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

Nebraska (2-0) will attempt to go undefeated in the non-conference today for the fourth time since joining the Big Ten Conference in 2011. The last time the Big Red ran the table in non-conference play was in 2016, 2014, and 2011.

Today, they will face Northern Iowa (2-0) of the Missouri Valley Conference. It’s the first meeting between the two schools and the fifth time NU has played an FCS opponent in the last ten years.

UNI comes into Lincoln ranked No. 21 in the latest FCS coaches poll, led by long-time head coach Mark Farley. As things get closer to kickoff, here are the keys to victory for Nebraska against Northern Iowa.

The Huskers enter today’s match-up as a 30.5-point favorite. The game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be aired on the Big Ten Network.

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KEYS TO VICTORY: Northern Iowa vs. Nebraska

KEY 1: Execution in the run game

Nebraka needs to come out of the gates fast and explosive in the run game. You would like to see the Huskers pop some explosive runs vs. Northern Iowa early in the game.

KEY 2: Limiting UNI’s yards after contact

198 of Northern Iowa running back Tye Edwards’s 310 rushing yards have come after contact. He currently averages 6.8 yards after contact per carry. NU must wrap up and tackle Edwards early in this game.

KEY 3: Force the Panthers into obvious passing situations

Nebraka’s defense needs to get Northern Iowa out of its comfort zone. The Big Red needs to put them in some obvious passing downs. UNI has only attempted three passes of 20+ yards over the first two games. QB Aidan Dunne is just 9-of-17 for 63 yards on throws of 0 to 10 yards down the field.

KEY 4: The downfield passing game

On the flip side, offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield must open the playbook on Saturday. I’d love to see NU be more aggressive with what they do, especially in the downfield passing game. This is an area that needs more work heading into conference play.

KEY 5: Keep the crowd engaged

This is another night game, so getting the crowd going should not be that hard. The key is that the Huskers must execute at a level that keeps the crowd engaged and makes them a factor in this game.

EXPERT TAKE

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Pubisher

This is a great match-up for the Huskers in many respects. What Northern Iowa does well on offense is a strength for the Blackshirts—stopping the run. NU should make quick work of the Panthers, and I would expect this will be a similar game to UTEP, where several different players are going to get quality snaps before the Huskers move into Big Ten Conference play.

Nebraska 41, Northern Iowa 7

Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

Nebraska needs to work out some issues on offense and special teams, and this represents a low-pressure week to solve problems before Big Ten play commences next week. UNI is a run-oriented team. Good luck to the Panthers getting much done on the ground against the Blackshirts’ front seven.

Nebraska 45, Northern Iowa 10

Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer

Nebraska will get a nice preview tonight of the more physical, run-heavy offense it will see once conference play begins next week. I expect the Huskers to answer the call and dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. This one should be comfortably under control by halftime.

Nebraska 41, Northern Iowa 7

Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

Nebraska has won the turnover margin in both games to start a season for the first time since 2016.  It’s also their first 2-0 start since 2016.  Last season Nebraska was -6 in turnover margin through two games, this season they are +3, major improvement.   That trend continues against a lesser opponent who will be overmatched at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska 38, Northern Iowa 7

Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

The Huskers are zooming.  Defense is lights out, budding star at QB.  This will be a nice test for the Blackshirts, as UNI likes to pound it.  Problem, facing NU with second-and-long ain’t no way to live 

Nebraska 35, Northern Iowa 10

Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

I’m sure you’ve heard this many times this week but the biggest concern is will Nebraska have a letdown after the huge emotional win over Colorado. I think with Coach Rhule’s one-game season philosophy and the way he coaches, they should be fine. Watching Northern Iowa versus Valpo and looking at the box score from St. Thomas, I just don’t think the Panthers are very good. Their quarterback struggles to make plays, and they allowed a 100-yard receiver and 100-yard WR versus St Thomas. I think Nebraska runs away early and piles it on late.

Nebraska 45, Northern Iowa 7

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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.

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