Massachusetts @ Michigan preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2010 ) Massachusetts 37, Michigan 42

Massachusetts has had a rocky introduction to the Football Bowl Subdivision and things only figure to get progressively worse when the Minutemen pay a visit to the Big House to take on No. 18 Michigan and dual-threat quarterback Denard Robinson. UMass has lost its first two games as a full-fledged FBS program by a combined score of 82-6 and didn't fare well against a Big Ten opponent in its home opener, getting drubbed by Indiana 45-6 last week. Michigan, which figures to contend for the Big Ten title, rebounded from a beating by top-ranked Alabama to outlast Air Force last week behind the dazzling Robinson.

TV: 3:30 ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Michigan -46.5

ABOUT MASSACHUSETTS (0-2): Although the Minutemen have been completely overmatched in losses to Indiana and Connecticut, they will not be completely out of their element against Michigan. UMass put a scare into the Wolverines in 2010, leading by 10 points early and rallying late in a 42-37 loss. Unfortunately for the Minutemen, they also got a healthy glimpse of Robinson, who accounted for 345 yards and three touchdowns while directing five consecutive touchdown drives. UMass did manage to accumulate 264 yards of total offense last week after a nightmarish opener in which it was held to 59 total yards.

ABOUT MICHIGAN (1-1): The Wolverines entered the season with lofty aspirations, but they were given a reality check in a humbling 41-14 loss to defending national champion Alabama in the season opener. Robinson, among the contenders for the Heisman Trophy, got Michigan's offense back on track last week with a performance for the ages, amassing 426 yards of total offense and scoring four touchdowns in a 31-25 victory over Air Force. He became the first player in NCAA history to have three games in which he passed and rushed for over 200 yards apiece. Starting RB Fitzgerald Toussaint had only eight yards on seven carries vs. Air Force.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Robinson needs a pair of rushing touchdowns to become the eighth player to pass and run for 40 touchdowns each.

2. UMass has lost its first two games for the first time since starting 0-5 in 2001.

3. The Wolverines have won 16 consecutive games at Michigan Stadium in September and are 30-1 against current members of the Mid-American Conference.

PREDICTION: Michigan 41, Massachusetts 9