The Michigan Wolverines, the defending national champions, host the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday. Here’s our preview, which includes a prediction, using the best college football odds from the top sportsbooks.
NCAAF Pick: Fresno State +21 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Fresno State vs. Michigan
Saturday, August 31, 2024 – 07:30 PM ET at Michigan Stadium
Fresno State Has a Talented Roster
In 2023, Fresno State secured their third consecutive bowl appearance, crushing New Mexico State 37-10 in the New Mexico Bowl. After Jeff Tedford stepped down due to health reasons, Tim Skipper took the helm as head coach, guiding the Bulldogs to that decisive victory.
Skipper takes charge of an offense that returns eight starters, offering a wealth of experience. On the defensive side, however, there are only five returning starters, raising concerns about the back seven. While the defensive line looks promising, both the secondary and linebackers will need to step up their game.
One of the key areas for improvement is the ground game. While Fresno State isn’t solely reliant on passing, the offense has become overly dependent on the air attack. The offensive line, though, remains a strong point.
Mose Vavao, who spent last season primarily at guard, is poised to excel at center. Toreon Penlight and Kingsley Ugwu create a solid tandem at left tackle, with Braylen Nelson holding down the right side. This line has the potential to be one of the best in the Mountain West.
The backfield is stacked with talent. Malik Sherrod, who averaged 5.6 yards per carry, racked up 966 yards and nine touchdowns. He brings speed and elusiveness, while Elijah Gilliam, who added 397 yards and five scores, provides power. The depth behind these two is also strong.
Adding former USC star Korey Foreman to pair with top pass rusher Devo Bridges should present major challenges for opposing offenses. Jacob Holmes, who led the team with five sacks last season, anchors the defensive line, which has enough depth to create a solid rotation against the run.
In the linebacking unit, Malachi Langley, the team’s leading tackler with 84 stops, returns, and Tuasivi Nomura is expected to step up in the middle, filling the void left by Lavelle Bailey.
The secondary may lack a superstar but is filled with playmakers. Al’zillion Hamilton, who recorded eight pass breakups and two interceptions, is locked in at one corner, while JUCO transfer Jakari Embry and Julian Neal should provide reliable coverage on the other side.
Dean Clark, who finished second on the team with 83 tackles, and Camryn Bracha, who will see increased action at free safety, round out the defensive backfield.
Michigan’s New Era Begins
After winning the National Championship, Michigan faces significant changes in 2024. Coach Jim Harbaugh departed for the Chargers, leaving Sherrone Moore, who led the team during Harbaugh’s suspension, to take over as the full-time head coach.
The Wolverines also welcomed NFL veteran Wink Martindale as defensive coordinator, while Kyle Campbell steps in as offensive coordinator. Michigan is nearly starting from scratch, with only one returning starter on offense and three on defense. Moore will need to rapidly develop his young roster.
The offensive line is undergoing a rebuild, but there’s potential for success. Greg Crippen is expected to make an impact at center, while Myles Hinton, who started at tackle in nearly half the games last season, should secure the left tackle spot. Michigan also brought in Josh Priebe from Northwestern to fill one of the guard positions, continuing their trend of finding key talent through the transfer portal.
The running game remains a strong suit. Donovan Edwards averaged 4.2 yards per carry last season and is a dual-threat as a receiver. Kalel Mullings, a 6-foot-2, 239-pound power back who averaged 6.2 yards per carry, will back him up. The ground attack will help ease the pressure, and the receiving corps, though inexperienced, is brimming with talent.
Colston Loveland, who recorded 649 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 45 catches last season, is among the nation’s top tight ends. The wide receiver group, while new to starting roles, shows great promise.
Semaj Morgan, who caught 22 passes last season, adds speed, while Fredrick Moore and Tyler Morris provide dangerous options on the outside. However, depth could be a concern, as the starters continue to get acclimated.
NCAAF Pick
Michigan’s quarterback situation remains uncertain as the 2024 season approaches. Alex Orji has attempted just one pass in his college career (back in 2022), while Davis Warren, a former walk-on, has completed 5 of 14 passes with one interception across eight career games.
Moore has kept the quarterback competition under wraps, and it’s unclear if either player has emerged as the leader. This could pose a challenge against a defense featuring returning standouts like Devo Bridges and Malachi Langley.
This game will offer a clearer look at the reigning national champions. While the 2024 Wolverines may not be on par with the title-winning team, they still boast a roster loaded with talent. Michigan is favored to win, but Fresno State has the capability to cover the spread.
NCAAF Pick: Fresno State +21 (-110) at Bet365
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