By Ralph Lauro, College Football Staff Writer

GAME NOTES: Two of the all-time winningest programs in college football hook up in the Alamo Bowl, as the 20th-ranked Michigan Wolverines do battle with the Nebraska Cornhuskers from the Alamodome in San Antonio. Although the season didn't turn out like they had hoped, the Wolverines were still able to slip into the postseason with a 7-4 overall mark and a 5-3 finish in the Big Ten. This is the 31st consecutive bowl appearances and the 37th overall by Michigan, which owns an even 18-18 mark in the postseason. The Wolverines have appeared in the Alamo Bowl on one other occasion, a 22-20 setback to Texas A&M in head coach Lloyd Carr's first season in 1995. As for Nebraska, it also posted a 7-4 record during the regular season and finished an even 4-4 in Big 12 play. The Cornhuskers have made 42 previous bowl appearances, going an even 21-21 during that stretch. The team owns a perfect 2-0 mark in the Alamo Bowl, defeating Michigan State (17-3)in 2003 and Northwestern (66-17) in 2000. With regards to the all-time series between the two schools, Michigan owns a 3-1-1 edge. The Wolverines defeated Nebraska 27-23 in 1986 Fiesta Bowl, which was the last meeting between the two schools and the only previous matchup in the postseason.

Michigan hasn't been its usual overpowering self on the offensive side of the ball this season, but it still has done a solid job in averaging 28.8 ppg and 382.8 total ypg. The Wolverines feature a balanced attack between the run (164.5 ypg) and pass (218.4 ypg), and have also done a solid job protecting the ball with just 15 turnovers in 11 games. Mike Hart was expected to lead the offense this season after a stellar freshman campaign, but instead he suffered through injuries which kept him out of four games. Still, Hart leads the team in rushing with 588 yards and has also scored four touchdowns. Chad Henne did all that he could to pick up the slack for Hart, as he threw for 2,256 yards with 20 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. His main target has clearly been Jason Avant, who recently earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors. Avant is had a career-year and leads the team with 74 catches for 936 yards and eight scores.

Defensively, the Wolverines have done a good job in limiting their foes to just 19.3 ppg, although the 347.6 total ypg they are giving up is a bit high for this talented group. The unit is allowing 136.1 rushing ypg and 211.5 passing ypg this season and has yielded an identical 11 touchdowns on the ground and through the air. Michigan has even done a decent job in forcing 21 turnovers, although it has struggled to get to opposing quarterbacks with just 19 sacks. LaMarr Woodley has accounted for a team-best six of those sacks and also leads the club with 15 TFLs. David Harris has been the club's most consistent defender this year, as he leads Michigan with 80 tackles in 10 games.

Nebraska's offense has struggled with consistency this season and because of that it is averaging just 24.0 ppg and only 320.5 total ypg. The biggest problem for the team has been its inability to run the ball, averaging a mere 91.0 ypg on the ground with only nine touchdowns. Cory Ross has been burdened with much of the workload out of the backfield, and has rushed for 721 yards and four scores. Ross has also been used in the passing game, as he ranks second on the team with 40 catches, that have led to 384 yards and three touchdowns. With the inept ground game, QB Zac Taylor has had to virtually carry the offense and has done so by throwing for 2,486 yards thus far. He is completing a decent 55.9 percent of his throws with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Nate Swift has provided Taylor with an open target week in and week out and leads the team with 42 catches, 610 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball is where Nebraska has been at its best this season, holding its opponents to just 20.4 ppg and 326.0 total ypg. The unit has fared well against the run (123.7 ypg), while surrendering 202.3 ypg via the pass. The area the defense has really thrived in is getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, with 46 total sacks. Corey McKeon has done it all for the Cornhuskers and leads the team in tackles (87), TFLs (19) and interceptions (three). He also ranks second on the club in sacks with seven. Adam Carriker is another player worth noting, as his 9.5 sacks are a club-best while his 17 TFLs rank second to McKeon.

Winning games is nothing new to these teams, as Michigan is atop the all-time win list in college football with 848 victories, while Nebraska ranks fourth with 793 all-time wins. It should be a battle and a low scoring affair, with the edge going to Michigan, which clearly possesses more weapons on the offensive side of the ball.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Michigan 24, Nebraska 14