Sep 15, 20233 min read

Bowling Green State at #5 University of Michigan

This was taken after UofM triumphed over Notre Dame 38-34 in an amazing game. — A Big House Victory credit Brian Wolfe via Flickr

The #5 Ranked University of Michigan Wolverines will host the Bowling Green Falcons in this Week 3 matchup that will take place under the lights in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines come into Saturday’s matchup as a huge favorite giving up 40.5 points to the Falcons. This is the Wolverine's third and final non-conference game and last game without head coach, Jim Harbaugh.

Broadcast information

Bowling Green vs. Michigan will face off on September 16, 2023, at 7:30 on the Big Ten Network. The crew that will be covering the game will be Cory Provus, doing play-by-play, former Michigan tight end, Jake Butt, on the color and Brooke Fletcher taking care of the sidelines.

Michigan fans can also listen live on the radio on WWJ AM 950. The Bowling Green radio broadcast will be on WFRO 99.1FM (Fremont).

What's at stake?

Michigan 2-0 will be playing their last warm-up game before starting Big 10 play the following week. Nothing but a win will be acceptable for the Wolverines. If Michigan loses any hope for the playoffs will vanish A loss here and Michigan's hopes for a third straight trip to college football playball will vanish. With Michigan being such a big favorite, this game should be out of hand before halftime, letting the Michigan coaching staff pull most of the starts to make sure the Wolverines open Big 10 play as healthy as possible.

Bowling Green 1-1 enters the game with nothing to lose, as most expect are picking the Wolverines to win big. Even if Bowling Greens loses this game, they should still have a shot at winning the MAC. With a win here Bowling Green would have one of the biggest upsets in years and would be a game Michigan fans would never forget.

Key players - University of Michigan

Michigan will look to get their running game going in this one making Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards key in the Sherrone Moore game plan.

Key Players - Bowling Green State University

The Falcons are going to look to pass in this game making Harold Fannin Jr. and Ta’ron Keith key parts, they are Bowling Green's two leading receivers this year.

Key matchups

Edwards vs. The Falcons run defense.

In the first two games Michigan’s offense had a very balanced attack, for this one Michigan is going to look to get their running game going. The Wolverines will use this game to jumpstart running back, Donovan Edwards, after having a very disappointing game vs. UNLV with 6 carries for a total of 9 yards. The Bowling Green defense gave up 75 rushing yards to Eastern Illinois last week, if they can have another good performance this game, they might be close for longer than people think.

Michigan pass rush vs. Bowling green offensive line.

In their game last week, the Falcons were able to find most of their success on offense throwing the ball, and putting up 368 yards in the air. If the Falcons are going to give themselves a chance in this one, they are going to need that to carry over to this game. The problem for Bowling Green after Michigan didn’t record a sack in the season opener the Wolverine's pass rush was able to generate 5 last week. Michigan is going to be looking to get to the QB on every down and if the offensive line can’t hold up it’s going to be a dreadful day for Connor Bazelak, the starting quarterback for Bowling Green.

Prediction and counterpoint

In college football, it’s hard to out scheme talent and unfortunately for Bowling Green, Michigan has much more talent. Like in the first two games Michigan should be ready to call off the Dawgs early in the third quarter. Michigan will win, but just like the first two games, it won’t cover the spread again.