Nebraska vs. Michigan graphic. (Sports Editor / Sarah Shockey)
The No. 21-ranked University of Michigan Wolverines head to Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday to take on the undefeated University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. Michigan will be without head coach Sherrone Moore, as he is facing a two-game suspension for sign-stealing violations from the 2023 season. Biff Poggi will be the interim head coach for the game on Saturday.
Nebraska comes into this game 3-0 with one respectable win on the year, as they took down the University of Cincinnati to start off the season. Sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola is in his second season as the starting quarterback. He’s also looking for his first true Marquee win as a starter at Nebraska. Last season was disappointing as the team went 7-6.
Raiola likes to spread the ball out on offense as five players have over 100 yards receiving. Dane Key and Jacory Barney Jr. are the two main receivers, both surpassing 180 yards, and Key reeling in three touchdown receptions. Nebraska is ranked fifth in passing yards, averaging 366 per game. But their rushing attack is also great. They’re ranked 59th in rush yards per game, which makes this offense very versatile.
Emmett Johnson is the main back for the Cornhuskers, who averages 108 yards per game and has rushed for four touchdowns on the year. Michigan’s defense is strong and ranks 33rd in the country in yards allowed per game, but it gives up 89 rush yards per game. I think if Johnson can reach his average on the ground, it will make this game very hard for Michigan.
Michigan’s offense is run by freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who has struggled through the first three games. He’s only thrown for two passing touchdowns, but has had help from his very strong rushing attack, headlined by Justice Haynes. Haynes has 388 rushing yards on the season, which is the fifth most in the country. He averages 129 rushing yards per game.
This is Nebraska’s weakness, as they allow 136 rushing yards per game, which ranks 80th in the country. This will be a struggle for Nebraska to stop Haynes on the ground. But if they can do that and make Underwood pass the ball, they will have a better chance to win.
When Underwood does pass, he likes to target Donaven McCulley, who leads the team in receptions with 10 and yards with 158. But he has yet to score.
Semaj Morgan also gets involved, as he has 121 yards and has a touchdown on the year.
Nebraska needs to force Underwood to pass the ball if they want to win on Saturday.
In this game, I’m going to lean toward Nebraska. I think they have put a good team together, and Raiola has been looking strong so far this season. I think if they can stop the run and get the home crowd behind them, it will lift them to the win. If that’s the case, they will start a season 4-0 for the first time since 2016 and will be in the top 25 come next week.
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