After an opening blow out win over Colorado State, No. 3 Texas is looking to its next matchup, the No. 10 Michigan Wolverines. The early test on the road will show how good Texas truly is, as Ann Arbor is one of the most hostile environments in college football.
After going through a lot of changes in the locker room over the summer, Michigan still carries the momentum from last year’s victorious National Championship. After previous head coach Jim Harbaugh moved on to the NFL, Sherrone Moore was appointed as the new mastermind behind the Wolverines. Michigan also lost several key players to the NFL Draft, including star quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Despite these changes, Michigan defeated Fresno State 30-10 in week one and is still one of the top teams in college football. Here are three key things that the Longhorns need to do to win in the Big House.
Evade the defense
Despite losing players like defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and starting edges Braiden McGregor and Jaylen Harrell, Michigan has one of the best defensive lines in college football. With explosive edge defenders Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant entering their junior year, there is plenty of talent to fuel Michigan’s defensive machine.
The line also has the depth to be unstoppable. With an ample room of experienced linemen, Michigan is fully capable of sending wave after wave of fresh, hungry players straight to the opposing quarterback.
To put it shortly, if Michigan makes it to the College Football Playoffs this year, the defensive line will be the force carrying the team to the spot.
Expose the weakened passing game
With McCarthy gone and a questionable wide receiver room, the Wolverines offensive game is easy to shut down. Now, senior Davis Warren has been slotted to fill his spot.
Warren certainly possesses the talent to become another McCarthy, but his inaccuracy makes his inexperience obvious. The improved Texas secondary can easily pick off his passes, especially with the wide receiver room that continues to throw Michigan off its game.
The forerunning receiver for the Wolverines takes form in junior tight end Colston Loveland, who led the team in both receptions and receiving yards with eight for 87 yards. He also had an 18-yard receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter, Michigan’s only receiving touchdown.
Until Michigan’s wide receiver room is figured out, Texas needs to dominate in the secondary.
Play like it’s at home
One of the biggest advantages that Michigan has over Texas is playing on its home turf. It’s no secret that the Longhorns are strongest surrounded by the flood of orange and white that makes its way to Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, but facing tough teams on the road isn’t anything new. One of the defining moments from last season came in an away-game victory against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Forty-six current Texas players experienced the win against the Crimson Tide, and there’s no doubt they are hungry for more.
“You have to have great poise and composure when you are in these types of road environments,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian told CBS News.
As the Longhorns prepare for their first face-off against Michigan since the 2005 Rose Bowl, the team has certain goals in mind. With the high stakes that come with a game against a national title defending-team in their own territory, Texas’ potential victory against the Wolverines has the power to set the tone early for the rest of the season.