The USC Trojans head to Ann Arbor to take on the Michigan Wolverines for both teams' Big 10 opener in the new era of the Big 10. 

There's not a lot of optimism surrounding Michigan's chances in this one. USC is the favorite to win this weekend, with many citing the Wolverines' dreadful offensive performance so far as the source of their skepticism.

It's certainly valid. Michigan hasn't exactly put teams away in games and their offense looked abysmal against the Texas Longhorns just two weeks ago. 

However, there is a stat that just might bring a tiny bit of potential optimism for Wolverines' fans heading into this week's game.

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In his Week 4 preview column, ESPN's Bill Connelly shared an interesting fact about the USC Trojans under Lincoln Riley. 

"In 12 games in which opponents operated out of a two-tight end formation at least 30% of the time, USC has gone just 6-6….Even with Warren at QB, Michigan is operating with two tight ends 36% of the time. I would be shocked if that percentage wasn't higher against the Trojans." 

While this USC defense certainly appears to be different than previous years, Michigan boasts the tight end room to take advantage of this mismatch. 

Star tight end Colston Loveland is expected to play, and I'm sure he will be counted on heavily in this game. However, Michigan has players behind him who are intriguing players capable of making plays if defenses don't take them seriously.

TE2 Marlin Klein is a terrific athlete. He's still raw, as a former German citizen who played wide receiver in high school, but he made The Athletic's Bruce Feldman's Freaks List for his athleticism. 

"Since arriving in Ann Arbor, Klein, who began his football career with the Cologne Crocodiles in his native Germany, has turned a lot of heads. Loveland emerged as a matchup nightmare last year thanks to his rangy frame and speed that tops out at 21.25 mph. Klein, now 6-6 and 250, hit 21.75 mph this summer. He broad-jumped 9-7."

Klein's ability down the seam and after the catch makes him an intriguing option for the Wolverines to exploit shots down the middle of the field.

Next to Klein is TE/FB Max Bredeson. I'd argue nobody on the team is blocking better than Bredeson is right now, and his combination of strength and technique has him escorting defenders out of rushing lanes with relative ease. 

Bredeson should play frequently this weekend to help the Wolverines establish the run game and help play ball control against USC's offense. 

Michigan is also optimistic about the players they have behind those three that haven't seen much action in 2024. The Wolverines have players such as sophomore Jalen Hoffman and freshmen Hogan Hansen and Brady Prieskorn who the staff is confident in, but have played behind three talented options.

I'm with Connelly here on this one. I wouldn't be shocked to see Michigan play close to 50% of their snaps in these 12/13P looks against the USC Trojans on Saturday.