Michigan 24, Nebraska 23
In case anyone mistakes my "glass half full" mentality for blind optimism, I am very worried about this game. Perhaps more than most. Let's run down the reasons why this is a classic "trap game"
1. Nebraska is a 5-1 caliber team masquerading as a mediocre 3-3 team.
2. Michigan is coming off of a huge road victory over an opponent that humiliated us two years in a row. To say a letdown is possible would be stating the obvious.
3. Scott Frost is desperate, and I mean desperate for a big signature win.
4. This is a night game being played on the road. Enough said.
5. The Cornhuskers run some funky stuff on both sides of the ball, which can always be tough to prepare for.
6. Nebraska has a legit quarterback who could potentially get hot.
7. Our opponent has repeatedly shot themselves in the face, particularly on special teams. Can't bank on that trend holding steady in any given game. The law of averages might start coming into play.
If you put a gun to my head, I say we pull out the victory. But my point is, we are only 3 point favorites and that feels right to me. I predict that we will be losing at some point during the 4th quarter. We'll need to play well during the final 8 minutes of this game in order to leave with a win.
October 9th, 2021 at 1:57 AM ^
Mods, please delete
October 9th, 2021 at 2:53 AM ^
Name checks out
October 9th, 2021 at 8:48 AM ^
Dust. Wind. Dude.
October 9th, 2021 at 1:04 PM ^
OP gets a -1(nothing remotely insightful) and if I could -10(boring)
October 9th, 2021 at 2:19 AM ^
Well, we were 3 point dogs last week and look what happened. I think the majority of bookies still think Michigan is over rated. I guess we shall find out but I'm optimistic that the team will be ready and hyped up for this game.
October 9th, 2021 at 7:59 AM ^
So if they're the Cornhuskies, does that really mean they're the Nebraska Corn Dogs?
October 9th, 2021 at 9:32 AM ^
Michigan has destroyed the spread every week (except Rutgers) so it looks like the bookies are undervaluing them a bit. Let's see them do it again this week.
October 9th, 2021 at 10:48 AM ^
Remember, the “bookies” line represents what football bettors are doing, not necessarily their analysis of the game. Enough people are taking Nebraska to keep the line low for all the reasons the poster lists.
October 9th, 2021 at 10:52 AM ^
The bookies set the lines to get equal dollar action on both sides. The gambling public are underrating Michigan, which is understandable given last season. The question is, when do expectations catch up with the team’s performance this season?
I’ve stopped expecting anything. You’ll see no predictions from me this season. I’m just sitting back and enjoying the games. That’s been great except for one half versus Rutgers.
October 9th, 2021 at 10:55 AM ^
You mean the betting spread, not the spread offense, right?
October 9th, 2021 at 2:39 AM ^
Nebraska doesn't have much offense other than Martinez. I don't think Mike Macdonald will go in unprepared. Martinez can make ill thought out decisions. He will need to be perfect for Nebraska to still be in it in the 4th. And I don't think so.
I have to admit, it does look cool there for night games:
October 9th, 2021 at 7:19 AM ^
Looks like a den of demonic corn lovers.
October 9th, 2021 at 8:04 AM ^
If there is one thing I will forever compliment Nebraska on, it's their fans. They do have a good, solid fanbase. Also, that red-lit stadium with Thunderstruck was pretty cool...
October 9th, 2021 at 8:58 AM ^
Definitely cool. Man I love college football!
October 9th, 2021 at 9:09 AM ^
Cool.
October 9th, 2021 at 9:25 AM ^
Per Nebraska's jumbotrons:
No Place Like Nebraska
Ummm...Kansas, Iowa, maybe even South Dakota. Eastern Colorado might as well be Nebraska Junior.
October 9th, 2021 at 9:26 AM ^
Thunderstruck intro theme is EXTREMELY unique and high brow
October 9th, 2021 at 9:46 AM ^
A thing cannot be extremely unique. It is either one-of-a-kind or not. There are no degrees of uniqueness.
October 9th, 2021 at 10:07 AM ^
110% agree
October 9th, 2021 at 10:36 AM ^
This is the most bestest answer
October 9th, 2021 at 4:27 PM ^
Irregardless, he should of said "unique".
For all intensive purposes, though, it was a nice descriptive phrase.
October 9th, 2021 at 3:09 AM ^
Pregame snowflakes are the best
October 9th, 2021 at 4:15 AM ^
1. Bad teams find ways to lose.
2. Momentum.
3. Harbaugh took a massive pay cut to keep his coaching tenure at UM on life support.
4. Harbaugh broke a losing streak last week.
5. Rutgers did too.
6. Good running back disguised as a QB with a bad O-line.
7. See #1.
8. Quit drinking and go to bed.
October 9th, 2021 at 4:54 AM ^
I can already smell the weird.
October 9th, 2021 at 5:27 AM ^
I think Martinez gets knocked out of the game at some point by a blitzer. The hits are going to add up and hopefully force some turnovers which will be the difference. Michigan by 10.
