Michigan vs. Nebraska 2025: Keys to the Game and Predictions

The Michigan Wolverines (2-1) open their Big Ten schedule by heading to Lincoln to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0). The game will be primetime on CBS at 3:30 PM, with both teams looking for strong starts to their Big Ten schedules. This is a matchup where many are predicting Nebraska to pull off the upset at home. Both teams are looking to show the country that they can compete at the top of the Big Ten. So let’s dive into this Michigan vs. Nebraska 2025 matchup in our Week 4 preview.

Michigan Wolverines vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers: Matchup History and Excerpts

Michigan holds a 6-4 record versus Nebraska, currently holding a 4-game win streak over the Cornhuskers. The Wolverines are only a slight favorite at -1.5 points.

Interim head coach Biff Poggi will be taking over his second game while Sherrone Moore serves the second of his two-game suspension. After the game versus Central Michigan, Poggi had glowing remarks regarding Bryce Underwood’s play, saying he may be Batman and his pet Labrador could coach him. There are high expectations for Underwood, and Poggi believes he is meeting every one of them.

On Nebraska, Poggi highlighted their quarterback as well saying, “[Dylan Raiola] has a huge football IQ. He’s one of the few young guys that can actually sit in a pocket and make the right reads. The kid can throw the football. He finds open windows and he’s a good enough runner that if you are undisciplined in your lanes, he can extend the play and keep your defense on the field. I also think when you watch the tape, you realize that everybody rallies around him. It’s kind of his football team, it looks like from the film.”

While Poggi recognizes the talent he has at quarterback, he knows it will be a tough test to contain the second-year signal-caller for Nebraska. Raiola was thrust into a similar situation to Underwood as a true freshman quarterback, and he is looking to lead the Cornhuskers to some of its most successful seasons in years.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule is entering his third season as the Cornhuskers’ head coach and is looking to build off of the program’s first bowl game win since 2015. And speaking to the media this week, he addressed the team’s upcoming matchup with Michigan.

“[Michigan] still [has] the same core philosophies. They are 15th in rush offense and 25th in rush defense. They are going to have elite play up front on both sides of the ball. The quarterback brought the dynamic element of — he was their leading rusher in their last game, that hadn’t really happened the first two games, more of a pocket player.”

Rhule knows what kind of challenge this Michigan team poses both offensively and defensively, and he also knows how important a win here could be to prove that they can compete for a Big Ten title.

Michigan vs. Nebraska 2025 Preview: Keys to the Game and Predictions

Key Players for Michigan

Bryce Underwood excelled last weekend versus Central Michigan and will need to continue that level of play this week in a hostile environment. The two-headed backfield of Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall was also excellent, with both players creating explosive plays.

Michigan will also be relying on Donaven McCulley and Marlin Klein to be impact players in the pass game. They will depend on their seniority and experience to win against an incredibly talented Nebraska secondary. Michigan’s offensive line has gotten better, but will still need to show improvement to win.

Defensively, both the line and secondary continue to improve each game. Cornerback Jyaire Hill, in particular, didn’t allow a single catch last week and had a pass breakup on his only target. Linebacker Jaishawn Barham was also a game wrecker, creating havoc in the backfield and the pocket throughout the entire game last week. Edge rusher Derrick Moore continues to build on his impressive 2025 campaign and could be in for another big week.

Key Players for Nebraska

Nebraska is led by quarterback Dylan Raiola, who is having a sensational sophomore campaign. He has already thrown eight touchdowns without any turnovers. Running back Emmet Johnson is the team’s bell cow back with 326 yards, four touchdowns, and 6.3 yards per attempt. Wide receiver Dane Key is a big-bodied receiver who leads the Cornhuskers in receiving yards and touchdowns. 

Defensively, Nebraska is loaded at edge rusher, led by talented players Dasan McCullough and Williams Nwaneri, who can win in their pass rush opportunities consistently. However, this defense truly excels in its secondary, with four players having a passer rating lower than 57 when targeted. Cornerbacks Andrew Marshall and Ceyair Wright, and safeties Deshon Singleton and Marques Buford Jr. have been excellent for the Cornhuskers.

2025 Game Preview: How Michigan Wins vs. Nebraska in Week 4

Michigan needs to continue to use Bryce Underwood in designed runs. Against Central Michigan, Underwood had 100 rushing yards, coming from two designed runs and six scrambles. He showcased his explosiveness in both aspects, as well as his ability to extend plays in the pass game. Nebraska has struggled this season to defend mobile quarterbacks. And while they haven’t lost a game because of it yet, Michigan needs to be able to exploit this weakness. Against this Nebraska pass defense, if Michigan can’t get the run game going, they are in for a long day offensively.

Nebraska has an above-average offensive line, but Michigan’s defensive line should be more physically talented. Nebraska has a dynamic run game, so prioritizing stopping the run game and pressuring Raiola to make him uncomfortable needs to be a key for the Wolverines, along with not letting them get out to an early lead.

Michigan needs to get off the field on third down. Michigan ranks 93rd in opponent third-down conversion rate at 43%. This number needs to improve to be successful this season, and it was a key reason they couldn’t beat Oklahoma. Even if the Wolverines are forcing long third downs, they struggle to get off the field, and if they want to win this game, they have to find a way to stop Nebraska on third down.