Three Up/Zero Down: Michigan Pummels Nebraska In Lincoln

For the first time all season, Michigan covered a spread and also eclipsed 40 points. The Wolverines were clicking from the very beginning and never looked back handing Nebraska an embarrassing loss on their home field. The 45-7 win moves Michigan to 5-0 as they prepare for Minnesota on the road next week. Today in Lincoln, it was all working, and from a fan or media member's standpoint, there wasn't much, if anything, to criticize.

Three Up

1. Michigan's defense is so complete

For the fifth week in a row, Michigan's defense was about as good as you could ask it to be. Last week, it was nearly perfect for 59 minutes after the long, busted play touchdown on Rutgers' opening drive. This week, all Michigan did was roll into Lincoln, for its first road game of the year, and shut out the Huskers for about 56 minutes. The Wolverines were fast, stout, disciplined and opportunistic. There was also a bit of "bend, but don't break" built in, which is sometimes all you can ask for after a big play. The early sign of the defense having a great day came late in the first quarter when Nebraska went for it on 4th and 1 and got turned away. Nebraska's big, dual-threat quarterback Heinrich Haarberg lined up in the shotgun, got a full head of steam and picked the path of least resistance and still got turned away for a turnover on downs. That was just one of the many examples of Michigan's defense doing the right thing at the right time and playing clean, mistake-free football, which resulted in the lopsided win.

2. Roman Wilson is still HIM

After a one-week hiatus away from the end zone, Michigan's top receiver found pay dirt twice against the Huskers for touchdowns seven and eight on the season. The first one was one of the most impressive catches by any receiver in the country this year.

Roman Wilson's first touchdown catch, and catch of the year contender. pic.twitter.com/casVxO3oZM
— Patrick Barron 🐻🌹🏆 (@BlueBarronPhoto) September 30, 2023

The second one was also incredibly impressive, as Wilson sprinted across the back of the end zone on a scramble drill, caught the ball cleanly with his hands and got both feet in without even blinking. JJ McCarthy's throw was very difficult as well, but the pair makes it all look so easy. Wilson now has 19 catches for 326 yards and those eight scores to his name in 2023.

3. JJ McCarthy back on track

After a slight bump in the road against Bowling Green, McCarthy seems all the way back on track. When he's kept clean, and doesn't try to do too much, McCarthy is as good as any quarterback in the country. Today, while on the road for the first time, efficiency was McCarthy's middle name. The junior signal caller was not sacked, cruised out of bounds on at least one scramble run and finished the day 12-of-16 for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 30 yards rushing, which included a 21-yard scamper for a score. No one is beating Michigan when McCarthy is that efficient and that productive.