How Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola must mentally prepare for Michigan

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have a huge game coming up this weekend against the No. 21 Michigan Wolverines.

The Huskers are 3-0 and have a chance to make a huge statement with a win over Michigan. Matt Rhule is 6-12 against Big Ten opponents so far in his Nebraska career, so a win over a ranked Wolverines team in Lincoln would be a sign to the rest of the conference that Nebraska is "back".

It's also a big game for Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola because on the other sideline will be a Michigan quarterback in freshman Bryce Underwood who has had a similar path.

Both were highly-regarding five-star recruits, and both got the keys to the car as a freshman. Raiola is now in his sophomore season.

The Wolverines are also pretty intimidating on defense, and that's something Rhule recently revealed that his quarterback has to have a respect for Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and what his unit can do.

Nebraska's Raiola has a huge test on his hands in Michigan

Raiola has completed 76.6% of his passes this season for 829 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions. It has been a terrific start for the young quarterback, but you have to consider the competition.

So far, he's gone up against Cincinnati, Akron and Houston Christian. Michigan is a different beast altogether.

“I think (Raiola) knows how good the Michigan defense is,” Rhule said on a new episode of his "House Rhules" podcast (h/t On3). “They have a top-25 run defense. This is Wink Martindale. They get off the bus and they’re pressuring you. This is an elite defense with an elite defensive coordinator. Dylan understands that it’s him making the right check, him executing the right plays and him throwing the ball to the right guys. It’s just that.”

There is also the mental aspect of knowing what the media will be talking about in this game. This is two young up-and-coming quarterbacks doing battle against each other. 

Raiola could very well feel under pressure to outduel Underwood, but his head coach feels he has a good head on his shoulders. Like with most successful endeavors in life, Raiola is going to have to take the game as it comes.

“Content needs those storylines to get people interested, but the football part of it is just ‘hey, how well can I play each play?’ I trust Dylan and I think the good thing is that he’s played in a bunch of big games already here," Rhule said. "He played a bunch of big games in high school and he grew up in a football family. He knows that the key to being a great quarterback is controlling what you can control and blocking out all the noise.”

Nebraska and Michigan will kick off at 3:30 p.m. EST in Lincoln on Saturday. According to ESPN Bet, the Huskers are a 1.5 point underdog.