It’s easy to look at a 30-10 final score and assume it was just another Saturday at the office for a Big Ten powerhouse. But if you actually watched the Fresno State vs Michigan season opener under the lights at the Big House, you know that’s basically a lie. For about 54 minutes, the reigning national champions were sweating.
Michigan entered 2024 with a target on its back and a roster full of question marks. Gone was Jim Harbaugh. Gone was J.J. McCarthy. In their place stood Sherrone Moore and a quarterback room that looked, honestly, a bit shaky for most of the night. On the other side, Fresno State didn't care about the 110,665 fans screaming in Ann Arbor. They came to play.
Breaking Down the Fresno State vs Michigan Clash
The Bulldogs’ defense was the real story for three and a half quarters. They held the Wolverines to a measly 16 points until the final six minutes of the game. That’s insane. Michigan’s offensive line, which had been the gold standard for years, struggled to move the pile against a Mountain West front that played with a massive chip on its shoulder.
The game was a 16-10 nail-biter in the fourth quarter. Fresno State’s Mikey Keene had just found Raylen Sharpe for a 16-yard touchdown, and the momentum was shifting. You could almost hear the collective gasp from the Michigan faithful.
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The Turning Point and the Will Johnson Show
Everything changed when Michigan finally remembered they had arguably the best cornerback in the country. With Fresno State driving and looking to potentially take the lead or tie it up, Will Johnson did what stars do. He jumped a flat route, snatched the ball, and took it 86 yards to the house.
Game over.
It was a brutal way for the Bulldogs to go down, especially since they out-passed Michigan 235 to 121. But that’s the difference at the elite level. Michigan didn't need to be perfect; they just needed a few splash plays from their blue-chip talent.
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Key Stats That Might Surprise You
If you just looked at the rushing totals, you’d think Fresno State forgot their cleats. They finished with only 9 yards on the ground. Michigan’s defensive front, led by Josaiah Stewart and his two sacks, was a brick wall.
- Total Yards: Michigan 269, Fresno State 244.
- Time of Possession: Michigan held the ball for 34 minutes, grinding down the clock.
- First Downs: Both teams finished with 18.
- The Zvada Factor: Michigan's new kicker, Dominic Zvada, was a literal lifesaver, nailing field goals from 45, 53, and 55 yards.
What Both Teams Learned
For Fresno State, this was a moral victory that unfortunately goes in the "L" column. Interim coach Tim Skipper proved his team can hang with anyone. They showed that their passing attack, headlined by Jalen Moss’s 97 receiving yards, is going to be a problem for the Mountain West.
Michigan, however, left the field with a lot of homework. Davis Warren and Alex Orji both saw time under center, but neither exactly looked like the next McCarthy. They were sluggish. They were predictable. And as many analysts noted, that level of play wasn't going to cut it against the likes of Texas or Ohio State later in the season.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're betting on or following these teams for the rest of their schedules, keep these notes in your back pocket:
- Don't Fade Fresno State: Their defensive line is much more physical than they get credit for. Against teams without Michigan's depth, they will dominate the trenches.
- Monitor the Michigan QB Situation: The "two-quarterback" system rarely works long-term. Watch for Sherrone Moore to tighten the rotation as the season progresses.
- Kickers Matter: If a game is projected to be close, Dominic Zvada gives Michigan a massive edge. Having a guy who can reliably hit from 50+ is a luxury most college teams don't have.
- Watch the Rushing Margins: Michigan's identity is still tied to the run. If they can't clear 150 yards against mid-tier opponents, their ceiling is significantly lower.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for both squads, specifically regarding Fresno State's secondary, which took some heavy hits during the game. For Michigan, the development of the offensive line remains the single biggest factor for their post-Harbaugh era success.