Final score predictions for Michigan vs. Oklahoma: Can the Wolverines show last week was a fluke while the Sooners continue to fix the offense?
The Oklaahoma Sooners hosted the Michigan Wolverines this time a year ago. Now the game is in Ann Arbor.
The Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan Wolverines met this time last year. However, that game was in Norman, Oklahoma. OU won in a convincing fashion. Aside from one busted play that led to a long Michigan rushing TD, the Wolverines couldn’t do much.
This time, OU is hoping it’s the same way. But Michigan is hosting this game. With 100 thousand-plus yelling at the Crimson and Cream, how will the Sooners respond? Our experts at A to Z Sports have broken the game down with a few predictions.
Rob Gregson, A to Z Alabama: Oklahoma 27, Michigan 10
You know, when this game was set for Week 2 ahead of the season, I was pretty excited given all of the hype surrounding a healthy and improved John Mateer, alongside what many believed or at least hoped would be a better version of Bryce Underwood in Ann Arbor. But then we saw Week 1, where, beyond the fact that Underwood stunk up the joint for 4 quarters, his HC came out and said that his job security “is not infinite,” to which Underwood responded with, “that’s cool.”
So, due to the vibes of that QB-HC relationship alone, much less the fact that I believe the Sooners are a better outfit and run a defense that could (will) have Underwood in a blender, I have to go Boomer Sooner.
Craig Smith, A to Z Miami: Oklahoma 27, Michigan 9
The eyes of the nation will be on Ann Arbor this weekend in the early game time slot. This time, that attention will go beyond an officiating/rules fiasco. Oklahoma comes to the Big House as a 5.5-point underdog against the Wolverines after destroying UTEP 51-0. And while it will be sluggish for a while on both sides, Sooners WR Isaiah Sategna III — who had two long punt returns last week, including an 88-yard touchdown — will deliver an impact play to give the Sooners the upper hand. Oklahoma forces some mistakes from Bryce Underwood, and they slowly and methodically build on their lead on the way to a comfortable win.
Brandon Little, A to Z Ohio State: Oklahoma 27, Michigan 21
Michigan is coming off a win they surely didn’t deserve and this game against Oklahoma could go either way as a result. I expect the Wolverines to compete and look like a better team than they did against Western Michigan. However, going up against Venables’ defense is going to be no easy task for Bryce Underwood, and it won’t be easy for him to bounce back. John Mateer and the Sooners are going to take a close one in a game that’ll be close in the fourth quarter. Overall, I’ll take the better quarterback and better offense to grind it out.
Ryan Roberts, A to Z Notre Dame: Oklahoma 27, Michigan 16
I’m taking Oklahoma to beat Michigan 27-16 in a game where the Sooners’ defense ultimately makes the difference. Oklahoma looked dominant in its season opener, shutting out UTEP 51-0, while Michigan barely escaped Western Michigan 13-12 and struggled to generate consistent offense. I expect John Mateer and the Sooners’ offense to be much more efficient, especially against a Michigan defense that could be forced to defend the quarterback run game as well as Oklahoma’s playmakers on the perimeter.
Michigan should have stretches where the home-field advantage helps them stay competitive, but I don’t think the Wolverines can consistently move the ball against an Oklahoma defense that was one of the nation’s best a year ago. The Sooners also beat Michigan 24-13 last season, and I see a similar formula playing out in Ann Arbor: Oklahoma controls the line of scrimmage, creates a couple of key turnovers, and pulls away in the second half.
Tyler Forness, A to Z Florida: Oklahoma 41, Michigan 16
We can talk all we want about the issues with Michigan’s controversial win against Western Michigan, but it’s how they played that raises a lot of concern. Bryce Underwood doesn’t look like he should be playing FBS football right now. His mechanics and decision-making are all over the place, and he’s the reason why the Wolverines were in that situation to begin with.
When you look at this group compared to what Oklahoma has on their roster, it’s not even close. The Sooners are going to maul them in the trenches, and despite the close spread, I don’t think this will be a close game, even in Ann Arbor.
Justin Churchill, A to Z Oklahoma: Oklahoma 31, Michigan 10
The Oklahoma Sooners are coming into this game after looking fantastic against UTEP. In that game, their defense was the bigger letdown, not the offense. The offense, with the exception of one special teams touchdown, scored 51 points. The defense pitched a shutout, yes, but it very well could have been 51-12 after three missed field goals and a fumble by UTEP in the red zone. This time, the defense gets it right.
There is sure to be one busted play, but other than that, this defense is going to force a poor Michigan run game to play to the tackles, something they likely don’t want to do. The interior is going to be where they want to run it, and Oklahoma is the one team you won’t win playing that way. As far as the offense, this team looked good running the ball against UTEP. Let’s see if that still rings true. They’re a 12 personnel team now, so let’s see what it looks like in a big-time game. Oklahoma is going to run the ball a ton, and it’s only going to set up explosives for Trell Harris and Isaiah Sategna. The defense will be the winning factor in this one, though.
