Predictions
WolverinesWire’s Isaiah Hole and Trent Knoop share what they expect to happen in the game along with two general predictions and a final score prediction.
Trent Knoop
My biggest key to this game is how the Michigan defense handles the read-option attack that Nebraska presents.
This is going to be an offense that this Wolverines’ defense has yet to see. Rutgers has a limited style of offense like the Cornhuskers, but it isn’t nearly as powerful. Adrian Martinez will keep the maize and blue on their toes on Saturday. Not only can he throw the ball, but he is pretty electrifying while running the ball.
We will need to see big things from Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo, and Josh Ross defending this read-option. The Wolverines need to contain the edge in order to make Martinez air the ball out, and I think if they can do just that, then Michigan will win the game.
I think that Cade McNamara will pick right up where he left off against Wisconsin, and he will have a pretty good, mistake-free, night against the Nebraska defense.
- Adrian Martinez loses at least one fumble
- Michigan throws for over 200 yards
- Michigan 31, Nebraska 17
Isaiah Hole
Despite their records, I still think that Wisconsin is a better team than Nebraska, but the two teams are an inverse of one another. The Badgers had the misfortune of playing three ranked teams, while Nebraska has played two. It had no business losing to Michigan State after disallowing a first down in the second half to the Spartans. But, the Huskers make mistakes — it’s what they do.
Still, this will be yet another tough environment, on the road, in a place zero Wolverines have played before. It’ll be a challenge and with the maize and blue having never trailed in 2021, I could see them facing real adversity in this one.
For me, this game comes down to two things: the defense against Nebraska’s offense and special teams. I think the Huskers are quite good offensively, but simultaneously, I’m not sure how good. They’ve been pedestrian against defenses with a pulse, but this is still the most high-powered offense that Michigan has faced. The big key is to exploit the offensive line and not overpursue. Tackling is beyond paramount, especially when it comes to Adrian Martinez. On special teams, create long fields, have good returns, hit field goals, cause turnovers. That’s the goal. On offense, Michigan has faced tougher defenses and excelled, so I anticipate that the Wolverines will fare OK on that front.
Still, you never know what will happen in a big road environment. I think Michigan will strike a run-pass balance and that the defense will come up with big stops at crucial times — particularly forcing Martinez into costly mistakes. I’m sticking with the same two predictions as last week, even though I was off on McNamara’s passing yards.
- Michigan forces two-plus turnovers
- Cade McNamara passes for 250 yards
- Michigan 42, Nebraska 24
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