Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich. 

Broadcast: ESPN 

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh kept his starting quarterback secret until the first drive against Hawaii, when Wilton Speight went under center. Speight responded with a solid effort, completing 10 of 13 passes for 145 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The Wolverines defense held up their end of the bargain in the first game under new coordinator Don Brown, forcing Hawaii to go 1 for 11 on third down – Michigan went 7 for 7 – in the 63-3 rout. 

Michigan’s defense could get a much tougher test this week. First-year Central Florida coach Scott Frost and his no-huddle offense finished with 462 yards in a 38-0 win over South Carolina State that snapped the Knights’ 13-game losing streak. Frost is set out to change the culture at UCF following last year’s winless campaign, and upsetting Michigan in the Big House would be a major step forward.

What To Know About Michigan

Beating a subpar Hawaii team doesn’t exactly prove Michigan is a legitimate College Football Playoff contender, but the blowout was a heck of a start. Speight responded nicely to being named the starting quarterback, and true freshman Chris Evans had a fantastic debut with 112 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries. And how about that defense? DJ Durkin guided the stellar unit last season before leaving for the Maryland head coaching gig. Harbaugh replaced him with Brown, who was the defensive coordinator for a Boston College team that led the nation in fewest yards allowed per game last year.

What to Know About Central Florida

Last season’s disappointment is officially behind UCF. The Knights settled for four field goals through the first 28 minutes against South Carolina State before the offense found its groove in Frost’s up-tempo system. Justin Holman threw two touchdown passes and added another on the ground in a balanced attack. The defense wasn’t too shabby either, but going up against Michigan’s high-powered offense won’t be nearly as easy.

Advantages

Offense: Michigan – UCF will seem more flashy, but the most offensive talent in this one is on Michigan’s side. 

Defense:  Michigan – I’m not going to pick against a defense that has Jabrill Peppers and Brown running the show. 

Special Teams: Michigan – The Wolverines’ special teams unit certainly is rested. Michigan didn’t punt at all against Hawaii. 

Coaching: Michigan – Frost appears like he’ll have a very successful head coaching career, especially if his offense continues to have success. But there’s no going against Harbaugh here. 

Intangibles: Michigan – The Big House will just be too much for UCF to handle.

Matchup To Watch

Frost vs. Brown

The Knights might be able to catch some AAC teams off guard with the no-huddle attack, but Brown should be prepared. UCF might make it interesting early until the Wolverines clamp down and frustrate Holman and the rest of the Knights’ offense.

Michigan vs. UCF Betting Odds

Spread: Michigan -34 1/2 

Over/Under: No Line

Michigan vs. UCF Prediction

Speight has another good afternoon, Michigan isn’t fooled by UCF’s offensive scheme and the Wolverines win this one easily. 

Michigan vs. UCF Final Score Prediction: Michigan 48, UCF 10