Know Your Foe, Nebraska vs. Michigan: The Quarterbacks

Nebraska takes on the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, and it's time to compare the quarterbacks in the game. Dylan Raiola and Bryce Underwood were both highly recruited five-star QBs coming out of the 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes. As true freshmen, they both were named starters for their respective teams and have high expectations from their fan bases.

On3 / Rivals Ranking for Dylan Raiola in the 2024 Recruiting Class | On3 / Rivals

Let's start with Nebraska: Dylan Raiola

Raiola has had a very impressive start to the 2025 football season. He has completed over 76% of his passes and has really just taken what the defense has given him. The Dana Holgerson effect is in full swing, and in three games, it appears Raiola has taken the next step to become an elite quarterback. Although the competition hasn't been great, Raiola has been elite against the teams on the schedule, and this team will go as far as his arm will carry them.

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola fakes a handoff to running back Emmett Johnson against Houston Christian. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

CMP / ATT	YDS	TD	INT	CMP%
72/94	829	8	0	76.6

Know your opponent:

Let's look at the QB position and compare Dylan Raiola and Bryce Underwood.

Dylan Raiola - Sophmore
72/94 - 829 YDS - 8 TD 0 INT - 76% CMP%

Bryce Underwood - Freshman
46/80 - 628 YDS - 2 TD 1 INT - 57.5% CMP%#GBR #Huskers #Michigan #Wolverines #NBNR pic.twitter.com/JC6upYRIHe
— No Block💥No Rockᴺᴮᴺᴿ (@NBNRPodcast) September 15, 2025

As we look into PFF and how Raiola has performed, his play has matched the "eye test." Not only has he put up the numbers on the field, but his PFF grade backs it up.

WEEK	TEAM	OFF	PASS	RUN
1	CINCINNATI	62.1	59.3	36.1
2	AKRON	85.9	86.8	69.5
3	HOUSTON CHRISTRIAN	80.2	78.8	68.0
OVERALL		80.1	78.1	66.9

Dylan Raiola Big Ten Rankings:

Completions: 1st (72)
Interceptions: 1st (0)
Touchdowns: 2nd (8)
Pass Yards: 2nd (829)
Pass Yards/Game: 2nd (276.3)
Completion %: 3rd (77%)

There could be plenty of opportunities for Raiola to continue this efficiency against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, as their secondary allowed Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer to throw for 270 yards against them in Week 2.

Their overall pass coverage grade finished with a 68.3 on PFF.

Now Let's look at Bryce Underwood

On3 / Rivals - Bryce Underwood Recruiting Profile | On3 / Rivals

Underwood has made a solid start to the 2025 football season as Michigan's true freshman quarterback. In his first three games, he has completed 57.5% of his passes, showcasing his accuracy at times and composure under pressure. His debut against New Mexico saw him throw for 251 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers; his Week 2 performance against Oklahoma highlighted areas for growth, completing 9 of 24 passes for 142 yards. Underwood bounced back in a big way against Central Michigan, using his arm and legs. Despite facing less-than-elite competition early on, Underwood's arm talent and athleticism are starting to show with his ability to make big plays.

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood runs for a touchdown against Central Michigan | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CMP / ATT	YDS	TD	INT	CMP%
46/80	628	2	1	57.5

Obviously with Underwood being a dual threat, we also need to look at his rushing statistics

CAR	YDS	TD
14	107	2

As we look into PFF and how Underwood has performed, he has dominated Group of 5 opponents with a 79.9 PFF grade against New Mexico and an 82.0 grade against Central Michigan. The question will be if his Week 2 struggle against ranked Oklahoma exposed challenges against elite defenses or was it just a minor speed bump from his first college road start.

WEEK	TEAM	OFF	PASS	RUN
1	NEW MEXICO	79.9	77.7	N/A
2	@OKLAHOMA	44.7	40.3	64.9
3	CEN. MICHIGAN	82.0	71.6	78.8
OVERALL		73.4	65.5	79.3

Bryce Underwood Big Ten Rankings:

• Completions: 5th (46)
• Interceptions: T-4th (1)
• Touchdowns: T-6th (2)
• Pass Yards: 6th (628)
• Pass Yards/Game: 6th (209.3)
• Completion %: 7th (58.2%)

Through week 3, Nebraska's secondary ranks #1 in PFF coverage grade, so it will be interesting to watch how Underwood attacks with the pass Saturday. The one thing we know Underwood should be able to rely on is his legs. Nebraska allowed 96 yards and two TDs to Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby in Week 1. The question won't be if Underwood will run against the Huskers; it will be how much will he run against the Huskers and for how many yards?

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