FOOTBALL

NBC Announces Broadcasting Crew for Michigan vs Fresno State

Published

3 months ago

August 23, 2024

Michigan football, Jaden Smith, Jim Harbaugh

Jul 25, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 college football season is just a few days away, with eight teams in action on Saturday to kick things off. Michigan football is still a week away, with an Aug. 31 home opener against Fresno State.

The defending national champions’ season opener will air on NBC at 7:30 p.m. ET. The network announced the broadcast crew for the first-ever meeting between the two programs. As expected, the primetime matchup will feature NBC’s top broadcast team.

Noah Eagle will handle the play-by-play duties, while Todd Blackledge serves as the color commentator. Meanwhile, Kathryn Tappen will be the sideline reporter. The trio will resume their roles on NBC’s Big Ten Saturday Night, which began last season.

It will mark the third Wolverines game the group has called together, as they were on hand for the blowout victories against Minnesota & Michigan State in 2023. Michigan could draw the trio later in the year as well. They’re set to call all of the network’s primetime games except on Sept. 7, according to the official press release.

Michigan heavily favored in season opener

The Michigan Wolverines have not received much respect as they look to defend their national title. They were ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll, the lowest ranking of any defending national champion since Auburn began the 2011 season ranked 23rd.

Despite being overlooked entering the season, the Wolverines are heavy favorites in their season opener. Michigan has -3000 odds of starting the season 1-0 with a large point spread at -21.5. While the Bulldogs are a tougher opponent than most teams will face in their season opener, they lack the talent to match the Wolverines.

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