The 2-1 Michigan Wolverines will be facing the 3-0 Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday afternoon. Nebraska has a reenergized fanbase at the moment and have high expectations for the 2025 season, with the feeling being this could be the best Nebraska team in years. However, the tilt against Michigan will indicate whether they’re the real deal this year or not.
Here’s a look at the Cornhuskers ahead of the tilt versus the Wolverines.
Matt Rhule’s road to Nebraska
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule’s had an interesting career with a winning
percentage slightly over .500 in college. Rhule went 28-23 at Temple, 19-20 at Baylor, and is now 15-13 at Nebraska — which equates to a 52.54 -win percentage. After Rhule’s Baylor went 11-3 in 2019 he headed to the NFL and had poor results with the Carolina Panthers, going 11-27 before being fired five games into the 2022 season. Rhule went 5-7 in his first season with Nebraska in ‘23, 7-5 in ‘24, and is 3-0 to start the ‘25 season.
Offensive rankings
- Passing offense: No. 5
- Rushing offense: No. 60
- Scoring offense: No. 9
- Team passing efficiency: No. 8
- Passing yards per completion: No. 49
- Sacks allowed: No. 26
- 3rd down conversion percentage: No. 8
- Red zone offense: No. 87
- Time of possession: No. 23
- First downs: N0. 9
Defensive rankings
- Passing defense: No. 1
- Rushing defense: No. 75
- Scoring defense: No. 7
- Team passing efficiency defense: No. 2
- Sacks: No. 86
- Passes intercepted: No. 85
- 3rd down conversion percentage defense: No. 6
- Fumbles recovered: No. 3
Solid quarterback play
Dylan Raiola is off to a great start this season. Raiola has thrown for 829 yards with eight touchdowns and zero interceptions with a 76.6 completion percentage. Raiola threw 13 touchdowns last year and 11 interceptions and has looked like a more efficient passer this year.
A dangerous wideout
The 6-foot-3 Kentucky transfer receiver Dane Key leads Nebraska has 13 receptions, 190 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. Key has hauled in a touchdown in all three games this year.
A solid pass defense
Nebraska has the best passing defense in the nation through three games. Granted, two of their three games were against inferior opponents, but they’ve been impressive nonetheless. Nebraska allowed 69 passing yards against Cincinnati, 54 against Akron, and 67 against Houston Christian.
A vulnerable rushing defense
Nebraska’s biggest weakness defensively is against the run, ranking No. 75 in the nation. Nebraska allowed 202 rushing yards to Cincinnati, 113 to Akron, and 93 to Houston Christian.
A kicker who hasn’t missed
Kicker Kyle Cunanan has made all four of his field goal attempts this season and all 19 of his extra point attempts. Cunanan’s long this season was from 52 yards out.
Stats that aren’t on Nebraska’s side
Nebraska has lost 27 games in a row against ranked opponents and have lost the last four games against Michigan. Only one of Nebraska’s losses during the four game losing streak was close (45-7, 34-3, 32-29, 56-10).
Final thoughts
- Nebraska is trending in the right direction, but there’s a strong chance that Michigan humbles them on Saturday. Losing 27 games in a row against ranked opponents is an eye-opening stat and doesn’t bode well for the Cornhuskers.
- Nebraska’s rushing defense has been vulnerable and Michigan’s coming off a 63-3 win over Central Michigan where they had eight rushing touchdowns.
- While QB Dylan Raiola has played well this season, he hasn’t faced a defense anywhere remotely as good as Michigan’s and there’s a good chance he’ll throw his first interception of the season against the Wolverines.
- Where Nebraska could fare well and make Michigan one dimensional is with their passing defense versus Michigan’s passing offense. However, true freshman Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood is coming off a strong game and has momentum heading into this road tilt, albeit against a solid Nebraska secondary.
