Louisiana Tech vs. Nebraska: Keys to victory, HuskerOnline score predictions for Saturday
Nebraska (1-2) will try to keep things rolling on Saturday when Louisana Tech (1-2) comes to Lincoln.
The Husker offense faces big questions at quarterback and running back heading into today’s game. As we get closer to kickoff, here are the keys to victory for the Huskers against the Bulldogs.
NU enters today’s game as a 20.5-point favorite over Lousiana Tech. Today’s game is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff and can be seen on the Big Ten Network.
KEYS TO VICTORY: Louisiana Tech vs. Nebraska
KEY 1: Early offensive body blows
Last week, we saw Nebraska’s offense wear down Northern Illinois, especially after a 23-play third quarter, which led to a near 100-yard rushing fourth quarter. They need to bring this same offensive formula to Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
KEY 2: Contain Smoke Harris in space
Louisiana Tech will come to Lincoln with an elite playmaker in space. Wide receiver Smoke Harris can hurt you in several different ways. They need to be aware of his presence on Saturday.
KEY 3: Third down execution on offense
The turning point of last week’s game in the third quarter was Nebraska’s 14-play, 76-yard scoring drive that made the game 21-3. NU converted four straight third downs on that drive, changing the game. They need to have that same type of third-down execution against La. Tech.
KEY 4: Handle Louisana Tech’s blitz package
Louisana Tech knows to beat Nebraska, they need to be aggressive and force turnovers on defense. Matt Rhule hinted about their blitz package on Thursday. NU must be ready for the Bulldogs to bring the heat on third down. The quarterbacks must protect the football and not try to force something if protection breaks down.
KEY 5: Complimentary football
Last week, Nebraska’s defense had a key goal line stop to keep the game at 7-3. Special teams punted a ball down to the 1-yard line that helped make the game 14-3 at halftime, and the offense put the game away, holding the ball for 11:39 and 23 total plays in the third quarter. That was complimentary football at its finest. This needs to be the formula again on Saturday.
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EXPERT Take
Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Pubisher
This is a good match-up for Nebraska’s defense. So far, the Huskers have tackled well in space. I think they have a defensive or special teams touchdown on Saturday. NU’s running game will wear down Louisana Tech, just like we saw a week ago against Northern Illinois. Both quarterbacks should have a role in this game. Look for at least one long run for Anthony Grant.
Nebraska 34, Louisiana Tech 10
Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist
Nebraska relieved a lot of pressure on itself with a win last week and heard quite a bit of praise throughout this week. The way a team handles winning is as important as how it handles losing. This team strikes me as one who will handle it all well, largely because of a veteran-laden defense that is playing at high level.
Nebraska 34, Louisiana Tech 12
Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer
Regardless of how Nebraska’s decides to handle its situation at quarterback, the Blackshirts will dictate this one from start to finish. The Huskers finally make some explosive plays on offense and maybe even score a defensive touchdown en route to a comfortable victory.
Nebraska 38, Louisiana Tech 14
Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha
Jeff Sims? Heinrich Haarberg? Both? My bet is you see both with a heavy dose of Anthony Grant. As long as the defense continues to play lights out, the offense plays relatively clean football, the Huskers will have its first winning streak in almost a year. Don’t be surprised if you see the Huskers get at least one touchdown from the defense and/or special teams.
Nebraska 31, Louisiana Tech 10
Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha
The Nebraska win over NIU was expensive (lost players to injury) but gave a third indication (in as many games) that the Huskers may have an elite-level defense this year. Good enough to literally carry the team across the winning threshold. HH was double impressive against a hard-hitting opponent. He’ll look better this week.
Nebraska 42, Louisiana Tech 10
Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up
The biggest key to beating Louisiana Tech is to slow down the smoke. WR/KOR/PR Smoke Harris is one of the few explosive players for the Bulldogs. The 6th-year senior does everything and is on the Jet Award watch list for returners both KOR and PR. He’s also in the top 10 of career TD’s scored among current FBS players with 24 TDs in 53 games. He also has 24 catches for 288 yards and 3 TDs. Nobody else on the team has more than 11 recs. For the Huskers offense, it’s again about establishing the run versus a team that is aggressive but not very sound in any way. North Texas finished with more than 500 total yards and 32 first downs. As a team, Tech has five INTs in four games but zero forced fumbles and just seven sacks and four QB hurries (111th in sack percentage). No matter who is back there at QB, I think the Huskers pull away in the second half for the second win of the season.
Nebraska 34, Louisiana Tech 14
HuskerOnline Week 4 Score Predictions
| Week 4 | Sean Callahan | Steven Sipple | Robin Washut | Andy Kendeigh | Jim Rose | Mike’l Severe |
| La. Tech at Nebraska | 34-10 Nebraska | 34-12 Nebraska | 38-14 Nebraska | 31-10 Nebraska | 42-10 Nebraska | 34-14 Nebraska |
| Iowa at Penn State | 27-10 Penn State | 34-9 Penn State | 31-10 Penn State | 34-14 Penn State | 31-13 Penn State | 24-10 Penn State |
| Ohio State at Notre Dame | 31-30 Ohio State | 27-24 Notre Dame | 26-24 Notre Dame | 31-27 Notre Dame | 24-21 Ohio State | 27-20 Ohio State |
| Florida State at Clemson | 37-34 Florida State | 34-24 Florida State | 31-21 Florida State | 37-31 Florida State | 35-31 Florida State | 20-14 Florida State |
| Ole Miss at Alabama | 38-34 Alabama | 31-30 Alabama | 28-23 Alabama | 37-27 Alabama | 38-28 Alabama | 24-20 Alabama |
| Oregon State at Wash. State | 27-23 Oregon State | 27-24 Wash. State | 28-27 Wash. State | 31-27 Wash. State | 38-30 Wash. State | 31-21 Oregon State |
HuskerOnline Pick Standings
| Picker | Straight Up | Vs. Spread | Cumulative |
| Sean Callahan | 14-4 | 12-6 | 26 |
| Robin Washut | 14-4 | 11-7 | 25 |
| Mike’l Severe | 13-5 | 10-8 | 23 |
| Andy Kendeigh | 12-6 | 10-8 | 22 |
| Steven Sipple | 11-7 | 11-7 | 22 |
| Jim Rose | 11-7 | 11-7 | 22 |
Sean Callahan can be reached at [email protected] and is heard daily at 6:45 am and 5:05 pm on Big Red Radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during the football season. He can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha during the fall, and each week, he appears on Nebraska Public Media’s Big Red Wrap-Up Tuesdays at 7 pm.
