Whereas Nebraska eyes its first victory over a ranked opponent since 2016, No. 21 Michigan seeks its fifth straight win over the Cornhuskers on Saturday in Lincoln within the groups’ Large Ten opener.
The Cornhuskers (3-0) have received their video games by a mixed 123 factors, together with back-to-back 68-0 and 59-7 victories. It was the primary time they scored a minimum of 50 in consecutive video games since 2007.
“This can be a complete different animal,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule mentioned of Michigan.
The Wolverines (2-1) are enjoying their second street recreation, the primary since a loss at then-No. 18 Oklahoma on Sept. 6. That was below head coach Sherrone Moore, who was suspended by the college for the third and fourth video games of this season and the primary recreation of 2026 for his position within the NCAA sign-stealing scandal below earlier head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Affiliate head coach Biff Poggi served as interim coach for final week’s 63-3 win over Central Michigan and can accomplish that for this week’s Large Ten opener. That is Poggi’s third stint with the Wolverines, having been an analyst in 2016 and affiliate head coach in 2021-22 earlier than two seasons as Charlotte’s head coach.
‘”I have been a number of locations, I’ve coached a number of locations … however Michigan, truthfully, it is similar to dwelling,” Poggi mentioned. “I really feel like Dorothy within the Wizard of Oz.”
Nebraska allowed 202 speeding yards within the season-opening win over Cincinnati, virtually half of that coming from the quarterback. It might be in for one more robust go defending the run towards Michigan, which is averaging 6.1 yards per carry and 242.7 speeding yards per recreation.
Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood, the Large Ten’s reigning freshman of the week, ran for 114 yards and two scores along with 235 passing yards and a TD towards Central Michigan.
“That hadn’t actually occurred the primary two video games,” Rhule mentioned of Underwood, who had minus-6 speeding yards within the earlier two video games. “That clearly provides one other factor to it.”
Poggi mentioned Underwood’s mobility was on show not due to a particular change within the recreation plan however attributable to a greater understanding of his talent set.
“You actually begin studying probably the most when the video games are performed,” Poggi mentioned. “Coaches do not win video games, performs do not win video games, gamers win video games. And it’s important to let your gamers play, so we’re letting them play.”
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola has excelled this season, finishing 76.6 p.c of his passes for 829 yards and eight TDs with no interceptions. The Cornhuskers additionally lead the nation in move protection, permitting simply 66 yards per recreation.
The Wolverines have received 53 of their final 57 convention openers, final dropping their first Large Ten recreation in 2019. In the meantime, Nebraska hasn’t received a convention opener since 2019.
–Discipline Stage Media
