College Football Picks Week 9: Running Game Will Lead Michigan over Nebraska

Both Nebraska and Michigan have strong running games this season.

The difference is, the Wolverines will be able to limit the Cornhuskers' rushing attack, while the Cornhuskers won't be able to do the same against the Wolverines.

Nebraska and Michigan rank fourth and 15th respectively in yards per carry this season, per CFBStats.com.

But while Michigan's run defense has picked up, Nebraska has allowed 4.44 yards per carry (84th in the nation) and 11 rushing touchdowns. That includes giving up 186 rushing yards and a touchdown to Ohio State dual-threat quarterback Braxton Miller in Week 6, which resulted in a 63-38 loss.

As for the Wolverines, they just held Michigan State running back Le'Veon Bell to 68 yards on 26 carries in the 12-10 victory last week.

Beyond that, Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges went with a conservative approach against the Spartans last week, perhaps fearing Denard Robinson's turnover problems (the same that saw him throw four interceptions against Notre Dame). 

While Robinson still threw an interception, it wasn't crippling—coming at the end of the first half—and it at least didn't kill the Wolverines like it did against the Fighting Irish.

Plus, the run-heavy game plan allowed Michigan to rush for 163 yards on 32 carries against a tough Michigan State run defense.

This same conservative approach figures to not only help Michigan against a strong Nebraska pass defense, it figures to help the team throughout the season. 

You add the fact that the Wolverines have allowed just 5.7 yards per pass attempt this season (14th in the nation) while allowing four passing touchdowns and notching six interceptions, and I don't expect Cornhuskers quarterback Taylor Martinez to go off on them, either.

It all adds up to a Michigan victory in Lincoln on Saturday.