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    Michigan football tips against the No. 1 Oregon Ducks
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    Michigan football tips against the No. 1 Oregon Ducks

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    Win or lose, Michigan football will tell a piece of history Saturday when No. 1 Oregon comes to Michigan Stadium: It's the first visit by a national No. 1 to the Big House since Sept. 14, 1991, when Florida Top State defeated a third-ranked Michigan squad 51-31. (UM's last road game against a No. 1 seed also didn't go the Wolverines' way, as they lost as a No. 2 team to Ohio State in Columbus on Nov. 18, 2006.

    For the Wolverines' last upset of a No. 1 team in the Big House, we have to go back to Sept. 8, 1984, when 14th-ranked UM fell 22-14 to No. 1 Miami (Fla.) . Will history repeat itself (and change) 40 years later? Five Free Press sports writers have some thoughts:

    SCOUTING THE MATCH: No. 1 Oregon: Can UM make a splash?

    Tony Garcia

    Michigan was able to avoid a 0-point score for October with a win against MSU, but its problems are far from solved. UM fell to Illinois and was neck-and-neck with MSU, two teams beaten by Oregon by at least three points. For the first time since the game against Texas in Week 2, UM will be at a disadvantage in the trenches. Things didn't go well back then, and it's hard to imagine how things could have gone so differently. The choice: Oregon 31, AT 16.

    Carlos Monarrez

    The top-ranked Ducks will flex their muscles (or wings?) with a strong offense and a commanding defense. This will make Wolverines fans longing for the Texas game. If you can stay in the Big House long enough to see “Mr. “Brightside” see it as a moral victory. The choice: Oregon 33, AT 10.

    Rainer Sabin

    In many ways, Oregon looks like the undefeated juggernaut that called Ann Arbor home last fall. The Ducks have a productive offense, a stout defense and a head coach, Dan Lanning, who likes to play physical football. Oregon ranked first in both polls and is a complete team. These Wolverines are not, which explains why they aren't even ranked.

    Michigan has deficiencies in all three major sectors, and Oregon is the opponent that can expose them all. Much like Texas did in September, expect the Ducks to drain the life force from the Wolverines and silence the home crowd. The choice: Oregon 31, AT 13.

    Jeff Seidel

    Once upon a time, it sounded like it was going to be a great game. Now? Ugh, it just sounds like there's an air leak waiting to happen. Oregon is everything Michigan was last season – one of the best teams in the country, loaded with talent and headed to the playoffs. Meanwhile, Michigan looks like… a six-win team. The choice: Oregon 31, AT 14.

    Shawn Windsor

    The Ducks are the best team the Wolverines have faced since Texas, and their defensive line will make it difficult to play consistently. But UM found something by pairing Davis Warren and Alex Orji at QB, and that will keep the game competitive for a while. The choice: Oregon 29, AT 16.

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