3 keys to signature win for Nebraska football against Michigan

One way or another, we will learn a lot about this Nebraska football team on Saturday against No. 21 Michigan.

Matt Rhule said this offseason, “This is the team I have waited for.” Through three games, Nebraska football has looked the part.

Dylan Raiola has been off the charts. He’s second in the Big Ten in passing yards (829). He’s completing 76.6 percent of his passes to go along with eight touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Nebraska has the top-ranked pass defense in college football. The special teams are even ranked No. 1, according to a recent analysis. The Huskers have been firing on all cylinders — beating their last two opponents by a combined score of 127-7.

Yet, Michigan is also fresh off a 60-point win, as well as a 24-13 loss to Oklahoma in Week 2. Can Huskers send the Wolverines back to Ann Arbor with a 2-2 record? Here are three keys to making it happen.

The 5-star needs to 5-star

Nebraska football will not win this game without a great performance from Dylan Raiola. It’s as simple as that. Michigan’s run defense has been dominant, allowing just 2.6 yards per rush. That includes the rushing yardage John Mateer was able to rack up for the Sooners from the QB spot.

Raiola isn’t really a runner. It’s also hard to see this Nebraska team rushing for over 100 yards in this one. Emmett Johnson probably needs to get all the carries, like he did against Cincinnati.

Yet, it feels like the success of the offense will come down to Raiola, as well as the offensive line. He needs protection, but as long as he gets it, Raiola should be able to throw for close to 300 yards, and if he does that, while avoiding turnovers, the Huskers will get their first ranked win since 2016.

Avoid catastrophic mistakes

The last time Nebraska had a chance to beat Michigan, the Huskers fumbled the ball during a game-winning drive, setting up the Wolverines for a game-winning field goal.

In each of the past two games against Iowa, Nebraska has turned the ball over on the final drive, giving Iowa an easy field goal to win the game.

That’s the kind of thing that can’t happen on Saturday. There can’t be any blocked kicks or fumbles on special teams. If there’s a chance to take the lead with three minutes left on a kick, such as the Illinois game last season, Nebraska needs to make it.

These games often come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. Nebraska has not been that team.

It’s time to change that.

The run defense has to hold up

Nebraska fans should be worried about Bryce Underwood. The kid can make every throw. He also rushed for 114 yards last week. He’s a true dual-threat, and we saw how Nebraska handled that in Week 1.

It wasn’t just Brendan Sorsby, though. Every starting running back Nebraska has faced this season has averaged five yards per rushing attempt.

Even after playing teams like Akron and Houston Christian, the Huskers are allowing 136 rushing yards. Everyone knows Michigan loves to pound the rock.

Justice Haynes is the Big Ten leader in rushing yards (388). Nebraska needs to get after Underwood. The Huskers also have just five sacks in three games.

Yet, in order to get after the quarterback, you have to stop the run. Oklahoma was able to force Underwood into tough third downs all game, and he struggled. He is a freshman after all.

However, if the Huskers allow Michigan to run the ball, not just for big plays, but consistently, then the Wolverines will face manageable third downs, which will make it harder for John Butler to dial up things.

Nebraska probably won’t win this game if Underwood goes off, but it definitely won’t if the Wolverines control the line of scrimmage and run the ball like they did back in 2022.

For More Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and Subscribe to the Husker Big Red YouTube Channel. You can also find our podcast on Apple or Spotify.