Staff Predictions: Michigan football at Nebraska

Michigan travels to Lincoln to face Nebraska in the first road game of the season, with 94-degree temperatures and strong winds in the forecast. Normally, we’d bring the heat as well in this column, but given how nice Cornhuskers fans were on our last trip, and how much fun we had, we’re going to keep it in the arsenal for after the fifth or sixth straight win in the series.

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That’s about when Penn State fans, who were also accommodating and pleasant on trips to Happy Valley, started to turn, after all. Losing brings out the worst in fans of proud programs with winning histories, and both PSU and Nebraska have had their rough patches. The Cornhuskers are still experiencing theirs — some legitimately wonder if they’ll ever get it back. You know it’s bad when you’re longing for the Bo Pelini days. 

But now that Scott Frost is no longer around, we shelve the letter his mother, Carol, wrote us years ago when we poked fun at her Scottie in 2005 (yes, it was real — and it was spectacular). It was a staple here for years, but today it would be the low hanging fruit … and even though it was Frost that killed it (see what we did there?), it’s time to retire that tradition and turn the page. 

A friend (Michigan fan) who lived in Omaha for years tried to convince us Nebraska was a better Big Ten fit than we gave them credit. She was absolutely right. It’s a great town with great people (we’re assuming Scottie has moved), knowledgeable football fans who deserve a winner. We hope they return to glory (for real — not Notre Dame style) in the near future and make hay in the expanded conference. 

Congratulations to Clayton Sayfie, last week’s winner. That’s four different champions in four weeks — just waiting on John Borton to put the golf clubs away and step up. This week’s winner gets a green and white “Tuck Comin!” shirt we picked up at the Salvation Army store. Our picks:

CHRIS BALAS: The Nebraska offense is unique, but it still isn’t very good. We’d feel better with Mason Graham out there clogging the middle in the run game, but the Wolverines have more than enough athletes to combat that offense. The offense is still a work in progress but takes a step this week. Michigan 30, Nebraska 13

JOHN BORTON: The Wolverines dodged a corncob by not getting the ‘Huskers at night. They still can’t dig a hole on the road, in front of a revved-up crowd. J.J. McCarthy and the Michigan defense will see to it that they don’t. Michigan 31, Nebraska 17

CLAYTON SAYFIE: This will be a struggle for at least a quarter and a half. This is Michigan’s first road game, and Nebraska has a tough defense. But I don’t trust the ‘Huskers, regardless of who’s at quarterback, to move the ball and score much against what might be an elite U-M defense that’s getting close to fully healthy. It’ll be hot and windy, with a high chance of Michigan players jamming out to ACDC’s Thunderstruck at the end of the third quarter. The Wolverines win a low-scoring game. Michigan 28, Nebraska 3

ANTHONY BROOME: Michigan packs up its show on the road for the first time this year, and I’m confidence they have a defense that will travel. They’ll need to be disciplined and communicative to stop a Nebraska option attack that has looked good in recent weeks. Physically, the Cornhuskers will be up to the challenge. They may not have the horses to stick around, but they are far better coached than they have been.

I expect Michigan to come out and assert itself on the opening drive, much like it did last year at Iowa. Take the Nebraska crowd out of it early. Michigan 28, Nebraska 10

DOUG SKENE: Two seasons ago, Jim Harbaugh’s program finally figured out how to embrace road environments and “park the tanks!” in someone else’s back yard and take over.  Nebraska has a rowdy environment and that may allow them to have some early successes but it should not last long. The Michigan OL needs to assert itself early and show that they are indeed a top unit in America by producing 200+ yards of rushing. The 3rd ranked defense in college football should continue to roll against a Nebraska offense that struggles to protect the ball. Michigan 31, Nebraska 14