Nebraska vs. Michigan: 5 Things We Learned from the Wolverines Win

On a cold, windy day at the Big House in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines came to play in the first ever Big Ten matchup between two of the most storied programs in college football. They took care of the Cornhuskers in convincing fashion 45-17 in front of Urban Meyer, the rumored successor at Ohio State and color analyst for the game. He got a good look at his competition for the coming years and will be praying to see the departure of Denard Robinson should he forego his senior season.

Denard was clearly the difference maker in this game, accounting for 263 yards and four touchdowns on the day. He led the offense to 418 yards and had only one turnover on the day, a tipped pass that landed in the hands of a Nebraska defensive lineman. The defense was stifling, special teams on point and the Wolverines enhanced their BCS resume as they try to earn their first bid to a BCS bowl since the 2006 season.

1. Robinson and Toussaint Are the Real Deal

Denard Robinson and Fitzgerald Toussaint are turning into one of the best rushing duos in the country. Today, they accounted for 221 of the 238 Michigan rushing yards and four touchdowns, thanks in part to excellent play by the offensive line.

Denard was ruled probable earlier this week after suffering a wrist injury last week against Illinois. He played through any pain and looked as if he was at full strength. He showcased both his arm and legs against a weak Nebraska defense, completing 11-of-18 passes for two touchdowns, including a precise pass into the waiting arms of Martavious Odoms from 38 yards out. The play was reviewed and the call stood for a picturesque touchdown. His one setback on the day came from a tipped ball at the line that was intercepted.

Fitzgerald Toussaint is a name on the rise, and watching him juke and jive around the Nebraska No. 66 rush defense in the country was evidence of his growth within the Michigan offense. He’s now gone over 100 yards for the second week in a row and third out of the last four, adding six total touchdowns in that four-game stretch. He’s averaging 6.1 yards per carry in the last month and is hitting his strides at the perfect time of year.   

2. Special Teams Play Was Crucial

Yes, Denard Robinson played great. Yes, Fitzgerald Toussaint was outstanding once again. Yes, the defense significantly slowed down the occasionally powerful Nebraska offense. But the guys who went unnoticed were the special teams, especially in the second half.

The second half began—still a close game and Michigan forced a fumble on the kickoff, turned it into seven points and took the air right out of Nebraska’s comeback hopes. They blocked a punt on the very next drive, gave the offense excellent field position and turned it into another seven points.

Later in the game, Michigan ran a fake field goal inside the 20 and ran it down to the 1-yard line for a first down. Toussaint ran it in the next play.

Finally, punter Wil Richards drew a roughing-the-kicker flag and gave the ball back to their offense. Seven plays later, Denard went deep to Martavious Odoms on a 38-yard pass for a touchdown.

Take all these plays away and we have a close game on our hands. Game ball goes to special teams.

3. Rex Burkhead Is Human

Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead has been powering this offense throughout the season. He came into this game averaging 107.2 yards per game on the ground and has scored a touchdown in every game. The tough, gritty Michigan defense held Burkhead to 36 yards on 10 carries and no touchdowns, breaking his streak of 10 games with a score.

Burkhead was frustrated all day as Brady Hoke’s defense held Rex to just four yards on four carries in the first half and zero receptions. The second half wasn’t much better as he tacked on just 32 more yards. He did have a hand in one Nebraska touchdown as he pitched the ball to Ameer Abdullah for a three-yard scamper in the waning moments of the third quarter. Michigan proved to the country that Burkhead is human, and when you stop him, the whole offense gets weaker.

4. Nebraska’s Offense Is That Bad

When you take the star running back out of the game and put the burden on Taylor Martinez and their No. 101-ranked passing offense, you’re doing something right. Aside from shutting down Rex Burkhead, the Michigan defense stifled everyone else on the Nebraska offense. They held Martinez to 171 total yards and one touchdown, a job well done. If you take away his 54-yard strike to Brandon Kinnie for a touchdown in the first quarter, he didn’t amount to anything.

Nebraska converted on only three of their 13 third-down attempts and did not get their first conversion until late in the third quarter. Jake Ryan poured salt in Nebraska’s wounds when he sacked Martinez in the fourth, forcing a fumble and setting up a Fitzgerald Toussaint 31-yard run for a touchdown on the very next play. If they can do the same thing next weekend and force Braxton Miller to use his arm instead of his legs, they will be in for another big win.  

5. They Will Not Be in the Big Ten Championship

The win over Nebraska certainly helps their BCS ranking, bowl projections and morale, but we did learn that Michigan will not be playing in the inaugural Big Ten Championship game. The first-place Michigan State Spartans pounded Indiana and clinched the Legends Division for a spot in the big game.

The realization is disappointing for the maize and blue, but at 9-2 on the season and a chance to eclipse double-digit wins against rival Ohio State next week, this season must be deemed a success for Brady Hoke, especially in lieu of the immense improvements on the defensive side of the ball.

Had Michigan State been upset by either Indiana or Northwestern next week and Michigan won out, they’d lose the tiebreaker thanks to a 28-14 loss to the Spartans back in October.