Michigan football: What we learned vs. Arkansas State, what to watch vs. USC

Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia looks back at Michigan football’s 28-18 victory over Arkansas State and looks ahead to the Wolverines’ second big test of the season against new Big Ten foe No. 12 USC on Saturday.

Next up for No. 17 Michigan: No. 12 Southern California

Matchup: No. 17 Michigan (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 12 Southern Cal (2-0, 0-0), Big Ten opener.

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m., Saturday; Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.

TV/radio: CBS; WXYT-FM (97.1).

Line: Trojans by 6½.

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Know the foe

Michigan is scheduled to meet three of the four conference newcomers this year with perhaps the most prestigious of the group, USC, up first. It’s a program that like the Wolverines, claims 11 national championships, (second behind only Alabama’s 18) and brings momentum into its new era. The Trojans went 8-5 last season despite bringing back the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Caleb Williams (who went on to become the No. 1 overall pick in April in Detroit).

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts in the first half against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Head coach Lincoln Riley retooled in the offseason. He got rid of defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, who he brought with him from Oklahoma, and replaced him with former UCLA DC D’Anton Lynn, another Raven-style mind like U-M has had in recent years with Mike Macdonald, Jesse Minter and now Wink Martindale.

Redshirt junior Miller Moss has taken over at quarterback and been exceptional through two games, completing 48 of 66 passes (72.7%) for 608 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Perhaps what’s hardest to stop about the USC attack is how Moss is able to spread the ball around….

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-learned-vs-arkansas-183025328.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2024-09-15 18:30:25

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