I am the umpteenth person to say this but I think the winner of the Alamo Bowl should be awarded the outright 1997 National Championship. Michigan deserved it in 1997 but was robbed by a Cornusking loving nation. Although I know this will never happen, I do know Michigan will roll tonight because their offense is too potent.

I put alot of stock into NCAA '06. Nebraska is mediocre but their running backs are pretty food. Still not good enough to take down the Wolverines.

The Wolverines enter the Alamo Bowl with a 7-4 record after a season full of close games. All four Wolverine losses were by less than 7 points including an overtime loss to Wisconsin and a loss on a last minute field goal to Minnesota.  (The other two losses being to rivals and BCS game participants Ohio State and Notre Dame).

Although Nebraska enters the bowl with the same record they are hardly the caliber team Michigan is. Nebraska endured a 3-game skid towards the end of the season including losses to underachievers such as Missouri and just plain bad- Kansas.

Nebraska holds very few edges in the matchup. Scouts say Nebraska has a strong defensive line anchored by defensive end Adam Carriker but the true story line will be how Nebraskas line can hold up to a healthy Michigan line. Plagued by injuries all-season to All-Big ten balloters Leo Henige andJake Long the Wolverines finally have had some time to rest. Meanwhile injuries to offensive components Mike Hart, Jerome Jackson and Tim Massaqoui should provide the Wolverines with enough fire power to take down the Cornhuskers.

Even if the Maize and Blue do play without starting halfback Mike Hart lets remember they are the No. 1 winningest team of all-time. They find ways to win even in the event of injuries.

Offensively both teams are solid at the quarterback position. In a ground based offensive attack this season Chad Henne was still able to complete 20 touchdown passes while only throwing 10 interceptions. While his numbers are down from last season - much of that can be attributed to the loss of first round pick Braylon Edwards injuries to Hart, Jackson, Massaqoui, Breaston and junior wide reciever Adrian Arrington.

Henne completed 59 percent of his passes this season opposed to Nebraska's Zach Taylor has only completed 55. Taylor however spurs from a very dissimilar offense than Michigan. With Callahan's new West Coast clusterball Taylor threw for 2400 yards 16 touchodwns and 10 interceptions this season.

At the runningback position Michigan clearly holds the upper hand. Michigan touts 4 running backs who have sported touchdowns this season and a total of five running backs who have run for over 10 yards this season and scored a touchdown. Mike Hart, Kevin Grady, Max Martin, Jerome Jackson and even little Alijah Bradley are too strong and quick for Nebraska. Runningback by committee is stronger than Corey Ross' 700 yards and 4 touchdowns will ever be.

At reciever Michigan once again has some big play makers than Nebraska does not. We have all heard about the quick feat of Steve Breaston but Michigan has two deep threats in Jason Avant and Mario Manningham. Avant one of the leagues best possesion recievers often draws double coverage leaving freshman superstar Mario Manningham to make the clutch catches. Michigan also touts a great blocking and catching tight end with Tim Massaqoui.

Michigan won't have Braylon Edwards but they have a long list of playmakers. Avant, Breaston, Antonio Bass just to name a few.

Defensively Nebraska has arguably the best player in cornerback Cortney Grixby. Still Grixby can only cover one Michigan reciever leaving BIG RED in some BIG trouble. Michigan has many playmakers on defense including linebackers Pierre Woods, Lamar Woodley,and Prescott Burgess not to mention first team All-Big Ten players Gabe Watson and Grant Mason.

Special Teams once again goes to Michigan because when Breaston is fielding punts and kicks there is not much and slow Big 12 team can do about it. Yes Michigan has lost their last two bowl games. By a combined 15 points to USC and Texas - both much stronger than Nebraska.

My pick: Michigan 35 Nebraska 13. Nebraska made an egregious error when they hired Bill Callahan it is time to go back to the power attack. It is the only way Nebraska can win games against teams like michigan.

*** Michigan is 45-1 since 2001 when scoring more than 30 points****