Nebraska comes in with the nation’s No. 6 rushing offense, but will be facing one of the best front sevens they will see all season. Nebraska’s offensive line will be challenged in ways it hasn’t been this season — in the pass rush the Huskers will be seeing the best quick-twitch defensive ends they’ll see, and Michigan’s front has the ability to muck things up for the quarterback run game with its athleticism.
This isn’t a game where Nebraska can wait for Heinrich Haarberg to just break a long run as he did in his previous two starts. —Michael Bruntz
The Husker defense needs to be on fire on third downs
Like the guy who should walk away from the craps table but the necessary numbers just keep coming up, where at some point you just wonder, ‘Maybe he really knows what he’s doing more than most.’ I definitely think Tony White knows what he’s doing regardless of how Saturday goes. He’s poised and with a plan.
His defense should have confidence and eagerness to see where it stands against a team like this. But the test will be not just trying to get takeaways but being clutch on the money down against a team that is converting 55 percent of the time (8th nationally) on those downs. Nebraska needs to win some early downs to make it a fair fight with third-and-tricky situations, and get some hits on J.J. McCarthy early to let him know he’s going to work after completing 80 percent of his passes so far this year.
A receiver needs to get loose for a 50-yarder or more
The most explosive version of an explosive play. Nebraska needs something out of the ordinary besides some useful option stuff and Anthony Grant working hard for yards. It needs one of those plays (ideally early to further fuel belief) where it hits a long ball or Billy Kemp scoots free on the move for a big-time play. One of those plays that really haven’t been in the arsenal yet but still can happen. Maybe this is the Tommi Hill connection game. Doesn’t matter who or how. Just that the Huskers get something beyond having to grind its wheels for 12-play drives against that type of defense.
Because not only has Michigan allowed teams into its red zone only six times in four games, it’s allowed only one touchdown on those visits. –Brian Christopherson
Can Nebraska survive the first quarter?
The thing about these games and Nebraska is the Huskers have, at least prior to this season, a recent history of tough starts. It’s been a Nebraska team where every game has been decided in the second half and, save for Colorado, the Huskers have largely played their best football then. But today Nebraska has to avoid early turnovers or bust plays. Force Michigan to earn everything.
The Wolverines are another team that plays its best football in the second half, but is a dangerous opponent if allowed to build a lead early. There aren’t a lot of weaknesses to expose and Michigan tends to make itself very difficult to comeback against with its defense and running game.
How does Nebraska do with the little things?
Can the Huskers win the field position battle against a team that has similar, if not out right better, strengths? Are the Huskers able to avoid the crippling penalties that seem to pop up when there’s a big moment? Will Nebraska make smart decisions on when to press its luck or be blinded into mistakes? These are all things that have cost the Huskers games in recent years to teams much worse than this Michigan team. If Nebraska is going to have a chance it’ll require taking care of the things it can control and making plays in key situations. Even that might not be enough to win, but there’s almost no chance if the Huskers have to beat the Wolverines and themselves in the process. –Mike Schaefer