While Nebraska eyes its first victory over a ranked opponent since 2016, No. 21 Michigan seeks its fifth straight win over the Cornhuskers on Saturday in Lincoln in the teams’ Big Ten opener.
The Cornhuskers (3-0) have won their games by a combined 123 points, including back-to-back 68-0 and 59-7 victories. It was the first time they scored at least 50 in consecutive games since 2007.
“This is a whole other animal,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said of Michigan.
The Wolverines (2-1) are playing their second road game, the first since a loss at then-No. 18 Oklahoma on Sept. 6. That was under head coach Sherrone Moore, who was suspended by the school for the third and fourth games of this season and the first game of 2026 for his role in the NCAA sign-stealing scandal under previous head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Associate head coach Biff Poggi served as interim coach for last week’s 63-3 win over Central Michigan and will do so for this week’s Big Ten opener. This is Poggi’s third stint with the Wolverines, having been an analyst in 2016 and associate head coach in 2021-22 before two seasons as Charlotte’s head coach.
‘”I’ve been a lot of places, I’ve coached a lot of places … but Michigan, honestly, it’s just like home,” Poggi said. “I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.”
Nebraska allowed 202 rushing yards in the season-opening win over Cincinnati, almost half of that coming from the quarterback. It could be in for another tough go defending the run against Michigan, which is averaging 6.1 yards per carry and 242.7 rushing yards per game.
Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood, the Big Ten’s reigning freshman of the week, ran for 114 yards and two scores in addition to 235 passing yards and a TD against Central Michigan.
“That hadn’t really happened the first two games,” Rhule said of Underwood, who had minus-6 rushing yards in the previous two games. “That obviously adds another element to it.”
Poggi said Underwood’s mobility was on display not because of a specific change in the game plan but due to a better understanding of his skill set.
“You really start learning the most when the games are played,” Poggi said. “Coaches don’t win games, plays don’t win games, players win games. And you have to let your players play, so we’re letting them play.”
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola has excelled this season, completing 76.6 percent of his passes for 829 yards and eight TDs with no interceptions. The Cornhuskers also lead the nation in pass defense, allowing just 66 yards per game.
The Wolverines have won 53 of their last 57 conference openers, last dropping their first Big Ten game in 2019. Meanwhile, Nebraska hasn’t won a conference opener since 2019.
–Field Level Media
