The Michigan Wolverines are coming off winning the National Championship while the Bulldogs ended their season with a win over New Mexico State in the New Mexico Bowl.
Michigan Wolverines 0-0 (0-0 Big Ten) vs. Fresno State Bulldogs 0-0 (0-0 Mountain West)
Date: Saturday, August 31
Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
TV Channel: NBC
Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Line: Wolverines -20.5 / O/U: 47.5
2023 Team Stats
Michigan:
2023 Offense (Big Ten Rank) —
Total Yards: 382.7 (5)
Passing Yards: 213.7 (6)
Rushing Yards: 169.1 (3)
2023 Defense (Big Ten Rank) —
Total Yards Allowed: 239.7 (2)
Passing Yards Allowed: 152.6 (2)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 87.1 (2)
2023 Points Scored: 35.9 (2)
2023 Points Allowed: 9.5 (1)
2024 Ranking: 9
Fresno State:
2023 Offense (Mountain West Rank) —
Total Yards: 387.8 (7)
Passing Yards: 282.2 (2)
Rushing Yards: 105.5 (10)
2023 Defense (Mountain West Rank) —
Total Yards Allowed: 385.1 (5)
Passing Yards Allowed: 216.9 (6)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 168.2 (7)
2023 Points Scored: 30.5 (5)
2023 Points Allowed: 24.6 (10)
2024 Ranking: 56
Series History/All-Time Records
All-time head-to-head record: N/A
Current streak: First Ever Matchup
Last Michigan win: N/A
Last Fresno State win: N/A
2023 Returning Player Stats
Michigan
Passing: Jack Tuttle – 15-17, 130 yards, 1-0 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Donovan Edwards – 119 ATT, 497 YDS, 5 TD
Receiving: Colston Loveland – 45 REC, 649 YDS, 4 TD
Tackles: Ernest Hausmann – 46 (16-30)
Sacks: Josaiah Stewart – 5.5
Interceptions: Will Johnson – 4
Fresno State
Passing: Mikey Keene – 283-422, 2976 YDS, 24-10 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Malik Sherrod – 172 ATT, 966 YDS, 9 TD
Receiving: Erik Brooks – 60 REC, 788 YDS, 5 TD
Tackles: Malachi Langley – 84 (38-46)
Sacks: Jacob Holmes – 5
Interceptions: Dean Clark – 3
Michigan Players To Watch:
Offense: Running Back – Donovan Edwards – Senior
It is officially Edwards backfield for the Wolverines. Last season he had 497 yards on 119 carries with five touchdowns as he was the backup to Corum. He had a breakout game in the National Championship as he had 104 yards on six carries with two touchdowns. Now with him being the lone back, he will get a chance to breakout on a weekly basis starting against the Bulldogs defense that last season gave up 168.2 yards a game on the ground.
Defense: Defensive Back – Will Johnson – Junior
Johnson will be a key cog to the defense this season. He finished last season with 27 total tackles, and the team lead in interceptions with four; he also had a touchdown and four pass deflections. Now he will be a key voice and will look to keep the Fresno State passing game locked down.
Bottom Line: Sherrone Moore era begins for Michigan
Michigan begins a new chapter in its program’s history as former head coach Jim Harbaugh has left for the NFL and JJ McCarthy entered the draft, can Moore lead Michigan back to the CFP which will now have 12 teams taking part? The Big Ten will be tough with the expansion but with the defense, this Michigan team has they certainly can get back to the playoff and make a run despite all the doubters they have.
