Nebraska vs Michigan Football - Profizer's Pigskin Preview

Each week, the Profizer sits down to read the tarot cards. Dip his toes into the Sea of Red. And put his fingers on the pulse of college football. Though his glasses may be dangerously rose colored and he continues to drive with an open container of Rhule-aid, he can see clearly what must be done each week. This is the Profizer’s Pigskin Preview: Nebraska vs. Michigan.

TJ Lateef finds Cortez Mills for a touchdown

It didn’t take a Profizer to figure out how last week was going to play out. An inferior opponent came to town, and the fellas went out there and handled business. In year’s past, it wasn’t always a guarantee that we would get to see the bottom of the depth chart. But for the second straight week, the bench was emptied out. Dane Key got his first 100-yard game as a Husker. Cortez Mills got his first touchdown, and the future connection with TJ Lateef is enough to make a grown man cry. The defense held yet another opponent to under 100 yards passing. That is three straight games. Is it just me, or is that Blackshirt pass defense super salty? Have we seen what Sorsby and Cincinnati have done the past two games...aging like fine wine. One thing is for certain with the first three games of the season. Rhule crew isn’t playing to the brand anymore. They are playing to the standard.

There’s not much more to say about that week three matchup, besides thank you for your service, HCU. The boys got a tune up game in and now we all embark on the 2025 conference slate. Let’s not mince words Husker Nation. We’ve got a YUGE game in Lincoln on Saturday. Worry not. The Profizer has been reading palms. Studying the stars. Bending the very fabric of time, seeing just what the Huskers need to do cage the Wolverines Saturday afternoon. Nebraska vs Michigan Football Preview: This is The Profizer's Pigskin Preview.

1.      Set the Trap – In the words of the great Dan Orlovsky, Bryce Underwood is a generational talent. And that was after just one game folks. So, what in the hell is Nebraska going to be able to do against that? Well, it is going to start with collapsing the pocket around the young QB. Mobile QBs have been the object of nightmares for many Blackshirt defenses of the past. A QB that can make things happen with his legs and not just his arm. The Blackshirts need to suffocate him the pocket. Collapse the edges. Hit him early. Hit him often. Don’t let him make off schedule plays. Make him beat the strength of this Blackshirt defense. Bait the trap and let him fall right into it. Am I seeing a second defensive touchdown in the clouds? Some say it is so.

2.      War in the Trenches – I know, I know. You can say it about every game. But it is of the upmost importance that Nebraska win in the trenches this game. In order for Danamaina to continue, there needs to be a threat of a run game. We also need our generational QB to stay clean. I’m talking I don’t want any need for that beautiful #15 jersey to be laundered for the Michigan State game. And on the other side of the ball, if Bryce Underwood can beat us with his arm, then you tip the cap. But that defensive line, which there have been questions about early in the year, needs to step up and control the line of scrimmage. Keep Justice Haynes in check. Force a young QB, in a hostile environment, to win it himself. This is B1G football baby! Buckle those chinstraps up and play some big boy football. In the words of William Wallace…” Hold the Line!”

3.      Stay in the Moment - There is a tightrope to walk when it comes to big games. The team has got to get up for the game but can’t get too juiced. Control the adrenaline. Harness it. We need first half of Colorado from last year and not the Nebraska team of the past decade that has fallen flat on their face in the big moments. One thing this team can count on is that Husker Nation will bring all the Rhule-aid they can handle. This fanbase has been itching to break this winless streak against ranked opponents for almost 10 years. The last win at home against a ranked opponent was all the way back in 2016, when the fighting Mike Riley’s beat the #22 Oregon Ducks on the back of Tommy Armstrong (shoutout to Mark Helfrich’s obsession with going for two). Too juiced, you could get deflated at the first sign of adversity. Ride the waves. Keep the standard. Play your game. And remember…this time in Lincoln, they don’t have our signals.

3-0. Oh baby, baby does that have a nice ring to it. A guy can really get used to this undefeated thing. But let us take a trip in the way back machine...All the way back to last year. If one can remember that far back. The 2024 season started with very similar record. If fact, the ‘Skers are staring down the exact same scenario that they faced just a season ago, facing a pivotal fourth game. Starting conference play at home against a ranked opponent. Last year it was Illinois. We fell short last year. But there’s just something about this year that feels different. Less like a fluke. More like a team that is handling their business. Michigan self-selected the games that Sherrone Moore was suspended for, and they selected this game. Put it on the bulletin board Matt. That is disrespect at the highest level and it’s the final sign I needed. The riddle has been solved. Huskers put more demons to rest. They cage the Wolverines on Saturday and take home a big victory we have all been waiting for. Nebraska 30 – Michigan 21.

GO BIG RED!