Week 1: Utah at Michigan

This game might be as intriguing as any opener in the country. There's so much anticipation and mystery surrounding Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez and his radically new offensive scheme in Ann Arbor that the Wolverines probably would be better off playing a Football Championship Subdivision team in the first game.

Wait. They tried that last season, famously losing to Appalachian State. So here comes Utah, with a veteran offense and a history of playing well in what they consider high-profile games. The Utes beat Louisville on the road last season, and a more applicable example comes from 2002, when Utah lost only 10-7 at Michigan. That defeat was a part of a six-game losing streak that resulted in a coaching change. So with a presumably stronger team in '08, there's every reason to believe the Utes can score enough points to pull off an upset.

So it all comes down to how ready Michigan's offense is to perform in a game. Even without a new scheme, the Wolverines would be starting over on that side of the ball. Running back Brandon Minor is about the only recognizable name on offense, having backed up Mike Hart. Right tackle Stephen Schilling, a sophomore, is the only "veteran" on the offensive line and the receivers are mostly new, although Greg Matthews caught 39 passes last year.

It is difficult to picture Michigan being very efficient this soon, so its offensive success will mostly be a function of talent, against a Utah defense that's fairly young, but runs well and has a history of keeping the score low, regardless of the yardage it allows.

Things to watch

Michigan's defense has two rising stars, sophomore middle linebacker Obi Ezeh and junior free safety Stevie Brown. They will have to make big plays, because it would be asking too much of Michigan's young offense to win a shootout.

Key Player (Wolverines) — Steven Threet, QB

Pat White made Rodriguez's scheme go at West Virginia, and now the coach is relying on a redshirt freshman who was recruited to direct a much different scheme. Threet spent a semester as an early enrollee at Georgia Tech before transferring to Michigan last year, in time to be eligible for '08. Nick Sheridan is also likely to play.

Key Player (Utes) — Brian Johnson, QB

After what happened against Appalachian State and Oregon in the first two games last year, questions remain about Michigan's ability to deal with a spread offense. The Wolverines did beat Florida in a bowl game, but still allowed 35 points.

Utah by 3