Fresno State Preview

Time: 7:30

Location: Big House 

Weather: 78 No Rain

TV: NBC (Eagle/Blackledge)

Line: Michigan -21

Michigan takes the field on Saturday for the first time since after the 1997 season as National Champions.   That will be a special moment.  After all the fanfare and celebration of last year.   It's time to turn the page to this season and this new Michigan Football Team. 

Harbaugh, Corum, Mikey, and JJ are off to the NFL and its Sherrone's turn to drive this historic program to more championships.  There are new coaches and new players in place.  The cupboard is not bare in Ann Arbor and Michigan should continue to have a dominating run game and a suffocating defense. 

The biggest question is at the most important position, quarterback.  Who will start on Saturday night and who will lead this program forward?  Sherrone has learned from Coach Harbaugh on how to run the "Submarine" and has kept that information locked tight.   Whether its Orji or Warren, Michigan needs to have a leader that can continue to move the offense, get first downs and score points when defenses load the box to stop the run.  Michigan's tight ends should have a historic season if things go as planned.  

Fresno State is no joke of a football program and they beat a Big Ten team on the road to start the season last year.   They have experience all over the offensive side of the ball and will try to air it out with a quick passing game against the Wolverines.  My guess is they watched at ton of Michigan/TCU game film.  Expect little to no run game from the Bulldogs and a quick passing game.  

Dear Sherrone,

Last year I joked you and Harbaugh spent the opener at Cedar Pointe riding roller coasters.  Now your the head coach after an incredible season on and off the field.  As head coach at Michigan you have already faced the Big Ten's best, now you get the job full time and we expect nothing less but a great effort from your squad week in and week out. 

Our expectation is you have this team ready to play.  That they are not spending time looking at their 4 championship rings and reminiscing about last year.   Team 145 hasn't done shit yet and I hope they have that mentality.  

Now on to Fresno State.  This is no roll over opponent and a team that was 9-4 last season with a bowl win.  They are going to test your secondary a ton and I expect Hill will see a ton of balls, as they won't test Will too often.   They are going to try to dink and dunk all the way to an upset win and Wink better have a game plan to stop it.  I'm no DC, but keeping Michigan's talented LB's at home and in the zone should stop that nonsense. 

Let me give you some advice on the QB situation.  The QB that starts and plays most of the snaps is your call of course.  The thing you must remember is that position has to get Michigan out of situations with his arm.  JJ was incredibly valuable to the team on 3rd and long last season when Michigan needed it.   Every defense that Michigan will face will try to shut down Edwards and company.   They will load the box to make you throw the ball.  Don't fall for that.  Run a balanced offense, throw screens on 1st down, you have the best TE's in the nation, get them the ball!  Spread it out with your WR's and don't let those safeties get into the backfield.  A running QB can be a great threat but QB's have to throw accurately to win championships.  

Last thoughts as you take the field on Saturday night.  Have the team ready to play, expect the unexpected from Fresno State, continue to make in-game adjustments on both sides of the ball at an elite level, play clean, protect the ball, and finally be yourself.  You have earned this job, we have your back, go make us proud. 

Michigan 38 Fresno 10