Nebraska Football: Red Zone could be breaking point vs Michigan

Neither Nebraska football’s defense nor Michigan’s offense is very good at all in the red zone. So, which unit is going to see improvement?

There’s certainly the smart money on whether the Wolverines or Nebraska football team gives out. But it’s going to be an interesting study to see who actually improves. There almost has to be some improvement from one of the two squads.

While the Nebraska football defense has been impressive this season, there is one area where it has struggled mightily. When opponents get into the Red Zone, they score. They don’t score often, they don’t score most of the time, they score every … single … time.

The Nebraska football team has allowed opponents to get into the Red Zone 12 times this year. Those opponents are 12-for-12 in scoring. They’ve scored 7 touchdowns and 5 field goals.

That’s not particularly good news going up against the Michigan Wolverines who haven’t scored less than 30 points in any game. However, that doesn’t really tell the tale either.

The Wolverines tend to do their scoring from long range. That’s witnessed by the fact that Jim Harbaugh’s offense isn’t all that good from the Red Zone either.

Nebraska football Red Zone defense needs to improve

While the Huskers are tied for dead last in college football in Red Zone defense, Michigan hasn’t been remotely efficient on offense when they get to their opponents’ 20-yard line. In fact, the Wolverines rank 96th in Red Zone conversions.

In 17 trips to that area of the field, they’ve scored 13 touchdowns and haven’t hit a field goal. That’s just a 77 percent scoring percentage.

Obviously, most teams will take getting into the Red Zone 17 times in four games. And Michigan hasn’t had a problem scoring against some lesser opponents.

The question is whether the Nebraska football team can find a way to bow up if and when Michigan gets in the Red Zone. If they can, they might stand a chance against the Wolverines.