October 9th, 2021 at 5:43 AM ^
My guess is 31-30 Michigan.
I’m worried about this game as well for every reason you have listed. However, there is zero chance that Michigan is overlooking this game or that we are over confident. Nebraska played Oklahoma and State close and our coaches and players are aware of that, as are the bookies and bettors, hence the -3 point spread.
Keys to victory?
1. Now is not the time for McNamara to throw the ball to the other team.
2. Set the edges on D.
3. Playing equal or slightly better special teams is a must.
October 9th, 2021 at 5:56 AM ^
Sounds like all the chips are stacked up against us.
October 9th, 2021 at 9:13 AM ^
Hmm, note to self: buy some Pringles
October 9th, 2021 at 5:59 AM ^
Michigan 154 - Nebraska -6
1. I have thoughts
2. Important thoughts
3. About stuff
4. Stuff like final scores
5. My Important thoughts need to be posted in their own special thread, not as a comment in one of your loser threads
6. So I made this post
7. So everyone could read my Important thoughts about the stuff I think
October 9th, 2021 at 7:57 AM ^
This post belongs in the mgoblog Hall of Fame.
October 9th, 2021 at 8:09 AM ^
talk about a 'glass half empty' post, where do you get nebraska scoring 6 points?
October 9th, 2021 at 9:12 AM ^
It’s negative six points.
October 9th, 2021 at 9:35 AM ^
you could be right. in which case i withdraw my 'empty glass' comment. negative six sounds about right.
October 9th, 2021 at 6:17 AM ^
Snazzy Mcdazzy snowflakes are the worst. I prefer the plain old run- of-the-mill kind.
October 9th, 2021 at 6:40 AM ^
1. FR and RS FR tackles for NEB.
2. Hutchinson and Hill.
3. Martinez throws into double coverage when pressured. See point #1.
4. Corum and Haskins will find yards and some.
5. All is a top 10 TE in the country. (At least in my head).
6. Cade's rollout and escaping plays will burn NEB if they come with 6 or 7 pressure.
7. Sweet sweet deep balls from Cade and sometimes under pressure. Martinez cannot match that.
8. JJ McCarthy -- An added wrinkle and a better version of Martinez.
9. Watch OL play against Wisconsin D. Wisconsin D is better than NEB D.
10. Watch jump around. Players will absolutely enjoy this road game.
11. Special Teams. Enough said.
12. Co Jo is going to feast on their CBs.
I will stop at a dozen. You are way too worried. Not saying they cannot lose a game. Any team can lose a game. But the odds are way in favor of Michigan. It will take a great, mistake free game by NEB and shooting itself in the foot kind of game by Michigan for NEB to win. 34-13 M.
October 9th, 2021 at 7:03 AM ^
Isn't it CornJo? So, of course he will go off!
October 9th, 2021 at 7:48 AM ^
I didn't think about. Corn it is.
October 9th, 2021 at 7:34 AM ^
Not sure how a -3 point spread equates to the odds being way in Michigan’s favor. That’s essentially a coin flip.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m on the bandwagon wagon. Thus far we have looked head and shoulders above anything I thought possible this year. Having said that, thus far we haven’t played a decent team yet. With Washington and Wisconsin pooping their pants, our schedule has been pretty easy.
October 9th, 2021 at 7:50 AM ^
Sorry. I am not a gambling guy and don't generally think in those terms. I used odds way too loosely there. Based on what I have seen from M and NEB plays, it feels odds are in our favor.
October 9th, 2021 at 8:43 AM ^
Saying All is a top 10 TE, even in your head, just negated your commentary.
Try again.
October 9th, 2021 at 6:45 AM ^
We win again.
October 9th, 2021 at 7:03 AM ^
I missed it!?
October 9th, 2021 at 7:09 AM ^
Will be a close game either way. Winning in a hostile environment last week is a huge confidence booster for this team. Hopefully the coaching staff keeps pressing all the right buttons. Would love to see Cade hit some downfield shots in this game.
October 9th, 2021 at 7:29 AM ^
Thank you for clarifying with this much needed post. You’re right though… I did wake up this morning and thought to myself “Why is Snazzy so optimistic”. I feel much better.
Refrain
October 9th, 2021 at 7:38 AM ^
This game has the feel of one that will come down to special teams play. And that's where Michigan has a big advantage. So I say Michigan by 6.
October 9th, 2021 at 7:46 AM ^
Macdonalds D has yet to give up more than one non garbage time TD. So it's fair to assume it won't happen, until it does.
October 9th, 2021 at 7:48 AM ^
Are you in a safe situation at home? Can we talk about your friend circle?
Who are these people you’re hanging around that would hold a gun to your head asking for college football scores?
October 9th, 2021 at 7:56 AM ^
apparently, it’s ‘opposite day,’ because i never thought i’d long for the verbose, stat-heavy analysis of WISDOM.
.
.
.
TRUTH.
October 9th, 2021 at 8:25 AM ^
I'm just curious if anyone asked for this prediction and explanation? -1