#21 Michigan Wolverines (2-1) @ Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0) Game Thread

[Mdot21]

3:30 PM (ET) kickoff. B1G conference opener. Opening line has Michigan favored by 3. Last game of Sherrone Moore's 2025 suspension.

Really big game for both teams. Michigan had their get right tune-up game vs Central Michigan before the B1G opener- Nebraska has had nothing but tune up games so far- but again it's super early in the season. Michigan OL has 3 starters playing through some injuries and still trying to gel as a unit. Could be something to watch in Nebraska's favor. Michigan OL just ain't where it has been in the past and where it needs to be- hopefully they start to turn it around.

TE's Marlin Klein and Hogan Hansen both seem to finally be getting healthy- which is huge news for Michigan because it's WR's are extremely mediocre. RB's look great, Justice Haynes is a DUDE and Jordan Marshall is as well. Watch out for true frosh Jasper Parker- he's going to be a DUDE too in the future, I think.

Hopefully they continue to let Bryce Underwood take shots down the field early and to throw on 1st and 2nd downs- and hopefully they continue to actually use his legs in the offense. First two weeks they were completely hesitant to do any of the above- but with Sherrone Moore sitting at home in Week 3 they let Bryce have the freedom to run it and to also throw it down the field on 1st down. Hopefully that trend continues. Not setting this offense up for any success if they don't incorporate his legs into the offense. Not setting the passing game up for any success either if they don't change it up and throw on early downs.

[FearlessF]

if the Michigan Oline isn't much better than Cincy - the Huskers have a chance to keep it within 3

[Mdot21]

if the Michigan Oline isn't much better than Cincy - the Huskers have a chance to keep it within 3

Michigan O-line completely baffling to me right now. 3 starters are banged up and it's been very inconsistent. Also think the play-calling and limiting of Bryce Underwood has put them in tougher spot than they need to be. Using Bryce's legs in the offense as a run threat and letting him throw the ball down the field on 1st down definitely makes defenses play them more honest- which in turn helps the O-line out a ton.

[SuperMario]

Hopefully they continue to let Bryce Underwood take shots down the field early and to throw on 1st and 2nd downs- and hopefully they continue to actually use his legs in the offense. First two weeks they were completely hesitant to do any of the above- but with Sherrone Moore sitting at home in Week 3 they let Bryce have the freedom to run it and to also throw it down the field on 1st down. Hopefully that trend continues. Not setting this offense up for any success if they don't incorporate his legs into the offense. Not setting the passing game up for any success either if they don't change it up and throw on early downs.

I don't even think it needs to be that simplistic of throwing down field. Just stop running up the middle on 1st and 2nd down over and over.  Show his ability to scramble, move around, create issues for the defense and the running game will then also improve with the talent in that backfield. 

Receivers aren't terrible, they just aren't great. McCulley and Morgan are serviceable, they just don't have elite level receivers. Semaj is nowhere near 5'10". If I was opposition and was told he was 5'10", i'd laugh after seeing him in person the first time. Dude is 5'8"... maybe. If there's ever been a tough transition as an M fan, it's been not having star receivers and watching the Buckeyes consistently have the caliber at WR we grew up watching with Desmond, Derrick Alexander, Toomer, Walker, Terrell then spoiled with Avant, Braylon, Breaston, Manningham.  Brian Hartline is simply a machine down there and rightfully attracts talent that seems to ensure it doesn't land in AA. 

This game comes down to how well does the Michigan secondary do and how much pressure can they get no Raiola? Let Underwood play his game, but also expect a turnover to come with that. Opening up that door will lead to some slip ups this young, but that risk is worth it, so do it. I expect Barham to have a big game. He can change a game defensively. 

[Mdot21]

I don't even think it needs to be that simplistic of throwing down field. Just stop running up the middle on 1st and 2nd down over and over.  Show his ability to scramble, move around, create issues for the defense and the running game will then also improve with the talent in that backfield.

Receivers aren't terrible, they just aren't great. McCulley and Morgan are serviceable, they just don't have elite level receivers. Semaj is nowhere near 5'10". If I was opposition and was told he was 5'10", i'd laugh after seeing him in person the first time. Dude is 5'8"... maybe. If there's ever been a tough transition as an M fan, it's been not having star receivers and watching the Buckeyes consistently have the caliber at WR we grew up watching with Desmond, Derrick Alexander, Toomer, Walker, Terrell then spoiled with Avant, Braylon, Breaston, Manningham.  Brian Hartline is simply a machine down there and rightfully attracts talent that seems to ensure it doesn't land in AA.

