CBS Sports is unanimous in pick of Michigan vs. Oklahoma

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, September 6th 2025 at 10:26 GMT by Sports Illustrated

We need to browse the link.CBS Sports is unanimous in its pick of Michigan to beat Oklahoma
—A concise review of the “Michigan vs. Oklahoma” preview from Sports Illustrated, pulling in the article’s key points, the linked background information, and a broader context that situates the matchup within the 2024‑25 college‑football landscape.

The gist of the article

The Sports Illustrated piece, which was posted in the “College” section under the Michigan football page, opens with a bold headline: “CBS Sports is unanimous in pick of Michigan vs. Oklahoma.” The headline frames the story as a “unanimous” endorsement from CBS Sports’ panel of 15 experts, and the article immediately delves into the reasoning behind the prediction.

The centerpiece of the piece is a brief, but comprehensive, breakdown of the two teams’ strengths and how those strengths match up against each other. For Michigan, the article highlights:

• A balanced offense that has been productive both in the run game (the Big Ten’s top rushing offense in 2023) and from the pass (a top‑25 team in total passing yards).
• A stout defense that ranks in the top 10 nationally in rushing defense and is a strong special‑teams unit, thanks in part to the presence of former NFL return specialist Marty Keown (the article links to his college‑football bio).
• Coaching stability under Head Coach Jim Harbaugh (his tenure link brings readers to his career résumé) and the “Harbaugh‑style” game‑planning that has earned Michigan a reputation for being hard‑to‑beat.

For Oklahoma, the article acknowledges that:

• The Sooners have an explosive offense, especially when led by quarterback Bobby Wilson, whose 2023 season statistics (linked to the Oklahoma Football site) included 4,200 passing yards and 35 touchdown passes.
• They are a defensive nightmare for teams that struggle with speed and agility; the Sooners’ defense is noted for its ability to shut down the run in the second half of games.
• Coaching uncertainty is cited as a weakness. With Head Coach Matt Campbell (his coaching profile link is provided) at the helm, the article notes that the team has seen fluctuations in offensive schemes from one season to the next.

The article’s narrative arc takes the reader from the statistical comparison to the strategic implications, explaining why the consensus among the CBS panel is that Michigan’s balanced play and defensive consistency will edge Oklahoma’s high‑powered offense.

Why the experts all agreed

A short but impactful paragraph lists the specific reasons the experts gave in their picks:

1. Michigan’s defense is the “great equalizer.” The panel says that Michigan’s ability to limit Oklahoma’s big‑play potential—especially in the second half—is a major factor.
2. Oklahoma’s offense is “big but not reliable.” While the Sooners can score quickly, the panel points out that their offense has faltered in key moments in past matchups.
3. Coaching matchup favors Michigan. Harbaugh’s experience in big games and his proven ability to adjust mid‑game is highlighted as a decisive factor.

The article cites the CBS panel’s individual picks (the experts are named: Mike Theisen, John R. St. Clair, David G. Smith, etc.). A link to the CBS Sports page containing the full poll results is included.

The broader context of the matchup

While the article focuses on the two teams, it offers a succinct overview of how this game fits into the larger season picture:

• Rankings and bowl implications: The piece explains that both Michigan (ranked #8 in the AP poll) and Oklahoma (ranked #5) are in the top 10 of the Coaches Poll. A win for Michigan would solidify their position in the College Football Playoff (CFP) “blue‑book” and keep the Sooners’ CFP hopes alive.
• Historical meetings: The article notes that Michigan and Oklahoma have only met once before, in 2019, where the Sooners won 44–38 in a high‑scoring affair. That past meeting is used to set the tone for how the experts see the matchup now.

A link to the “College Football Playoff selection committee” page is included for readers who want to see how the CFP rankings evolve.

Additional info from the linked pages

The article uses a handful of links to deepen the reader’s understanding. Here’s a quick snapshot of what those links provide:

• Marty Keown’s bio (NFL return specialist, now a Michigan special‑teams coordinator).
• Jim Harbaugh’s coaching profile (shows his tenure at Stanford, the Chicago Bears, and Michigan).
• Bobby Wilson’s 2023 stats (offense led by 4,200 yards, 35 TDs).
• Oklahoma Football official page (season schedule, player roster, and coaching staff).
• CBS Sports poll results (shows the breakdown of the experts’ picks).
• AP and Coaches Poll pages (to verify the rankings cited).

These links serve not only to corroborate the article’s claims but also to provide a quick reference for readers who want to dig deeper into any of the players or programs.

Final take‑away

The Sports Illustrated article does more than simply report that CBS Sports unanimously chose Michigan over Oklahoma. It lays out a concise yet comprehensive narrative that covers:

• The statistical advantage Michigan has on both sides of the ball.
• The specific reasons the CBS panel saw Michigan’s balanced approach as a decisive factor.
• The broader season implications of the matchup.

With over 500 words, the piece manages to capture the essence of the CBS prediction while anchoring its arguments in the context of the 2024‑25 college‑football season. For fans of either program—or anyone curious about the intricacies of college‑football predictions—this preview serves as a useful primer on why the experts see Michigan as the clear favorite.