Nebraska at No. 10 Michigan Breakdown & Prediction

Nebraska at No. 10 Michigan

Time: 6:30PM ET

Venue: Crisler Center

TV: Big Ten Network

Records:  Nebraska 11-9, 3-5 Big Ten; Michigan 16-5, 8-1 Big Ten

Nebraska stat leaders: Points – Terran Petteway (18.2 ppg); Rebounds – Leslee Smith (5.9 rpg); Shavon Shields (1.8 apg); Steals – Smith (1.2 spg).

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Nik Stauskas (17.8 ppg); Rebounds – Jon Horford (4.6 rpg); Assists – Stauskas (3.7 apg); Steals – Caris LeVert (1.3 spg).

Current Streaks: Nebraska W2, Michigan L1

Point Spread: Michigan -13

Prediction: Michigan is coming off its first Big Ten loss, which could be a good thing for the Wolverines in the big picture. Perhaps it opened the eyes of the players to some of the things they still need to work on going forward. It should at least recharge the team for today’s game with Nebraska. The Wolverines can’t overlook the Cornhuskers. Michigan got a narrow 71-70 win at Nebraska on Jan. 9, and since then, the Cornhuskers have had their last five games decided by six points or lessMichigan 74, Nebraska 64

. Nebraska is going to give Michigan its best shot, but the Wolverines should be too much for the Huskers at home. Look for a strong offensive output from Stauskas and the Wolverines tonight.

Michigan at Nebraska Breakdown & Prediction

Michigan at Nebraska

Time: 9PM ET

Venue: Pinnacle Bank Arena

TV: ESPN2

Records: Michigan 10-4, 2-0 Big Ten; Nebraska 8-6, 0-2

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Nik Stauskas (17.8 ppg); Rebounds – Jon Horford (5.2 rpg); Assists – Stauskas (3.6 apg); Steals – Robinson III/Caris LeVert (1.1 spg).

Nebraska stat leaders: Points – Terran Petteway (17.3 ppg); Rebounds – Leslee Smith (6.5 rpg); Assists – Tai Webster (2.5 apg); Steals – David Rivers (1.4 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan W4, Nebraska L3

Point Spread: Michigan -3.5

Prediction: Michigan has come out strong to start conference play and the team seems to be settling in despite the loss of Mitch McGary. Nebraska has a few respectable wins at home this season, so the Cornhuskers aren’t going to go down lightly, but I feel like the Wolverines grew a lot from their win at Minnesota last week. Obviously there is always the potential for a loss here if Michigan shoots the ball poorly, but I think they will shoot well from the outside and continue to look inside to Horford as he develops a bigger presence in the offense. Michigan will pick up another win on the road tonight. Michigan 72, Nebraska 65

Predictions for MSU vs. Nebraska/Michigan vs. Northwestern

Michigan State at Nebraska

With Taylor Martinez out, I am not sure how Nebraska’s offense can consistently post points on Michigan State. The MSU defense should be able to contain Ameer Abdullah and the duo of Nebraska quarterbacks likely won’t be able to successfully hit the big throws downfield. The MSU offense isn’t anything special, but the Spartans have been stronger on the road than they have been at home. I think Connor Cook will play well enough to combine with the run game to produce some points. Michigan State has a lot to play for and should come out motivated. Look for the Spartans to win somewhat comfortably.

Michigan State 24, Nebraska 14

Michigan at Northwestern

I don’t feel great about this, but I am picking Michigan to win. The Wolverines eventually have to show some heart during this losing period and this would be a good game to do so. Northwestern’s defense isn’t very good, which should allow the Wolverines to move the ball again. Michigan’s defense will probably allow some big plays in the process, but not enough to win. Despite Michigan’s problems, Northwestern has been an even bigger mess this year. Look for the Wolverines to pick up a tough win. If they don’t, they may not see another win this season.

Michigan 27, Northwestern 24

This is Michigan.....or is it?

Brady Hoke has often spouted out three words when reporters ask him about his program and its reputation.

“This is Michigan.”

Is it?

Is this Michigan?

This isn’t the Michigan I grew up watching.

As a kid, Michigan was synonymous with success. It was everything Michigan State fans have always hated about the program. The Wolverines were arrogant, but they usually backed it up.

Lloyd Carr, despite all the criticism toward him at the end of his tenure, led Michigan to a national championship and won his share of conference titles. He also did it by being tough up front and physical at the line of scrimmage.

For the second consecutive week, Michigan has finished a game with negative rushing yards as a team. That should be unacceptable to the fan base and the coaching staff.

It is one thing to have Michigan State, one of the top defenses in the country, push you around. It is another thing to have Nebraska, the fifth-worst defense (in terms of yards per game) in a mediocre conference, push you around at home.

If you want to blame Rich Rodriguez for his recruiting of offensive linemen, go ahead, but you’d be taking the easy way out.

Brady Hoke has long been given praise for his recruiting classes since he stepped foot in Ann Arbor. That means he is bringing players into the program that should be capable of playing right away, let alone three years in.

Make all the excuses you want, but the blame falls on Hoke.

This program is regressing despite the great recruiting.

Michigan brought in Rich Rodriguez to make it a national contender. That didn’t happen.

Michigan brought Hoke in to restore its name in the Big Ten Conference. That has yet to happen.

Will Michigan ever get back to the “glory days” it once had? Maybe not.

But, I do know that Michigan can be and should be better than it is right now and I don’t see a lot of optimism that things are going to be better next season.

Michigan can’t overlook anyone right now, and with trips to Northwestern and Iowa the next two weeks, it is no longer a crazy thought to think the Wolverines could walk into its season finale against Ohio State looking to avoid a .500 record for the season.

SPOILER ALERT – Michigan isn’t beating Ohio State.

