The Nebraska football team will have its hands full with Michigan. The Wolverines were a tough Big Ten opener even before Bryce Underwood showed he can hurt the Huskers in numerous ways.
Now that Underwood has demonstrated he's more than a drop-back passer, he's offering up real problems for a Cornhuskers defense that has already shown a problem stopping a running quarterback.
Stand-in Michigan coach Biff Poggi knows what Underwood can offer his team. With Sherrone Moore out this week due to a suspension, Poggi said that his quarterback has the green light to run against the Nebraska football team whenever he wants.
Underwood vs Raiola has analysts billing the Huskers' game vs Michigan as one of the big matchups of the week, thanks to both QBs being former 5-star prospects. There's also the fact that the two signal callers offer a different type of game.
Nebraska football must solve mobile quarterback issues fast
Raiola is more of a traditional pocket passer who can run, but doesn't really like to. Underwood can certainly hurt opponents with his arm, but he can also hurt teams with his legs.
He demonstrated his ability to carry the ball effectively last week against Central Michigan. In his team's 63-3 win, the quarterback carried 9 times for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns. He had a total of -6 yards on the ground in his first two games.
The complete turnaround in his rushing yards could be a statement more on how bad Central Michigan's defense is. It did allow 63 points after all. Or the Wolverines have found a new weapon they plan to use this Saturday.
And then of course, Poggi may be simply misleading the Nebraska football team because he wants defensive coordinator John Butler to have to worry about Underwood taking off and running, even if he won't.