No. 2 Michigan is playing UNLV at home on Saturday in its second of three games without suspended coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh was suspended by the school for breaking NCAA rules. Special teams coordinator and safeties coach Jay Harbaugh will fill his father's role in the first half and running back Mike Hart will lead the team in the second half. The Rebels had four players combine to score five touchdowns in their season-opening, 44-14 victory over Bryant in coach Barry Odom's debut.
UNLV (1-0) at No. 2 Michigan (1-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Line: Michigan by 36 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Michigan leads 1-0.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
The Wolverines have national championship hopes and can't afford a stunning upset against a team they're expected to beat by five-plus touchdowns as they play the second of three games without suspended coach Jim Harbaugh. First-year coach Barry Odom has an opportunity to showcase his program to more people than will probably watch the rest of the Rebels' season.
KEY MATCHUP
UNLV's running game against Michigan's defense. The Rebels had four players combine to score five touchdowns in their season-opening, 44-14 victory over Bryant in Odom's debut. The Wolverines gave up just 103 yards rushing in a 30-3 win over East Carolina in their opener.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
UNLV: WR Ricky White. In his last game at Michigan Stadium, the former Spartan had eight receptions for 196 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Wolverines in 2020. White did not play in 2021 and after transferring, he had 51 catches for 619 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Rebels.
Michigan: WR Roman Wilson. He had six catches for 78 yards and three touchdowns last week, the first Wolverine with three receiving touchdowns in a game since 2019 when Nico Collins pulled off the feat. Wilson's previous career high was two touchdowns against Penn State in 2021.
FACTS & FIGURES
UNLV is facing its highest-ranked opponent, equaling its matchup with Peyton Manning-led, second-ranked Tennessee on the road in the 1996 opener. ... The Wolverines beat the Rebels 28-7 at home in 2015 season. ... Odom became the first UNLV coach to win his debut since John Robinson did in 1999 before Robinson went on to lead USC and earn a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. ... TE Colston Loveland had a career-high 57 yards receiving and matched a career high with four catches in the opener. ... Doug Brumfield is the first UNLV QB to win two straight openers since Omar Clayton did in 2009 and '10. ... Michigan opened with a 30-3 win over East Carolina for its 16th straight win at home and 26th victory in 29 games. ... Harbaugh, suspended by the school for breaking NCAA rules, will have his role filled by his son, Jay, in the first half and Mike Hart in the second half. Jay Harbaugh is the team's special teams coordinator and safeties coach. Hart, a former Michigan star, leads the running backs.
___
AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll
