Michigan @ Nebraska preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 19, 2011 ) Nebraska 17, Michigan 45

Michigan can take a huge step toward winning the Big Ten Legends Division when it visits Nebraska on Saturday in a showdown between two of the most storied programs in college football history. The No. 20 Wolverines have won three consecutive games and are the lone undefeated squad in divisional play. The Cornhuskers are one game behind after overcoming a 12-point deficit to edge Northwestern last Saturday. Nebraska is playing at home for the first time since Sept. 29 and is expected to be without star running back Rex Burkhead, who aggravated a left knee injury in the Northwestern game. Michigan’s Denard Robinson is one passing touchdown away from becoming the first player in Big Ten history with 50 career passing touchdowns and 40 career rushing scores.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Nebraska -2.5.

ABOUT MICHIGAN (5-2, 3-0 Big Ten): The Wolverines have allowed 13 or fewer points in each of their last five games. Michigan is 10th nationally in total defense (286.0 yards per game) and fourth in defending the pass (143.0). Robinson has passed for nine touchdowns and nine interceptions in addition to posting 900 rushing yards. He ranks seventh nationally in rushing yards per game (128.6). Senior receiver Roy Roundtree stands 10th on Michigan’s career receptions list with 135, one ahead of 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard. Junior strong-side linebacker Jake Ryan leads the Wolverines with 52 tackles, including 8.5 for losses. Senior safety Jordan Kovacs has 304 career tackles, 15th-most in school history.

ABOUT NEBRASKA (5-2, 2-1): The Cornhuskers are averaging 41.6 points per game despite setting a season-low in the 29-28 victory over Northwestern. With Burkhead ailing, sophomore Ameer Abdullah will again be in the feature-back role. Abdullah has 615 rushing yards and has topped 100 yards three times. Junior quarterback Taylor Martinez has thrown 15 touchdown passes and been intercepted only four times. Martinez also has rushed for six scores. Sophomore receiver Kenny Bell has a team-high 540 receiving yards and went over 1,000 career receiving yards in his 20th game. Only 1972 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers (16 games) reached the mark faster among Nebraska players. Senior defensive end Eric Martin has eight tackles for losses, including 5.5 sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Michigan leads the series 4-2-1 and walloped Nebraska 45-17 last year in Ann Arbor, Mich.

2. The Cornhuskers have topped 200 rushing yards in all seven games, the first time they have accomplished that in a season's seven contests since 2000.

3. The Wolverines committed 11 turnovers in their two losses and only three miscues in their five wins.

PREDICTION: Nebraska 30, Michigan 27