SAN ANTONIO - If only Michigan and Nebraska could have
met eight years ago.
Two proud programs hoping to end disappointing seasons on a high
note meet in the Alamo Bowl when the 20th-ranked Wolverines
take on the Cornhuskers.
In 1997 - the year before the arrival of the Bowl Championship
Series - Michigan and Nebraska were undefeated after the regular
season but played in separate bowls, leading to a split
national championship.
Michigan is 3-1-1 all-time against Nebraska, including a 27-23
win in their last meeting, the 1986 Fiesta Bowl.
The Wolverines (7-4), who will be making their NCAA-best 31st
straight bowl appearance and 37th overall, were picked to win
the Big Ten Conference for a third consecutive year but finished
in a four-way tie for third at 5-3.
Michigan rebounded from a 3-3 start to win four straight games
before blowing a nine-point fourth-quarter lead in a 25-21 loss
to Ohio State on November 19. It was the Wolverines' fourth
loss in five games against Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel after
going 10-2-1 against John Cooper.
The Wolverines were greatly affected by injuries this season,
especially to star sophomore running back Mike Hart and to right
tackle Jake Long. Both are expected to play in the bowl,
though offensive linemen Mike Kolodziej and Leo Henige will not.
Michigan had gone to nine straight January bowls since a 22-20
setback to Texas AM in the 1995 Alamo Bowl during coach Lloyd
Carr's first season.
Last year, the Cornhuskers went 5-6 in their first season under
coach Bill Callahan, snapping their NCAA-best 35-year bowl
streak.
Still trying to grasp Callahan's West Coast offense, Nebraska
went 7-4 in 2005, winning its final two games after starting 2-4
in the weak Big 12 North Division.
The Cornhuskers put together their finest performance under
Callahan with a 30-3 triumph at Colorado on November 25,
preventing the Buffaloes from clinching the Big 12 North.
Zac Taylor threw for 392 yards and two touchdowns without an
interception in the win.
The Cornhuskers will be without linebacker Bo Ruud, who broke
his arm in practice and underwent surgery. He is their
second-leading tackler.