Michigan vs. Oregon State Prediction, Game Preview

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Michigan was the big story, until it wasn’t. Jim Harbaugh’s debut wasn’t a dud, but the 24-17 loss to Utah wasn’t anything special. Up next is a dangerous Oregon State with a new head coach of its own. Gary Andersen had everything rolling defensively right out of the gate with a 26-7 win over Weber State. This is the fifth meeting between the Beavers and Wolverines with Harbaugh at the quarterbacking helm the last time around for a win in 1986. The two first met in 1959, and later in the 1965 Rose Bowl – Michigan won all four meetings.

Below we dive into the Michigan vs. Oregon State prediction and full game preview.

Michigan vs. Oregon State Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 12
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Network: ABC

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Why You Need To Care

It wasn’t that Michigan lost to Utah, it was that it wasn’t a magical moment. There were not miracles from Harbaugh. There wasn’t anything special. There wasn’t a big reveal that showed that just a few things needed to be tweaked. It was Michigan losing another football game, and there wasn’t anything new about that. Up next is a breather against UNLV before dealing with BYU, but both games are at home and neither one should be a problem if the Wolverines stop turning the ball over.

Oregon State is still a bit of a mystery. It’s hard to learn much out of a game against Weber State, but the defense did what it was supposed to do – Gary Andersen defenses are always tough – but the offense still showed it wasn’t quite ready, at least throwing the ball. Can a second Pac-12 team beat Michigan? If the Beavers can own the turnover battle, absolutely.

Why Oregon State Will Win

Michigan’s big issue is a running game that still doesn’t work. Utah has a tough defensive front, but running for a pedestrian 76 yards was still a bit of a shocker. Oregon State might be undergoing a transformation on defense with just two starters back, but the linebacking corps looked in proper form against Weber State with good pressure and almost nothing allowed on the ground. After averaging 2.6 yards per carry, be shocked if Michigan does any better.

Why Michigan Will Win

Is there an Oregon State passing game? There was no need to start bombing away considering the running game was so strong, but it would’ve been nice to have seen a little bit of pop down the field. Oregon State’s two freshman quarterbacks – Seth Collins and Marcus McMaryion – combined to completed 12-of-22 passes for 110 yards with two scores. However, Collins is a runner, ripping off 152 yards on 17 attempts – Michigan will take that. The Wolverine run defense slammed Utah’s Devontae Booker and gave up just 129 rushing yards on the day.

Player Who Matters

Jake Rudock has had a rough week. The Iowa transfer got the start for the Wolverines, and he was okay considering he doesn’t have a top-shelf receiving corps to throw to. He threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw three very key, very tough interceptions. Lost in the loss, and the mistakes, was how he did actually move the ball through the air at times. This week, though, he has to keep the errors to a bare minimum or else the talk going into Week Three will be all about the quarterback situation.

What’s Going To Happen?

It’s not going to make Michigan fans happy. Oregon State won’t be able to move the ball well enough to pull off the win, but the defense will give Rudock and the Wolverine offense fits with the ground game not working at all. Michigan will win, but it’s going to be a major grind.

Michigan vs. Oregon State Score Prediction

Without further ado, the Michigan vs. Oregon State prediction is …

Final Score: Michigan 20, Oregon State 16

Must See Rating: 5: Ferrell Takes the Field – 1: A Walk in The Woods … 3

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