2. First huge test at home for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines
After losing a tough game on the road to Utah in Week 1, Harbaugh has had his team rolling at home against Oregon State and UNLV. However, a new challenge awaits the Wolverines in Week 4, as Tanner Mangum leads a feisty BYU (No. 22) squad into The Big House.
Mangum, as many are likely aware, was forced into action for the Cougars when starting quarterback Taysom Hill was lost for the year in Week 1. The freshman phenom made two game-winning plays in a row in the first two games of the year but was unable to duplicate the feat last weekend against UCLA, which relied on a punishing rushing attack to keep the Cougars off the field as much as possible.
Harbaugh will likely implement a similar strategy on Saturday, just as he’s done the past couple of weekends with quarterback Jake Ruddock struggling to connect with his receivers downfield. Fans should expect a low-scoring affair, unless turnovers end up going the other way for defensive scores.
A loss for Michigan wouldn’t really signal much of anything, but a win against a top program like BYU would be an indicator that Harbaugh’s early work might pay off much sooner than anticipated with a prominent bowl bid later this year.
Not surprisingly, this is a nationally televised game that can be viewed on ABC beginning at 12 p.m. ET.