The No. 9 Michigan Wolverines face a challenging nonconference matchup as the Southeastern Conference’s Texas, currently ranked as the No. 3 team in the nation, heads to Big House on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday’s game will mark only the second time these two teams have faced each other. They first time came at the 2005 Rose Bowl, a 38-37 Texas victory led by quarterback Vince Young.

The Wolverines are no strangers to SEC opponents. The team holds a 26-12-1 record against the conference. With aspirations to repeat as national champions, Michigan will have to find a way to come up with a strong statement victory against the Longhorns.

Watch Michigan vs. Texas live on Fubo (free trial)

Here’s how to watch the Michigan vs. Texas game today, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is Michigan vs. Texas on today?

• TV channel: Fox.
• Livestream: Fox Sports app and Fubo (free trial).
• Radio: WWJ-AM (950) in Detroit (radio affiliates throughout the state of Michigan).

[ Michigan fans: Celebrate the 2023 national title with Free Press commemorative books: “Blue Reign” and “Maize & Grand,” and check out special wall art of our front page from the morning after the championship win. ]

Michigan vs. Texas time today

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 7.
• Time: 12 p.m. ET.
• Where: Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

The Michigan vs. Texas game starts at noon from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

THE GAME: Michigan vs. Texas scouting report, prediction for top-10 showdown

Michigan vs. Texas predictions, picks, odds

Michigan vs. Texas pick: The rain looks like it may hold off, but it’s going to feel like a crisp fall day in Ann Arbor with a high around 60 degrees. Derek Jeter will be on hand as honorary captain for Michigan, while Matthew McConaughey is expected to make an appearance and represent Texas. ESPN’s “College GameDay” and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” will add to an incredible environment as the defending national champions try to make an early season statement and fall just short. The pick: Texas 23, Michigan 19. — Tony Garcia, Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press

Odds via BetMGM as of Friday afternoon.

• Spread: Texas by 7.
• Over/under total: 42½ points.
• Moneyline: Michigan +225, Texas -275.

Michigan football schedule 2024

• Week 1: Aug. 31 vs. Fresno State (W, 30-10)
• Week 2: Sept. 7: vs Texas, 12 p.m., Fox
• Week 3: Sept. 14 vs. Arkansas State, 12 p.m., Big Ten Network
• Week 4: Sept. 21 vs. USC, 3:30 p.m., CBS
• Week 5: Sept. 28 vs. Minnesota, TBD
• Week 6: Oct. 5 at Washington, TBD
• Week 7: Oct. 12, Bye
• Week 8: Oct. 19 at Illinois, TBD
• Week 9: Oct. 26 vs. Michigan State, TBD
• Week 10: Nov. 2 vs. Oregon, TBD
• Week 11: Nov. 9 at Indiana, TBD
• Week 12: Nov. 16, Bye
• Week 13: Nov. 23 vs. Northwestern, TBD
• Week 14: Nov. 30 at Ohio State, 12 p.m., Fox

Texas football schedule 2024

• Week 1: Aug. 31 vs. Colorado State (W, 52-0)
• Week 2: Sept. 7: at Michigan, 12 p.m., Fox
• Week 3: Sept. 14 vs. University of Texas at San Antonio
• Week 4: Sept. 21 vs. University of Louisiana at Monroe
• Week 5: Sept. 28 vs. Mississippi State
• Week 6: Oct. 5, Bye
• Week 7: Oct. 12 vs. Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
• Week 8: Oct. 19 vs. Georgia
• Week 9: Oct. 26 at Vanderbilt
• Week 10: Nov. 2 Bye
• Week 11: Nov. 9 vs. Florida
• Week 12: Nov. 16 at Arkansas
• Week 13: Nov. 23 vs. Kentucky
• Week 14: Nov. 30 at Texas A&M

Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith made a living at Oregon State by recruiting the West Coast heavily, which is no surprise. The state of California alone might just be the deepest of them all when it comes to talent.

While the Sun Belt and the football mecca of Texas boast some of the best of the best, California has the most. Playing football all 12 months does wonders for a player’s development.

It is no surprise that for the 2026 recruiting cycle, California leads the amount of Spartans’ offers with 39 players offered.

One player that the Spartans’ will consider a priority is J Serra Catholic edge rusher Simote Katoanga, one of the best in the entire class. Katoanga is a four-star prospect per 247Sports and the No. 11 edge rusher in the class.

