Big Ten football is back, and with it comes a notable test for the No. 21 Michigan football team. Saturday, the Wolverines head out west to square off against Nebraska on the Huskers’ home turf to officially open up conference play.
For Michigan, it’s a chance to enter Big Ten competition with a 1-0 start while testing the caliber of the team against a familiar foe. For Nebraska, it’s a chance to break an almost decade-long losing streak against a ranked opponent while establishing itself as a conference powerhouse.
While the Wolverines have claimed the past four matchups, these aren’t the teams of the past. The Huskers enter the weekend riding a 3-0 win streak with momentum in tow — the kind of momentum that only makes a home crowd even louder. Add to that the fact that Michigan is currently operating under interim coach Biff Poggi, and it’s shaping up to be an interesting game.
So grab your binoculars, keep your eyes peeled and I’ll key you in on what to watch for Saturday.
Can Michigan pressure Dylan Raiola?
Is that Patrick Mahomes? Not quite — it’s Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola.
“What they say, like a Pat Mahomes type of guy?” junior defensive back Jyaire Hill said of Raiola Tuesday. “He’s a good quarterback, though: arm strength, fast, good player.”
While Raiola has gained some internet attention for his likeness to Mahomes, that’s the least important thing about him. What is important, however, is his performance thus far: 72 completions on 94 attempts, totaling 829 passing yards and eight passing touchdowns in three games.
If the Wolverines want to control Raiola, they’ll first need to get to him. The Huskers’ offensive line last season wasn’t outstanding, but since then, it’s evolved. Anchored by veteran experience and shored up with transfer portal additions, Nebraska’s O-line poses a non-negligible challenge to Michigan’s defense. The Wolverines won’t be easy to topple. Though Michigan’s pass rush fell flat against No. 11 Oklahoma, its defensive front has looked solid for the most part.
Even if the Wolverines’ defense punctures the Huskers’ offensive line, that still leaves Raiola himself. Raiola’s head is constantly on a swivel, searching for the quickest and most promising avenue to get the ball out. If Michigan hopes to pressure him, it’ll need to successfully mask its coverage to avoid Raiola’s watchful eyes.
Whether the Wolverines can successfully rattle Raiola could decide how the game unfolds. If he gets comfortable, Nebraska’s offense suddenly poses a far greater threat.
Can Michigan penetrate Nebraska’s pass defense?
The Huskers currently have the best pass defense in the country, allowing an average of just 66 passing yards per game. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Nebraska will be able to easily shut down Michigan’s offense. Under offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, the Wolverines have debuted a rejuvenated and dynamic offense in comparison to last season. And with freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood’s ability to place the ball all over the field, Michigan poses a defensive threat to the Huskers.
“We’re going to attack them,” sophomore running back Jordan Marshall said Tuesday. “We’re confident in our players here … If they’re the No. 1 run defense, No. 1 pass defense, doesn’t really matter to us. We’re just going to go in there and do what Michigan does. And I think we got a good view of that last Saturday.”
Last Saturday against Central Michigan, the Wolverines had no trouble cracking through the defense with 235 passing yards. The key will be whether or not Michigan can replicate that success against a non-MAC opponent. Aside from the league change, one reason why the Wolverines might not be as successful as they were last week is that, against the Sooners, two of their starting offensive linemen — graduate Giovanni El-Hadi and junior Brady Norton — exited the game with injuries.
With the O-line acting as Michigan’s main counterattack to the pass defense, a strong presence is crucial. And without the pair of guards, the Wolverines are butting heads with the best in the country with an already weakened front.
What will Underwood do with the green light?
From Week 2 to Week 3, Underwood looked completely different. Why? He got the green light. What Underwood does with it, however, is the million-dollar question.
“He’s got a green light to do whatever he wants because he’s one of the great playmakers, I think, in the country,” Poggi said Monday. “You can coach competitors to slide, and it’s good that they do. This kid’s a football player. If we could hit stop, and everything would stop, we’d run out on the field and get him down. But we can’t. So he’s going to finish those runs.”
Most of Underwood’s transformation has to do with his legs. From -1 rushing yard on three attempts and one sack against Oklahoma to 114 yards — the most on the team — on nine attempts against the Chippewas, Underwood added another dimension to his offensive game. Whether or not he will be adding slides to his game is yet to be determined.
What’s clear, though, is that the playbook is now wide open. While Underwood is still a young quarterback navigating the highs and lows of collegiate ball, Michigan’s offensive performance hinges heavily upon his answer. Whether or not it’s worth a million bucks — if not three — will be answered in due time.
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Saturday, all eyes are on the early-season tone-setter in Lincoln. While the Wolverines enter the matchup as the favorite, Nebraska isn’t far behind. With records on the line and a decades-old streak waiting to be shattered, you’d better make sure you have your binoculars.
