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Ann Arbor, Mich. • With a seasoned senior quarterback and a September schedule that included some of the biggest names in college football at some of the sport's most storied venues, BYU was seemingly destined to make an early splash in coach Bronco Mendenhall's 11th season.
The Cougars have done that despite the loss of Taysom Hill, as freshman Tanner Mangum has ridden in three months removed from a church mission and delivered two razor-close wins and steady play in a gut-busting loss that was more the defense's fault than anything else.
BYU has mostly seized its opportunities against the likes of Nebraska, Boise State and UCLA, but the last chance for national glory in more than a month arrives Saturday at Michigan Stadium.
Call it the Big Shot at The Big House.
The No. 22 Cougars square off against new Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh and the once-proud program he is clearly resuscitating in front of a national television audience and more than 100,000 of his closest friends. It will likely be the biggest crowd — capacity is 109,901 — to ever watch a BYU football game live.
Both teams are 2-1, but got there in wildly different ways; BYU has been involved in three nail-biters, while Michigan fell 24-17 to Utah before routing Oregon State 35-7 and UNLV 28-7 the past two weeks.
"I think we have respect at this point, nationwide," Mendenhall said. "All I can say about that is, 'so far.' You have to keep earning it and keep playing well."
In other words, a loss Saturday will mean a big drop in the national love the Cougars have garnered since Mangum's Hail Mary plowed Nebraska. A win would keep them in the rankings and the conversation for a New Year's Six bowl game.
Yeah, this one's pretty big.
"It is a big chance to show that we have some resiliency and can bounce back and make a statement after a tough loss," said BYU receiver Terenn Houk. "It is a chance to move on and show that we are ready to execute anywhere and make the best of our season."
There is some sentiment out there that the Cougars will be worn down after three physical and emotionally draining slugfests that went to the wire, but several players said this week that having another big-name opponent for which to prepare for will ensure no letdown in that regard.
"It would be one thing if we had an easy opponent, but a team like Michigan, it is a big game, and a chance to show we can hang with big teams," Houk said. "We will be ready."
It will be the biggest test yet for the 22-year-old Mangum and Robert Anae's offense. Michigan's defense kept it in the game at Rice-Eccles three weeks ago, holding Utes star Devontae Booker to 69 yards on 22 carries. OSU and UNLV did next to nothing against it. BYU's best running back, Algie Brown, didn't practice all week, after having sat out last week at the Rose Bowl with a bum knee.
"For me, it is more [about] the opportunity, a great opportunity to play a great team, which is in a great conference, and the college environment that they provide is off the scale," Anae said. "So yeah, great to play in environments where they are really passionate about their team. This is one of those things. So a great opportunity, I think."
A defensive unit that could not contain UCLA's rushing attack — the Bruins racked up 296 yards on the ground — will be under the gun again in Big Ten country. The Wolverines are averaging 185 yards per game on the ground, while giving up just 92.7 per game.
"They are basically Stanford. So when Harbaugh was at Stanford, and that's no slight to either one, if I am describing it, that's what I see. Big people, extra tight ends and big backs and just running and smashing you," Mendenhall said. "It might be an avalanche in there."
The Cougars worked on their tackling all week, after giving up 219 yards to UCLA's Paul Perkins, the first time a BYU defense has given up more than 200 yards to a single back since 2001.
"Especially this week, we've got to be playing on their side of the line of scrimmage," said BYU linebackers coach Kelly Poppinga. "If we are not doing that, it will be more yards than what we gave up [to UCLA], because these guys really know how to run the football."
Twitter: @drewjay —
No. 22 BYU at Michigan
P At Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor
Kickoff • Saturday, 10 a.m.
TV • Ch. 4
Radio • 1160 AM, 102.7 FM and Sirius XM 143
2015 records: • BYU 2-1, Michigan 2-1
Series history • BYU leads, 1-0
Last meeting • BYU 24, Michigan 17 (1984 Holiday Bowl)
About the Cougars • WR Mitch Mathews has caught a pass in 27 consecutive games. … DB Kai Nacua leads the country with four interceptions. … K Trevor Samson is 5 for 5 on field goals this season and 17 for 19 in his career. … They are 55th in the country in total offense at 432.5 yards per game, and are 86th in total defense, yielding 402.7 yards per game.
About the Wolverines • They opened the season with a 24-17 loss to Utah before defeating Oregon State and UNLV. … They have converted all 10 of their red zone scoring chances, scoring eight TDs and two FGs. … They have allowed just one sack in three games.