Wolverines face Nebraska

SAN ANTONIO – Michigan coach Lloyd Carr does not consider the Alamo Bowl a comedown for a program with Rose Bowl appearances the last two years and nine straight New Year’s Day berths.

Instead, he thinks about the opposition – Nebraska.

“You look back at the last 30 years, and they’ve won more national championships than anybody in the country,” Carr said. “We have a history with Nebraska going back to the (1986) Fiesta Bowl and, of course, the ‘97 co-national championship.”

A 25-21 regular season-ending defeat to Ohio State left Michigan (7-4) with four losses by a total of 17 points.

These aren’t the Cornhuskers most college football fans envision when they think of Nebraska, which has won or shared five national titles since 1970, including three in the ‘90s.

The Huskers (7-4) are still trying to find their way back to national prominence under Bill Callahan. Nebraska is 12-10 since Callahan replaced Frank Solich, 10-10 against Division I-A opponents.

Callahan has played 29 freshmen or sophomores this season.