Michigan players have been approaching the Big Ten season with an “each-game-is-a-championship-game” approach, and that could not be more the case than tonight at Nebraska.
The 20th-ranked Wolverines remain undefeated in the Big Ten (5-2, 3-0) and face the Cornhuskers (5-2, 2-1), which lead the Big Ten in offense.
Nebraska averages 512.43 yards a game, leads the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 41.57 points and is sixth nationally in rushing, averaging 279 yards a game.
But defense has been Michigan’s strength the last month. The Wolverines are ranked 10th nationally in total defense, yielding an average 286 yards, 16th in scoring defense (16.4).
The only noticeable absence on Michigan’s dress list is defensive lineman Frank Clark, who will miss this game with an injury.
Nebraska tailback Rex Burkhead, who last week aggravated a knee injury – he sprained an MCL in the season opener – will not be available for tonight’s game. Burkhead, 5-foot-11, 21- pounds, has averaged 9.1 yards a carry this season.
With Burkhead out, the Cornhuskers will heavily rely on Ameer Abdullah, who has scored seven rushing touchdowns and also is a main component of the kick return game. The Wolverines’ defense must also contend with quarterback Taylor Martinez, who leads the Big Ten in pass efficiency and is effective running the ball. He is third in the Big Ten in total offense.
Michigan opened the Big Ten season with a victory at Purdue. This is the Wolverines first road game since that game three weeks ago.
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