Nebraska vs. Wisconsin: Keys to victory, HuskerOnline score predictions for Saturday

MADISON, Wisc. – Nebraska will try to beat Wisconsin in Madison tonight for the first time since the Huskers joined the Big Ten Conference in 2011. The two teams will play for the Freedom Trophy. The trophy series started in 2014, and the Badgers hold a commanding 8-0 lead.

As things get closer to kickoff, here are tonight’s keys to victory for Nebraska against Wisconsin.

The Badgers currently are 6-point favorites over the Huskers. Tonight’s game is set for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff and can be seen on NBC.

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KEYS TO VICTORY: Nebraska vs. Wisconsin

KEY 1: Turnovers by Nebraska’s offense

This has now turned into the No. 1 key every week for Nebraska. They can play with just about anyone when they manage the football. We’ve seen what happens when they don’t.

KEY 2: Find a plan that works for the quarterbacks

Finding the right game plan for the quarterbacks will be important. We expect it to be Chubba Purdy. They need to set him up for success.

KEY 3: Tackle in space to limit Wisconsin’s big plays

This is not a big play Badger offense. Nebraska needs to continue to tackle at a high level and get off the field on third down. The only way I see Wisconsin having big plays is missed tackles.

KEY 4: Get Emmett Johnson 100 yards

We saw running back Emmett Johnson have a career-high 17 carries for 84 yards against Maryland last week. They need to get Johnson to 100 yards if they want to leave Madison with a win.

KEY 5: Take Camp Randall and the crowd out of the game

Nebraska has seen Camp Randall Stadium at its best over the years. Games in 2011, 2014 and 2016 were some of the tougher atmospheres I’ve seen the Huskers face since joining the Big Ten Conference. It won’t be like that tonight. NU needs to take advantage of that and not let this wounded Badger fan base be a factor.

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Nebraska and Wisconsin play for the Freedom Trophy Saturday in Madison – the Huskers have never won it since it was introduced 2014 — so it's no surprise the current Huskers have trouble recalling the name of the trophy. @KETV pic.twitter.com/OKxUfmTqBi

— Andy Kendeigh (@AKendeighKETV) November 14, 2023

EXPERT TAKE

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Pubisher

Can Nebraska win in Madison for the first time in its Big Ten history? Sure. But this team has yet to prove they can consistently take care of the football when it matters. The Badgers are struggling right now, but remember, this team played Ohio State at night at Camp Randall Stadium competitively. The Badgers will figure out a way to win in the end.

Wisconsin 17, Nebraska 13

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Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

I feel strongly about this one because it’s a game tailormade for Nebraska to win. Yes, even with its quarterback issues. Wisconsin’s offense is a mess and lacks a vertical passing game. What’s more, Braelon Allen has been hobbled by a lower-leg injury. Meanwhile, the Badger defense is without its usual bite, even against the run. If the Husker quarterback position plays in merely an adequate fashion, I love NU’s chances to win and become bowl eligible.

Nebraska 10, Wisconsin 6

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Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer

It’s hard to put much faith in Nebraska’s offense right now, especially in going on the road to a venue where NU hasn’t won since 1966. However, Wisconsin is going through plenty of its own internal issues while also dealing with notable injuries. This is a game where the more desperate team is going to clinch a bowl berth. Until the Huskers prove they can stay out of their own way, I won’t have enough faith to call for an upset.

Wisconsin 14, Nebraska 10

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Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

Don’t turn it over.  It doesn’t matter who is the quarterback.   The Huskers have lost three games this season by a field goal– at Minnesota, at Michigan State and Maryland.  In those three games, the Huskers have turned it over 12 times—12!  The margin in those games is -8!  And yet Nebraska lost by just a field goal.  Just get it to an even margin and Nebraska will finally earn a win in Madison.  The last time that happened, Lyndon B. Johnson was the President.  

Nebraska 16, Wisconsin 13

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Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

When will the Huskers stop losing and start winning?  The instant they stop turning it over.  This offense is good enough to make first downs and control the clock.  This defense is good enough to stop 75 percent of the power five teams.  Will it happen this week?   I think so.  Then again, I’ve thought the same thing for the last month.   

Nebraska 14, Wisconsin 10

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Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

It’s difficult to pick the Huskers with the history of playing in Madison and versus Wisconsin over the last decade. One key to Nebraska overcoming that history this year is ensuring you control Tanner Mordecai when he leaves the pocket. Also, of course, not turning the ball over and sticking with the run game. Wisconsin is currently 13th and rush defense in conference play.

Wisconsin 20, Nebraska 17

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HuskerOnline Week 12 Score Predictions

Week 12	Sean Callahan	Steven Sipple	Robin Washut	Andy Kendeigh	Jim Rose	Mike’l Severe
Nebraska at Wisconsin	17-13 Wisconsin	10-6 Nebraska	14-10 Wisconsin	16-13 Nebraska	14-10 Nebraska	20-17 Wisconsin
Purdue at Northwestern	27-21 NW	28-24 NW	23-21 NW	24-21 NW	21-20 NW	27-23 Purdue
Illinois at Iowa	17-13 Illinois	17-14 Iowa	11-9 Iowa	20-16 Iowa	14-7 Iowa	13-10 Iowa
Kansas State at Kansas	38-34 K-State	31-21 K-State	31-30 Kansas	31-27 K-State	35-24 Kansas	28-27 K-State
Utah at Arizona	31-27 Arizona	31-26 Arizona	28-24 Arizona	27-24 Utah	30-24 Arizona	28-24 Utah
Washington at Oregon State	41-38 UW	31-27 OSU	35-30 UW	34-31 UW	35-31 UW	31-27 OSU

Overall standings

Picker	Straight Up	Vs. Spread	Cumulative
Jim Rose	46-20	36-30	82
Sean Callahan	46-20	35-31	81
Andy Kendeigh	42-24	36-30	78
Robin Washut	44-22	33-33	77
Steven Sipple	42-24	33-33	75
Mike’l Severe	41-25	30-36	71

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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.