Michigan football is the betting favorite against Nebraska ahead of the Big Ten opener for both teams, but it doesn't really feel like that, not if you pay attention to college football prognosticators.
It seems as if most of them are favoring the Huskers this week. It's understandable. Nebraska has looked really good this season, and they get the Wolverines at home.
However, Nebraska does have one glaring weakness, on defense, that could be its undoing against Michigan, at least according to Fox Sports College Football Analyst Joel Klatt via his podcast:
The one "big problem" for Nebraska against Michigan
"The hard part is they lost those defensive tackles and so they are not as stingy against the run this year and that is a problem when you're welcoming in Michigan, who you know is going to try to assert themselves physically in the run game. Right now, Nebraska is 75th in the country stopping the run. That is a big problem in this game.”
It's also a "big problem" because Michigan has the Big Ten's leading rusher, maybe the best blocking fullback in college football (Max Bredeson), and a willingness to run the ball.
Bryce Underwood is going to run more. The offense will be more aggressive. But the best way to take control of this game, and help neutralize the Nebraska offense, is a dominant running game.
While many experts see Nebraska winning this game. Klatt doesn't. He thinks the Huskers run defense will cost them and that the game won't be as close as some believe.
"Who do I like in this game? I think Michigan covers this game. I see something along the lines of 34-21, something like that," Klatt said.