Kenny Larabee, KLIN
McMaster's Keys to the Game: Nebraska vs. No. 2 Michigan
A football game is a long, 60-minute grind. It is truly a game of inches that comes down to hours of practice and tedious preparation. Games in college football are not just won by talent on the field but by strategy and weeks of game planning.
Here are the things Nebraska will need to do if the Huskers are going to defeat Michigan for the first time since 2013
Support the Blackshirts
Points and possessions will come at a premium in this game. In Michigan's last game against Rutgers, the Wolverines held the ball for nearly 37 minutes. Michigan loves to run the ball and suck the energy out of the defense. Nebraska cannot have consecutive quick possessions.
With the two-headed monster of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards in the backfield, the Wolverines will slowly take the air out of the defense and Memorial Stadium if they are consistently given the ball back.
There's almost a 0 percent chance that every Husker drive will be a long possession that ends in three or seven. And there's a good chance the Huskers go three and out multiple times Saturday. But for the defense's sake, NU needs to put together enough good drives to give the Blackshirts some rest.
If Michigan holds the ball for 35 minutes, I don't see how Nebraska wins this game.
Use all four downs
Michigan's defense is arguably the best in the nation.
The Wolverines have the best scoring defense in the country, giving up 5.75 points per game. They are also one of the most well-rounded groups in the country, being one of two teams to be in the top 12 in total passing yards allowed and total rushing yards allowed. It's a highly talented and well-coached group featuring defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and linebacker Junior Colson, two guys who will be playing on Sundays.
The Huskers will need to treat every drive as if they have four downs to play with. They need to take what the defense gives them and put themselves in third and manageable, third and short, and fourth and short situations.
The Huskers do not have the firepower to take big shots down the field to open up the Wolverine defense. They must dink and dunk their way down the field, hold the ball as long as they can, and take the points that are in front of them.
It's not the prettiest or most entertaining way of offense, but if NU pulls off the upset, it will be a low-scoring affair.
Don't shoot yourself in the foot
Penalties and turnovers have been the kryptonite for Nebraska all year. The Huskers rank 119th out of 132 in the NCAA in turnover margin, 114th in total turnovers, 124th in fumbles lost, 60th in total penalties and 78th in penalty yards per game.
Nebraska cannot make those mistakes against a team like Michigan. The Wolverines are too good for opponents to bail them out with sloppy and undisciplined play.
If Nebraska kills too many drives with penalties and hands the ball back to one of the best backfields in the country, not only will the Huskers lose the game, but it will get ugly quick.
Another thing to mention is that Michigan is an incredibly disciplined team. The Wolverines have committed the fourth-fewest penalties per game and given up the third-fewest penalty yards in the country. They currently rank 50th in giveaways this year, but if you were to eliminate a very uncharacteristic three-interception game from quarterback JJ McCarthy, they'd be tied for third.
Nebraska cannot give a dangerous team too many opportunities to score.
