Spectators at the University of Michigan football game against Texas on Saturday will be reminded of a different rival before the game: Ohio State. 

At the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, an aerial banner paid for by the Democratic National Committee will read: “JD Vance

From the tailgates until kickoff, fans at four separate college football games in battleground states on Saturday will see aerial banners paid for by the Democratic National Committee, according to details first shared with CBS News. 

The trolling by the DNC comes as they look to keep the election front-of-mind for battleground state voters, particularly younger voters. 

Other banners about Project 2025 will fly over the University of Georgia vs. Tennessee Tech and the Pennsylvania State vs Bowling Green games. At the University of Wisconsin vs. South Dakota game in Madison, Wisconsin, the banner will say: “Jump Around! Beat Trump + Project 2025,” referencing the football team’s fourth-quarter tradition.

“The DNC is reaching voters where they are,” DNC spokesperson Abhi Rahman told CBS News. “These banners carry a message that resonates with fans and reminds them that the most important contest is still to come in November.”

Trump and his campaign have sought to distance themselves from Project 2025, though a CBS News analysis has found hundreds of its proposals match Trump’s past and proposed campaign promises.

Vance has alluded to the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry during his own campaign stops in Michigan.

“To my Ohio brethren, guys, we gotta win Michigan. That’s the most important thing this election cycle,” he said at a July event in Grand Rapids. 

Other outside political groups are also looking to tap into the intersection of college sports and politics. 

NextGen America, a non-partisan youth voter engagement organization, is paying hundreds of student-athletes in the battleground states to get them to use their platforms to encourage others to vote.

The payment makes them one of the first political organizations to utilize the “Name, Image, and Likeness” (NIL) ruling that enables athletes to monetize their personal brand. 

“Sports is a fantastic way of tapping into the cultural zeitgeist of the nation,” NextGen America Vice President of Communications Antion Arellano told CBS News. 

The battle over the young vote

Sustaining the support President Biden received from college-aged voters in 2020 is key for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign. 

In 2020, Mr. Biden easily garnered more support from voters 18 to 24 years old than former President Donald Trump (65%) as well as those between 25 to 29 (54%), according to a CBS News exit poll. Voters under 30 years old made up 38% of new voters in that election, according to the Pew Research Center.

But comparatively, younger voters turn out at significantly lower numbers than older voters. 

Voter turnout in the 2020 elections for those between the ages of 18 to 24 was just 51.4%, compared to 76% for those between 65 to 74 years old, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This was an increase from 2016 when 46.1% of those between 18 and 29 years old turned out to vote. 

Both candidates are being backed by college outreach programs.

Turning Point USA, an organization founded for outreach to young conservative voters, has hosted Trump and Vance at multiple events. 

The group said they’ve focused on outreach to Greek life on Arizona and Wisconsin campuses, in addition to having booths at tailgates during college gamedays. Turning Point USA’s founder, Charlie Kirk, also plans to go to over 22 campuses in swing states. Some of his visits so far to Arizona and Wisconsin have been open debates with students, and the organization says it has led to hundreds of new voter registrations. 

Earlier this month, the Harris campaign launched a “Back-to-School” campaign targeting 150 college campuses in the battleground states with social media and campus newspaper ads, visits from surrogates, as well as a doubling of its staff dedicated to youth engagement. They’re also running ads during college football games this fall. 

Likely voters under 30 years old heavily lean towards Harris, according to an August CBS News poll. There has also been a 175% increase in young Black women registering to vote since the vice president became the nominee, according to data firm TargetSmart.

But young voters were also the group with the lowest marks in terms of saying they “definitely” will vote in November, according to the CBS News poll.

Engagement with social media influencers and content creators has also been frequent this cycle. The Democratic National Convention credentialed more than 200 influencers to attend in person, with some interviewing Harris or her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. 

Trump himself has appeared on multiple podcasts or streaming shows geared toward younger audiences. 

