Tom Brady plays catch with Jim Harbaugh before MI game

Colorado held Idaho State to just 61 yards on the ground last week – a possible glimpse into the Buffaloes’ game plan against MI.

With three linebackers removed from last year’s defensive unit, there was a question whether a defense that served as the catalyst of a five-win uptick in Jim Harbaugh’s inaugural campaign would be as talented, as disciplined, and as suffocating the second time around. Khalid Hill had 9 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Phillip Lindsay: His numbers aren’t great this season, but Lindsay has found the endzone four times as Colorado’s top rusher.

Clearly, he is extremely antsy to get back on the field. The Buffs are hoping for a good showing at the worst, an FBS team that has not posted a winning season since 2005 is hoping for signs of major improvement in 2016. Awuzie leads Colorado in tackles from the secondary and has two pass break-ups and an interception this year. Colorado picks up more than four and half yards per rush attempt, but gives up more than 4 yards per attempt…so the MI rushing attack could very well be featured this Saturday. The Wolverines are getting odds of -19 points against the Buffaloes.

On the offense, Colorado averages 326.5 yards in passing and 261.0 yards in rushing. Colorado is just 11-23-1 against the spread in its last 35 on the road while MI has covered in four straight non-conference games and five of their last seven at home.

The Wolverines couldn’t ask for much more from their start to the season. The Wolverines are playing well in all three phases of the game and the coaching staff has had a chance to evaluate and fine tune the team over the past two weeks.

Spread: Michigan opened as a 14-point favorite.

“As a student at U-M from 1995 to 1999, Brady was a backup quarterback for the Wolverines” 1997 national championship team. Colorado is very disciplined and has veteran talent. Can you go 5/5?