Fresno State vs Michigan Preview
- Fresno State vs. Michigan kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
- Michigan enters as a -21 favorite, while the over/under sits at 45.5.
- Our best bet for Fresno State-Michigan comes on the spread, specifically Fresno State +21 — — and make sure to check out our top sportsbooks list when you place your bets!
Rebuild or reload? That's the question for the 2024 Michigan Wolverines.
It’s certainly been anything but a quiet offseason for the reigning national champions, with the departures of head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to the NFL, as well as quarterback J.J. McCarthy and a bevy of other offensive weapons.
New head coach Sherrone Moore proved more than capable of filling in for Harbaugh during the coach's suspension, and now his first official game comes against a head coach who's also starting his first season.
Below is my Fresno State vs Michigan prediction.
Fresno State vs Michigan Pick
- Our pick is on Fresno State +21
Fresno State vs Michigan Odds
| Fresno State Bulldogs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+21 -110 | 45.5 -110o / -110u | +1000 |
| Michigan Wolverines Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-21 -110 | 45.5 -110o / -110u | -1800 |
How to Watch Fresno State vs. Michigan Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI |
| Date: | Saturday, Aug. 31 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | NBC |
Fresno State Bulldogs
The sudden resignation of Tedford was a wrinkle the Bulldogs had not planned for, but Fresno State returns more than enough talent to be one of the Mountain West’s most competitive teams.
Quarterback Mikey Keene returns for his second season in the Bulldogs offense, a year removed from passing for nearly 3,000 yards and leading the Mountain West in completion percentage among qualified passers.
Wideout Jalen Moss, who tied for the team lead with six receiving touchdowns and had over 700 yards receiving last year, also returns to a group that's bolstered by the addition of Idaho State transfer Chedon James.
The Bulldogs also return running back Malik Sherrod, who flirted with a 1,000-yard season in 2023, while contributing 10 total touchdowns.
There’s more turnover on the defensive side of the ball, but Kevin Coyle’s unit is still poised to be one of the best in the conference. The Bulldogs added multiple USC transfers to the defense and also return their leading tackler from last season in linebacker Malachi Langley.
Michigan Wolverines
Interim experience in tow, the Sherrone Moore era officially begins for Michigan with some big questions on the offense he used to run.
While the offensive scheme remains the same, the Wolverines will try to replace McCarthy under center with an inexperienced and unproven player. Alex Orji is the presumed starter, but Davis Warren will almost assuredly take some snaps as well.
The wild-card Orji has thrown all of one pass entering his third season in Ann Arbor and has a completely different playing style than McCarthy. Orji has been used almost exclusively in the Wildcat role, running 21 times for 123 yards and three touchdowns.
The rest of the offense faces similar unknowns, with the departure of one of the program's most statistically prolific running backs, its top two receivers and nearly the entire starting offensive line.
If there's one certainty on this team, however, it’s that Michigan will continue to have one of the best defensive fronts in the nation.
New defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is expected to keep the same scheme as his predecessor on a defense led by Derrick Moore and Mason Graham, who are all but a guarantee to wreak Havoc on Fresno State’s Keene.
Fresno State vs. Michigan Spread
While there’s been a notable amount of roster turnover for Michigan, especially on the offensive side of the ball, this is still a team built to contend for the College Football Playoff. But is Fresno State getting enough love?
The Bulldogs return plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball, and while they’re opposed by one of the best defenses in the country, they should still find the end zone a couple of times.
The Wolverines offense has no identity yet. It’s going to take a few weeks to get that side of the ball humming, and the Fresno State defense will be one of the better in the Mountain West.
Michigan shouldn’t have much of a problem winning this one outright, but there are far too many question marks offensively to merit it being favored by 24 points.
Pick: Fresno State +21
Fresno State vs. Michigan Weather
