Michigan vs Oklahoma: Underwood's Biggest Test

Michigan vs Oklahoma is a Big Noon kickoff, and I don't know what this Michigan team is yet.

Michigan survived Western Michigan 13-12. Oklahoma put up 51-0 on UTEP and scored on their first eight possessions. Week 1 is the ultimate liar — but Saturday isn't. Kyle Whittingham said Bryce Underwood's job isn't set in concrete and nobody's is, and Underwood's answer was "that's cool." I break down the QB1 comments, the four keys to the game, my players to watch, and my prediction.

The short version: Michigan is a 5.5-point home underdog with a 43.5 total, opened at 7. The defense played well enough to win last week — Troy Bowles had 12 tackles and 2 TFL, Dom Nichols added 2.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks. The offense didn't. The offensive line couldn't run the ball, Underwood led the team in rushing, and he stared down Andrew Marsh on the interception before half. Oklahoma brings John Mateer, a Heisman hopeful who beat Michigan's defense last year, and Brent Venables' pressure packages. My four keys: contain Mateer, get a response from Underwood, fix the offensive line, win the turnover battle. Prediction: Oklahoma 24, Michigan 17 — with Michigan covering in play.

Kickoff: Saturday, 12:15 PM ET, Michigan Stadium, FOX.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Big Noon in Ann Arbor
0:26 Oklahoma's 51-0 statement over UTEP
0:57 Week 1 is the ultimate liar
1:22 Venables' defense is the real problem
2:01 The line: Oklahoma -5.5, total 43.5
2:34 "He's our QB right now" — the QB1 presser
3:26 Underwood responds: "That's cool"
4:42 The development failure nobody fixed
5:11 The Aidan Chiles comparison
5:48 Underwood can't be the leading rusher
6:57 Iowa, Minnesota, Penn State, Indiana
7:56 Injury update — Babalola expected back
8:14 How much leash does he get?
9:01 This week decides Michigan's season
10:37 Key 1 — Contain John Mateer
11:12 Key 2 — Underwood has to answer
11:40 Key 3 — Fix the offensive line
12:45 Key 4 — Win the turnover battle
13:08 Players to watch: Michigan
13:35 Players to watch: Oklahoma
13:56 The defense can carry this
14:56 Prediction: Oklahoma 24, Michigan 17
15:46 Kickoff info: 12:15 on FOX
16:13 Final word