This game comes down to how well does the Michigan secondary do and how much pressure can they get no Raiola? Let Underwood play his game, but also expect a turnover to come with that. Opening up that door will lead to some slip ups this young, but that risk is worth it, so do it. I expect Barham to have a big game. He can change a game defensively.

sorry, I think the WRs are really bad. McCulley is a nice big body possession WR and would be a solid #2- but that's it. He gets zero separation and has average at best speed- but he is 6'5" with nice vertical jump and ball skills and big body to shield defenders out. Semaj is just.....terrible. He's 5'8 on a good day and is a midget with awful acceleration and top end speed for a guy that is 5'8, 175 pounds....guys that size have to be insanely explosive and fast- and he is neither. Every other WR on the roster is a RS Frosh or True Frosh that probably just isn't ready yet. The WR position is just really really really bad right now at Michigan. I think you have to fire Ronald Bellamy after the season and attack the portal- it is unacceptable to have WRs this bad at a place like Michigan and with a young budding star QB like Bryce Underwood. 

Jaishawn Barham needs more time at EDGE- he is just flat out an insanely explosive guy at 6'3, 250 lbs. He eats ground up in a hurry and explodes into QBs. Also think true frosh Nate Marshall and true soph Dominic Nichols both need to get into the rotation a lot more at EDGE on pass rush downs- they both have twitch/explosion the other guys lack. Derrick Moore is playing through injury and isn't right- he's lost a step right now and isn't 100%. And TJ Guy is just not getting it done right now and is to me without question the most disappointing player on the entire team right now considering all the off-season hype about him spring boarding from where he left off at the end of 2024. And Cam Brandt is an elite run defender and thumper at EDGE but he gives you very little in the way of pass rush.

[SuperMario]

Maybe it's my optimist mindset.. I just think the offense is missing a stud receiver. If they had one, then Morgan is a slot type receiver a McCulley is a decent #2 because of his size. Not explosive by any means, but he's a big dude and has decent hands. Is it my dream receiver group? No, not close, but you throw one stud receiver in there with those two and Klein is healthy, it changes the offense. One thing that's not there is a receiver that's going to outrun defenders and let Underwood sling downfield.  That would be a huge asset that's not there. Not sure how great his hands are, but I'd run a play or two Saturday with Marsh running straight downfield.

Defense, we agree on all of that. Guy has not been what was expected so maybe he has an injury bug? Or flat overrated.. not sure. Moore we need healthy. Barham, you're not wrong. Throw him on the edge and let it rip. Watching that dude get by blocks is awesome. He's explosive, shifty and just freaking strong.

[Mdot21]

they need Larry Ellison's wife to throw a billion dollars in the portal at Ryan Williams from Bama & Nick Marsh from MSU this off-season and to flip 5* WR Calvin Russell from Syracuse. WR will be just fine in 2026 if they can pull that off lol.

I don't even think Semaj is a good slot. He's not explosive in short area like a Wes Welker or Julian Edelman. He's got zero top end speed either like a Zach Branch. It is beyond weird to see a guy that size not be quick or fast. Like....usually they have one or the other or both- he has none.

[Mdot21]

true freshman CB Shamari Earls and senior Safety Rod Moore should both be available for this game- we'll see how much if any they play though. 

[SuperMario]

I don't even think Semaj is a good slot. He's not explosive in short area like a Wes Welker or Julian Edelman. He's got zero top end speed either like a Zach Branch. It is beyond weird to see a guy that size not be quick or fast. Like....usually they have one or the other or both- he has none.

I mean lol.. you're comparing them to two of the best slot receivers in the history of the NFL, so yeah, they aren't explosive like two of the greatest slot receivers ever. 

[Mdot21]

I mean lol.. you're comparing them to two of the best slot receivers in the history of the NFL, so yeah, they aren't explosive like two of the greatest slot receivers ever.

yeah, no.

I'm not comparing them as wide receivers. comparing physical size/athletic traits. 5'8 WR's better be insanely quick in short area explosiveness or have insane top end speed. Or both. Semaj Morgan is absolute complete ass and has none. That is fucking INSANE to be 5'8, 175 pounds and not be quick AND not be fast. Why the hell was the kid ever even on scholarship? But Deon Burks was in their backyard and they never offered him. LOL. Ron Bellamy is complete ass of a WR coach.

[SuperMario]

yeah, no.

I'm not comparing them as wide receivers.

I don't even think Semaj is a good slot. He's not explosive in short area like a Wes Welker or Julian Edelman.

🤔

[MrNubbz]

I don't even think it needs to be that simplistic of throwing down field. Just stop running up the middle on 1st and 2nd down over and over.

Sound like Bucks fans vs M last November yelling at Day and Kelly the very same thing.

[MrNubbz]

they need Larry Ellison's wife to throw a billion dollars in the portal at Ryan Williams from Bama & Nick Marsh from MSU this off-season and to flip 5* WR Calvin Russell from Syracuse. WR will be just fine in 2026 if they can pull that off lol.

As long as you're fantasizing the '17-'20 receiving  corp would be nice,Nico Collins,DPJ and Tarik Black(before crippling injuries) maybe the best stable of WRs had IMHO

[Mdot21]

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