Michigan vs. Nebraska: Keys to victory, HuskerOnline score predictions for Saturday
Michigan will make just its third trip to Lincoln since Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference in 2011.
As things get closer to kickoff today in Lincoln, here are the key for a Husker victory.
NU enters today’s game as a 17.5-point underdog to the Wolverines. Today’s game is set for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff on FOX.
KEYS TO VICTORY: Michigan vs. Nebraska
KEY 1: Ball security
This is an obvious for Nebraska. Ball security has to be like it’s been the last two weeks, where the Huskers have just one lost fumble and no interceptions.
KEY 2: Win on early defensive run downs
Early on in this game, Jim Harbaugh will test the teeth of Nebraska’s defense. How will the Huskers stand up on early run-downs? If The Wolverines get 4 to 6 yards on early inside power runs, it could be a long day in Memorial Stadium.
KEY 3: Make plays in the kicking game
Between punter Brian Buschini and kicker Tristan Alvano, Nebraska will need near-flawless effort in the kicking game. That means punts inside the 10-yard line, no missed field goals and no kicks out of bounds.
KEY 4: Find something in the play-action game
Nebraska is not good enough to beat Michigan with controlled runs and underneath passes. The Huskers need to run it well enough today on early downs where the threat of a play-action pass can be a factor. They need to be able to find a big play or two down the field.
KEY 5: Put early stress on Michigan
The biggest advantage Nebraska has today is they are at home. The Husker needs to make Memorial Stadium a factor in this game. NU must put some early stress on the Wolverines.
EXPERT TAKE
Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Pubisher
If Nebraska holds onto the football, their style of play and physical approach will take this game into the fourth quarter. The Wolverines will have too much firepower. They have a big advantage at the QB and running back positions.
Michigan 27, Nebraska 13
Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist
Oh, this is going to be an interesting game. Nebraska will push Michigan well into the fourth quarter. But Jim Harbaugh’s crew welcomes an opportunity to flex in the fourth quarter. Granted, so does Nebraska. It’s just that Harbaugh has established a winning mentality that permeates his program while Matt Rhule is in the midst of his building project in Lincoln. Advantage, Wolverines.
Michigan 27, Nebraska 17
Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer
There is certainly a path for Nebraska to pull off the upset today, but it’s going to take all three phases clicking do it. That hasn’t happened yet all season, and it’s probably a stretch to think the Huskers suddenly play a complete game against the No. 2 team in the country.
Michigan 31, Nebraska 14
Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha
Last November, Michigan manhandled Nebraska in the snow in Ann Arbor. They literally pushed the Huskers around. After a coaching change, this will be a good test in how far the program has come to compete physically with the two-time defending league champions. The Huskers will prove on Saturday they have made great strides but also show they still have a ways to go.
Michigan 24, Nebraska 10
Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha
This game in Lincoln two years ago should be encouraging to Husker fans who wonder when the Big Red will start beating the B10 elites. I’m not sure the Wolverines have the ground game of ’21 and ‘22 but I’m VERY sure the Blackshirts will have success slowing down the UM running game. Just not enough weapons on offense to win this one, but it will stay interesting a lot longer than the pundits think.
Michigan 28, Nebraska 17
Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up
Nebraska needs to get pressure on JJ McCarthy and rattle him a little bit like they did last year. Hopefully NU can slow down Michigan’s run game, but I’m worried about Donovan Edwards out of the backfield. The other thing that Nebraska needs is to be perfect on special teams and maybe land a trick play or two. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a fourth-quarter game as long as the Huskers protect the football.
Michigan 30, Nebraska 12
HuskerOnline Week 5 Score Predictions
| Week 5 | Sean Callahan | Steven Sipple | Robin Washut | Andy Kendeigh | Jim Rose | Mike’l Severe |
| Michigan at Nebraska | 27-13 Michigan | 27-17 Michigan | 31-14 Michigan | 24-10 Michigan | 28-17 Michigan | 30-12 Michigan |
| Illinois at Purdue | 30-27 Illinois | 31-20 Purdue | 21-18 Illinois | 24-21 Purdue | 17-10 Illinois | 31-17 Illinois |
| Mich. State at Iowa | 17-13 Iowa | 24-21 Iowa | 28-13 Iowa | 20-6 Iowa | 21-3 Iowa | 17-7 Iowa |
| LSU at Mississippi | 38-31 LSU | 37-24 LSU | 34-33 Ole Miss | 37-31 Ole Miss | 38-28 Ole Miss | 31-30 LSU |
| Florida at Kentucky | 31-30 Kentucky | 24-20 Kentucky | 24-21 Florida | 34-28 Florida | 35-31 Kentucky | 24-21 Florida |
| Notre Dame at Duke | 34-27 N. Dame | 31-21 Duke | 27-20 N. Dame | 34-27 N. Dame | 31-24 N. Dame | 30-27 N. Dame |
HuskerOnline Pick Standings
| Picker | Straight Up | Vs. Spread | Cumulative |
| Sean Callahan | 19-5 | 14-10 | 33 |
| Robin Washut | 19-5 | 14-10 | 33 |
| Jim Rose | 17-7 | 16-6 | 33 |
| Andy Kendeigh | 17-7 | 14-10 | 31 |
| Steven Sipple | 16-8 | 14-10 | 30 |
| Mike’l Severe | 18-6 | 12-12 | 30 |
Sean Callahan can be reached at [email protected] and is heard daily at 6:45 am and 5:05 pm on Big Red Radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during the football season. He can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha during the fall, and each week, he appears on Nebraska Public Media’s Big Red Wrap-Up Tuesdays at 7 pm.
