Michigan’s Big Ten season starts Saturday with a visit from struggling Nebraska, who is 0-2 and still searching to give new coach Scott Frost his first win. The Cornhuskers will be hungry to change all that.

The Wolverines, of course, are hungry, too. They want to get off to a good start in the conference race, so this is an important starting point for them as well after going 2-1 in the nonconference slate but looking better every week while doing so. There are still issues, of course, but there is plenty of hope as well. Gametime is at Noon ET in the Big House (TV: Fox Sports 1).

Here are five things I want to see from Michigan this weekend at home against Nebraska:

1. A faster start from the Michigan offense

Slow starts have been an issue so far. It led to a 14-0 hole in the loss to Notre Dame — although the defense had something to do with that, too — and even in last week’s blowout win against SMU, there were issues early in converting third downs, both running the ball and throwing it.

This Nebraska team is smarting from two close losses at home and an early barrage of points might strip them of their confidence quickly. The Wolverines need to be aggressive with their play-calling and score on their first two or three possessions to make the Huskers uneasy.

2. The defensive line makes Nebraska’s QBs uncomfortable

Michigan’s defensive line ranks right up there with the best in the country, and Saturday will be a good day to go out and take control of a game. Nebraska freshman quarterback Adrian Martinez is a dual-threat QB, but he has an injured knee and is a game-time decision. He missed last week’s loss to Troy with the injury, but has been back at practice this week.

Martinez’s backup, Andrew Bunch, is a walk-on, and he played like it last week, making some plays but seeming to be overwhelmed at times, too. The Big House environment might be too much for him, especially if the defensive line applies heat early. And if Martinez gets the nod, make sure he knows it’s going to be a long, physical day right from the get-go.

3. Shea Patterson continues to evolve as Michigan’s QB

Quarterback  Shea Patterson has thrown three touchdown passes in each of Michigan’s recent victories, and that’s a good sign that he’s getting more and more comfortable with his weapons in the passing game.

Michigan’s best chance of winning the Big Ten rests on Patterson’s arm, and his growth is important — and critical. Michigan needs to evolve into more of a passing team, especially if the offensive line allows it, and this is a good opportunity for Patterson to go wild since Nebraska’s defense is allowing 230 yards per game in the air, which ranks 79th nationally (out of 129 FBS teams). Patterson needs to post some numbers on Saturday.

4. Running backs healthy enough to make a difference

Patterson might need to do that because we have no idea how healthy running back Karan Higdon and Chris Evans are. There are rumors that they’ve been practicing all week, and that’s a good sign, but Higdon missed all of last week’s game and Evans left with an injury in the fourth quarter.

Depth is a concern at the position, especially if both of them are limited. It’s going to be interesting to see how ready they can be. There’s no way of knowing now, especially considering the way Jim Harbaugh and his program handle injury information. It’s a secret society.

5. Young stars continue to dominate

Last week it was wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones who stepped up, catching three touchdown passes and announcing his presence with authority. The former five-star recruit from Detroit is coming into his own.

Who else steps up this week among the youngsters? Maybe it’s wingman Nico Collins, the sophomore wide receiver who’s made a few big plays already, or some of the freshmen who are coming off the bench to provide nice depth so far. Look for someone else to shine and make an impact on Saturday.