Michigan Football: 3 Reasons Wolverines will beat Nebraska

3. The Defense is Built for Games like this

Michigan currently ranks #16 nationally in total defense.

With the 4-2-5 defense they are running — featuring four defensive linemen, two linebackers, and five defensive backs — they are engineered to stop a team such as Nebraska. Sure Noah Vedral and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights gave them fits on offense, but ultimately the Michigan defense stopped them when it mattered and came out with a victory. That’s exactly what should happen come Saturday.

Adrian Martinez — the Nebraska Cornhusker quarterback — is basically a Noah Vedral 2.0. He will present fits in the run game and with his dual-threat ability. But this reshaped Michigan defense should in theory be able to contain Martinez and his running tendencies.

WIth elite defensive talent on the EDGE with guys like Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo, the EDGE will be set. A healthy Josh Ross will command the defense and make adjustments as needed, while the defensive backfield — led by Daxton Hill — will keep the deep shots in check.

Sure, the Huskers’ will score their fair share of points. But folks, we aren’t asking for a shutout.

What Michigan needs to do is show up and play their traditional “bend but don’t break” defense. That’s what they’ve done so far this season under defensive coordinator Mike McDonald and that’s what you and I both should expect them to do come Saturday.