HEROSPORTS
  • Home
  • FCS
    • FCS Home
    • Big South-OVC
    • Big Sky
    • CAA
    • Ivy
    • MEAC
    • MVFC
    • NEC
    • Patriot
    • Pioneer
    • SoCon
    • Southland
    • SWAC
    • UAC
  • FBS
    • FBS Home
    • AAC Football
    • CUSA Football
    • MAC Football
    • Mountain West Football
    • Pac-12 Football
    • Sun Belt Football
  • College Basketball
  • Register at BetMGM
  • BetMGM Promotions
  • More
    • About HERO Sports
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • FCS
    • FCS Home
    • Big South-OVC
    • Big Sky
    • CAA
    • Ivy
    • MEAC
    • MVFC
    • NEC
    • Patriot
    • Pioneer
    • SoCon
    • Southland
    • SWAC
    • UAC
  • FBS
    • FBS Home
    • AAC Football
    • CUSA Football
    • MAC Football
    • Mountain West Football
    • Pac-12 Football
    • Sun Belt Football
  • College Basketball
  • Register at BetMGM
  • BetMGM Promotions
  • More
    • About HERO Sports
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
HEROSPORTS
No Result
View All Result

Michigan Has Opportunity to Make College Football Playoff Statement in Week 1

HERO Sports by HERO Sports
August 28, 2017
Michigan Has Opportunity to Make College Football Playoff Statement in Week 1

The Michigan Wolverines open week one of the college football season with a bang — a marquee matchup against Florida in a game that could set the Wolverines on a path to the college football playoff.

RELATED: Big Ten Power Rankings: Where is Michigan in the Preseason?
PODCAST: 2017 College Football Preview​
MORE: Team Comparison Tool

The Wolverines have a tough BIg Ten schedule this fall and likely won't escape conference play unscathed. Michigan plays at Penn State and Wisconsin, and hosts Ohio State. Chances are they don't go 3-0 in those games, making a week one win all the more important.

No 2-loss team has ever made the college football playoff, and if Michigan wants to avoid trying to be the first, they'll need to take care of business against Florida.

The Wolverines head into the contest with a completely revamped roster. Eleven players were drafted from last year's squad and a few more graduated, leaving ony five returning starters. That means a lot of holes need to be filled.

Michigan does return quarterback Wilton Speight, who was pretty good last year — he completed 61.6 percent of his 331 pass attempts for 2,538 yards, 18 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He's in a QB battle with former Houston transfer John O'Korn.

Jim Harbaugh has yet to announce who will start for the Wolverines, citing the fact that Florida has yet to announce a starter either as his reasoning.

Florida is expected to start either Notre Dame transfer quarterback Malik Zaire, Feleipe Franks or Luke Del Rio, but all three will likely see action.

Here's a look at how the two teams fared statistically last season:

michigan florida 2016 offensemichigan florida 2016 defense
(Full Michigan-Florida Comparison on Team Comparison Page)

Again, many of the players from those two starting lineups are now gone. Every college football season starts with a blank slate.

Both of these teams — top 20 in the preseason — have postseason aspirations. Both know they need a win in week one to propel their chances at a college football playoff berth.

The last time these two teams met was the end of the 2015 college football season when the Wolverines absolutely throttled the Gators in the 2016 Citrus Bowl, a 41-7 beatdown.

Not many players remain from those two teams, as each has seen plenty of turnover and lost players with eligibility to the NFL. But you can bet Jim Harbaugh and Jim McElwain remember the game, the first bowl game appearance for each on their new team.

WATCH: ESPN Releases Michigan-Florida 'College Football is Back' Hype Video
MORE: Michigan Unveils All-Maize Jordan Uniforms for Florida Game

You can check out this marquee week 1 matchup on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC and the WatchESPN app.

split-fbo-6-23-25
Previous Post

Michigan Unveils All-Maize Jordan Uniforms for Florida Game

Next Post

VOTE: D2 Football Game(s) of the Week (Week 1)

Next Post
VOTE: D2 Football Game(s) of the Week (Week 1)

VOTE: D2 Football Game(s) of the Week (Week 1)

No Result
View All Result

Recent Posts

  • 2025 Memphis Football Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & Schedule
  • 2025 Tulane College Football Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & Schedule
  • 2025 FCS Jersey Countdown: The Best Returning Player For Each Number

HERO Sports is the go-to website for FBS and FCS football news, analysis, and predictions.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US)
877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY)
1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR)

For new customer offers, Bonus Bets expire in seven days. One New Customer Offer only. Add'l terms. For existing customers, Bonus Bets expire in seven days. Add'l terms.

21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Welcome Offer Bet $10, $150 in Bonus Bets

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (AVAILABLE IN THE US). 21+ ONLY. CO, MI, NJ, PA, WV ONLY. PLEASE GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY. SEE BETMGM.COM FOR TERMS. THIS PROMOTIONAL OFFER IS FOR NEW PLAYERS ONLY. SUBJECT TO ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. BONUS BETS ARE NON-WITHDRAWABLE. US PROMOTIONAL OFFERS NOT AVAILABLE IN MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW YORK, ONTARIO AND PUERTO RICO.

  • About HERO Sports
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 HERO SPORTS.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • FCS
    • FCS Home
    • Big South-OVC
    • Big Sky
    • CAA
    • Ivy
    • MEAC
    • MVFC
    • NEC
    • Patriot
    • Pioneer
    • SoCon
    • Southland
    • SWAC
    • UAC
  • FBS
    • FBS Home
    • AAC Football
    • CUSA Football
    • MAC Football
    • Mountain West Football
    • Pac-12 Football
    • Sun Belt Football
  • College Basketball
  • Register at BetMGM
  • BetMGM Promotions
  • More
    • About HERO Sports
    • Contact

© 2022 HERO SPORTS.