If Michigan football wants to make the College Football Playoff this season, it will have to win a big game or two on the road. Saturday, in Lincoln, Nebraska, will be the next opportunity.
I've said all along that if the Wolverines can run the table at home and win one of their three most difficult road games: Oklahoma, Nebraska, or USC, that they would make the playoff, assuming they win the other three road games, which aren't easy.
No Big Ten game is easy. But this Nebraska game offers some unique challenges. The Huskers and their fans are desperate for a win of this magnitude. Nebraska hasn't defeated a top-25 opponent in nine years. They have suffered 25 straight losses.
Michigan, despite winning just eight games last season, had three victories over top-25 opponents just last season. Nebraska has a five-star quarterback in Dylan Raiola, who is second in the Big Ten in passing yards.
The Wolverines have freshman sensation Bryce Underwood. It's going to be a fascinating matchup, and here are three keys to a win for the Wolverines.
Pressure Dylan Raiola
The one thing about this matchup that Michigan football fans should like is that the Wolverines are used to defending elite passing attacks. It's what their defense is built to do.
Nebraska isn't Ohio State. But the Huskers have been dynamic throwing the ball. Raiola has eight touchdown passes and zero interceptions. He's completing 76.6 percent of his throws, and averaging 8.8 yards per pass attempt.
The receivers are good, too. Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter have been an upgrade. Jacory Barney is a rising star in the Big Ten, too. If Raiola has time to throw, it could be a long day for the secondary.
With Jaishawn Barhma playing at EDGE, the pass rush was much improved against Central Michigan. Barham and Derrick Moore need to have a big night. TJ Guy needs to bounce back from a slow start, too, and dudes like Rayshaun Benny need to dominate.
Stopping the run will be important. Michigan will do that. But the Wolverines won't win the game unless they sack Raiola, at least a few times, and apply heavy pressure throughout. The Huskers' offensive tackles are a question mark, and we'll see if Michigan can exploit them.