The Division a Two Team Race
Michigan has been a surprise on defense this season, mainly because their offense has not been the story. Before the season began, it seemed as if there would be multiple teams in the race for top offense in the conference. The Huskers have by far surpassed the rest of the conference in scoring and yards. And while Michigan State leads the conference in total and scoring defense, the Wolverines leaned on their defense to keep the lead in the Legends division.
Out of the Legends, Michigan's combination of stout passing defense, key running by QB Denard Robinson, and ease of schedule meant the clearest path to the conference championship game. With a 3-0 lead in the division, the teams left for them are the Huskers, Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa, and Ohio State. Not exactly murderers' row. The Wolverines hold all the cards and a win this Saturday for them can mean a relaxing last four weeks of the regular season.
Needless to say the Huskers have to win this game to continue to be in the discussion. Even after a win against the Wolverines, the Huskers would have both scrappy Michigan State and Penn State to contend with. And the manufactured rivalry against Iowa will have Iowa City buzzing.
Iowa's 2-1 conference record matches Nebraska this week into the season, and a win against Northwestern for them will mean they will also keep themselves in the race. But having to play both Michigan and Nebraska narrows the chances that they come out of the rest of the season with only one conference loss. A two conference loss Iowa team likely means a tie-breaker against one of these two teams, and not one they would win.
If the Huskers can maintain the momentum picked up at the end of last week, then the similarly built Michigan team would have to play from behind in both the game and the conference. Pressuring Denard and forcing him to make mistakes can mean the difference between the Huskers jockeying for a better bowl position and taking control of the division race to the championship game.
10/25/2012
Well somethings got to give.Bo’s lack of stopping a mobil QB our nebraskas 10-0 record all time at home on a Saturday night!!!! I sure the hell hope its not the latter!!! Come on BO FIND A WAY TO STOP A DAMN MOBIL QB!!!!! GO BIG RED!!!
Lincoln, NE
10/25/2012
blk,
Did you see Kain Colter in the Northwestern game?
10/25/2012
Tadedge - Colter AIN’T Robinson.
Lincoln, NE
10/25/2012
Never said that Colter was Robinson.
I do, however, maintain that Colter is a very mobile QB. Would you not classify him as a mobile QB?
I feel like we made progress last week on stopping/slowing down a moblie QB. Our D played well. Do I expect the same against Michigan? No, they are a better team accross the board. I do, however, expect to see continued improvement.
10/25/2012
Tadedge I watched colter doesn’t have near the weapons robison has plus factor in that world class speed that’s the mobil style QB Bo’s had trouble stopping.I would agree the D looked better against colter, He hurt them last year not so much this year. WE WILL ALL SEE!!!! GO BIG RED!!!!
10/26/2012
I’m a UM alum/die-hard fan making the trek to Lincoln to experience the great reputation of Memorial stadium and Cornhusker hospitality first hand. I hope it is as great a game as it COULD be and wish Nebraska good luck in the game.
10/26/2012
Tadedge
Kain colter didn’t even play quarterback the whole game. Second they didn’t let him throw it at all really either so we knew he was running every time. Stop a mobile quarterback that plays every snap and throws then we can say we stopped one. Until then I don’t see it happening this weekend stopping Robinson