ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Here are three games to keep an eye on as we round out week one of the 2023 college football season:
Michigan vs. East Carolina: Underestimated Showdown
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended for the first three games of the Wolverines’ season, including this home opener against East Carolina. Quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell – in his first season as the QB coach – will be calling the plays for Michigan. Michigan, the #2 ranked team in the country, is currently a 36-point favorite in a game with an over/under of 51.5 points. So what Vegas is predicting is a 44-8 Michigan blowout.
But not so fast. East Carolina ranked 16th in the country last year in passing yards at 290.5 yards per game through the air; the Pirates also averaged 32.5 points scored per game and had some big program wins against UCF, at BYU and a 53-29 drubbing of Coastal Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl. Without its head coach (and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore is also suspended for week 1) and a relatively young staff left overseeing the sidelines, one would be wise not to look too far past East Carolina.
Nevada vs. USC: The Heisman Defense Continues
USC quarterback Caleb Williams continues his Heisman defense tour at home against the Wolfpack after throwing for 278 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-28 Week 0 against San Jose State. Nevada did not do itself any favors scheduling a road game at USC to launch its 2023 season – which follows an abysmal 2-10 campaign in 2022, during which it was 0-8 in Mountain West play.
This may be another tune-up game for Williams and the Trojans before they begin their last year of Pac-12 play when they face off against Stanford on Sept 9. USC and Nevada have only played five times (all of the games have been played at USC’s Coliseum) and USC leads the all-time series 5-0 with a scoring margin of 164-14. CaesarsSportsbook has the Trojans favored by 38-points.
New Mexico vs. Texas A&M: The Money Game
New Mexico opens its 2023 season at College Station when the Lobos take on the Texas A&M Aggies. Despite being 38.5-point underdogs, the Lobos and coach Danny Gonzales are excited to head to College Station and collect the $1.6-million check for playing the game. The Aggies will also pay Louisiana Monroe $1.6-million for a game on Sept 16, and another $550,000 to Abilene Christian for the Nov 18 matchup.
Said Gonzales in a pregame interview earlier this week: “The great thing about this first game of the season is we’re going to collect a check for $1.6 million to go help our athletic department. We’re going to have fun playing this football game.” Let’s see if the Lobos can confound expectations while cashing a huge check.