Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-3) vs Michigan Wolverines (5-0)
Game Info: Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 7:30 pm (Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium)
Betting Odds: Nebraska Cornhuskers +3.5 -- Over/Under: 50.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ABC Stream live sports and exclusive originals on ESPN+. Sign up now!
The 9th ranked Michigan Wolverines will travel to Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, NE) to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers this Saturday night in College Football action.
The 9th ranked Michigan Wolverines improved to 5-0 on the season after an impressive 38-17 victory on the road against the Wisconsin Badgers this past Saturday. Michigan dominated Wisconsin defensively and pulled away in the 4th quarter after a 13-yard TD reception by Cornelius Johnson gave the Wolverines a 31-10 lead with 9:34 left in the 4th quarter. Michigan outgained Wisconsin by a 365-210 margin and won the turnover battle by a 3-1 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Wolverines was QB Cade McNamara who completed 17 of 28 passes for 197 yards & 2 TD’s.
On the season, Michigan is averaging 39.8 ppg on 436.8 total yards per game (181.8 passing yds/g; 255.0 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Michigan has been led by the rushing trio of Blake Corum (84 att, 521 yards, 7 TD), Hassan Haskins (80 att, 369 yards, 6 TD), & Donovan Edwards (16 att, 118 yards, 2 TD). QB Cade McNamara has completed 61.7% of his passes for 731 yards, 5 TD, & 0 INT. The top receivers for the Wolverines have been Cornelius Johnson (10 rec, 245 yards, 3 TD), Daylen Baldwin (6 rec, 155 yards, 2 TD), & Roman Wilson (9 rec, 145 yards).
Defensively, Michigan is holding their opponents to an average of 12.8 ppg on 285.5 total yards per game (170.6 passing yds/g; 115.2 rushing yds/g).
The Nebraska Cornhuskers snapped their 2-game losing streak and improved to 3-3 on the season after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats, 56-7, this past Saturday. Nebraska had their way with Northwestern on both ends of the field and had no trouble securing the victory after going into halftime with a 35-7 lead. Nebraska outgained Northwestern by a 657-293 margin and won the turnover battle by a 1-0 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Cornhuskers was QB Adrian Martinez who completed 11 of 17 passes for 202 yards & 1 TD while also rushing for 50 yards & 3 TD’s on 8 carries.
On the season, Nebraska is averaging 32.3 ppg on 504.0 total yards per game (266.5 passing yds/g; 237.5 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Nebraska is led by QB Adrian Martinez who has completed 66.7% of his passes for 1463 yards, 6 TD, & 2 INT while also leading the Cornhuskers in rushing with 412 yards & 9 TD’s on 80 carries. In the backfield with Martinez has been Rahmir Johnson (55 att, 231 yards, 2 TD) & Markese Stepp (36 att, 159 yards, TD). The top receiving threats for the Cornhuskers have been Samori Toure (23 rec, 483 yards, 3 TD), Zavier Betts (13 rec, 187 yards), Omar Manning (12 rec, 176 yards, TD), & Austin Allen (17 rec, 163 yards).
Defensively, Nebraska is holding their opponents to an average of 15.5 ppg on 322.7 total yards per game (200.5 passing yds/g; 122.2 rushing yds/g).
The Wolverines are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games in October. The Cornhuskers are 3-0-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record, however, are just 2-7 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Nebraska has been playing much better football as of late with close losses to Ohio State & Michigan State prior to their blowout win against Northwestern, however, this is still a team that lost to Illinois to start the season. Michigan has been led by their defense that ranks 6th in scoring defense & 15th in scoring defense and has been solid on the offensive end behind their 7th ranked rushing attack. Nebraska heavily relies on the run which is going to be trouble for the Cornhuskers in this one and as I just don’t see Adrian Martinez being able to have much success in the air against Michigan, I think the Wolverines do enough to cover this small road spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Michigan Wolverines -3.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05