TheWolverine.com Staff Predictions: Michigan vs. UConn

It’s scrimmage — er, game — three, and this time it’s UConn coming in to Michigan Stadium as a near half-hundred point underdog.

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First thought on that line — that seems awfully high. For one, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is known for taking his foot off the gas when the game gets out of hand, which you hope it will at some point Saturday (if you’re a Michigan fan, we mean. We, of course, are unbiased journalists).

Also — yeah, Connecticut is bad, but this isn’t Hawai’i. That team was bereft of talent at all positions but kicker. The Huskies have a few players, and unlike the Rainbow Warriors, who were more rainbow than warriors in live action (watching the disinterest from some in engaging in combat, in fact, was disappointing), UConn will play hard.

Head coach Jim Mora Jr. is a solid coach. He’ll have good schemes, and his team won’t roll over if/when things start to go south.

He’s also in the unenviable position of being a team without much of a future in the current landscape. Unless he finds that Jim Calhoun recruiting magic (which was usually delivered in duffle bags) and figures out how to level the playing field, he’s going to have a tough time.

Michigan, though, seems to be rolling, though the lousy non-conference slate makes it tough to know what they’ve really got. We’ll know a little more next week when Maryland comes to town, and Iowa at Iowa — well, the Hawkeyes have a defense, so we’ll learn more about the offense there, at least.

Doug Skene nearly pulled off the two-fer by following up his first week’s win with another. But he didn’t. And almost doesn’t count, big fella … but thanks for playing. This week’s winner receives the right to wear one of Skene’s five Big Ten championship rings for a week and two tickets for the Detroit Lions’ moral victory Sunday against whoever’s next on the schedule.

The picks:

CHRIS BALAS: This UConn squad isn’t one of the worst teams in FBS, as some people seem to believe. The Wolverines should win handily, but it will be more of a challenge than last week’s game — or the previous contest with Colorado State.

J.J. McCarthy throws for three scores and Cade McNamara gets some of his mojo back in relief when the game gets out of hand. Michigan 45, UConn 10

Bonus prediction: Washington 30, Michigan State 20

JOHN BORTON: It’s Groundhog Day for Michigan football, so OK campers, rise, and shine, and don’t forget your booties ‘cause it’s cold out there … it’s cold out there every day! You want a prediction … you’re asking the wrong Phil. I’m going to give you a prediction about this game? It’s gonna be ugly, it’s gonna be a blowout, it’s gonna be J.J. McCarthy’s first start as The Anointed One and the memory is going to last you the rest of your lives!”

Michigan’s tune-up slate ends with Connecticut, with most of the connect coming from McCarthy. Will he continue his streak of throwing perfection (minus one unfortunate drop … if J.J. winds up 359-for-360 passing this year, one unlucky receiver is going to feel mighty bad)? Likely not. But Michigan rolls again, with a new full-time QB and a whole lot of momentum heading into Big Ten play.

And humble as he is, don’t expect McCarthy to begin his post-game presser with: “I’m a god — I’m not THE God, I don’t think.” Michigan 52, UConn 10

CLAYTON SAYFIE: Michigan can really decide how big it wants to win this game, just like last week, when the bench was emptied, with freshmen and walk-ons getting a taste of the action. UConn was competitive against a then-ranked Utah State team but was pounded by Syracuse at home last week.

The fight will be there under head coach Jim Mora, who’s a solid coach (and was a great hire for the Huskies), reminiscent of Rutgers re-hiring Greg Schiano. While the Scarlet Knights didn’t have enough talent in his first year back in 2020, they were competitive. UConn has less talent, but they’ll hang in (for a drive or two) before it gets ugly, and cover the massive 47.5-point spread. Michigan 52, UConn 6

Bonus prediction: Cade McNamara gets a well-deserved standing ovation from the Michigan crowd when he enters the game.

ANTHONY BROOME: This is the last one before the games really count. Non-conference matters, though. Just ask Notre Dame and Texas A&M about their time with the Fun Belt teams last weekend.

With the quarterback decision in the rearview mirror, it is time for everyone to move forward into the next phase of Michigan football as the team shapes its identity moving forward. UConn comes to town this week with another massive point spread, but do not expect head coach Jim Harbaugh to call the dogs off this week. This will be a dress rehearsal for the Wolverines as they sort out the depth chart and put a stamp on the first three weeks of the season. I expect their most complete performance to date and a thrashing of the Huskies, who are not much better than Hawai’i but at least have a win on their resume.

Another 3 touchdown passes for McCarthy this week to go with 3 turnovers from the Michigan defense. Michigan 63, UConn 13

DOUG KARSCH: The unstoppable force versus the VERY movable object. The last seven drives J.J. McCarthy has started and ended resulted in touchdowns. Syracuse scored on UConn’s defense on their first seven possessions. SYRACUSE DID. 

Unstoppable vs. Very-Movable. Michigan 61, UConn 6

DOUG SKENE: Colorado State, Hawaii, UConn … is there really any difference?  The exhibition season comes to an end for Michigan this Saturday with one more warm-up game before the defense of the Big Ten title begins.

Just like the previous two weeks, this one is going to be a sleeper. The Michigan offense will continue to work their limited playbook and polish up blocking fundamentals. The Michigan defense will continue to pounce on an inferior opponent, and we will all still wonder just how good this U-M team really is.  

I absolutely think they are good.  How good?  Let’s just say I’m not drinking any blue Kool-Aid yet, but watching Michigan win is always a good time.

Also, when Cade gets in there I don’t want to hear any booing!!! Michigan 56, UConn 13