This weekend, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines hit the road for the first time this year; this time, heading to Nebraska for a Week 5 matchup in Lincoln. Today, Harbaugh broke down some aspects of preparation for the Cornhuskers, who have the No. 1 run defense in the nation and more right now.
Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh talks Nebraska prep
Today, for the first time since last weekend’s win over Rutgers, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh met with the media. Here is what Harbaugh is saying about Nebraska prep and more heading into the team’s first road game and second Big Ten conference game of the 2023 season.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s just the planning of it,” Jim Harbaugh said when asked about Nebraska having the No. 1 run defense in the nation. “And, you know, recognizing how they’re doing that. They’re good. They’re really good at playing multiple fronts, multiple schemes. So, it’s going to be an important week of planning and preparation, and then we’ll go compete and try to execute to the best of our ability.”
Prepping for the Huskers’ offense
On top of having a great rushing defense, Nebraska football has a fierce rushing attack. Jim Harbaugh was asked about this as well.
“It’s a great formula,” Jim Harbaugh said, talking about Nebraska having a good rushing offense and a good rushing defense. “Stopping the run and being able to run the ball is a winning formula in football. And yeah, we’re just gonna have to play good. It’ll be a game of blocking, tackling, focusing on fundamentals, reads, getting off blocks, defeating blocks, playing the assignment, being in the right alignment, being in the right technique. A lot of focus on real football fundamentals and technique.”
Jim Harbaugh says Michigan football needs to “have its defense packed”
This weekend, Michigan football will face its first road test of the year. Additionally, the Wolverines are walking into one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the Big Ten; regardless of the quality of Nebraska football as a whole, those fans will be up and loud.
“Yeah, the preparation is, you know, just much like anything, getting good at football,” the 9th-year Michigan football head coach said. “I mean, pack a good football team to go on the road. Especially the defense. Make sure you gotta get your defense packed. Don’t forget, don’t leave them at home.”
Michigan-Nebraska slated to kickoff at 3:30PM
Jim Harbaugh is spot on about the defense — Nebraska is coming off of a win right now, and under new coach Matt Rhule, the Huskers are bound to come out swinging on Saturday. Right now, Michigan football has the No. 1 defense in the nation, and they’ll need to be on their A-game this weekend to avoid a mid-season upset. For the time being, the Wolverines are 18-point favorites.
Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!