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...it’s looking like Saturday’s Big Ten opener against Rutgers could be one of Michigan’s toughest challenges until the Nittany Lions.
ESPN’s FPI gave the Wolverines a 96.7% chance of beating the Scarlet Knights before the season, but that number is down to 84.9% after Rutgers’ surprising 3-0 start. Greg Schiano’s squad, which was predicted to finish sixth in the Big Ten East in the preseason poll, has outscored Northwestern, Temple and Virginia Tech 95-30 combined and has played well on both sides of the ball.
Michigan routed Rutgers 52-17 last season, but the previous two matchups were one-scores games. Oddsmakers, though, are still giving the Wolverines a significant edge with a 24-point spread.
“They’re playing really good defense,” Harbaugh said Monday. “(Quarterback) Gavin Wimsatt is playing really good football, and they’re running the ball really effectively.
“You ask me, ‘Hey, what are you doing? You seem out of breath.’ A lot on the plate right now getting ready for Rutgers. As I’m sure you can understand, if you’ve watched them play, they’re good.”