Written by: Case Conley
After an electric week 1, Michigan and Michigan State will look to continue rolling after wins last week meanwhile Notre Dame will look to get its first win after last week’s loss to Ohio State.
Michigan vs Hawai’i
The Wolverines stay in the Big House and take on Hawai’i at 8 pm on the Big Ten Network. Michigan is a massive 51.5-point favorite, which is the largest spread of any top 25 team this week. JJ McCarthy will get the start and try to continue his campaign for the starting quarterback position. Hawai’i is 0-2 with a loss in week 0 at home to Vanderbilt 63-10, and last Saturday another home loss to Western Kentucky 49-17. The Rainbow Warriors are led by first-year coach Timmy Chang, a former quarterback for Hawai’i. They have struggled against the run giving 272.5 rushing yards per game. The Hawai’i offense has been plagued with turnover issues with 5 interceptions and 3 fumbles lost in the first 2 games. The Wolverine defense will look to continue its dominance against a struggling offense.
Michigan State vs Akron
The Spartans will welcome another MAC team into East Lansing for Week 2. They will go against Akron at 4 pm on the Big Ten Network. Michigan State opens as 34.5-point favorites against the Zips. Akron won its opener in overtime against FCS foe St Francis PA 30-23. Akron also welcomed a new head coach this offseason bringing in veteran coach Joe Moorhead. Moorhead is most notably known as a former offensive coordinator at Penn State and as head coach at Mississippi State. The Zips brought in Minnesota transfer running back Cam Wiley who ran for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns in week 1. The Spartans defense will look to continue with the pressure on the quarterback after having 7 sacks in the Western Michigan game. Akron’s offensive line gave up the most sacks in the country last year and gave up 6 in the opener.
Notre Dame vs Marshall
Notre Dame looks to bounce back from last week’s loss in Columbus as they have their home opener against Marshall. The game will start at 2:30 on NBC and the Irish opened as 20.5-point favorites. Marshall got a 55-3 win last weekend against FCS opponent Norfolk State. Led by Texas Tech transfer quarterback Henry Colombi and a dangerous running back tandem, the Thundering Herd are a dangerous team in the Sun Belt. The defense is also solid with a majority of their front 7 returning from last year and perhaps the best cornerback pairing in the Sun Belt as well. Notre Dame will have all they can deal with and will see if the offense can put up some points. Tight end Michael Mayer is a matchup nightmare and the Irish will have to continue to go through him in the passing game.
Written by: Case Conley – Michigan Sports Network Intern
Photo Courtesy of: HawaiiAthletics.com
