Welcome from The Staff 
Steve, Craig, Tim, and Steve B welcome you to The Wolverine Den!
- For a preview of the next game, see below.
- For a look back (and to see the incriminating pictures), choose a game on the Last Week menu.
- If you plan on attending a tailgate at The Den for the first time, see the blog menu for Den Law and the house rules to many of the usual tailgate "activities".
- Click on Buy Gear for TWD shirt!
This Week at The Wolverine Den
Game Weather
Michigan at Oklahoma
Gaylord Family - Memorial Stadium
September 6, 2025 - 6:30 p.m. CT
Game Preview
The Michigan Wolverines are travelling to Norman, Oklahoma to battle the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday. This is the highest profile game of the week and will be attended by ESPN's College Gameday.
Pre-game Menu
Ribeye Steaks
Potatoes
Garlic Grilled Shrimp
Charcuterie
Pasta Salad
Oklahoma is coming off a 6-7 season while winning just two games in their first year in the SEC. They ranked 97th in the nation last year in scoring offense, although they had a good defense. To improve the offense, OU brought in a new offensive coordinator - from Washington State, Ben Arbuckle. He brought along the Washington St QB John Mateer. Mateer was one of the best quarterbacks in the nation last year, throwing for 3319 yards and 44 total TDs. In the playoff era (since 1998), 14 players have posted a line of 4000 yards, 40 TDs and no more than 10 turnovers. All 14 were Heisman finalists (6 winners) and all 14 were selected in the top 15 picks of the NFL draft. Mateer missed that club by 36 yards. He is a dual threat, topping all FBS quarterbacks last year with 53 broken or evaded tackles with the lowest off-target rate in the nation. In Oklahoma's opening game, he threw for 392 yards and 3 TDs while rushing for another TD. He is really good. O-line is a weakness that they failed to shore up in the off season. A new corps of receivers is led by Deion Burks, from Belleville and he used to receive passes from Bryce Underwood.
The Sooners defense suffered some attrition but was the strength of the team last year. They are athletic and tackle well.
The Wolverine Den Trivia
Michigan starts the season with back-to-back night games. Have they ever played back-to-back night games?
This is a pivotal game for the Wolverines. Road wins over ranked opponents, especially one from the SEC, are highly considered by the playoff committee. Michigan will need to tighten up a few areas with the biggest improvement needed to contain Mateer both passing and running. The defensive line must stay in their lanes and still apply pressure. Game 2 for Bryce Underwood and it's time to shine. Bryce showed his talent with a limited playbook. Now we need to open the playbook and let Bryce win the game.
This is only the 2nd meeting ever between Michigan and Oklahoma, with OU winning the 1976 Orange Bowl over the Freshman Rick Leach and company. While Michigan is #1 in most wins in college football history, Oklahoma is tied for 5th in overall wins. It should be quite a game!
Michigan is 27-13-1 all-time against the SEC, including two wins over Alabama in 2024. The Wolverines are ranked 13/15 in the two polls while OU is 18/24. Michigan has won its last 13 straight night games.
The Wolverines are a 5½-point underdog.
Brown's Prediction
25-20
Tim's Prediction
28-21
Steve's Prediction
24-21
Craig's Prediction
26-21
Brown 4, Tim 2, Steve 2, Craig 2