Nationally, Katoanga is the 104th overall player. In the football-rich state of California, he is just the 18th-best player. There is a lot to like about Katoanga. For one, he boasts a grown man’s frame — 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds.

The rest is best described by 247Sports’ Greg Biggins, national recruiting analyst. He recently evaluated Katoanga.

“Katoanga is an intriguing defensive line prospect with a very high ceiling,” Biggins wrote. “He played primarily as an edge rusher as a sophomore but has the frame to bulk up and move inside at the college level. He’s all of 6-5, 250 pounds with an 80-inch wingspan and we can see him packing on another 40 pounds or so with ease and not losing any of his natural athleticism. He’s a high motor player who’s relentless pursuing the football. He shows some pass rush ability coming off the edge or as a tackle and is physical in run support.

“He can take on blocks, hold his ground and still get a push up the field. Right now, he has shown more potential than on-field production but the traits are there and he looks set to have a breakout junior season in the fall.”

I spoke with Katoanga during the summer. He told me he liked the West Coast pipeline that Smith and Co. are working to maintain.

“What stood out to me the most is like, you know, he used to go to Oregon State and he’s from the West Coast,” Katoanga said. “He’s trying to bring the [Polynesian] pipeline to Michigan State.”

Michael France is Sports Illustrated’s Michigan State recruiting beat writer, covering all things Big Ten recruiting for Spartan Nation. Be sure to follow him on Twitter/X@michaelfrancesi for exclusive Spartans recruiting coverage.

Don’t forget to follow the official Spartan Nation Page on Facebook Spartan Nation WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be a part of our vibrant community group Go Green Go White as well WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.

After months of planning for their joint venture, Henry Ford Health and Ascension Michigan have announced they will be moving forward as a combined organization.

Henry Ford Health and Ascension Michigan said this week that they plan to close their joint venture on Sept. 30. They will move forward as a consolidated organization on Oct. 1.

The two organizations are forming a $10.5 billion system in the joint venture. Ascension’s hospitals in southeast Michigan and its Genesys facilities will join forces with Henry Ford, and the combined organization will be known as Henry Ford Health.

Officials have stressed it is not a merger or acquisition, and no money is changing hands between the organizations.

Robert Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health, is leading the merged organization. “Words can’t express how excited we are to find ourselves at this moment,” Riney said in a statement.

“Since we announced our proposed joint venture last fall, we’ve been engaged in thoughtful planning across our organizations – all focused on how we plan to come together to build the future of health on behalf of those we serve,” Riney said. “It’s given us a wonderful opportunity to make deeper commitments to the sacred mission and privilege of healthcare – and we can’t wait to make this a reality for the people of Michigan and beyond.”

The combined organization will operate more than 550 healthcare locations and employ about 50,000 people.

These Ascension Michigan hospitals will be part of the joint venture with Henry Ford Health: Ascension Genesys Hospital; Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Warren and Madison Heights campuses; Ascension Providence Hospital, Novi and Southfield campuses; Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital; Ascension River District Hospital; and Ascension St. John Hospital.

Carol Schmidt, senior vice president of Ascension and the CEO of Ascension Michigan, will work with Riley during the initial transition and integration of the systems, Henry Ford said in a news release.

Henry Ford also announced several executive appointments in the merged organization.

Adnan Munkarah, MD, will serve as president of the system’s clinical enterprise and chief physician executive. He’s currently Henry Ford’s chief clinical officer.

Denise Brooks-Williams will serve as executive vice president & chief operating officer. She’s been serving as Henry Ford’s CEO of care delivery system operations since 2023.

Robin Damschroder has been named president, value-based enterprise and chief financial officer of the combined organization. The system said the title reflects the focus on value-based care. She has been serving as Henry Ford’s chief financial and business development officer.

Henry Ford has said the joint venture would enable the merged organization to recruit more top talent, and also give clinicians and staff more opportunities to grow in their careers.

The move comes as Ascension has been making other moves to offload some of its hospitals in the midwest as the system strives to cut costs and improve its finances.

MyMichigan Health completed the acquisition of three Ascension Michigan hospitals last month. The transaction also included an ambulatory surgery center and associated physician practices.

In July, Prime Healthcare reached a deal to buy Ascension’s nine hospitals in Illinois. Prime would also acquire the system’s physician practices, post-acute care facilities and senior living facilities in Illinois. Regulators must approve the transaction, but the systems said they hope to complete that deal in the first quarter of 2025.

Ascension, a non-profit, Catholic health system, operates more than 100 hospitals in 18 states and Washington, D.C.