Michigan vs. Nebraska odds: Early point spread released on Wolverines, Cornhuskers

Michigan will look to add another tally to its win column in Week 5, and the oddsmakers are liking the Wolverines’ chances. On Saturday, the team will take on Nebraska on the road. Experts evidently expect the battle to be lopsided.

According to FanDuel, the Wolverines open as 18.5-point favorites against Nebraska. The over/under for the contest is set at 45.5 points.

While the spread seems massive, it fits. Michigan has defeated every opponent by 20 or more points this season, most recently dominating 31-7. Furthermore, the Wolverines handily defeated Nebraska last season with a 34-3 triumph.

Michigan’s offense is obviously dangerous, boasting standouts such as QB JJ McCarthy and running back Blake Corum. However, the Wolverines’ defense steals the show. The team gives up just 222.3 yards per game, the least in the country.

Michigan’s impenetrable defense translates on the scoreboard. The team’s opponents are averaging just 5.33 points per contest, the least in the nation. Although the odds seems stacked against Nebraska, the Cornhuskers have turned a corner recently.

After beginning the season with back-to-back losses, head coach Matt Rhule and Co. are on a two-game win streak. On Saturday, the Cornhuskers comfortably defeated Lousiana Tech, rattling off 312 rushing yards in the win.

Nebraska’s defense has looked equally solid. The Cornhuskers’ defense is yet to give up more than 60 rushing yards in a game. The battle will be fierce in Lincoln.

Nebraska seeking first win against Michigan in a decade

Michigan owns more than recent history between the two programs. The Wolverines boast a 7-4-1 all-time record over Nebraska’s head. The Cornhuskers haven’t defeated Michigan since 2013, when they downed the Wolverines 17-13.

Nonetheless, the Huskers haven’t been able to repeat history since Jim Harbaugh took over in Ann Arbor. With Harbaugh, Michigan is 3-0 against the Huskers, winning by an average margin of 26.7 points. Nebraska will look to stun No. 2 Michigan this weekend.

Rhule knows Nebraska must be at its best to stand a chance against the Wolverines.

“Things have to improve but we have the ability to do that,” Rhule said after defeating Louisiana Tech. “The key is, I told the guys to go celebrate, have fun tonight, come in tomorrow and we have to be really, really serious about how we improve.

“I’m glad we got the win,” Rhule said. “We kind of did some of the things we believe in (in) terms of taking the football away at the end and running the football. But we just have to hit overdrive as a team.”

The two teams will square off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on FOX.