Earlier this summer, he appeared on internet celebrity Adin Ross’ stream. The appearance was panned by Democratic critics who pointed to Ross’ show hosting white supremacist Nick Fuentes, as well as his ties to social media influencer Andrew Tate, who has faced allegations of human trafficking with minors. 

“Make the move now, all you young people,” Trump told viewers on Ross’ show. 

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

In its first true test of the college football season, the Texas Longhorns head to Ann Arbor, Michigan to face the national champion Michigan Wolverines.

Both teams are extremely talented on both sides of the ball. 2025 draft projections have up to six first-rounders between the two teams alone, and one could easily project five or more All-Americans from the two schools.

The two teams will meet on the gridiron in the largest stadium in North America, Michigan Stadium or ‘The Big House’, where nearly 108 thousand fans will be screaming with expectations of a historic matchup between two of the winningest teams in CFB history. Both teams think they’re winning this game, and both fanbases will do their best to populate the stands with Maize and Blue, or Burnt Orange for the visitors.

FanDuel Sportsbook currently has the visiting Longhorns as a 7.5-point favorite, a surprising line given the atmosphere of a Michigan home game, and a testament to the strength of the Longhorns team. But games aren’t decided by betting lines. They are won in a few distinct ways, where each team’s strengths battle to overtake the others.

Given the greatness of this matchup, each team will need to be on their A-game. Here are the keys to the game for both Texas and Michigan.

Texas Wins If…

…. the running game can stay solid

The win conditions of these two powerhouses are clear: Michigan wants to control the tempo, while Texas wants to bring the pace.

The easiest way for each team to do that is by establishing the run game, and it feels like Texas’ running game versus Michigan’s run stuff will be the key matchup of the game.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s pro-style offense succeeds in multiple ways, but many of them come back to the establishment of the run game. Texas utilizes the run-pass option and play action as well as any team in the nation, but these plays can’t be effectively set up without the run game working.

If Michigan’s run defense can hold Texas’ backs to three or fewer yards per carry in the early going, the Wolverines will be able to sit farther back in coverage, daring the Longhorns to throw on top cornerback Will Johnson. If Texas wants to succeed, the Longhorns will need to force Michigan defensive backs closer to the line, which can only be done with the threat of the run.

This comes down to three key elements: the ability of running back Jaydon Blue, the strength of the offensive line, and the creativity of Sarkisian’s playcalling. If Blue is able to step into the lead back role that guys like Brooks and Robinson have done so well in the past, or if the Texas offensive line can push players like Mason Graham forward, or even if Sarkisian is just the right amount of creative to get players into advantageous positions, the Longhorns should be able to score enough to outlast a weaker Michigan offense.

Michigan Wins If…

…They control the clock

Though head coach Jim Harbaugh is no longer with the team, the identity of the Wolverines will likely stay the same. Control the clock with the run game, dominate the trenches, and make big plays on defense. This matchup will be the epitome of the SEC vs Big Ten identities. 

Texas, with its talented roster and high-powered offense. Michigan, with its older team built in the trenches. Both playstyles can work, Michigan proved that last year, but will that success continue against the Longhorns?

Michigan no longer has star quarterback J.J. McCarthy, one of the few quarterbacks in recent history capable of moving the ball downfield. New quarterback Davis Warren is much more of a game manager, which emphasizes the Wolverines’ need for the ground game. Returning running backsDonovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings will combine for most of the Wolverines touches, with a chance of seeing backup quarterback Alex Orji subbed in for option plays

Michigan will try to control the clock and keep the score minimal. They won’t win a shootout against Ewers and Sarkisian, but if the game comes down to three final possessions, the Wolverines will do their best to have two of them. The Wolverines were fifth among power-five teams in time of possession last year and second the year before that. Its identity revolves around winning the line of scrimmage, and with question marks on the Texas d-line it’s possible Edwards and Mullings combine to be too much for the Texas front.