The best the Wolverines can hope for this regular season is 8 wins. Given the schedule this year, that should have been a worst-case scenario, not a best-case scenario.

Then again, maybe 8 wins and not competing for a conference title has become what “Michigan is.”

Prediction for Nebraska vs. Michigan

Michigan has to be quite eager to get on the football field Saturday.

The Wolverines are coming off an embarrassing loss at Michigan State last week in which they were physically pushed around and outclassed.

Saturday, the Wolverines have a chance to move on when they host Nebraska in a key game in the Big Ten Legends Division landscape.

Just like I thought Michigan State was a tough matchup for Michigan last week, I think Michigan is a tough matchup for Nebraska this week.

The Cornhuskers have struggled defensively this year, and gave up 34 points to Minnesota on the road two weeks ago. Michigan shouldn’t have trouble moving the ball against this defense like it did last week. Look for Devin Gardner to have a big game and the Wolverines to establish a steady run game.

Defensively, Michigan doesn’t have to worry about Taylor Martinez, as he is out with a hip injury. Freshman Tommy Armstrong Jr. will be under center instead. Armstrong has four touchdown passes to six interceptions and is completing just over 54 percent of his passes.

While Ameer Abdullah is a tough running back to stop, the Michigan defense can stack the box and put this game on Armstrong, who doesn’t appear to be up to the challenge of winning a big game on the road.

Michigan may still give up some points, but ultimately the offense will score more and hand Nebraska its second loss in the Big Ten and get the Wolverines back on track heading into the final three games of the season.

Prediction: Michigan 41, Nebraska 27

Michigan's final five may keep it from a Big Ten title in 2013

The college football season is just around the corner and the anticipation for the 2013 season is great for both Michigan and Michigan State.

The Wolverines have high hopes to make a run at the Big Ten title and the Spartans are hopeful to get back in the mix after a disappointing 2012.

Putting MSU aside for today, one thing that really looks like it could stand in the way of Michigan’s chances to win the Big Ten this season is its schedule, mainly its final five games.

The Wolverines will play five consecutive weeks of challenging games to end the season, then have to play the following week in the Big Ten Championship, if it hopes to win a conference crown this year.

Here is what the final five games look like for Michigan:

Nov. 2 at Michigan State

Nov. 9 vs. Nebraska

Nov. 16 at Northwestern

Nov. 23 at Iowa

Nov. 30 vs. Ohio State

Let’s start with the first game against MSU in East Lansing. The Wolverines have lost their last two meetings with the Spartans on the road and Michigan hasn’t won by more than a touchdown at Spartan Stadium since 1997. Win or lose, this game will be a physical battle and the Spartans will be treating it like their biggest game of the year. It will be a very tough start to a tough stretch.

Then Michigan heads home to face Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are arguably right there with Michigan in regards to winning the Legends Division in 2013. This will be the toughest game Nebraska has on its schedule. The home team has dominated both meetings, but the Cornhuskers come in with a veteran offense and one of the top playmakers in the Big Ten, quarterback Taylor Martinez.

Next up is Northwestern. The Wildcats will be coming off a bye week and eager to get a shot at Michigan after last season’s 38-31 loss in overtime at The Big House. Northwestern hasn’t exactly been a problem for Michigan in the past, but the Wildcats look to have a promising team this season. Beating the Wildcats at home could be a problem.

Following that tough road game, Michigan then heads to Iowa the following week. The Hawkeyes have won three of their last four against the Wolverines, and winning in Iowa City hasn’t been an easy task for the Wolverines as of late. Iowa may be the worst team on paper in the group, but beating the Hawkeyes in Kinnick Stadium is no small feat. Prior to last season, Iowa was 23-5 at home from 2008-2011.

The schedule closes with the big rivalry game against Ohio State at home. Certainly anything can happen in this game and Michigan will definitely be ready, but there isn’t much arguing that Ohio State comes into the season as the Big Ten favorite. Braxton Miller looks to be the Big Ten’s top player and quarterback this season and Urban Meyer has the most success of any coach in the conference. It will take everything Michigan has to win this game, and even if it does, can it possibly have anything left to win another game the following week, especially if the Wolverines face the Buckeyes again?

I think when you look at each game on paper, you can argue that Michigan can win each game. But winning all five in consecutive weeks seems like too great of a challenge.

How do you think Michigan will do in its final five games of the season?

What will Michigan's record be over its final five games?

Michigan State at Nebraska Breakdown & Prediction

No. 8 Michigan State at Nebraska

Time: 8 p.m.

Venue: Bob Devaney Sports Center

TV: Big Ten Network

Records: Michigan State 21-4, 10-2 Big Ten; Nebraska 12-13, 3-9

Michigan State stat leaders: Points – Keith Appling (14.0 ppg); Rebounds – Adreian Payne (6.7 rpg); Assists – Appling (4.0 apg); Steals – Branden Dawson (1.8 spg).

Nebraska stat leaders: Points – Dylan Talley (13.2 ppg); Rebounds – Brandon Ubel (6.9 rpg); Assists – Talley/Benny Parker (2.4 apg); Steals – Ray Gallegos (1.4 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan State W4, Nebraska L1

Point Spread: Michigan State -9.5

Prediction: Michigan State is coming off its best performance yet, so I expect somewhat of a letdown against the Cornhuskers. It won’t be a big enough of a letdown that MSU will lose, but the game will probably be closer than it should be. Nebraska has been respectable at home, going 9-5 overall. Michigan State’s defense should limit Nebraska, which is averaging just 58.6 points per game. The Spartans probably won’t be as aggressive on offense on Saturday compared to what it did on Tuesday. I think this game will be low scoring, but the Spartans should win comfortably. Michigan State 64, Nebraska 55