Nebraska vs Michigan 2011 College Football Picks: The Nebraska Cornhuskers, ranked 16th in the BCS standings and 17th AP, make their second visit in as many weeks to a hostile Big Ten venue when they play the 18th BCS/20th AP ranked Michigan Wolverines at the Big House in Ann Arbor (12:05 p.m. ET, ESPN). The game is pivotal for both teams who are tied in second place of Legends division with equal 4-2 records. Should leader Michigan State slip in its final two games, the Huskers, providing they defeat Michigan would be poised to represent the division in the championship game by virtue of it's win over Michigan State Oct. 29. If Michigan wins Saturday, it will not get the advantage of the tie breaker since the Spartans defeated the Wolverines Oct. 15.Michigan is lined favorite by -3 1/2 College Football Odds at most offshore sports books while the combined score total (over/under) is holding at 51.
Nebraska's offense ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring (32.9) and rushing (232.7), fourth in total yards (404.1), and 10th in passing (171.4). The Huskers continue to boast an impressive rushing tandem in tailback Rex Burkhead (107.2) and quarterback Taylor Martinez (76.8), who rank third and seventh, respectively, in the conference. Last week at Penn State, Burkhead scampered for 121 yards and a score while Martinez netted 56 yards on the ground and 143 yards in the air. Martinez has struggled in Big Ten play though, completing just 57.7 percent of his passes and throwing seven interceptions. That should excite a Michigan defense that has forced 23 turnovers this year, including multiple turnovers in eight of 10 games.
Michigan has totaled more than 500 yards in three conference games and over 30 points in four of six Big Ten outings. That production has helped the Wolverines improve their league averages to third in scoring (32.5) and total yards (421.5). Like Nebraska, Michigan features a dynamic dual-threat quarterback. The Wolverines' Denard Robinson ranks 36th nationally with an average of 96.0 rushing yards per game, a total that ranks third among quarterbacks. Robinson is also completing 53.5 percent of his passes, while averaging 170.9 passing yards per game. Behind Robinson, the Wolverines rank 11th nationally in rushing at 235.9 yards per outing. Michigan ranks 84th in the nation with an average of 200.4 passing yards per contest, but the Wolverines are averaging a nation's-best 15.9 yards per catch.
If the Nebraska defense has as much trouble against Michigan's mobile quarterback as they did at Wisconsin, it will be a long afternoon for the Huskers. My Pick – Michigan -3 1/2.
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