Michigan football will take on Nebraska Saturday in its first road game of the season and here are five predictions for the Wolverines.
For the first time this season, Michigan football won’t be playing at the Big House and the Wolverines’ first road trip will be to Nebraska.
Two years ago, Nebraska played Michigan football tough. The game was tied and Nebraska had the ball before an Adrian Martinez fumble led to a Wolverines field goal with just a couple of minutes left.
That was another fun win to think back on in 2021, as we were still finding out just how good that Michigan football team was.
You could say the same about the Wolverines in 2023. We are still finding out about this team and it has just started to scratch the surface.
Michigan football is a 17.5-point favorite for a reason. There aren’t many positions — if any –where Nebraska has a clear advantage, outside of maybe punter.
The Wolverines are rounding into form after outscoring Rutgers 31-0 to close out the game last week and here are five predictions for Michigan football vs. Nebraska.
A fast start
Michigan played at Iowa for its first road game of the 2022 season and this matchup gives me similar vibes. Nebraska has a good defense. The Huskers actually have the top run defense in terms of yards allowed per game in the Big Ten.
Nebraska is also tied for 11th in sacks and is 36th in scoring defense (18.3 allowed). Nebraska hasn’t been great at taking the ball away. They also gave up 36 points and nearly 400 yards passing to Shedeur Sanders.
Michigan probably won’t pass the ball that much. The Wolverines are content to play power football, win by a few touchdowns, and have 7-8 possessions.
However, unlike last week, J.J. McCarthy and Michigan will open the game by seizing momentum with a touchdown on the road. At some point in the first quarter, I see the Wolverines grabbing a 10-0 lead.
Nobody hits 100
Some Michigan football fans have been worrying about Donovan Edwards’ production but it wasn’t that different from last season.
I’m not concerned. He looked better last week and the Wolverines will continue to find ways to get him involved especially in the passing game.
Nebraska is really good against the run and allows just 1.8 yards per carry. That doesn’t mean that Michigan won’t be able to run the ball. It’s just not going to be easy. J.J. McCarthy will need to get involved like he did last week.
Corum will have a solid game. I’m. guessing he gets 80-90 yards and a touchdown or two. But I don’t think anyone reaches 100 yards and the explosive runs will be hard to come by.
Michigan’s defense holds Nebraska under 100 yards rushing
Michigan’s defense has allowed just 23 points this season and the first-team defense has allowed just one touchdown, which was scored last week by Rutgers.
Michigan is particularly stout against the run and hasn’t allowed an opponent to rush for more than 100 yards in any game this season.
Yet, In addition to having the best run defense in the Big Ten, Nebraska has the best ground game, in terms of yards per game. Heinrich Haarberg, who started the past two games with Jeff Sims banged up has had a pair of explosive touchdown runs and is averaging more than 100 yards per game on the ground.
At running back, Anthony Grant, last season’s starter, is the No. 1 guy now based on injuries to Gabe Ervin and Rahmir Johnson.
Nebraska’s offensive line is improved, but Michigan’s defense is a different animal. The defensive line and linebackers will own the line of scrimmage and Nebraska will be held under 100 yards rushing.
A quick game
Both teams like to run the football and I think we’re going to see a game that goes by pretty quickly. If I was Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule I would want to shorten the game and keep the clock moving as quickly as possible.
What helps in that effort is that Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines are usually pretty content to pound the rock. That’s probably going to lead to 7-8 possessions for Michigan football.
That means the Wolverines have to take advantage of their opportunities. I would expect both teams to run the ball more than they pass it. I also wouldn’t be stunned if there were barely more than 100 plays.
It might not be the most exciting football, but it’s how the Wolverines operate and if Nebraska was smart, it would lean into it.
If Michigan only gets 7-8 possessions and Nebraska can hold U-M to a few field goals and a punt or two, the Huskers will have a chance to make it competitive in the fourth quarter.
The Wolverines are the more talented team, but if the Huskers play things out the right way, they could greatly increase their chances of an upset.
McCarthy throws two touchdowns
Corum should find the end zone in this game, yet Nebraska doesn’t make things easy on the offense. Their front is big and physical too. The tackling has also improved immensely.
Michigan isn’t going to be able to just ram the ball into the end zone near the goal line. It might work, but it would be nice to see some creativity.
At some point, I see McCarthy throwing a touchdown pass of 20 yards or more. He will also have a red-zone touchdown, which could easily be a touchdown run. I feel like Colston Loveland will catch a touchdown along with Donovan Edwards (just a feeling).
Michigan football vs. Nebraska prediction
This Michigan team is one that I believe will rise to the challenge of playing on the road and put together its best game of the season.
Nebraska’s defense will do a good job of containing the run. But the Wolverines will still be able to establish their identity on the ground. McCarty will do the rest, along with the defense.
Heinrich Haarberg threw the ball pretty well against Northern Illinois and Louisiana Tech. Michigan is on an entirely different level and the Wolverines win 28-10.