No. 1 Oregon is in the pole position to win the Big Ten and earn a College Football Playoff bye, but it can't afford a slip-up on its trip to the Big House.
The Ducks are flourishing in their first season in the new 18-team Big Ten. Led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel, they've looked great since surviving their biggest test of the season against Ohio State. Oregon easily handled Illinois, 38-9, last week and looks to be coming together at the right time after some early season struggles.
The same cannot be said for Michigan, which looks like a shell of the team that won a national championship last season. The Wolverines' win over Michigan State last week was crucial after losing its two previous games (Washington, Illinois) but they still look anemic on offense, ranking last among Power Four teams (130th) in passing offense.
The schedule broke nicely for Oregon getting Ohio State at home, but a trip to Michigan this weekend will be its first real road test of the season. With a win, Oregon would start the season 9-0 for the first time since 2012.
Follow along with LIVE updates as Oregon faces another Big Ten test at Michigan
How to watch Michigan vs. Oregon live
Date: Saturday, Nov. 2 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Michigan Stadium -- Ann Arbor, Michigan
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Try It Free)
Michigan vs. Oregon: Need to know
QB shuffle: Michigan has rotated through quarterbacks all season to little success or rhythm. First, it was former walk-on Davis Warren and Alex Orji splitting the reps. Then, Michigan turned to Jack Tuttle, who split reps with Orji against Washington and started against Illinois but medically retired this week due to concussions. Now it is back to Warren, who went 13 of 19 for 123 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Spartans. It feels like Warren should be the guy the rest of the way, but it's anyone's guess if the offense continues to struggle. Warren is going to have to have the game of his life Saturday if the Wolverines are going to have a real shot against Oregon.
Record watch: Sixth-year quarterback Dillon Gabriel has a chance to make history Saturday, though it'll take his best output of the season to accomplish it. Gabriel is four touchdowns away from breaking former Houston quarterback Case Keenum's NCAA record for most career touchdowns (177). Gabriel has yet to throw for more than three touchdowns in a game this season, so if he can't beat that, it might take until next week's game against Maryland to set the record. He'll still be chasing Keenum for most career passing touchdowns and passing yards, too.
Losing streak: Michigan isn't just a significant underdog against Oregon but will need to fight back against a long historical track record to pull off the upset Saturday. The last time Michigan beat the No. 1 team in the country was all the way back in 1984 – 40 years ago – against No. 1 Miami. The quarterback in that game? None other than Jim Harbaugh. Since then, the Wolverines have lost their last eight games against the country's top-ranked team, including most recently to Ohio State in a 1-vs.-2 game in 2006. Michigan is a bleak 3-16-1 all-time against No. 1 opponents.
Oregon vs. Michigan prediction, picks
Odds via DraftKings. Use DraftKings promo code at DraftKings Sportsbook to get in the game with all the Week 10 action
Oregon is rolling while Michigan is scuffling. The Ducks can put up big points and the Wolverines can't. There are plenty more reasons to pick Oregon over Michigan, and this isn't an argument to dissuade that pick. But it will be the Ducks' toughest remaining test of the regular season and could be closer than anticipated, especially if Michigan's defensive line can take advantage of an Oregon offensive line that is improved recently but still has its issues. I like Oregon to win outright, but think Michigan could backdoor a cover. Pick: Michigan +14.5
