Sometimes football can become very simple and very basic. Oftentimes, it simply comes down to being more physical than the man across the line from you.

That was the plan last Saturday against Nebraska. After a week of practice and preparation, Michigan coaches and players alike knew they could simply line up against the Cornhuskers and smash them in the mouth. They were so confident, in fact, that they felt like they could run the same power play over and over and Nebraska couldn’t stop them.

And it’s exactly what happened.

The first time Michigan’s Karan Higdon ran the ball, he broke free for 46 yards. Michigan scored a few plays later. On Michigan’s second possession, Higdon ran the same play and broke free for 44 yards and a touchdown. Just like that, in less than four minutes on the clock, Higdon had two long runs, breakout plays that completely took the life out of Nebraska’s overmatched defense.

When it was all said and done, Michigan had an easy 56-10 victory. Higdon, who had missed the previous week against SMU because of an ankle injury, was back and better than ever. He finished with 136 yards on just 12 carries and his work day was over by halftime.

Higdon ranks 10th nationally in rushing yards per game (121.3), and that’s saying something since he hasn’t even had a carry in the second half of two blowouts. He’s been that good.

And he’s been good while Michigan’s running game has been something of a work in progress so far this season. Higdon has missed a game in an injury and Chris Evans, his talented backup, couldn’t go against Nebraska because of a leg injury.

Evans might be back this Saturday against Northwestern (4:30 p.m. ET; TV: FOX), but it’s still a day-to-day situation, according to Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

“You don’t want anything that’s going to linger a long time with Chris,” he said. “He’s such a valuable player and a good player. He always answers the bell. And it’s time for the doctors and trainers to look at it and they’ll tell us. But, as a coach, I want it to be healed. Don’t want anything to linger.”

With Evans out, Harbaugh turned to fullback Ben Mason in goal-line situations, and the 258-pound fullback delivered, scoring three touchdowns against Nebraska. He’s a load to handle, especially around the goal line. Nebraska had no answer for him.

“Inertia was the main factor in the decision,” Harbaugh said. “When (Mason) gets going, I think he’s 258 pounds. He gets moving fast, and he’s running hard. He’s got talent and ability, and (we) like having Ben Mason in the game. You talk about a physical player, and he is known as that on our team already and taking advantage of his skillset.”

Mason loved getting the touches. He made the most of his opportunity.

“Coach told me that he needed me to run the ball a little bit, and there’s no problem with that whatsoever,” Mason said. “Just go in there and run.”

Even Higdon was impressed.

“He’s a hard runner,” Higdon said. “He definitely has a hard-hat mindset, and you can see it when he runs, when he’s blocking, and I love running behind him.”

With the running game in good hands, that’s going to make quarterback Shea Patterson’s life even easier. Michigan wants to mix it up, but it all starts with the power running game, which is Harbaugh’s favorite. Now let’s see if they can keep it up.