Michigan Football: Michigan at Nebraska — GBMWolverine Staff Predictions

Posted at 8:00am — 10/27/2012

Michigan Football: Michigan at Nebraska — GBMWolverine Staff Predictions

Michigan leads the all-time series vs. Nebraska 4-2-1.
With last week’s win vs. Michigan State, U-M became the first program in NCAA history to reach 900 wins.
Last week, Michigan won a game with outscoring a TD for the first time since posting a 5-0 win against Purdue on Nov. 11, 1995.

TV Coverage (8:00pm Eastern Time) ESPN2
Play-by-Play – Mark Jones, Color Analyst – Brock Huard, Sideline Reports – Jessica Mendoza.

The GBMWolverine staff have made their predictions, how about you? Come to the message board and make your prediction and also comment on the thread.

October 20, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines fans wave pompoms in the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 12-10. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRECoachBT:

All the intangibles favor the Huskers, Michigan has better overall team and prevail.

Michigan 24
Nebraska 14

Doc4Blu:

Certainly this game could go either way and no result would be an upset. Turnovers, or lack of, may be the difference maker. Another potential difference maker is which team lands the most big plays. And this in part comes down to which quarterback executes against the opposing defense to create those big plays.

The game has great entertainment potential, but who knows what happens.

All three groups need to play well for UM to win. Beware Nebraska plays well in the second half – only exception was Ohio State.

Michigan 20
Nebraska 27

Oct 20, 2012; Evanston, IL, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Taylor Martinez (3) is pressured by Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Drew Smith (55) during the second half at Ryan Field. Nebraska won 29-28. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIREErocWolverine

Some quick facts on 3rd down success this season. Michigan has converted 47 of 95 third downs (49.5%), good for first in the Big Ten and 18th in the nation. The school record is 49.6% in 1986. Fourteen of quarterback Denard Robinson’s 19 third-down rush attempts have resulted in first downs. U-M’s defense has held opponents to 35 of 99 third-down conversions (35.4%), 5th in the Big Ten. U-M has held Big Ten opponents to 10 of 42 (23.8%) third-down conversions.

Those stats and turnovers will likely determine the game tonight. Playing at Nebraska, at night, in front of a national TV audience should make for an interesting game. I am sure Nebraska still remembers the butt whipping from last year in Ann Arbor, along with the one at Ohio Stadium earlier this season and I am sure they don’t want to see that happen from the “Big 2” again this season or their fans will likely want to see some changes in the off-season with their defense.

This game could turn into a monumental rivalry, one with very large implications. It might just decide the Legends Division race more often than not. Two giants of college football (first meeting in NCAA history of two programs over 850 wins) competing on the big stage for an even bigger prize at the end of the season.

Think the game will most likely be a lower scoring game, not like last week against Michigan State, but similar. As this season and last season has shown us whenever Denard Robinson has a good day, usually Michigan has a good day. Let’s hope for another good one tonight on the road.

Michigan 23
Nebraska 17

MaizeMan:

No prediction sent in this week.

Mike Fitzpatrick (TheMichiganManPodcast)

No prediction sent in this week.

SKWDCOP:

No prediction sent in this week.

WerlsWolverine

No prediction sent in this week.

October 20, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Denard Robinson (16) scrambles for extra yardage during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 12-10. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-US PRESSWIREYostMeister

I have watched several Husker games this season and frankly, I am not impressed. The Bucks hung 63 points on them in Columbus. UCLA outscored them in L.A. N’western should have hung on last week to hand them another road loss. At home, the Huskers survived Wisconsin with a banged up Badger offense and previously had blown through the rest of their weak non-conference schedule. The bottom line is, this team is quite beatable, although gaining a home crowd, night game atmosphere will help them.

This game will decide, IMO, the inside track to the conference championship game. The Huskers still have to travel to Iowa and MSU, where Michigan has to face Minnesota and OSU on the road. I’d wager that MSU can upset Nebraska, where the Wolverines will be in for a tough game at OSU. In between, both teams *should* take care of business with Michigan playing N’western and Iowa and the Huskers hosting Penn State in an intriguing game and Minnesota.

Michigan’s defense continues to improve and will need to adjust their strategy from last season where they dismantled the Huskers based on an aggressive, blitzing scheme and held little regard for Martinez’s passing prowess. He is much improved this season, completing a great deal more of his attempts. Nebraska will lean on his multiple option abilities to lead the charge. Burkhead may not be at full strength, but it doesn’t diminish their running threat. This will probably be the best offense Michigan’s defense will have played to this point, sans Alabama, so it will be interesting just how much Mattison’s Monsters have grown. Turnovers have been a problem for the Huskers both on offense and special teams-it could be an important element. If that recipe is served up, and Michigan can find a way to spring Robinson, it will be a long night for the Huskers. Michigan’s offense will have to click, and not facing a defense like MSU’s will help. Denard will have to again, take care of the ball and use good judgement. The running game should re-emerge, but it will be the avoidance of long third down situations and obvious passing downs that will help. I expect a shoot-out and, without hesitation, a Michigan victory.

Michigan sneaks out of Lincoln stealing a last minute victory.

Michigan 38
Nebraska 34

Just a reminder you must be a member to participate on the Message Board. Here is the link for the registration page for those people interested in becoming a GBMWolverine member of our message board. GBMWolverine Register.

Please comment on our GBMWolverine Message Board about this article and read what others comment.

You can contact us at our e-mail address: GBMWolverine

Follow us on Twitter:
@ErocWolverine
@GBMWolverine
@Mike Fitzpatrick
@YostMeister

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

Go Blue — Wear Maize!