Texas football had no problem blasting visiting Colorado State 52-0 in last week’s season opener, but the competition stiffened Saturday against defending national champion Michigan.

Could No. 3 Texas thrive in the first matchup of the college football season between two top-10 teams, especially at Michigan Stadium, where the Wolverines have won 23 consecutive games?

The answer was a resounding yes.

Here are three other pregame questions we had as well as the answers during a dominating 31-12 win by Texas.

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Can Texas handle one of the most hostile environments in college football?

Pregame question: The Big House, the fitting moniker for Michigan Stadium, seats 106, 701 fans, which makes it the largest stadium in the U.S. and the second largest in the world. The crowd has helped propel No. 9 Michigan to 23 consecutive wins at home, and it should give a boost to a rebuilt Wolverine bunch that’s a 7 ½ point underdog despite home-field advantage.

But the No. 3 Longhorns have reasons for their confidence. Texas did just fine at Alabama a year ago with a 34-24 win that proved the decisive factor in reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time, and quarterback Quinn Ewers boasts a 7-1 record as a starter in true road games.

Postgame answer: Uh, yeah. The Longhorns scored on all five of their first-half drives while stifling the Michigan offense, especially in the first half. The big crowd in the Big House never found its voice. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said earlier in the week that he likes to play the villain in road games, and the Longhorns were downright villainous on Saturday.

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Will Texas be able to run power against Michigan?

Pregame question: Sarkisian will certainly try, since it’s always been a part of his offenses. The Longhorns’ interior line did a nice job against Colorado State last week, but Michigan boasts a lot more bulk — and a lot more blue-chip talent — in the middle with 320-pound Mason Graham and 340-pound Kenneth Grant. It’s arguably the most effective defensive tackle duo in the nation; think of Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat from last season, Texas fans, and you may have a comparison.

Texas center Jake Majors, right guard DJ Campbell and left guard Hayden Conner will have to create some slivers of space against the stout Michigan defensive front seven. And Texas will need its set of running backs that includes 200-pound Jaydon Blue, 205-pound Jerrick Gibson and 200-pound Quintrevious Wisner to muscle through those tight spaces.

Postgame answer: Just enough, but yes. The Longhorns began the game with a variety of outside runs and quick passes to open up the defense but gradually seized control between the tackles. The entire Texas offensive line played well, but Majors was especially effective pushing the pile inside and pulling to get to the edge.

Blue and Wisner continue to run hard inside despite their lack of bulk, and Gibson looks like a natural between the tackles with his balance and vision.

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How will the Texas defense try to confuse Michigan’s inexperienced quarterbacks?

Pregame question: Davis Warren, a senior who made his first start for Michigan last week in a 30-10 win over Fresno State, has an inspirational story that should make him a fan favorite for anyone. A former walk-on, Warren has overcome leukemia and earned the starting nod this season after three years of serving on the scout team.

But Warren only attempted 14 passes — all in mop-up duty — entering this season. And dual-threat Alex Orji, who sees lots of snaps, only had 16 career passes prior to this season. That inexperience should get Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski reaching deep into his bag of tricks when it comes to blitz packages and cover schemes.

Postgame answer: Turns out, the Longhorns didn’t need to get cute at all against Warren. Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski mixed up the coverage and sent the occasional blitz, but the Longhorns’ base defense proved plenty enough to handle Michigan.

Texas only had one sack and two tackles for a loss, but Warren could never find a comfort level against a sticky secondary, especially the Longhorns’ deep set of safeties.

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football: Answering 3 key questions vs. Michigan