Texas Longhorns Week 2 Opponent Preview: Michigan Wolverines

Texas' first real test of the season is upon them, as they head on a road trip to Ann Arbor to face the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan quarterback Davis Warren (16) starts the game against Fresno State at Michigan Stadium at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. / Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK

Much like the past two years against Alabama, Texas will be playing a juggernaut of the college football world well before it sees its first conference opponent.

On Saturday, the Longhorns will face off against the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines, in The Big House, looking to move to 2-0 after a dominant 52-0 win over Colorado State.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian hasn’t been scared of scheduling high-powered opponents in his time at Texas, having already split the home-and-home series against Alabama in 2022 and 2023.

Now, the Longhorns travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan to play at the largest stadium in college sports, and against one of the best teams in the nation. That said, Michigan's team did not look the same in Week 1 as the one that defeated the Washington Huskies in the national championship in January.

In 2023, the Wolverines were led by the dynamic and prolific trio of head coach Jim Harbaugh, quarterback JJ McCarthy and runningback Blake Corum. This trio, alongside the best defense in the nation, led Michigan to an undefeated, 15-0, season, arguably the best in the history of the program. By the end of the season, McCarthy and Corum were in the top five in their respective yardage stats in program history, while Harbaugh brought Michigan it’s first national championship in 26 years.

But now they’re all gone. 

Harbaugh accepted the Los Angeles Chargers job opening in the offseason, while McCarthy and Corum were drafted to the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams, respectively. Michigan, under new head coach Sherrone Moore, will have a new identity.

Moore, though having never led a program as a head coach, has already gotten the chance to coach the Wolverines. Harbaugh received two different suspensions throughout the 2023 season, meaning Moore had to step in for four total games as the acting head coach, having previously been the offensive coordinator. Michigan went 4-0 in those games, including a win against rivals Ohio State, who did, in fact, have their head coach. 

He Also led the Wolverines to a season opening 30-10 win over Fresno State over the weekend - a game that many felt was too close for comfort until a late surge.

Moore, alongside a new quarterback at the helm, will have to hope for continued defensive success to be able to beat the Longhorns. The two teams are set to face off on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with kickoff set for 11 A.M. on Fox. 

The two teams have only met once, but it was one of the most important matchups in both program's histories. The teams faced in the 2005 Rose Bowl, where Texas’ last-second field goal catapulted the Longhorns over the Wolverines. Michigan will look to enact revenge almost 20 years later.

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards runs against Washington during the second half of U-M's 34-13 win in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michigan Wolverines

Record: 1-0

Head Coach: Sherrone Moore

Offensive Leaders

Passing: QB Davis Warren

Stats: 15 of 25 for 118 yards and one touchdown with one interception.

Rushing: RB Kalel Mullings - 15 carries for 92 yards,

Receiving: TE Colston Loveland

Stats: Eight catches for 87 yards and one touchdown.

Defensive Leaders:

Tackles: Three Players with five tackles

Interceptions: DB Will Johnson - 1, DB Zeke Berry - 1

Sacks: LB Josaiah Stewart - 2