Keys to the game, Michigan football vs. Nebraska – Terrorize the QBs

Michigan improved to 9-0 with a second-half beatdown of Rutgers, and now moves on to face Nebraska. On the surface, this is a fun matchup between two storied programs In reality, this is probably nothing more than the latest bump in the road for the Wolverines on the way to a top-3 matchup against Ohio State Nov. 26. 

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As one Nebraska writer told us, this is the biggest point spread (+29.5) the Cornhuskers have faced as an underdog in the history of their storied program. 

Michigan can’t take anything for granted, of course. This is a proud Nebraska program with great tradition, and we’ve seen worse teams given U-M battles this year (at least in first halves). The Wolverines were tied at 10 with Indiana at the break, and trailed Rutgers, 17-14, at halftime. 

A faster start would be ideal this week. If they can rest some of their banged-up starters in the fourth quarter, they’ll have a chance to be healthier by the time they travel to Columbus. And it’s certainly possible.

Here are the keys to a Michigan victory over the Cornhuskers Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor:

Michigan Key No. 1: Terrorize the quarterback, whoever’s back there

It’s starting to appear as though starter Casey Thompson won’t play. Interim head coach Mickey Joseph said this week his starter didn’t practice Tuesday after missing last week’s game at Minnesota with an elbow injury (a 20-13 loss), and Joseph didn’t seem optimistic afterward. 

“Just looking at him today, I probably will rule out Casey if he doesn’t go by [Wednesday],” he said. “I look at these kids as my sons.”

Thompson reportedly has nerve damage that prevents him from gripping the football, similar to Denard Robinson’s injury back in the day — ironically, suffered at Nebraska. 

If he doesn’t go, either Chubba Purdy or Logan Smothers starts at quarterback, and both would probably play. The two completed only 11 passes between them against the Golden Gophers. 

Even if Thompson does go, he’s got to prove he’s a threat. He completed only 7 of 15 passes for 172 yards in his last game, a 26-9 home setback against Illinois, with 1 touchdown and 2 picks. He’s thrown at least 1 interception in six of his eight games and 2 picks in four contests. He’s also been sacked 19 times in those games. 

We expect the Michigan defense to stop the run, though back Anthony Grant is capable.  He ran for 115 yards against Minnesota. If the run stoppers do their job, the pass rushers could/should have a field day, and the guys on the back end will have some opportunities. That should be true no matter who is under center.

Key No. 2: Defend the jump ball passes

If you’re an offensive coordinator watching film and trying to devise a plan of attack against the Michigan defense, it probably starts with taking a few shots. Both starting corners, Gemon Green and DJ Turner, have been beaten over the top by solid receivers in the last few weeks (MSU and Rutgers). Trey Palmer and Marcus Washington have decent size, and that might be the route they go. 

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh issued a challenge to his defensive backs, and they responded in the second half of the Rutgers game. 

“We got hit on some deep balls, and it’s just a matter of just better seeing the ball in the air,” he said. “I mean … throw a deep ball, let’s get our eyes on it and have some fun and pick it off. And coach Clink [Steve Clinkscale] was coaching that.”

This will be big, especially, when the Wolverines travel to Columbus to face Ohio State in a few weeks. Might as well figure it out now.

Key No. 3: Stay the course on offense

Yeah, we want to see the Michigan offense hit some deep balls in the passing game just like everyone else. Many (often) say, “now’s the time to work on that — against a crappy team.” 

But when you’ve got a winning formula, you stick with it until you can’t (like Lloyd Carr breaking tendency and attacking Florida with Chad Henne in the pass game in the 2008 Capital One Bowl). Junior Blake Corum is a one-man game-changer in matchups like these, and the Cornhuskers’ run defense isn’t good. The better teams on the schedule (Oklahoma, Illinois) have run all over them, and Michigan is at another level. 

No, this is a game where you work the backs (including sophomore Donovan Edwards), mix in the play-action passes and — once again — probably win going away in the second half after wearing them down. 

The Breakdown: Michigan vs. Nebraska

When we heard a few years ago that Michigan and Nebraska might be facing off six times in a row as one of the marquee crossover games, we were a bit excited. We assumed Scott Frost would have it humming — we really thought he’d get it done there — and that it would lead to some epic games. 

The ‘Huskers played U-M tough last year in Lincoln, but this is a major rebuild now. And while Michigan goes to Nebraska next year, it’s likely that one could get ugly, too. That’s one of the better road venues in the conference and the Cornhuskers’ fans are great — they deserve better. 

Eventually, they’ll figure it out.

This year, though, the Wolverines are better at every position. If this one isn’t over entering the fourth quarter, it will be a disappointment.