Big Ten play is officially here, as the No. 21 Michigan Wolverines are in Lincoln to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. This is a battle between two five-star quarterbacks in Bryce Underwood and Dylan Raiola, and a battle of the co-national champions in 1997. For Michigan to ensure it has a spot in the College Football Playoff, this game feels like a must-win.
Here are three things Michigan needs to do to make that a reality.
Put your money where your mouth is — don’t hold back Bryce Underwood
Michigan fans got what they wanted last week, as the training wheels were
taken off Bryce Underwood and he dominated with 349 total yards and three touchdowns in a 63-3 beatdown of Central Michigan. After that win, interim coach Biff Poggi said that fans should expect more of what they saw last Saturday.
“There will be nothing held back in the playbook in Nebraska,” Poggi said. “No disrespect to anybody, but coaches don’t win games, players do…my advice to (Bryce) was what I told him after he threw the interception against Central Michigan — I love that. I’m fine. Push the ball. Play hard, be creative. Be you. And if he does that, we’re going to be okay.”
As my colleague and friend Jared Stormer pointed out on Out of the Blue this week, we could see a bit less of Underwood running the football just to throw off Nebraska. But the growth we’ve already seen from the 18-year-old quarterback is hard to ignore, and unleashing him appears to be Michigan’s best chance to win.
So now I’m asking Poggi to put his money where his mouth is — don’t go back to limiting Underwood like he was in the first two weeks. Let Underwood win the duel with Kirkland-brand Patrick Mahomes.
Exploit a mediocre run defense
The Cornhuskers have looked impressive through three weeks, although they haven’t exactly played a murderer’s row of opponents (Cincinnati, Akron, Houston Christian). As Trevor Woods laid out, through a three-game sample, Nebraska is ranked in the Top-10 nationwide in several key statistics. But one thing the Cornhuskers have struggled with is stopping the run.
Nebraska has allowed 408 rushing yards — including 202 yards to Cincinnati — through three games, a mark that ranks 75th of 134 teams. So despite a 3-0 start, this run defense has been slightly below average. Meanwhile, Michigan’s running game has been solid and has the fifth-leading rusher in the country so far in Justice Haynes. The ground game should be leaned on heavily in this one.
Force Dylan Raiola to turn the ball over
After growing through some typical freshman growing pains, Dylan Raiola has been money this season. He has thrown eight touchdowns and zero interceptions and has looked like he’s ready to make a leap.
Michigan has done a decent job pressuring opposing quarterbacks this season, and that’s exactly what is needed in this game. The Wolverines found success playing Jaishawn Barham at edge, and if he can terrorize the Nebraska backfield, it could force Raiola into some of his old turnover habits.
What else does Michigan need to do to win in its Big Ten season debut? Let us know in the comments.
