Saturday, September 20, 2014

Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Utah brings their high scoring offense into Michigan Stadium looking to pick up one more quality win before kicking off Pac-12 play. The Wolverines on the other hand find themselves in a must-win situation already in the year, still feeling the effects of a 31-0 shutout loss to Notre Dame despite toppling Miami of Ohio 34-10 last week.

To Utah it's no big thing to go into 'The Big House' and get a win, having done so 25-23 in 2008 to welcome Rich Rodriguez to Ann Arbor. Utah has time and rest on their side, with coach Kyle Whittingham having 2 weeks to game plan for the Wolverines after a bye week. It's hard to imagine how the Ute offense can get any more efficient after beating Idaho State 56-14 to start the year followed by a 59-27 disposal of Fresno State on September 6th. Senior wideout Kaelin Clay will give Michigan something extra to prepare for as he had two return TD's in the opener and Travis Wilson led the Fresno State win with 5 passing TD's. Utah is not all offense though, having amassed 11 sacks on defense through the first two games.

Michigan has had two shaky outings after starting the season with a 52-14 win over Appalachian State. The Notre Dame game in week two speaks for itself, with the Wolverines unable to stop Irish QB Everett Golson (23/34 226 yards, 3TD) while their own signal caller coughed up four second half turnovers. In what was supposed to be a bounce back game a week later against Miami (OH), Michigan found themselves tied 10-10 late in the second quarter before scoring 24 unanswered points.

The Michigan offense will get a boost from the return of WR Devin Funchess, who missed the last game after getting injured against Notre Dame. This game could legitimately go either way, something that wouldn't have been said of the Wolverine teams of the glory days but a quality win would be a great kickoff before the Big Ten season.

Utah Utes Betting Trends

Utah Utes are 2-0-0 Against the Spread

Utah Utes are 2-0-0 against the Over/Under

Michigan Wolverines Betting Trends

Michigan Wolverines are 1-2-0 Against the Spread

Michigan Wolverines are 1-2-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Utah Utes

09/16/14 LB Gionni Paul Foot is upgraded to probable Saturday vs. Michigan
09/16/14 LB Jason Whittingham Undisclosed doubtful Saturday vs. Michigan
09/14/14 WR Geoffrey Norwood Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. Michigan
08/27/14 LB Jacoby Hale Knee out indefinitely
08/15/14 DB Reginald Porter Knee out for season

Michigan Wolverines

09/16/14 TE Khalid Hill Hamstring "?" Saturday vs. Utah
09/14/14 WR Devin Funchess Leg "?" Saturday vs. Utah
09/14/14 DB Jarrod Wilson Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. Utah
09/14/14 LB Noah Furbush Arm "?" Saturday vs. Utah
09/14/14 DB Raymon Taylor Knee "?" Saturday vs. Utah
09/09/14 LB Desmond Morgan Arm out indefinitely
09/04/14 OL Kyle Bosch Personal out indefinitely
08/28/14 WR Drake Harris Hamstring out indefinitely
08/28/14 RB Ty Isaac Eligibility out indefinitely
08/09/14 DB Delano Hill Jaw out indefinitely

Josh's Pick: Take Michigan

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