Breaking down Saturday's game against Utah

Michigan passing offense vs. Utah passing defense

Whether redshirt sophomore Nick Sheridan or redshirt freshman Steven Threet starts, the Wolverines’ passing game will likely struggle Saturday. Both quarterbacks have limitations — Sheridan may have trouble seeing over the line and doesn’t have a lot of arm strength; Threet struggles throwing on the run. And Michigan’s offensive line, replacing four starters, is likely to struggle.

The Utes have two All-Mountain West Preseason Team defensive backs in cornerback Brice McCain and free safety Robert Johnson. Utah’s coverage should be good, and that will be more than enough against a quarterback who has never thrown a college pass, is learning a new system and is being protected by a subpar offensive line.

Edge: Utah

Michigan running offense vs. Utah rushing defense

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said juniors Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown and freshmen Michael Shaw and Sam McGuffie are possibilities to start Saturday. There’s plenty of talent between those four, and all will play. At least one will probably rise up Saturday.

Utah’s front seven is fairly average but has a few players with potential to get much better this year. Still, the Wolverines should see some success here — unless the offensive line is catastrophically bad, which is possible.

Edge: Michigan

Utah running offense vs. Michigan running defense

Michigan fans probably know the defensive line better than any unit on the Wolverine roster. All four starters return and should provide a reliable piece for an otherwise question-riddled roster. As the only retruning starting linebacker, redshirt sophomore Obi Ezeh will be crucial in stopping Utah's spread offense.

Ute quarterback Brian Johnson is very mobile, running backs Matt Asiata and Darrell Mack provide an inside-outside ground attack, and the offensive line returns four starters from last season. The Utes run the spread offense, which has given the Wolverines problems over the last few years. The question will be whether Michigan's new regime can provide solutions.

Edge: Push

Utah passing offense vs. Michigan passing defense

Johnson will not only pose a threat with his legs, but also with his arm. Although he missed much of last season with a shoulder injury, he is now healthy and considered one of the top signal callers in the Mountain West.

The Michigan defense features two lockdown cornerbacks in senior Morgan Trent and sophomore Donovan Warren. The questions lie in how ready underclassmen Troy Woolfolk and Boubacar Cissoko are. On paper, safeties appear to be strong, but there are no guarantees.

Edge: Michigan

Special Teams

Louie Sakoda handles kicking and punting for Utah. He was named First Team All-American punter by some publications. He has also won the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year the last two years.

But Michigan punter Zoltan Mesko is excellent, too. And K.C. Lopata stepped in last year to shore up the Wolverines’ kicking woes.

With Shaw, freshman slot receiver Martavious Odoms, senior strong safety Brandon Harrison and Trent possible returners, there’s a good chance Michigan finds success here. Rodriguez’s offense is catered to the type of athlete that often is a good returner.

Edge: Push

Intangibles:

It's a new era at Michigan. New coaches mean new schemes, and there will probably be some growing pains, especially early.

Utah is one of college football's strongest mid-major programs. The Utes have played in and won a bowl game each of the last seven years. Last time Utah visited Ann Arbor, the Wolverines barely squeaked by, 10-7, and this was when they ran an offense they had been running for several years.

Edge: Utah

Prediction: Michigan 23, Utah 17