A Michigan football injury that could impact the Nebraska game

This weekend, the undefeated Wolverines are heading to Lincoln, NE, for a Week 5 road bout against Nebraska. Last weekend, the Michigan football injury report featured a new name: Mason Graham, who Harbaugh suggests will likely miss another game or two before returning to the lineup. Seeing as Nebraska has a few injuries of their own — including quarterback Jeff Sims — there’s reason to believe that the Cornhuskers will keep the ball on the ground, making the loss of the team’s top defensive tackle something worth keeping an eye on.

This Michigan football injury could impact the Nebraska game

Mason Graham is an athletic freak and the top Michigan football defensive tackle this year. If you ask Jim Harbaugh, who has coached his fair share of football at all levels, Graham is a ” gift from the football gods,” which is something Harbaugh has reiterated on a few occasions.

Heading into the Nebraska game, it is believed that Mason Graham will be ruled out for the second weekend in a row, leaving other defensive studs — such as Kenneth Grant and Cam Goode — to step up. Last weekend, they did a great job of filling in; however, Nebraska is a bigger and more physical football team than Rutgers, and the Wolverines are on the road this weekend.

Nebraska offense could test Michigan’s run defense without Mason Graham

Now, first off, even if Nebraska had a healthy QB room — which they don’t — the Huskers are not a passing threat. Even against lesser teams, Nebraska simply doesn’t throw the football well, and currently sits at 126th nationally in passing offense. The Huskers also rank 75th in sacks allowed, giving up nine so far through four games.

Now, looking at rushing offense, the story is a bit different — Nebraska ranks just outside of the top 5 in rushing offense this year, coming in at 6th nationally. It’s worth noting that Nebraska is much further up the list than Michigan football in rushing offense through four games, with the Wolverines ranking 49th nationally in rushing offense thus far.

With Mason Graham still battling injury, Week 5 will be a massive test for Kenneth Grant and others as the Wolverines look to stay on track defensively against a very one-dimensional offense in Lincoln this weekend.

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