Week 3 brings an in-state showdown at the Big House as Michigan hosts Central Michigan, and history says the Wolverines have the clear edge. Michigan won all four previous meetings with a combined score dominance of 285-33. They are ranked No. 23 and are sitting at 1-1 following a tough loss to Oklahoma. That said, this game is a vital chance to regroup and build momentum before kicking off Big Ten play next week at Nebraska. The Wolverines’ primary showed flashes with Justice Haynes’ 75-yard run and Bryce Underwood’s passing. Oklahoma’s defense, especially up front, pushed them around, so they need to take a big step forward.

Central Michigan, meanwhile, enters the game at 1-1 under first-year head coach Matt Drinkall. They came in fresh off a win over San Jose State in the season opener, but Pitt hammered them 45-17 last week and killed that momentum. The Chippewas’ defense has been more susceptible through the air. It gives Michigan a clear incentive to unleash Underwood’s passing game and help build that QB confidence with a hopefully more consistent offensive line. This game should serve as a statement for the Wolverines. Now, with Sherrone Moore suspended for this game, the Wolverines may lack the sideline motivation from their HC.

The in-state showdown is set for a noon kickoff at the Big House and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network (BTN). The call team for this game features Jeff Levering on play-by-play, paired with Jake Butt as the analyst. Jeff Levering’s broadcasting career started way back in 2005. He kicked off his pro career as a field reporter and associate producer for FOX Sports West/Prime Ticket in Los Angeles. He called games for the Angels, Lakers, and UCLA. Fast forward a few years, and his journey wove through the minor leagues.

That includes stints as the lead voice for the Double-A Springfield Cardinals and the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. He built his craft in front of more passionate fans and tighter-knit baseball communities. However, the real break came in 2015, when Levering joined the Milwaukee Brewers broadcast team. From there, he took on both TV and radio. Along the way, Levering’s picked up some pretty big honors. He was named Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year twice (2020 and 2023) and even scored an Emmy nom in 2022 for his on-camera work. All of it just shows how good he is at firing up an audience and making every play-by-play call pop.

Next up, we have Jake Butt, who, by the way, is a Michigan alum. A native of Pickerington, Ohio, Jake was nothing short of a tight end legend for the Wolverines. As a four-year letterman, he was a first-team All-American and notably won the Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year award twice, in 2015 and 2016. After college, Butt went on to play for the Denver Broncos in the NFL from 2017 to 2020. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his playing days, forcing him to retire in 2021 after battling setbacks. But let’s face it, no amount of those setbacks can take away the love of CFB. By 2022, he made the jump into the booth. He gave fans his on-field perspective as a college football analyst on the Big Ten Network. Then in 2024, Jake leveled up again—this time joining FOX Sports as a sideline reporter for the brand-new UFL, fresh off doing the same gig for the USFL the year before.

Jake Butt loves Bryce Underwood

Ironically, despite moving into broadcasting, Butt’s admiration and praise for his former school, Michigan, hasn’t faded a bit. He still marvels at how Michigan’s offense, especially with the 18-year-old QB, Bryce Underwood, works. “The ball jumps out of his hand with great velocity, but sometimes quarterbacks throw a hard ball, and it’s hard to catch,” Butt said about Underwood.

“He throws with great velocity, but it’s still a very catchable football. He can cover the entire field. There’s not a throw that Chip Lindsey is going to ask of him that he can’t make. But it’s really the mental side.” If you are not a Wolverines fan, don’t be surprised if a little bit of bias comes from the announcer’s box.