We are going to do the three keys a little differently heading into Week 3. Typically, I think about what Michigan needs to do in order to win its game, but if the Wolverines struggle — or dare say lose — to Arkansas State, there is a much bigger issue at hand.
Instead, I’m going to write three things fans should want to see on Saturday against the Red Wolves to give them some faith heading into a Week 4 showdown with USC.
Michigan celebrates the touchdown by running back Donovan Edwards (7) during the 1st quarter against Fresno State at Michigan Stadium at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. / Kimberly P. Mitchell/Detroit Free Press / USA TODAY NETWORK
Entering Week 3, Michigan has the 120th-ranked total offense in the nation. The Wolverines average just 276.5 yards per game. Michigan also owns the 113th-ranked passing offense (162.5 yards/game) and the 101st-ranked rushing offense (114 yards/game).
Much blame is being put on first-year starter Davis Warren and while he does own some of the failure of the offense through two weeks, I look toward the unit that has been super strong since 2021: the offensive.
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Pro Football Focus isn’t the be-all and end-all, but the advanced analytics are something to ponder. According to PFF, Michigan has the 117th-best pass protection (55.0 grade), but does have the 45th-best run-blocking grade (67.1).
The offensive line has been inconsistent at best, but the one-time feared O-line is back to looking like the 2010’s Michigan offensive line. Granted the Wolverines have five new linemen trying to jell and work together, but two weeks in, it’s less to be desired.
Again, looking at PFF, when Warren is pressured it’s 83.3% of the time due to the offensive line. To get specific, the RG (Gio El-Hadi) has allowed pressure 16.7% of the time, and the RT (Evan Link) has allowed pressure 66.7% of the time — not good.
Michigan says it wants to be a run-first team, which is great, but the offensive line needs to open up holes and then also be established in pass pro. Fans are going to want to see a huge change from the offensive line against an under matched Arkansas State team.
Michigan defensive linemen Mason Graham (55) and Kenneth Grant (78) warm up before the start of the game against Fresno State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. / Kimberly P. Mitchell/Detroit Free Press / USA TODAY NETWORK
It sounds silly to harp on the two best interior defensive linemen in college football, but the fact is that neither has played well in two games. Mason Graham is ranked as the No. 359 DT by PFF. Graham has a 65.1 defensive grade and a 69.2 run stop grade.
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Grant is listed as the No. 536 DT in the country with a 60.7 defensive grade and a 69.1 run stop grade.
Through two games, Graham has seven tackles with two TFLs, while Grant has one tackle to his name, along with a PBU.
As the top two interior linemen, Michigan needs the big-time players to play as such. Heading into Arkansas State, the Wolverines are going to want their stars to tear up the Red Wolves’ O-line. Graham and Grant, while they may not rack up the stats, need to come off the ball strong and just destroy the competition. After a poor Texas game, USC is up in two weeks and that will be another key game that could dictate the season. Graham and Grant are going to want to be primed for the Trojans.
Michigan running back Donovan Edwards (7) runs for a first down against Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, September 7, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
Michigan is currently ranked 110th in the country converting just seven of 23 (30.4%) third-down chances in two games. Some might point to the struggles against a good Texas’ defense, but the Wolverines weren’t good in this area against Fresno State either. In Week 1, Michigan went 4-for-11 on third downs.
Not getting behind the chains on first down would help here, but either way, Michigan has to give its defense a break and stay on the field to sustain drives. If the Wolverines want that run-first identity, getting Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings rolling would help tremendously.
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On the other side of the ball, the Michigan defense is ranked 109th allowing opponents to convert on 12-of-27 (44.4%) thid-down tries. That has to improve as well. Going up against a less talented Arkansas State team, the Wolverine defense will want to wreak havoc and force some three-and-outs to gain confidence on Saturday.
– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –
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Kylan Boswell (4) scored 15 points for the Illini but Yaxel Lendeborg (23) scored 16 in Michigan’s win. Geoff Stellfox / Getty Images
Michigan has left no doubt about Big Ten superiority — the No. 3 Wolverines’ 84-70 romp Friday at No. 10 Illinois gives them an outright conference championship with two regular-season games remaining.
The win gives Michigan its first outright title since 2021, and it’s another top-shelf win that gives Michigan (27-2, 17-1 Big Ten) a boost in its pursuit of the NCAA Tournament’s No. 1 seed. This matters for the Wolverines because they would be lined up for a potential Final Four matchup with the No. 4 seed rather than either of the two teams that are also in contention for No. 1 — Duke, which beat Michigan last week to gain the inside track, and Arizona.
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Friday’s lone meeting of the regular season between two purported national contenders left Michigan looking much the part, and Illinois looking a tier lower. This was domination, a comfortable second half for a Michigan team that led by as many as 21.
Michigan sophomore big man Morez Johnson Jr., who transferred from Illinois in the offseason, heard a lot of jeers from fans at State Farm Center and responded with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Big man Aday Mara also scored 19. Yaxel Lendeborg, the star of Michigan’s jumbo frontcourt, had 16 points and seven rebounds.
That interior helped the Wolverines to a 42-32 edge in points in the paint and 22 second-chance points. Keaton Wagler had 23 points to lead Illinois (22-7, 13-5), which projected as a No. 2 seed in Tuesday’s Bracket Watch but has lost two straight games and four of six. The Illini are trending in the wrong direction and potentially heading to the three-line.
The No. 1 seed also gets to choose its tournament path, and Michigan has requested Philadelphia as its first-weekend site. Otherwise, the Wolverines will likely be placed in Buffalo, which is closer to Ann Arbor.
SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A Shelby Township woman stopped for some pizza and a Michigan Lottery ticket during her lunch break. Then, she won a $822,159 Club Keno The Jack prize.
Sue Strong, 65, matched her easy pick The Jack number, 10-26-33-50-56-58-60-67-70, to nine of the 20 Club Keno numbers that were drawn in draw 2569809, according to the Michigan Lottery.
“I regularly play Club Keno, and I always add The Jack to my ticket,” said Strong. “I went out and bought a Club Keno ticket and pizza on my lunch break and then watched the drawings on my phone while I ate. When I saw all my The Jack numbers come in and the jackpot reset to $10,000, I was shocked! It was nerve wracking and exciting, and to be honest, I’ve hardly slept since!”
The lucky player purchased her winning ticket at Party Palace Liquor Inc., at 49133 Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township.
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She plans to share her prize money with her family, pay bills and then save the rest.
This is the largest The Jack prize a player has ever won on the Club Keno game.
The previous record was set in March 2025, when a player won $677,141 from a ticket purchased at JP’s Trolley Stop in Taylor.
The Jack is an optional add-on to a Club Keno ticket that costs $1 per draw.
When playing The Jack, participants receive nine quick-pick numbers and try to match them with the numbers drawn in Club Keno. Prizes range from $1 up to the jackpot, which begins at $10,000 and increases until claimed. To hit the jackpot, all nine numbers must be matched.
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Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from Feb. 26 drawing
03-14-22-50-57, Bonus: 04
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Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
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Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lottery’s Regional Offices.
To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:
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Michigan Lottery
Attn: Claim Center
101 E. Hillsdale
P.O. Box 30023
Lansing, MI 48909
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For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a driver’s license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.
If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:
Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325
Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325
Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325
Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325
For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery’s prize claim page.
When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?
Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.
Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily
Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily
Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily
Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
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