Quarterbacks: CMU junior starter Jeff Perry’s last snap in a game came at Silverado High School in Apple Valley, Cal. Michigan Stadium is not Silverado High School. Conversely, John Navarre will start Michigan’s home opener for the fourth consecutive year. After early career struggles, Navarre has blossomed into the Big Ten’s best thrower.

Advantage: Michigan

Running Backs: The strength of CMU’s offense, tailbacks Terrance Jackson and Kenan Lawhorne and fullback Adam Supianoski anchor the running game. Like Navarre, U-M’s Chris Perry has improved every season. He gained 1,100 yards last season, and scored four touchdowns against Florida in last season’s Outback Bowl.

Advantage: Michigan

Receivers/Tight Ends: The Chippewas will lineup a fresh stable of receivers. The wild card is junior college transfer Jovan Witherspoon, who has Big Ten experience. Braylon Edwards and Tyrece Butler both sport big hair, and will sport big numbers against the Chippewas.

Advantage: Michigan

Offensive Line: CMU tackle Adam Kieft, guard Derek McLaughlin and center Eric Ghiaciuc anchor a strong unit that specializes in run blocking, but they aren’t as good as Michigan’s unit, which is one of the NCAA’s best. Tackle Tony Pape, guard David Baas and center Dave Pearson are All-Big 10 candidates.

Advantage: Michigan

Defensive Line: The Chippewas are strong against the run, led by senior tackle Matt Wohlgemuth. U-M’s Shantee Orr misguidedly entered the NFL Draft, but was not picked. Despite the end’s loss, the cupboard is not bare, with strong seniors Larry Stevens, Grant Bowman and Norman Heuer.

Advantage: Michigan

Linebackers: Weak-side backer Eddie Hillery and middle backer Anthony Tyus are speedy, skilled and experienced. Michigan’s unit is solid, but not spectacular. Leading the charge is fifth-year senior Carl Diggs, with help coming from Zach Kaufman and Scott McClintock.

Advantage: Michigan

Secondary: There is no way getting around that CMU’s secondary is shaky. With Navarre’s accurate, strong arm, good luck. Michigan star safety Marlin Jackson is a hard hitter both on and off the field. However, he will not play because of problems stemming from summer assault charges. Corner Jeremy LaSeuer is starting for his fourth season, and safety Ernest Shazor is big and solid.

Advantage: Michigan.

Special Teams: CMU’s return game and kick coverage were awful last season, but Head Coach Mike DeBord vows the team to be faster and more efficient. Michigan’s place kicking position was a revolving door last season, so Coach Lloyd Carr decided to give a scholarship to Florida native Garrett Rivas.

Advantage: Michigan

Coaching: DeBord will go head-to-head against his mentor and former boss, Carr. Since becoming head coach in 1995, Carr has won more than three quarters of his games, including the 1997 national title.

Advantage: Michigan

Intangibles: Even though CMU will be an improved team this season, the Wolverines are stronger and deeper in every category. This means little to CMU, however, who feels it has nothing to lose. If Michigan were to lose this game, it would be catastrophic. Visions of Sugar Bowl trips would be dashed. Plus, the embarassment of falling to a in-state MAC school would be enough to drive the Maize and Blue faithful over the edge.

Advantage: CMU

Outlook: The Chippewas will not win, but they will gain respect with a solid performance. Early-game momentum will take them into the halftime locker room within striking distance. Michigan’s overall talent will take over in the second half, however, and CMU’s uprising will be quelled.

Prediction: Michigan 38, CMU 22.