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

On3 imageby:Sean Callahan10/21/23

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nebraska northwestern

Nebraska (3-3) returns to action today against Northwestern (3-3), as both teams were on their bye last weekend.

As we get closer to kickoff, here are today’s keys to victory for the Huskers against the Wildcats.

NU enters today’s game as an 11.5-point favorite over Northwestern. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT and the game can be seen on the Big Ten Network.

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KEYS TO VICTORY: Northwestern vs. Nebraska

KEY 1: A clean start on offense

You would like to see Nebraska come out of the gates with a clean start on offense and finish off a drive. I think quarterback Heinrich Haarberg’s legs could give the Wildcats problems and open up a lot more for the Husker offense.

KEY 2: Getting off the field on third down

The top overall unit in this game is Nebraska’s defense. The Huskers must establish that immediately and find ways to get off the field on third down.

KEY 3: Create a play in the kick return game

Northwestern comes into this game with the lowest rate of touchbacks in the Big Ten. There’s going to be an opportunity for kick returns today. NU needs to create field position with its kickoff return unit.

KEY 4: QB pressure

Penn State produced 45 quarterback pressures in Evanston this season. Nebraska needs to get after the Wildcats up front and keep their quarterbacks off-balanced.

KEY 5: Make the crowd a factor

Northwestern’s road games have been at Rutgers and Duke this season. Nebraska needs to make the atmosphere a factor, as the Wildcats have played in next to no challenging environments.


EXPERT TAKE

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Pubisher

At home, after a bye week, I expect the Huskers to come out fresh and energized. Quarterback Heinrich Haarberg will cause problems for Northwestern’s defense. NU will ride his legs and its defense to a 14-point win.

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Nebraska 27, Northwestern 13


Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

The status of Ben Bryant is critical in this discussion. Keep in mind, the sixth-year senior Northwestern quarterback threw for 396 yards against Minnesota. He was 9-2 as Cincinnati’s starter in 2022. If he plays, I envision a much more difficult afternoon for the home team. However, there’s a bottom line in this discussion. That is, the matchup clearly favors Nebraska, especially in the ground game.

Nebraska 26, Northwestern 17


Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer

Nebraska and Northwestern has, traditionally, always come down to the wire. Given how limited both teams are offensively right now, this one will be decided by defense, special teams, and ball security. I think the Huskers control the clock and take care of the football enough to pull out another win.

Nebraska 24, Northwestern 14


Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

Matt Rhule preaches winning the fourth quarter, specifically the defense holding the opponent scoreless in the final quarter while racking up at least 75 yards rushing on offense.  Nebraska’s come close in three wins but hasn’t checked both boxes in a single game yet.  This feels like the game they do.   Nebraska wears down Northwestern and wins the fourth quarter thanks to a rushing attack getting stronger by the week.

Nebraska 27, Northwestern 14


Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have had so many breaks go against them the last 10 years, its about time they get one. They have. The schedule. This is the weakest six-game stretch for the Big Red since Big 8 days. Other than Maryland, none of them have scary playmakers. And if NU can just punt and play defense (which they can) and avoid the cataclysmic special teams blunder, I see six wins. However, they won’t be Rembrandts.  But who cares?  Not how by how many 😊. 

Nebraska 28, Northwestern 10


Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

A big part of this game comes down to who Northwestern starts at QB. If it is Brenden Sullivan, then the Blackshirts will have to contend with heavy QB run game. If it’s Ben Bryant, then the secondary will be tested because he can spin it pretty well. Either way NU should be able to rack up more sacks vs the 2nd worst opponent sack rate in the Big Ten. I also think the Huskers will have a shot to return a kickoff for big yards on Saturday. NW has the lowest rate of touchbacks in the conference. In the end the Huskers pull away in the fourth quarter if they can avoid more turnovers in the red zone.    

Nebraska 27, Northwestern 14


HuskerOnline Week 8 Score Predictions

Week 8Sean Callahan Steven SippleRobin WashutAndy KendeighJim RoseMike’l Severe
Northwestern at
Nebraska
27-13
Nebraska
26-17
Nebraska
24-14
Nebraska
27-14
Nebraska
28-10
Nebraska
27-14
Nebraska
Penn State at
Ohio State
Ohio State 30
Penn State 23
28-27
Ohio State
31-24
Ohio State
27-24
Penn State
31-27
Penn State
30-27
Penn State
Minnesota at
Iowa
13-7
Iowa
17-12
Iowa
13-8
Iowa
10-9
Iowa
14-7
Iowa
27-13
Minnesota
Wisconsin at
Illinois
27-24
Illinois
24-22
Illinois
20-17
Illinois
17-14
Illinois
24-17
Illinois
23-13
Illinois
Tennessee at
Alabama
38-28
Alabama
27-24
Alabama
38-27
Alabama
38-28
Alabama
35-30
Alabama
31-20
Alabama
Utah at
USC
27-23
USC
28-24
USC
28-25
USC
31-27
USC
38-28
USC
28-27
USC

HuskerOnline Pick Standings

PickerStraight Upvs. SpreadCumulative
Jim Rose31-1127-1558
Sean Callahan32-1024-1856
Andy Kendeigh30-1225-1755
Steven Sipple28-1425-1753
Robin Washut30-1221-2151
Mike’l Severe29-1322-2051

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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