While the Wolverines narrowly escaped an upset behind stagnant offense and sloppy quarterback play, the Sooners dominated their opener to signal a clear advantage heading into Ann Arbor
Michigan is 1-0, but nobody in Norman should be scared of the film.
The Wolverines needed a last-second Hail Mary to beat Western Michigan, and the way they got there should give Oklahoma plenty of confidence heading into Ann Arbor.
After an opening touchdown drive, Michigan’s offense went cold against a Western Michigan defense that was supposed to be overmatched. From that point forward, the Wolverines were shut out until the final play of the game, and they also had six straight possessions that ended in punts.
As a 27.5-point favorite in Kyle Whittingham’s debut, that is not the look of a team ready to dictate big-game environment next weekend. It is the look of a team still searching for answers.
Bryce Underwood was a big reason for the mess. The sophomore quarterback struggled with his mechanics, locked onto receivers, showed poor footwork, and tried to do too much. He finished with two turnovers, including an interception and a late fumble that nearly ended the game before the miracle throw.
Outside of JJ Buchanan, who caught six passes for 126 yards and the game-winning score, Michigan’s receivers generated almost nothing. One player bailed the whole operation out. Everybody else was quiet.
That matters because Oklahoma just played a clean, physical opener without emptying the call sheet. The Sooners beat UTEP 51-0, scored in a bunch of ways, and still kept a lot of their look under wraps for Michigan week. John Mateer was efficient. Isaiah Sategna was explosive. The defense posted a shutout. The offensive line, even while short-handed, did not give up a sack and helped the run game average 4.4 yards per carry.
It was UTEP, sure. It was also a much healthier starting point than what Michigan just survived.
The recent history helps too. Oklahoma already handled Michigan last season in Norman, 24-13, and the game was more one-sided than the final score. Mateer thoroughly outplayed Underwood in just his second start after transferring from Washington State. He completed 21 of 34 passes for 270 yards with a touchdown and an interception, ran for 74 yards and two scores, and was especially good against pressure.
Against the blitz, he went 8 of 13 for 156 yards and a touchdown. He made a couple mistakes, but he also extended plays, stayed poised, and dictated the tempo. That was one of his best games of the year and the stretch that put him squarely in the early Heisman conversation.
So what does Oklahoma have in front of it?
A Michigan team that just looked stagnant for most of the evening against Western Michigan. A quarterback who is still forcing throws and fighting his footwork. A supporting cast that did not create much outside of one receiver. And a Sooners team that already beat this opponent a year ago while looking more comfortable under pressure.
None of that means Saturday is automatic.
Road games at Michigan are not easy, and Whittingham is not going to let the Wolverines stay this messy for long if he can help it. Oklahoma still has to prove the offensive line can hold up against a better front and that the run game will not shrink once the competition rises.
Those are real questions.
But the confidence should be there. Michigan needed a miracle to beat a team it was heavily favored to bury. Oklahoma looked efficient, physical, and composed in a dominant shutout. Mateer has already won this matchup once. The defense is still the strength of the roster. And the Wolverines just put a lot of vulnerability on tape.
If the Sooners play clean and force Underwood to operate under stress again, it could be a long day for the Wolverines.
