Meet the Wolverines Who Will Beat Nebraska

The Michigan Wolverines host the Nebraska Cornhuskers Saturday in their first-ever Big Ten Conference meeting.

The Wolverines expect a Michigan Stadium crowd of 112,500 for the noon kickoff. The weather forecast calls for 50 degree temperatures and a 30 percent chance of showers.

The two teams come into the contest with identical (8-2, 4-2) records, and trail Michigan State by a game in the Legends Division standings.

While both squads are nearly identical on offense, Michigan has a slight edge on defense, allowing 15.5 points per game to Nebraska's 22.2. The Wolverines are currently 3.5 point favorites.

Both quarterbacks can beat you running and passing the ball, and each team features a solid running attack. 

Defensively, the Wolverines are much improved over last season when they allowed over 35 points per game.

The prediction here has Michigan escaping with a 17-14 hard fought victory.

Let's check out the five Michigan players who will lead the way. 

Jeremy Gallon, WR, PR, KR

Jeremy Gallon handled punt and kickoff returns in 2010,  but caught only four passes.

Coming into this fall's training camp, he was far down the depth chart. 

But the 5'8", 185-pound sophomore caught a fourth-quarter touchdown pass against Notre Dame, then a 64-yarder moments later to set up Roy Roundtree's game winner. 

From there the rest is history. The former high school quarterback is this season's regular punt returner and is second on the club with 25 receptions. 

Look for Gallon to return a Nebraska punt for a touchdown early in the first quarter. It will set the tone for the game and get the Big House rocking.  

Troy Woolfolk, CB/S

Troy Woolfolk missed all of the 2010 season with ankle and leg injuries.

He entered the 2011 season—his sixth as a Wolverine—with high hopes of having a banner year at cornerback. 

Unfortunately, the son of U-M All-American tailback Butch Woolfolk (1978-81) has suffered a string of assorted injuries.

The setbacks, along with the emergence of freshman cornerback Blake Countess, led to Wookfolk's shift back to safety, a position he played in 2009.

On Saturday, look for Woolfolk to snag his first career interception, setting up Koger's touchdown. 

Kevin Koger, TE

Tight end Kevin Koger has been a pleasant surprise in 2011. Not only does he lead the Wolverines in touchdown receptions with three, he's been an excellent blocker.

Look for Koger to catch another touchdown pass, as Michigan will be forced to settle on a short passing game.

The 6'4", 258-pound senior has 17 catches for the season, good enough for third on the team behind wide receivers Junior Hemingway and Jeremy Gallon. 

Denard Robinson, QB

Denard Robinson, last year's Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, has struggled throughout 2011. Both his rushing and passing yardage have dropped in coach Al Borges' new offense.

After 10 games a year ago, Robinson rushed for 1,417 yards and passed for 1,990. This season he's rushed for 910 yards and passed for 1,709.

While he's taken his share of criticism in the media, the coaching staff is behind him 100 percent.

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"Denard’s growing in our offense," Coach Borges said during Tuesday's press conference  "Nobody wants to hear that. I told them in the beginning, that I told him he’s not going to gain 1700 yards. We’re going to try and get somebody else the ball. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that." 

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Look for Robinson to have a mistake-free game Saturday, helping to keep Michigan's defense on the sidelines.

Matt Wile, PK

Freshman Matt Wile followed Brady Hoke to Ann Arbor from San Diego.

In doing so, he became a fifth-generation Wolverine. His father, grandfather, great grandfather and great, great grandfather all attended Michigan Medical School.

Wile won the kickoff competition this fall, then took over the punting duties when Will Hagerup was suspended for the first four games.

Wile relinquished his punting duties when Hagerup returned, but is now in the wings for a long field goal try should one arise. You see, Brendan Gibbons doesn't have the strength of Wile, and his longest field goal attempt has been from 40 yards.

Look for Wile to get that chance Saturday as Michigan's final drive bogs down at the Nebraska 35.

Wile calmly knocks it through from 52 yards out for the game winner.