If you are a Michigan football fan, the words of former alumnus Jon Jansen will definitely sting. Jansen, without choosing to mince words, stated the Wolverines will be the underdogs against Oklahoma when they meet.

Talking candidly in the MGoBlue Podcast, Jansen had this to say:

"But I think as I go through the original question, I believe was which ones do I expect to be underdogs in? And I would expect in week two, Michigan will be an underdog against Oklahoma. There were, you know, college Football playoff team," said Jansen.

Oklahoma is coming off a College Football Playoff run and returns a Heisman-caliber quarterback in John Mateer. Posting 2,885 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while adding 431 rushing yards and 8 rushing TD's he was unstoppable.

Courtesy of which the Sooners coasted to the playoffs. Racking up one win after the other over teams like Michigan, Missouri, South Carolina LSU etc.

Naturally, Jansen is inclined to believe that Oklahoma has the edge. Despite that, you cannot write the Wolverines off. They were not great by any means but decent. Jordan Marshall and Andrew Marsh led the rushing attack and receiver numbers effectively. Moreover QB Bryce Underwood led the offense with 2428 passing yards, 11 TDs.

So of course, Michigan has every chance to flip the script against the favorites. There's also another reason why Michigan can do fairly well and that is their running back room.

Running Back Room Gamechanger For Michigan Against Top Teams

 Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham believes that their running back room will be key this year. With players like Jordan Marshall, Bryson Kuzdzal and Savion Hiter, the team is looking to turn around as champions rather than underdogs.

Understandably, running back coach Tony Alford is in high spirits.

"We’ve got high expectations for everybody. With the whole team, there's high expectations for everybody, and I've got a good group of guys to work with. My players are awesome. I love working with them,” said Alford.

The form of players like Marshal will throw a tough challenge to anybody. He ended with 932 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead the Wolverines in rushing. He started taking on a bigger leadership role last season, which continues to grow after former Wolverines Justice Haynes' injury.

The same goes for Kuzdzal. He also started two games when Marshall suffered a shoulder injury last season. He made 326 rushing yds with 4 TD's. Hiter too caught the eye with his  44 yards on 10 carries during his spring game.

His high school career saw Hiter amassing  1,445 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior. Alford believes the right kind of tutelage will take this youngster far.

"Those guys have really taken him in and tried to try to help him, train him and be voices of reason, like a big brother to him. He's got to be receptive of that, too, which he has been, so it's been a really seamless transition for him.," said Alford.

Michigan might not have made the playoffs last year. However, this year the team is looking to find its way back. Despite teams like Oklahoma and Alabama breathing down their necks, Michigan is undaunted.

Read more at the Michigan Football Community

Written by

Sourav Ganguly

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason