No. 4 Michigan has won its first two games by a combined score of 107-17 and expects to keep rolling on Saturday against Connecticut. More importantly, the Wolverines have found a starting quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, who has thrown three touchdown passes and one incompletion in two games. The Huskies are 1-2 so far this season.
Connecticut (1-2) at No. 4 Michigan (2-0), Saturday, noon ET (ABC)
Line: Michigan by 47 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Michigan leads 2-0.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
If Michigan wants to return to the College Football Playoff, it will have to finish off its non-conference schedule with a win over Connecticut. The Wolverines are 2-0 and averaging 53.5 points a game, and the Huskies don't figure to offer much of a test. If they pull the upset, it would be a defining win for veteran coach Jim Mora.
KEY MATCHUP
UConn RB Nate Carter vs. the Michigan run defense. Carter has 414 total yards in three games, including 384 on the ground, which means he's accounted for 41 percent of the Connecticut offense. He's going to have to carry the load against a Wolverines rush defense that is allowing just 3.1 yards per carry.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Connecticut: QB Zion Turner. Turner won three state championships at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) but is finding life a lot tougher at Connecticut. His two losses in the first three games are as many as he had in 39 high school starts, and he's only averaging 124.3 yards passing and six yards rushing per game.
Michigan: QB J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy and Cade McNamara were each given a shot to win the starting job in the first two games, and coach Jim Harbaugh ended up with an easy choice. McCarthy has thrown three touchdown passes with only one incompletion to go along with 66 rushing yards and another score. The Huskies have allowed 759 passing yards in three games, so McCarthy should have another big day.
FACTS & FIGURES
Michigan is 2-0 against the Huskies, but the second win didn't come easily. In 2013, Connecticut took a 21-7 lead in the third quarter, helped by four Michigan turnovers, but Fitzgerald Toussaint scored twice and Brendan Gibbons kicked a late field goal for a 24-21 win. … McCarthy's last seven offensive drives have resulted in touchdowns. … The Huskies trailed Syracuse 17-0 last week before getting a first down.
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