The Oklahoma Sooners hit the road for their first away game of the season, making the trip north into Big Ten country to take on the Michigan Wolverines. The Sooners enter the game as favorites, but Oklahoma could have their hands full with a Michigan team looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance in their controversial, one-point win over Western Michigan.
The Oklahoma Sooners had a business-like, if not dominating, performance against the UTEP Miners in Week 1, scoring on their first eight possessions and getting a special teams touchdown from Isaiah Sategna. If they can replicate that same kind of offensive efficiency, they'll have a good day up in Ann Arbor.
As we get ready for Oklahoma's Week 2 matchup with the Michigan Wolverines,
here are this week's predictions from the staff here at Sooners Wire.
Week 1: Predictions vs. UTEP
Oklahoma Defense Dominates
This game has been turned on its head a little bit after the Wolverines barely and controversially escaped at home last week against Western Michigan. However, this Michigan team is much better than what they showed on Saturday, and it’s up to OU’s coaches to make sure the players don’t let up against what is still a very talented team. Oklahoma has injury concerns on the offensive line, but is relatively healthy elsewhere. If the defense can be in attack mode against the Michigan offense and the OU offense can establish a running attack, the Sooners can win by multiple scores on the road. Avoiding mistakes and penalties, two things that made last year’s matchup closer than it should’ve been, will be a big focus for the Sooners on Saturday.
Oklahoma 24, Michigan 7
Aaron Gelvin, Contributor
Sooners Show Up
This will not be a game OU fans should take lightly. We’ve seen this story before. A team struggles, you take it lightly, and they look like a completely different team. I think Michigan will come out swinging, and their defense is good enough to contain OU, but Oklahoma’s defense will be too much for Bryce Underwood and Co.
Oklahoma 27, Michigan 10
Jaron Spor, Contributor
More John Mateer
Oklahoma is the more complete football team, and its defense travels well. We saw that last season when the Sooners went 4-0 in their true road games. With the experience that Oklahoma brings back, I believe it’s enough to outshine what QB Bryce Underwood and Michigan can do. Offensively, as long as the Sooners take care of the football, they should be in control throughout the game. I believe we’re going to see more of what John Mateer can do running the football. That is, in fact, how the Sooners got going against Michigan last year, and I believe those opportunities will be there again.
Oklahoma 24, Michigan 13
James D. Jackson, Contributor
Brent Bottles Up Bryce
Mateer makes the difference
The Oklahoma Sooners are the more experienced team, especially at quarterback. OU's John Mateer has seen what it takes to win in hostile road environments and will be the difference in a game featuring two really good defenses. While Bryce Underwood has a lot of upside, Oklahoma's defense will keep him off balance with creative pressure packages and coverages. The Sooners win the battle at the line of scrimmage, putting together another strong rushing attack and are able to pull away from the Wolverines.
Oklahoma 31, Michigan 10
John Williams, Lead Writer
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma vs. Michigan: Sooners Wire Staff Predictions for Week 2
