Nebraska vs. Michigan Football: Breakdown for Game of the Week

The Michigan Wolverines and the Nebraska Cornhuskers both enter their Week 12 matchup with an 8-2 record. Both teams are also 4-2 in the Big Ten.

The Legends division of the Big Ten is still a jumbled mess. If Michigan defeats Nebraska and Michigan State defeats Indiana in Week 12, the Spartans will clinch first place in the division.

Nebraska defeated Penn State, 17-14, in Week 11. The Wolverines knocked off Illinois, 31-14. Playing solid teams in Week 11 will help both teams prepare for this huge matchup in the Big House.

Upper-echelon bowl considerations are still up for grabs for both squads. A Week 12 victory would go a long way for either team to grab a solid bowl bid.

Here is how this Week 12 Big Ten clash breaks down:

The Quarterbacks

Denard Robinson and Taylor Martinez are two of the best running quarterbacks in the nation.

Robinson has 12 rushing touchdowns to go with 13 passing touchdowns on the season. However, Robinson also has 13 interceptions.

Martinez has nine rushing touchdowns. He has 10 passing touchdowns to go with seven interceptions.

Neither is going to shock anyone with their throwing ability. Both are run-first quarterbacks, and both are exceptional at what they do.

Whichever quarterback can avoid making mistakes will play a large part in their team's victory.

The Running Backs

Michigan and Nebraska's best running backs are, in fact, their quarterbacks. However, both teams have solid players to tote the rock in the backfield as well.

Fitz Toussaint, Vincent Smith and Michael Shaw will see the majority of the carries for the Wolverines.

All three average around six yards per carry. Toussaint will see the bulk of the workload, but Smith and Shaw are great changes of pace for Brady Hoke.

Nebraska will hand the ball to Rex Burkhead early, and often. Burkhead has over 200 carries and 14 rushing touchdowns. He passed the 1,000-yard mark in Week 11 against Penn State.

Michigan has the depth in the backfield. Nebraska has the talent.

Burkhead is very tough to stop in Nebraska's spread option scheme.

The Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Neither team has a go-to receiver. Because of their run-based system, and run-first quarterbacks, neither team needs a go-to wideout.

Michigan's best option is Junior Hemingway. Hemingway has 27 grabs and one touchdown. His ability to stretch the field is summed up with his 19.3 yards per catch.

Complementing Hemingway are Jeremy Gallon and Roy Roundtree. Neither have prolific numbers but both have the ability if given the opportunity.

Michigan tight end Kevin Koger has caught three touchdowns despite having only 15 catches.

Nebraska's situation is slightly more bleak.

Kenny Bell leads the team in catches with 23. He is tied for the lead in touchdowns with Quincy Enunwa and running back Rex Burkhead. They have just two touchdowns apiece.

This game will not be won through the air. However, a few vertical plays could flip momentum in a big way.

The Offensive Lines

The nature of both Michigan and Nebraska's offenses relies heavily on their ability to get a push up front.

Michigan's front five must allow Denard Robinson to survey the field. If he can't, he will surely add to his 13 interceptions. If Robinson cannot find an open target, the line must give him enough time to evaluate the situation and find a running lane.

Nebraska's line has a similar job: Allow Taylor Martinez to set his feet, and create running lanes for both Martinez and Rex Burkhead.

If neither line can do their job, this will be a low-scoring game.

Nebraska's line faces heavier pressure. Coming into a hostile environment, they must keep Nebraska's offense two-dimensional.

If they can't, Martinez will have to rely on his arm to win. Neither he nor Robinson are ready for that.

The Defensive Lines

If Michigan and Nebraska's offensive lines have an important task in Week 12, their defensive lines will be just as important.

Michigan's defensive front must find a way to seal the cracks and running lanes. If they allow Rex Burkhead and Taylor Martinez to hit the second level of the Michigan defense, it will be a long day for the Wolverines.

The Wolverines defensive front must also be careful of how quickly they flow to the ball. Nebraska runs the option attack very well, and the Wolverines do not want to get fooled on a misdirection.

Nebraska's defensive line is solid, minus their best player Jared Crick. Even without Crick, the 'Huskers must mind their penetration. If they are too aggressive upfield, Denard Robinson will burn them without hesitation.

The battle in the trenches will go a long way in deciding the outcome of this Big Ten clash.

The Linebackers

If the defensive fronts for both teams cannot win the battle, the playmakers at linebacker will be forced to take on a larger role.

Nebraska won't mind. Lavonte David is among the best at his position. He has 87 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. He is undersized but possesses great instincts and open-field tackling ability.

The 'Huskers' supporting cast doesn't supply David's star power. However, Nebraska has a lot of speed in their unit as a whole. They will need every bit of that speed against the fast-paced Wolverine offense.

Michigan doesn't have a Lavonte David to lean on. The Wolverine linebackers are young and inexperienced. But they have improved as the season progresses.

If Michigan's front cannot hold the point of attack, Michigan's linebackers could be exploited by Rex Burkhead's north-south running.

Nebraska will rely on David to make plays from sideline to sideline in Week 12.

The Secondaries

Nebraska's pass offense is No. 101 in the nation; Michigan's is No. 84. Neither secondary should be under extreme duress in Week 12.

Michigan will rely on Troy Woolfolk and Jordan Kovacs on the back end of the defense. Neither is a superstar, but both are consistent. Kovacs does all of the little things, and is a quiet leader for the Wolverines.

Nebraska is solid on the back end as well. Alfonzo Dennard has great ball skills, and is a future NFL cornerback. Ciante Evans and Stanley Jean-Baptiste are capable complements to Dennard on the perimeter of the 'Husker defense.

Both teams have playmakers in the secondary. Because of the nature of each team's offense, expect the secondary to spend a lot of time in the box playing in run support.

If plays are needed, Nebraska can feel very comfortable turning to Dennard.

The Kickers

Nebraska kicker Brett Maher is consistent, and has a big leg. Maher is 16-for-19 on the season with a long of 50 yards. All three of his misses are from beyond 50 yards.

The Wolverines will use Brendan Gibbons for placekicking duties. He is 8for-11 with a long of 38 yards.

Kickers always play an important role in highly contested games—especially low-scoring games.

This matchup will not be based around offensive fireworks. Both kickers must be ready to hit a big kick, at a potentially crucial juncture.

The advantage goes to the 'Huskers. Maher is proven, and has the big leg needed for big games.

Conclusion and Prediction

This game is going to come down the wire. In the end, the Wolverines will squeak out a victory.

Perhaps the biggest advantage in this game is Michigan's home-field advantage. Michigan Stadium is one of the most hostile environments in the country, and Michigan fans are hungry for Wolverine success.

Offensively, both teams rely on the ground game. Michigan has a few more playmakers at wide receiver, and Denard Robinson's arm is a little bit better than Taylor Martinez's.

Expect Michigan's passing attack to make a few plays down the field. Those plays will be enough to keep the 'Husker defense honest.

Michigan's front four is solid, and will slow down the 'Husker rushing attack just enough to allow the Michigan offense to lead their team to victory.

Final score: Michigan 23 Nebraska 19