Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from an imposing win at Nebraska

Sep 30, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches the Wolverines score a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches the Wolverines score a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan football
Sep 30, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Michigan looked like the No. 1 team in the country in all three phases

Besides about one play on Saturday, Michigan football kept Nebraska in the doghouse. Both the offensive and defensive lines controlled the line of scrimmage throughout. It was definitely the offensive line’s most presiding performance of the season. The backs didn’t break a long one, but they were consistent and kept all their quarterbacks clean.

The offense was spearheaded by the big three of J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, and Roman Wilson. They all had their own respective ways of scoring touchdowns on Saturday by using their legs. Jack Tuttle looked like the real deal as the first off the bench for McCarthy. No Alex Orji though, after the fall camp hype of him returning kicks or getting him involved in some capacity.

Defensively, they shut out the Cornhuskers for almost 56 minutes of action. Josaiah Stewart had a couple of sacks. They gave up a few big slant routes that went for chunks, as Heinrich Haarberg passed for the most yards against the defense in five victories. Take away the Josh Fleeks spurt to the house and the rush defense only allows a minuscule 32 yards.