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The resumes:

1985 Michigan (10-1-1)

• Went 3-0 in non-conference play, against three top 20 teams (#13 Notre Dame, #15 South Carolina, #20 Maryland)
• Lone loss was on the road at #1 Iowa, on a last second FG, 12-10
• 3-3 tie at Illinois cost them a share of the Big Ten title
• Beat #7 Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl
• SP+ #8 team of the 80s
• All-Americans: DT Mike Hammerstein (unanimous), CB Brad Cochran (consensus), QB Jim Harbaugh, TE Eric Kattus, DE Mark Messner, LB Mike Mallory

1980 Nebraska (10-2)

• Won at #3 Penn State, but lost at home to #16 Florida State in non-conference play
• Lost at home in the season finale to Oklahoma, to lose the Big 8 title
• Beat #17 Mississippi State in the Sun Bowl
• SP+ #3 team of the 80s
• All-Americans: RB Jarvis Redwine, OG Randy Schleusner, DT David Clark, NT Kirk Hineline, LB Derrie Nelson, S Russell Gary

SP+ includes 1 NC in its top 10 from the 80s.  I'm normally a stats guy, but in looking over some of their really highly-ranked teams, their formula seems to REALLY value beating the ever-loving shit out of average-and-worse teams.  What you do against fellow strong teams seems nearly meaningless, as long as you win some and lose some.

All that being said, I think OU's run from 85-87 was evidence that it's not just about the stats.  Matchup and talent level matter, obviously.  I hold talent level much higher than matchup, but whatever.  

On this game, I think it would be badass to watch.  Nebraska shut down the run like few teams ever have.  Of course a Bo-led UM team wants to pound the ball, but I don't think they'd be able to.  The problem is that Harbaugh's 64% comp rate would have allowed the Wolverines to move the ball and score.  
Nebraska had a great option game, but 2 of UM's best players were on the d-line.  They weren't just gap-stoppers, but penetrators.  I think Messerschmidt & Hammerstein would retard the Husker run attack just enough.

On this game, I think it would be badass to watch.  Nebraska shut down the run like few teams ever have.  Of course a Bo-led UM team wants to pound the ball, but I don't think they'd be able to.  The problem is that Harbaugh's 64% comp rate would have allowed the Wolverines to move the ball and score. 

so, is this tourney to pick which team would win in a game on the field, or which team you think was the better team overall?

I hadn't looked at the matchup for a game on the field.  I just looked at season resumes.

difficult to matchup different teams from different seasons - in the same decade isn't so bad, but.........

matching 97 Nebraska vs 97 Michigan is fun, but a team from 1980 and 1989 could be problematic

besides, my love of the Huskers and my strong dislike of Michigan wasn't going to allow for enough logic to sway my vote

ok

thinking about it THAT way, I'll take the 1980 Huskers by 2 scores

seems we need a tiebreaker on more polls than not

Need a tiebreaker...per usual