Michigan football will be ready to go.
I believe Alex Orji will be the starting quarterback. There will be ups and downs, but Orji will run and throw well enough to cement the starting job. Donovan Edwards will run for over 100 yards and the defense reminds everyone why it might be the best in college football.
Next. NEXT . Game-by-game predictions for Michigan football . dark