It was fun to watch Michigan football roll up over 600 yards of total offense against Central Michigan, as well as 63 points.
The scoreboard was lighting up like a pinball machine. Michigan's quarterback was being compared to "Batman," and there was a lot to feel good about.
Yet, Big Ten play opens this week. Michigan can only afford one or maybe two more losses, if it wants to be a playoff team. This is one of the games it needs to win.
Nebraska is 3-0 and has won its past two games, against Akron and Houston Christian, by a combined score of 127-7. The Huskers also beat Cincinnati 20-17 to open the season.
Michigan has won the past four games against Nebraska, with the last meeting coming in 2023. Matt Rhule has gone on about how the Wolverines "scouted" Nebraska for that game. The final score was 45-7.
However, this could be a defining game for Rhule, who is looking for his first top-25 win as Nebraska's head coach. Both teams need this game for their playoff hopes, as well as the chance to be a contender in the Big Ten.
A lot is at stake for Michigan football and here are the five biggest questions facing the Wolverines this week.
Will Bryce run?
After not running much during the first two games of the season, Underwood ran for 114 yards against Central Michigan, becoming the first Michigan quarterback since Devin Gardner to run for over 100 yards in a game. That was 12 years ago.
It seems silly that Bryce didn't have the green light to run before. But apparently, he didn't. Biff Poggi, the Wolverines interim head coach, said they "took the air out of the ball" against Oklahoma.
He's just the interim head coach, but he promised they would never do that again with Underwood. On Monday, Poggi said that Underwood had the "green light" to run against Nebraska.
The Huskers have struggled to stop the run. Running quarterbacks have also given them issues. Brendan Sorsby ran for 97 yards in Week 1. A lot of that was unplanned, after escaping the pocket. Underwood did that on Saturday, and it could lead to big plays this week, too.
How will the offensive line play?
Outside of Bryce Underwood, the play of the offensive line will be one of the key factors in this game for Michigan football.
Nebraska is allowing four yards per rushing attempt this season. The Huskers allowed 202 yards to Cincinnati, and every starting running back this season has averaged at least five yards per attempt. Even Houston Christian's starter, Xai'shaun Edwards, had 82 yards on 13 carries.
Nebraska is allowing 136 rushing yards per game. They also have five sacks in three games against some less-than-stellar competition. There are good pass rushers, especially Dasan McCullough.
Yet, the offensive line shouldn't struggle the way it did against Oklahoma. The coaching staff needs to put that group in a better spot than it did in Norman, but as long the offensive line isn't asked to block a stacked box all night, it should be able to win the battle up front.
Will it? That's the question, because if Michigan wins that battle, it probably wins the game. Underwood with time to throw or make things happen with his feet could be a nightmare for the Huskers.
Can the pass rush get home?
Michigan's pass rush has been up-and-down this season. The Wolverines have seven sacks through three games. Honestly, they got some decent pressure on John Mateer, but they weren't able to finish.
The Brandyn Hillman play is one that stands out. If he completes the sack on Mateer, who made him miss, then threw a bomb, on a third down, to set up first-and-goal, the outcome could have been different.
Dylan Raiola, the Nebraska quarterback, isn't much of a running threat. He will run a little bit. He's got first down runs in each of the past two games, but his athleticism is more about buying time in the pocket.
Raiola is great against zone coverage. The receivers are good against man -- the key is getting pressure. The front four need to win. Jaishawn Barham and Derrick Moore especially need to play well, or it could be a long night for the defense.
Can Michigan throw on Nebraska?
The schedule for Nebraska hasn't exactly been a murder's row of offenses, however, Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby has averaged over 290 passing yards per game in his last two games. He threw for 67 against Nebraska.
Nebraska is allowing just 66 pssing yards per game through three games. They haven't seen a passing attack like Michigan's or a quarterback like Bryce, in terms of arm talent.
The cornerbacks are good, though. Ceyair Wright is a name followers of Michigan football recruiting will remember. He's the top cornerback, along with Donovan Jones and Idaho transfser Andrew Marshall.
John Butler, the DC has an NFL background. He's not Brent Venabes, but in four games as the Nebraska DC dating back to the bowl game, the Huskers are allowing just 9.75 points per game.
Marlin Klein might end up being the go-to guy. Hogan Hansen is another name to know. It feels like the tight ends will have favorable matchups, but as we have seen with Bryce, receivers don't need to be open for him to fire a completion.
Can Michigan avoid a special teams mistake?
This didn't use to be a question. Yet, it has turned into one this season. Michigan has muffed a punt, fumbled a kickoff return, and missed two field goals so far this season.
The last part might be the most disappointing, since Dominic Zvada only missed one field goal all of last season. The two misses were each inside of 50 yards. One was a chip shot.
Nebraska used to have poor special teams. Mike Ekeler, who came from Tennessee seems to have fixed that. The Huskers haven't missed any field goals this season, haven't had any turnovers, and in one game, had more punt return yards than all of last season.
This feels like a tight game. Special teams will be key and it's fair to wonder if the Wolverines will have the edge in that department.