Staff predictions: Michigan football vs. Nebraska

This is the time of the week we usually take a few shots at the next Michigan opponent (usually friendly — sometimes, when deserved, not).

Frankly, it’s hard to do this week.

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

RELATED: ‘Built to beat OSU’ Michigan offense still missing one thing

For one, it would be kicking an opponent and its fans when they’re down. Nebraska — which a few pundits picked to win the Big Ten West — has had a disastrous season. A once proud program fired the guy who was supposed to be their savior (Scut Farkus Frost) earlier this year, and the ‘Huskers are once again in coaching search mode.

They’re having a tough time recruiting, and the transfer portal dealings haven’t worked out as hoped. 

But that’s where we’ll leave it, for a few reasons. One — of all the road trips in the Big Ten, these fans are the most passionate and friendly. Last year’s trip was an eye opener. They were welcoming before the game, gracious even after a really tough loss, and Lincoln is an underrated college town. 

Yes, we remember the bad blood between the two programs dating back to 1997 and the split national title. We still have Carol Frost’s letter (yes, it was real … and again, it was spectacular) to remind us of it, and how many championships her “Scotty” won. 

In fact, a few of us (well, one) will probably request a copy of it be presented at our eulogy. As a journalist, you’re supposed to present all sides — as long as they’re legit, and not the “he started it so five of us beat him up” arguments in which “lawyers” present embarrassingly bad “news releases” that appear to be written by third-graders type.

And we can’t say enough good things about Sean Callahan and HuskerOnline.com. Consummate pros, class people, and an absolute coup for the On3 network to land them. It’s really the only place to go for Nebraska news if you’re a Huskers fan. 

All that said — you put all that away for four hours Saturday. We expect Michigan to approach the spread, if not cover, against a team that’s simply not very good. They’ll likely lean on running back Anthony Grant — should, anyway — and try to shorten the game. But this one will probably be over by the fourth quarter. 

Congratulations to last week’s winners. We’re going to give both Doug Skene and Anthony Broome the nod here (Skene’s second half-title in a row). This week’s winner receives our Blue Monster’s book of poems (good luck, John M.!) and a three-layer devil’s food cake.

The picks: 

CHRIS BALAS: Before the season, we looked at this as one of the marquee games on a soft schedule. Now it’s just another soft game on a soft schedule. 

But … 9-0, and no complaints (other than the non-conference slate). You play who’s on the schedule. Michigan 38, Nebraska 10

JOHN BORTON: Nebraska football coach Mickey Joseph: “They’re tough. You can watch it on film. They’re a tough football team.”

Former Nebraska football coach Scott Frost: We were tougher. We threw up more.

Scott Frost’s Olympian Mother: I’m tougher than all of you combined. Go sinkhole!

Only one team sinks on Saturday, and it will be the frostless mini cleats. Michigan 41, Nebraska 13

CLAYTON SAYFIE: “Our time is now,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said this week, and the Wolverines understand the task at hand while still having Ohio State on their minds. Only two games separate them from their archrival. 

Nebraska held tough against Minnesota last week, getting out to a 10-0 lead before blowing it, but the Cornhuskers are overmatched in every area.

Quarterback is a major question mark with Casey Thompson out with injury, and the ‘Huskers won’t be able to keep up with the Maize and Blue. Michigan 49, Nebraska 14

ANTHONY BROOME: Two home games left, then the big one on Nov. 26. These next few weeks should be all about ironing out the things that could hold Michigan back from winning that game in Columbus. At this point, many of those things are nitpicks, but the deep ball has been an emphasis in prep this week and Michigan knows it needs to start hitting those to round into its full potential on offense.

The wideouts are culpable, too. We started to see some of the younger guys get looks in last week’s game at Rutgers. The gut feeling is that one of them has a star-making turn in this game, adding a new weapon to the arsenal down the stretch. Michigan 38, Nebraska 14

DOUG SKENE: The first half at Rutgers should serve as a reminder to this Michigan team that there is no easy football.  The game requires every guy to play their best at all times with their best intensity. This Nebraska team is much like Rutgers with nothing to lose and a chance to ruin Michigan’s season.  

I’ll keep looking for red zone run improvements and quick pass options because I see that as the greatest area for improvement. The Michigan defense should continue to roll, as well. Michigan 38, Nebraska 10