What they're saying before Michigan football squares off with Nebraska

Michigan Wolverines football will square off with Nebraska Saturday afternoon in Lincoln. Here’s a look around the internet at what they’re saying before kickoff.

Bob Wojnowski, The Detroit News: Wojo’s Pigskin Picks: Wolverines, Spartans take their superhero auditions on the road

It appears Michigan has bright new offensive weapons in [freshman quarterback] Bryce Underwood and [junior running back] Justice Haynes, as well as the deepest collection of interim coaches in the country. With Sherrone Moore serving his suspension for hitting the “delete” button on his phone too many times, nothing really changes. It’s Next Biff Up.

Previously under Jim Harbaugh in 2023, it was Next Jesse Up (Minter), then Next Jay Up (Harbaugh), Next Mike Up (Hart) and Next Sherrone Up (Moore). Now it’s Biff “Just Biff” Poggi, who could go 2-0 by beating the ‘Shuckers and give UM an 8-0 record with acting head coaches. That’s a winning percentage of approximately 100, which places the Interims just ahead of Harbaugh and Bo in program history.

As much as our state’s beloved rivals yearn to insult each other, UM and MSU aren’t much different, other than all the obvious ways (smarm, smarts, politics, parties, pomposity). Like Poggi, you could argue [MSU head coach Jonathan] Smith is an interim, based on the impatience of some MSU supporters furious he’s started his first two seasons with hideous 3-0 records.

When the Spartans are in Los Angeles this weekend, Smith might even wander across town to explore the new coaching vacancy at UCLA, according to “what some people are saying.” Just like UM, the Spartans have a pricey quarterback in [quarterback] Aidan Chiles, who can be dynamic but is still auditioning for his superhero tights.

Poggi is Wilford Brimley without the bushy mustache — if Brimley had been a football coach instead of a “diabeetus” spokesman. Poggi is amusingly blunt, and in the postgame interview after Underwood carved up Central Michigan, he said, and I’m quoting accurately, “He might actually be Batman. We need to do a DNA test on him.” Personally, I won’t believe it until Underwood buys a Batmobile with his NIL money.

Sean Callahan, Husker Online: The 3-2-1: Crawford Tunnel Walk buzz, Emmett Johnson’s role, and Michigan emotions

Where does this game with Michigan rank in significance over the last 10 seasons?
Of all the game over the last 10 years, where does this one against Michigan stack up? At the top of that list, still for me was 2016. at Wisconsin.

At the time, Nebraska was ranked No. 7 and had a 7-0 record against No. 11 Wisconsin. The game took place on Oct. 29. It was one of the few times NU has been ranked inside the top 10 since joining the Big Ten, especially that deep into the season. The Huskers lost 23-17 in overtime.

Other than that, I think the 2021 Michigan game and both the 2019 and 2024 games against Colorado would also be up there. The 2021 Michigan game felt like things were about to turn the corner, until the Huskers fumbled late in the game and allowed the Wolverines a chance to kick a game-winning field goal.

This game in 2025 is arguably the most important game to date of the Matt Rhule era. A win over Michigan would really validate that this team is ready to take a step forward and not be the one that has developed a reputation over the last few years of falling in these types of situations.

Cody Nagel, CBS Sports: Michigan’s Bryce Underwood vs. Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola is the Big Ten’s most star-studded QB duel this decade

While their on-field capabilities differ slightly, there are plenty of similarities between [Nebraska sophomore quarterback Dylan] Raiola and Underwood. Both arrived at their respective programs as high-profile, five-star quarterbacks tasked with addressing quarterback issues. Each flipped late in their recruiting cycle — Raiola from Georgia to Nebraska, Underwood from LSU to Michigan — and both currently stand as their school’s second-highest-rated signee in the modern recruiting era, immediately stepping into a leadership role with the weight of expectation on their shoulders.

Both quarterbacks have shown flashes of why they were so highly rated coming out of high school. Although Raiola had some ups and downs as a true freshman at Nebraska in 2024, his efficiency and production through three games — albeit mostly against lesser opponents — are impressive, completing 76.6% of his passes at 8.8 yards per attempt with eight touchdowns and no turnovers. His EPA per dropback (0.52) ranks eighth nationally among qualified quarterbacks in 2025.

Austin Meek, The Athletic: Michigan-Nebraska preview: Will it come down to 5-star QBs Bryce Underwood and Dylan Raiola?

I figured Moore’s suspension would go one of two ways. Either it would galvanize the team, or it would disrupt Michigan’s chemistry and confidence. It certainly appeared to do the former against Central Michigan. Poggi called that 63-3 victory a “love letter” to Moore and a testament to the bond between the players and their head coach.

“Football does not attract, typically, a bunch of nature’s noblemen,” Poggi said. “Football is a game where most adults are looking to get to the next level, the next job, the next paycheck. They say that they love and care about their players, and I’m sure they do. But this guy, I’ve never seen anything like it. When he’s out, it is an enormous void in the building because of the heart-to-heart, human relationship factor.”

Moore was allowed to coach in practice leading up to the Central Michigan game but was barred from having any contact with players or staff this week. He left a detailed plan for what he wants to see this week, but ultimately it will be up to Poggi and Michigan’s assistant coaches to carry out that plan.

Moore’s absence wasn’t a big deal when Michigan was rolling against Central Michigan. The Wolverines faced little resistance in that game, but they can’t expect it to be that easy against Nebraska. I do wonder what will happen the first time Nebraska makes a big play, forces a turnover or gets Underwood out of rhythm. When that happened against Oklahoma, Michigan wasn’t able to get Underwood back on track. If that script repeats against Nebraska, it could mean a rough day for Michigan and a breakthrough win for Raiola and Rhule.

Ari Wasserman, On3: College Football Week 4 Picks: Ari Wasserman’s bets for the biggest games

Nebraska fans will be the first to tell you quarterback Dylan Raiola isn’t getting enough credit nationally. He’s off to a great start, sure, but the Cornhuskers haven’t played a really tough opponent yet. This is the weekend. This is the opportunity for Nebraska to win a tough game and for Raiola to prove to the country he is that dude. I think Nebraska has a chance to make the College Football Playoff this year. I’m not as high on Michigan. This is a good spot to hit the Cornhuskers.
The Pick: Nebraska moneyline.

Andy Staples, On3: College Football Week 4 picks: Picking the biggest games against the spread

When Jim Harbaugh was suspended for six of the Wolverines’ games in 2023, he was allowed to coach practice. Current Michigan coach Sherrone Moore’s suspension, which started the day of the Central Michigan game last week, runs the entirety of this week. So interim coach Biff Poggi is handling everything Moore would do. We’ve never seen this for a big game between power conference teams, so it’s impossible to predict how it will affect Michigan (or not). For Nebraska, winning a game like this is the next step in what coach Matt Rhule is trying to build. The Cornhuskers have become proficient in winning the games they’re supposed to win. (A huge improvement over the Scott Frost/Mike Riley eras.) Now it’s time to show they can win the toss-ups.
The pick: Nebraska to cover.