Michigan vs. Colorado State score predictions from MLive’s beat writers

After months of anticipation, Michigan’s soccer group will lastly kick off its 2022 season at midday Saturday.

The Wolverines, coming off their first Huge Ten title since 2004, are heavy favorites in opposition to a visiting Colorado State program coming off a 3-9 season.

Whereas Michigan is changing a number of key items from final 12 months’s 12-2 group, particularly on the defensive facet of the ball, CSU has overhauled its roster beneath first-year head coach Jay Norvell, who spent the earlier 5 years at Nevada.

The Rams have greater than 40 new gamers from 2021, together with many from Norvell’s earlier Nevada groups. The Wolverines, a consensus 30.5-point betting favourite, are anticipated to roll Saturday, however will the Rams be capable of maintain it shut?

Listed below are rating predictions from MLive’s three Michigan beat writers.

Ryan Zuke

No, Michigan shouldn’t be on upset watch heading into Saturday, however 30.5 is a giant quantity. The Wolverines’ offense has no scarcity of playmakers, and I anticipate a lot of them to be concerned Week 1 with incumbent starter Cade McNamara behind middle.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see not less than 5 Wolverines rating a landing within the opener, however I believe it is going to be the protection that stops Jim Harbaugh’s group from protecting the unfold. Colorado State is inexperienced at quarterback, however Norvell’s air raid offense was efficient at Nevada. We must always get an early learn on how productive Michigan’s move rush can be with out Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. The protection will make some performs, however I believe it is going to be susceptible to some early-season cracks beneath new coordinator Jesse Minter. Prediction: Michigan 45, Colorado State 17

Andrew Kahn

The final sport at Michigan Stadium ended with followers dashing the sphere to rejoice a long-awaited win over Ohio State. The Wolverines return on Saturday as defending Huge Ten champs, and they need to look the half in opposition to Colorado State.

As I outlined earlier this week, Michigan’s nonconference schedule is unhealthy. All three of the opponents have new coaches, and it’s not as a result of their predecessors left for higher jobs. Jay Norvell, plucked from Nevada, is likely to be the fitting man, however there can be a number of rising pains this season. Colorado State is a middling Mountain West group with first-time starters at key positions, together with quarterback and left deal with.

Michigan ought to dominate the road of scrimmage and put up a number of factors, particularly since Cade McNamara can be significantly motivated in his one-game showcase for the beginning job. (Gained’t or not it’s bizarre when he throws for almost 300 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, but will get benched subsequent week?)

The receiver carrying No. 8 (Ronnie Bell) ought to get an enormous applause when he makes his first catch, presumably on Michigan’s opening drive. I anticipate the protection to register a couple of sacks and drive a turnover or two.

The forecast requires solar and a excessive of 88. Michigan will get greater than midway to that quantity.

Prediction: Michigan 45, Colorado State 10

Aaron McMann

Be aware that this line opened at 27.5 earlier within the week, so that you’re not getting a positive quantity when you take Michigan. Nonetheless, the Wolverines ought to cruise to victory on Saturday, a midday sport in Ann Arbor that may give Jim Harbaugh’s group a built-in benefit from kickoff. You will need to bear in mind, nonetheless, that that is the primary sport of the season for each groups, so don’t anticipate a clear sport.

As for the Wolverines, we nonetheless don’t know what sort of stress the move rushers will get on the QB, nor if Michigan has really discovered its passing sport on the offensive facet with Cade McNamara. I believe Michigan wins quite simply, however 30.5 simply looks as if too massive of a quantity.

Prediction: Michigan 38, Colorado State 13

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