Nebraska vs. Michigan
Nebraska and Michigan enter this game tied for second in the Big Ten Legends Division. Michigan State is in the driver’s seat, but they still have a tough test at Northwestern on their schedule.
The Cornhuskers enter as the 16th ranked team in the country in their first season as a member of the Big Ten. Michigan is having a resurgent year under first-year head coach Brady Hoke. I expect this to be a great hard fought Big Ten battle on Saturday afternoon.
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Michigan Stadium
Saturday November 19, 12:00 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Michigan (-175) Nebraska (+155)
College Football Spread: Michigan -3.5 (-110) Nebraska +3.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 51
Taylor Martinez is the leader for the Nebraska offense. Martinez averages five yards per carry on the ground, and he has nine rushing touchdowns. Most impressive has been his improved passing over the last three games. Martinez is starting to show some maturity in the pocket, which has helped this offense a great deal. Rex Burkhead isn’t the fastest or strongest running back you’ll find, but he works harder than anyone else. Burkhead averages 5.1 yards per carry, and he has 14 rushing touchdowns. Nebraska must be able to run the ball if they are going to win this game.
The Nebraska defense got off to a very slow start this year, but they have improved a bit of late. The front seven has been hit hard by injuries this year. Most notably, Jared Crick is out for the season with a pectoral injury. The Cornhuskers are allowing 161 rushing yards per game in 2011. The secondary has been much better, and the team ranks 22nd in the nation in pass defense.
Denard Robinson sustained a minor wrist injury last week, but he is listed as probable for this game. Robinson’s numbers actually aren’t quite as good as they were last year. He has 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Robinson continues to struggle with his decision making when throwing the football. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
He is still one of the most electrifying players in football, especially when he takes off to run. Fitzgerald Touissant has helped this offense tremendously in the last few weeks. Touissant is averaging six yards per carry in 2011. His emergence takes some pressure off Robinson. Michigan averages 32.5 points per game this year.
How have the Wolverines started 8-2 this year? The drastic improvement out of the defense is the real story in Ann Arbor. This was the worst defense in the history of Michigan football last year, and now they are one of the better defenses in the country. Mike Martin is a leader on the defensive line and Jordan Kovacs has stepped up as a leader in the secondary. This is an opportunistic defense that has kept the opponent out of the end zone this year. The Wolverines are allowing just 15.5 points per contest.
Both defenses have been playing better of late, but these rushing attacks will be tough to stop. Michigan doesn’t have a good track record of stopping running quarterbacks. Nebraska has been giving up a lot of yards on the ground. I like the over in this one.
Free College Football Pick: Over 51
Score Prediction: Michigan 31 Nebraska 28
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