by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Aug 31, 2022
Game time: Noon ET
Venue: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Where to watch: ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Michigan -30.5, total 61.5
FanDuel: Michigan -31.5, total 61.5
BetMGM: Michigan -30.5, total 61.5
Caesars: Michigan -30.5, total 61.5
2021 season record
Colorado State: 3-9 (2-6 Mountain West)
No. 8 Michigan: 12-2 (8-1 Big Ten), won Big Ten title, lost to eventual national champion Georgia in College Football Playoff
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Colorado State - Michigan preview, analysis and prediction
If the Michigan Wolverines were just a one-off, what a one-year ride it was in Ann Arbor. If you're a Michigan supporter, you'd like to think this is the best to come under Jim Harbaugh. Of course, given how Ohio State has handled business the last decade-plus, one year will live in infamy for the remainder of time.
But the same expectations will be heaped upon the No. 8-ranked Wolverines, who finally reached that potential in the Harbaugh era after winning the Big Ten title and making it all the way to the College Football Playoff before getting trounced by Georgia (understandably so). There's still a lot of talent on this team that can win games.
Winning against the likes of the Colorado State Rams won't be the problem. The true test will come later down the road against the likes of Ohio State, Michigan State and maybe others who might emerge from the pack.
At the very least, the start of the season is shaping up well for Michigan. The Wolverines open the year with four straight home games and the level of competition isn't the most intimidating (Colorado State, Hawaii, UConn, Maryland). This will be the first meeting between the two schools since 1994, when Michigan won that game.
The only thing untraditional with Michigan heading into this season is Harbaugh handling the quarterback situation. Perhaps this whole offseason in general has been untraditional in Harbaugh losing his mind in certain aspects, but alas, he quoted the Bible when saying he will start quarterbacks Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy one game each before determining who gets the call the rest of the way.
"No person, that's biblical, no person knows what the future holds," Harbaugh said. "It's a process and it's going to be based on performance, but we're not going to withhold any good thing. Both have been tremendous quarterbacks. We think that both are capable of leading our team to a championship."
But the same expectations will be heaped upon the No. 8-ranked Wolverines, who finally reached that potential in the Harbaugh era after winning the Big Ten title and making it all the way to the College Football Playoff before getting trounced by Georgia (understandably so). There's still a lot of talent on this team that can win games.
Winning against the likes of the Colorado State Rams won't be the problem. The true test will come later down the road against the likes of Ohio State, Michigan State and maybe others who might emerge from the pack.
At the very least, the start of the season is shaping up well for Michigan. The Wolverines open the year with four straight home games and the level of competition isn't the most intimidating (Colorado State, Hawaii, UConn, Maryland). This will be the first meeting between the two schools since 1994, when Michigan won that game.
The only thing untraditional with Michigan heading into this season is Harbaugh handling the quarterback situation. Perhaps this whole offseason in general has been untraditional in Harbaugh losing his mind in certain aspects, but alas, he quoted the Bible when saying he will start quarterbacks Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy one game each before determining who gets the call the rest of the way.
"No person, that's biblical, no person knows what the future holds," Harbaugh said. "It's a process and it's going to be based on performance, but we're not going to withhold any good thing. Both have been tremendous quarterbacks. We think that both are capable of leading our team to a championship."
God help us all.
"Some people have asked, 'How did you come to that decision? Was it based on some kind of NFL model?'" Harbaugh said. "No, it's really based biblical. Solomon, he was known to be a pretty wise person."
"Some people have asked, 'How did you come to that decision? Was it based on some kind of NFL model?'" Harbaugh said. "No, it's really based biblical. Solomon, he was known to be a pretty wise person."
McNamara wasn't the best quarterback in the world, not a superstar in any sense of the word, but he did lead the Wolverines to a conference title. But if there's a case to be made for this, the Michigan offense was carried heavily, pun intended, by star running back Hassan Haskins. After a 1,300-yard, 20-touchdown season, Haskins is now with the Tennessee Titans.
It looks like Donovan Edwards, a true sophomore, will be next in line, along with Blake Corum.
But the bigger story might be who replaces the pass rush in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines lost 25 sacks to the NFL this past spring, with Aidan Hutchinson going No. 2 to the Detroit Lions, and David Ojabo going to the Baltimore Ravens in the second round. The good news is it's a veteran group for Michigan up front with two seniors and two juniors.
As for Colorado State, don't expect much from this group. Todd Centeio is gone, which means quarterback is going to be a big problem for the Rams. All four QBs on their depth chart are freshmen, with Clay Millen likely getting the start. Leading receiver Trey McBride is now in the NFL, so someone has to find a way to catch a pass on this offense.
Even if Michigan's defense is a bit of a wild card, it shouldn't be a problem in this one.
Prediction
Michigan is just 10-6 against the spread as a favorite the past three years, but only 9-12 as a home favorite of at least four touchdowns in the past 30 years. But unless Colorado State has suddenly found some offense going into this year off a 3-win season, this should be a cover for the Wolverines. Michigan by 40
Betting trends
Colorado State is 55-57 ATS in non-conference games since 1992.
The under is 5-1 in Colorado State's last six against Big Ten opponents.
Michigan is 84-87 as a home favorite ATS since 1992.
The under is 5-1 in Colorado State's last six against Big Ten opponents.
Michigan is 84-87 as a home favorite ATS since 1992.
2021 statistical leaders
Colorado State:
Passing: Todd Centeio -- 2,958 yards, 15 TD, 10 INT
Rushing: David Bailey -- 752 yards, 9 TD
Receiving: Trey McBride -- 1,121 yards, 1 TD
Defense: Camron Carter -- 100 tackles
Michigan:
Passing: Cade McNamara -- 2,576 yards, 15 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: Hassan Haskins -- 1,327 yards, 20 TD
Receiving: Cornelius Johnson -- 627 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Aidan Hutchinson -- 14 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
