Michigan football: 5 Predictions for the Wolverines vs. Nebraska

Michigan’s defense will have to hold off an offense that scores 32.3 points per game; it’s offense will have to continue to expand upon the playbook, too.

The game plan for the No. 9-ranked Wolverines is rather simple, isn’t it? Play well on both sides of the ball and increase the chances of winning.

It’s Football 101.

Traveling to Lincoln to face a 3-3 Nebraska squad, undefeated Michigan seeks to start 6-0 for the first time since 2016. The Wolverines average 40.6 points per game, good for No. 2 in the Big Ten, and give up 13.6 per outing. Will that defensive trend hold true Saturday? It has to in order for UM to regain elite defensive status and move forward as a complete team.

Predicting how games will play out is always fun, right? If you hit, you’re a genius. If you don’t, well, something inexplicable happened to throw off the forecast (but you’re still an expert, your bad calls were just an anomaly).

Test time is here for UM: the second road game for a team that had the luxury of playing its first 4 in Ann Arbor.

Here are some reasonable expectations that will probably play out Saturday. Plus a final score prediction at the bottom.

Cade McNamara throws 20 times

Nebraska allows 199.8 passing yards per game. Given that total, it’d take McNamara roughly 20 attempts to reach that number. Prior to last week, he was known as the least-throwing QB in the Big Ten and second-least throwing QB in the nation. Seeing more than 15 pass attempts would be absurd, many suggested throughout the first 4 weeks.

Well, last week, he went 19-for-27 for 197 yards and 2 TDs vs. Wisconsin — also on the road, like this week — and looked pretty comfortable in the pocket.

If you’re an over-under type of person, going with the over makes sense here. It’s not outrageous to suggest that McNamara will have 20 or more attempts vs. the Huskers.

Michigan’s QBs don’t get sacked … or maybe just once

Through 5 weeks, Michigan QBs have been the least-sacked in the Big Ten. McNamara was sacked in Week 2 vs. Western Michigan and Alex Bowman was taken down during a late showing vs. Wisconsin.

Nebraska has 11 sacks on the year, 9th-most in the league.

It’s been 3 weeks since UM’s starter was nailed in the pocket by an opposing defense. The Badgers got to Bowman during UM’s mop-up time.

McNamara probably won’t get flattened via sack. His reliever(s) … well, once at the most.

Flip that sack talk — UM will get at least 3

Michigan is ferocious, leading the B1G with 20 sacks — and 6 of them came last week vs. Wisconsin. It’s safe to say that DE Aidan Hutchinson and LB David Ojabo will tally at least 1 QB sack each. Nebraska’s QBs have been pummeled a league-high 18 times for 99 yards. Almost an entire football field’s worth of losses via poor protection.

I’m predicting at least 3 sacks for the Wolverines, given recent data: They had 4 vs. Washington and have sacked a QB in every game with the exception of Week 3 vs. Northern Illinois. But their defense was barely on the field during that 63-10 disposal of the Huskies.

Daylen Baldwin will catch a long pass

Baldwin has caught 6 of 8 passes directed his way this season. The two incompletions weren’t his fault. He has 2 TDs, 56- and 69-yarderd — that’s what he does. If he doesn’t score on a longball, he’ll reel in one for at least 30 yards (the threshold of “explosive plays,” per coach Jim Harbaugh).

If things go well for Michigan, it’ll feel the need to make a statement and go deep against Nebraska — and Baldwin is the right guy for the job.

Go ahead and place some props on this one. Easy money.

Corum won’t rush for 100

The fast start of September Heisman candidate Blake Corum has slowed down a bit, but he’ll still be a factor against Nebraska. Corum started off with offerings of 171, 111 and 125 yards during the first 3 weeks; however, he hasn’t broken the 100-yard ceiling since. Michigan has the No. 1-ranked rushing offense in the Big Ten, averaging 246 yards per game — but that number is padded by early spurts by Corum, mostly, and 3 consecutive 300-yard team efforts to open the season.

Michigan barely broke 100 vs. Rutgers (112) and put up the same total last week vs. Wisconsin. The Wolverines will get theirs on the ground Saturday, that’s pretty much inevitable. Hassan Haskins has done a fine job of racking up real estate along with Corum.

Nebraska has allowed 122.2 rushing yards per game, a respectable mark through 5 weeks. As a team, UM might crack 150, but it’ll be a group effort. Maybe Corum leads with 75-80, Haskins gets 40 and Donovan Edwards and the QBs add the rest.

Score prediction

Michigan is rolling but Nebraska feels good after dumping on Northwestern, 56-7. If Nostradamus mode is a must, here goes a best guess: Michigan 24, Nebraska 17.