The Wolverine Now

A week ago, Michigan ruined any chance rival Michigan State had of playing for the Big Ten ti- tle, dropping the Spartans to 1-3 in league play. If the Wolverines win Saturday, they will deliver Nebraska its second loss of con- ference action with another defeat probably proving too much for the Cornhuskers to overcome with just four Big Ten contests remaining. They have to beat U-M. "This really is a de facto Leg- ends Division title game," Callahan said. Neither Wisconsin nor North- western stepped on Nebraska's throat when they led at the half, but the Huskers realize they can- not keep falling behind because at some point they will not be able to rally. "I think it's really good to have had those experiences," sophomore tailback Ameer Abdullah said. "We know what it's like to be down. We don't give up. The locker-room atmosphere when we are down is incredible. Guys are picking each other up and guys aren't hanging their heads. That's something to really have for confidence just in case something like that happens. "This Saturday we don't expect that to be the case. We're just go- ing to take the field and try to hit it hard from the beginning." ❑ TheWolverine.com Radio On Demand: Talking Nebraska Click this icon to play or stop the podcast! SCOUTING NEBRASKA'S OFFENSE Big Ten this season, ranking first in rushing with 279.0 yards per game and third in passing with 233.4 yards per game; the Cornhuskers are the only team in the conference with at least 200 yards in both categories. With that ability to produce on the ground and through the air, NU has scored at least 29 points in every game, and is averaging a Big Ten-best 41.6 per game. Offensive Weakness — It's difficult to find Offensive Strength — Nebraska is the most balanced offense in the cracks in the armor that is Nebraska's offense, but the line has been susceptible to strong pass rushers this season; the Cornhuskers rank 76th nationally and 10th in the Big Ten allowing 2.1 sacks per game this season. Offensive tackles Jer- emiah Sirles and Andrew Rodriguez have strug- gled especially with quick, speed rushers, yield- ing four QB takedowns to Ohio State's defenders and three to Northwestern's just last week. Player To Watch — Sophomore wide re- SCOUTING NEBRASKA'S DEFENSE nents they've played — only week-two foe UCLA ranks among the nation's top 50 passing offenses — the Cornhuskers have one of the best pass defenses in the NCAA, listing 10th allowing just 169.7 yards per game through the air. That's not entirely due to good circumstances, though; NU has a veteran secondary with two senior start- ers at safety, and two juniors at cornerback (along with a sophomore) and is talented in the defensive backfield with a burgeoning confidence. Defensive Weakness — The Cornhuskers Defensive Strength — A bit like Michigan, by virtue of the oppo- ceiver Kenny Bell: The 6-1, 185-pound Boulder, Colo., native might just be the most underrated wide receiver in the country simply because of where he plays — a school built on a tradition of option football. Bell has a team-high 26 recep- tions for 540 yards and five touchdowns this year. He's stepped up his game even more in conference play, hauling in 15 balls for 267 yards and a score. Bell is the second-fastest Cornhusker in school history to reach 1,000 yards, needing just 20 games (1972 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers achieved the feat in 16). Player To Watch — Sophomore tailback Ameer Abdullah: Nebras- ably, the most capable and versatile receiving corps in the country, with five targets already catching 13 or more passes. Bell is the headliner, but junior Quincy Enunwa has 23 grabs, and senior tight ends Ben Cotton and Kyler Reed have combined for 21 receptions and four touchdowns. Michigan has yet to face one of the nation's top 50 pass offenses — Michigan State was the highest ranked of any U-M foe at No. 61 — but the Nebraska aerial attack is formidable. ka's primary kick returner, Abdullah has become a bigger contributor offensively this season with senior running back Rex Burkhead battling injury. The 5-9, 185-pounder from Homewood, Ala., has started twice, has played in all seven games, and leads NU in rushing with 615 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 carries (5.9-yard average). He is also a go- to target in the passing game, catching 15 balls for 129 yards. Key Matchup — It may be unfathomable, but the Huskers boast, argu- — Michael Spath THE WOLVERINE • PAGE 2 Senior linebacker Will Compton has recorded a team- high 58 tackles this season, including three sacks and six tackles for loss, plus he has recovered a fumble. PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA the best football of his career, racking up career highs in sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (eight) to lead the Cornhuskers in both categories. With his production, Martin has forced his way into the starting lineup, tak- ing over for junior Jason Ankrah, who was expected to be Nebraska's top pass rusher. Player To Watch — Senior linebacker Will Compton: The most have faced strong ground games, with four opponents ranking among the top 25 rush offenses in college football and six in the top 50, and Nebraska's front seven has had little success slowing those attacks, surrendering 187.9 yards per game. In its loss to Ohio State, NU was simply run over to the tune of 371 yards and six touchdowns. The Huskers also allowed more than 300 yards rushing in their other loss, to UCLA (344). Player To Watch — Senior defensive end Eric Martin: The 6-2, 260-pounder is playing experienced defender on the team — with 30 careers starts, includ- ing eight in his redshirt freshman campaign in 2009 — Compton has stepped up his game in an effort to replace all-conference linebacker Lavonte David. The 6-2, 230-pounder has tallied a team-high 58 tackles, including three sacks among six total tackles for loss. The senior has also had three passes broken up and has recovered a fumble. Key Matchup — The Cornhuskers have been vulnerable to big plays this season, yielding 30 of 20 yards or more, including 11 on the ground and 19 via the air. Michigan's offense continues to live off the big play, with 36 such plays of 20 yards or more in seven games. A week ago in the win over Michigan State, wide receiver Drew Dileo set up three of U-M's four field goals with receptions of 20, 22 and 35 yards on three different drives. The Maize and Blue have also scored touchdowns on 11 "big plays. " — Michael Spath

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