The wait is almost over for Michigan football fans as the Wolverines kickoff the 2023 season on Saturday at home against East Carolina football. Michigan is coming into the season ranked #2 in the country, and after two straight years of losing in the College Football Playoff, this team is hungry to win a national championship. The road to get there starts with ECU, and the Wolverines are coming into the game as huge favorites. Michigan is a 36-point favorite going into this one, but they aren't taking the Pirates lightly.

Michigan football will have Jesse Minter handling head coaching duties against East Carolina. He is familiar with ECU and knows that they are a team that can't be taken lightly.

“We have got a ton of respect for East Carolina,” Jesse Minter said according to an article from bluebyninety.com. “First and foremost, they’ve been a giant killer over the years. You look at their history. Fortunately for me, this is a team — my dad was a head coach at Cincinnati. As I was growing up, they were Conference USA team. I’ve seen this team for a long time and sort of just what they’re capable of doing with the type of athletes that they’re going to bring up here.”

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Football News
Featured image Garrett Nussmeier
LSU football’s Garrett Nussmeier separates himself from Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels comparisonsDylan Fine ·
South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) runs the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Joe Barna (43) in the first quarter at Camping World Stadium.
South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers drops ‘cool’ take on lucrative NFL hypeTroy Finnegan ·
Featured image Michigan football
Michigan football secures a pair of commits over Georgia, Texas, and SMUDylan Fine ·
Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule reacts during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Yankee Stadium.
Nebraska’s Matt Rhule flips 2026 wide receiver from Arizona StateGuillermo Guajardo ·
DeSean Jackson and Delaware State University football have unveiled their 2025 class of recruits during national signing day.
DeSean Jackson nabs WR recruits from same high schoolRandall Barnes ·
Westlake Chaparrals wide receiver Chase Bowen (11) and North Shore Mustangs free safety Chace Calicut (22) collide after the punt bounces in the first quarter as the Chaparrals take on the Mustangs in the Conference 6A Division 1 UIL State Playoff semi-final game at Legacy Stadium in Katy, Dec. 14, 2024.
Georgia football secures massive 4-star commitment over Texas, MichiganTroy Finnegan ·

Minter's familiarity with ECU should be helpful, and perhaps that's part of the reason that his game as head coach is this one. He knows the program well, and knows that the Pirates' coaching staff is a good one.

“So, so much respect for Mike Houston, their entire staff, and we definitely better be at our best to accomplish what we want to accomplish on Saturday.”

It sounds like Michigan has the right mindset going into this one. Even though they are huge favorites, they are respecting the opponent and preparing for a battle.