**Nebraska vs. Michigan**

--Although these proud programs are accustomed to playing at better bowl venues with higher stakes, there's no doubt that this game is extremely important, mostly due to the somewhat shaky status of both head coaches. Now that's not to suggest that either coach will get pink slipped for a loss, but the loser will go into next season on the hot seat.

--Most sports books are listing Michigan (7-4 SU, 5-6 ATS) as a 10 1/2-point 'chalk' with a total of 47. Gamblers can earn a sweet money-line payoff (+325) if the Cornhuskers can win outright.

--Nebraska (7-4 SU, 5-5 ATS) bounced back from a three-game losing streak to win its last two games of the regular season. The Cornhuskers are off perhaps their best effort of Bill Callahan's two-year tenure, dealing out a 30-3 beatdown at Colorado as 17-point underdogs.

--Michigan has lost four heartbreakers in this disappointing campaign, but its play down the stretch was at a top-10 level. The Wolverines won four of their last five games, beating Penn State at home and winning twice on the road by double digits, at Iowa and at Northwestern. The lone loss was a gut-wrenching 25-21 defeat to Ohio State.

--The 'over' is 6-4 for Nebraska, cashing in four of its last five games.

--The 'under' is 6-3 for Michigan.

**B.E.'s Bonus Nuggets**

--Rutgers fullback Brian Leonard is going to be a force on Sundays in the very near future.

--Miami WR Ryan Moore has been suspended for the Peach Bowl for an unspecified violation of team rules.

--Wow, there's going to be a serious quarterback controversy at Arizona State next year between Sam Keller and Rudy Carpenter.

--Chris Spielman was an oustanding linebacker at Ohio State before enjoying a stellar NFL career with the Lions and Bills. But as a color analyst for ESPN, he's painful to hear. I'm talking about "rather-have-my-fingernails-removed-than-hear him" painful.