Each week, the Two-Minute Drill provides an in-depth breakdown on all the key matchups that will decide a winner in the Huskers’ game.
Here’s what Michigan and Nebraska bring to the showdown.
* * *
When Nebraska runs the ball
Michigan’s defense, stingy against the run for years, may be down a NFL Draft pick or two on the defensive line, but the Wolverines still figure to make the sledding tougher for Husker running back Emmett Johnson than any other previous defense has.
NU has established a decent run diet through three games — inside zone, outside zone, some pull-and-pin plays, the occasional slot sweep — and that probably won’t expand too much.
The Huskers will run to keep the Wolverines honest, but Johnson, set to get the lion’s share of carries, will probably not reach 100 yards.
EDGE: MICHIGAN
When Nebraska throws the ball
The Huskers have to win against Michigan’s secondary and pass rush. That’s kind of a non-negotiable on Saturday unless Nebraska’s run game is more dominant than expected, and it’s kind of why NU worked so hard to get a quarterback like Dylan Raiola.
His performance may not be enough to win NU the game — after all, the defense has to do its part — but he can’t lose it with bad sacks and a couple interceptions.
Receivers Dane Key, Nyziah Hunter and Jacory Barney give him quality options, and Nebraska’s offensive line has allowed just three sacks this season.
Michigan edge rusher Jaishawn Barham is an explosive pass rusher, and UM defensive coordinator Wink Martindale knows how to bring and disguise a good blitz.
This is a 400-level test for Raiola. Will he pass?
EDGE: NEBRASKA
When Michigan runs the ball
Michigan is using fewer two, three and four-tight end sets and a little more receiver motion, but this is still a run offense that knows how to poke holes in an opposing defense.
UM has three runs of 50 yards or more so far, and Alabama transfer back Justice Haynes has 388 yards and five scores already in 2025.
Haynes is a home run hitter, so Nebraska has to tackle surely, swarm to the ball and not get blown out of gaps.
To the extent Bryce Underwood is a factor in the designed run game, NU can’t get fooled by his ball handling or the many motions and fakes Michigan will use to get the Huskers off kilter.
EDGE: MICHIGAN
When Michigan throws the ball
Underwood, a true freshman who just turned 18, throws a fastball like few others in college football. He can rip the seam, as Tom Brady might say, and throws short balls with equal pace. He’ll trust his arm in spots where other QBs might not.
But he has a tough task with Nebraska’s pass defense, for the Huskers are a sticky bunch with zone match system that compresses windows and takes away deep routes. NU sticks with a four-man pass rush more often than you’d think, too, to allow for this coverage to smother receiving options.
The Huskers have to keep Underwood in the pocket and pay close attention to receivers Semaj Morgan and Donaven McCulley and tight end Martin Klein — NU has taken away all tight ends so far. If Underwood gets out and is running, and Nebraska’s DBs have their backs turned to the play, watch out.
EDGE: NEBRASKA
Special teams
Here’s a hunch: Michigan will force a stop of Nebraska’s offense that requires Archie Wilson to punt for the first time since late August.
The rest of the matchup seems a little up in the air.
UM had issues returning punts in the season opener, while the Huskers kickoff coverage unit has left quite a bit to be desired so far.
Both teams have coordinators, Mike Ekeler and J.B. Brown, respectively, with the seasoned Ekeler having the experience advantage.
EDGE: NEBRASKA
Intangibles
Michigan is playing for its coach, Sherrone Moore, who has been suspended for his noncooperation in the NCAA’s Connor Stalions spying investigation. That can be a powerful motivator, and it served UM well in 2023 during Jim Harbaugh’s suspension.
Such a thing also has its limits two years into the scandal.
Nebraska has some payback to deliver to the Wolverines, who in 2023 rolled into Lincoln and won 45-7. NU didn’t play well that day and perhaps quietly wondered what, if any, role the Stalions spygate stuff played in scouting Husker players.
Some of that invariably gets tossed out the window at kickoff. Nebraska will have the home field advantage and a very fired up crowd.
EDGE: NEBRASKA
Key matchup
The chess match between quarterbacks and defensive coordinators
This is a matchup that Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola is more equipped to win and, given NU’s work-in-progress run game, needs to win. He’ll get looks before the snap that turn out to be bluffs, he’ll get blitzes, he’ll get funky coverage pictures and Raiola’s offseason work points to being able to manage the moment.
We’re not as sure with Underwood, who, after all, just got to college. He was up and down in UM’s 24-13 loss to Oklahoma, and NU’s defense presents some of the same challenges. Maybe he’s arrived, maybe he’s a month away. We’ll see.
EDGE: NEBRASKA
Overall
Another ranked team rolls into town and, this time, Nebraska seems equipped to slay the ranked dragon.
NU has the quarterback, the coordinators and just the right level of motivation to stake an early lead and, if needed, win with the two-minute drill kind of drive.
We think the Huskers will.
PREDICTION: NEBRASKA 24, MICHIGAN 20
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Sam McKewon
Sports Editor
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