Air Force (1-0) at No. 7 Michigan (2-0), Saturday Noon ET (BTN)
Line: Michigan by 23½.
Series record: Michigan leads 2-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Wolverines have to prove they can pass the ball because returning starter Wilton Speight simply struggled in the first two games. The Falcons may have an opportunity, potentially at least, to beat their highest-ranked opponent since beating No. 6 Stanford in 1970.
KEY MATCHUP
Michigan’s defense vs. Air Force’s triple-option scheme. The Wolverines have a lot of speed and talent on defense, but they don’t have much experience defending the Falcons’ unique offense.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Air Force: RB Tim McVey had 98 yards rushing and a TD, the 27th of his 28-game career, and 77 yards receiving in the opener. The Falcons need him to have similar success against the Wolverines to keep the game at least competitive.
Michigan: Speight was benched in the opener and booing fans sounded as if they wanted him to stand on the sideline in the home opener the next week. He is completing just 52 percent of his throws and has three touchdowns and two interceptions, both of which the Gators returned for scores.
FACTS & FIGURES
Michigan’s defense has scored three touchdowns, tying Texas for the most in the nation by a defense, and has given up just 17 points to opposing offenses. … Air Force has won seven straight, dating to last season, including a win over No. 20 Boise State. … The line opened at 27½ and moved four points due to money bet on the Falcons. … Air Force has had two weeks to prepare for the game since opening with 62-0 win over VMI. … Michigan’s Ty Isaac ran for a career-high 133 yards in 36-14 win over Cincinnati after having 114 yards rushing on just 11 carries in the season-opening win over then-No. 17 Florida.
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