Oklahoma vs. Nebraska: Keys to victory, HuskerOnline score predictions for Saturday
Oklahoma (2-0) will play at Nebraska (1-2) for the first time since 2009. The Sooners will be led by first-year head coach Brent Venables, who was at OU from 1999 to 2011 as Bob Stoops’ defensive coordinator.
As things get closer to kickoff, here are today’s HuskerOnline keys to victory for Nebraska vs. Oklahoma. The Sooners are currently listed as a 10.5-point favorite over the Huskers.
Today’s game is set for an 11 a.m. CST kickoff on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff.
Click here for a limited time, register and get an unprecedented 12 months for only $10.00.
KEYS TO VICTORY: Oklahoma at Nebraska
KEY 1: A hot start from Casey Thompson
Last year vs. Oklahoma Casey Thompson threw for 388 yards and five touchdowns. Texas raced out to a 28-7 lead in that game fueled by Thompson’s hot start. The Huskers will need a performance like that on Saturday from Thompson.
KEY 2: Early third down wins on defense
After last Saturday’s 642-yard defensive meltdown vs. Georgia Southern, just getting off the field on third down will be a victory for the Blackshirts. NU must stack a few third-down wins early in this game to regain confidence.
KEY 3: Offensive line communication
The stat that jumps out to me in this game is Oklahoma leads the nation in tackles for loss and ranks third in sacks. With potentially no Teddy Prochazka at left tackle, the offensive line has a ton of pressure on them today. Communication is a must. Brent Venables is the best in the business at disguising blitzes and defensive fronts.
KEY 4: Tackling in space
Last year at OU the Huskers struggled to tackle in space. This is a new offense but still loaded with athletes. Tackling in space will be a big key today.
KEY 5: Play loose
Nobody is expecting much from Nebraska today. It’s been a long week of emotions with the firing of Scott Frost. Mickey Joseph’s main job today will be to get this team loose and ready to play.
EXPERT TAKE: Oklahoma at Nebraska
Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Pubisher
What a week it’s been in Lincoln. Sunday feels like months ago when Trev Alberts announced the firing of Scott Frost. I expect the Huskers to come out strong and put up some early points. However, Oklahoma’s offense will be too much in the second half and the Sooners will pull away with a late touchdown.
Top 10
- 1
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 2Trending
Dan Lanning
Oregon coach getting NFL buzz
- 3
Bryce Underwood
Michigan prepared to offer No. 1 recruit $10.5M over 4 years
- 4Hot
5-star flip
Ole Miss flips Alabama WR commit Caleb Cunningham
- 5
Second CFP Top 25
Newest CFP rankings are out
Oklahoma 41, Nebraska 31
Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist
Casey Thompson has Nebraska’s offense averaging 492.3 yards and 36.0 points per game. The Huskers’ special teams are on the uptick. But it’s hard to trust a defense that ranks 125th nationally (492.0) and allows 31 points per game. This won’t be a blowout, but Dillon Gabriel will have his biggest day as a Sooner to date.
Oklahoma 38, Nebraska 31
Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer
I see Nebraska coming out and playing inspired football with new leadership at the helm. And the Huskers will be able to put up some points against a shaky Oklahoma defense. The problem is how NU is going to stop the Sooners, who have struggled some offensively but are still loaded with skill star power. I think Nebraska fights until the end but can’t come up with the winning stop when it matters the most.
Oklahoma 31, Nebraska 27
Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha
Nebraska’s season gets new life and a new head coach. However, there are still issues on defense and even though Mickey Joseph says he took away the blackshirts to give everyone a clean slate, there’s a message there as well. The Huskers play inspired football however will fall short against a very talented Oklahoma squad.
Oklahoma 31, Nebraska 24
Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha
The Coach change at Big Red will spark the Huskers for a time on Saturday. The place will be abuzz and Nebraska’s offense will strike the Sooners for big plays. The defense may even force a 3-and-out on the first series or two. But after OU makes some adjustments, their superior athletes and Nebraska’s problems on “D” will be too much. To stay in this one, NU will need LOTS of big plays and turnovers. Certainly possible but not probable.
Oklahoma 35, Nebraska 21
Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up
I could see this game going so many different ways. The Sooners should be able to run at will on NU but at the same time the OU offensive line has had some issues coming together. Look for the Huskers to come out fast and try to establish the run game with Grant and Allen. I think we get a classic Big Fox shootout.
Oklahoma 38, Nebraska 28
HuskerOnline Week 3 Score Predictions
| Week 3 | Sean Callahan | Steven Sipple | Robin Washut | Andy Kendeigh | Jim Rose | Mike’l Severe |
| Oklahoma at Nebraska | 41-31 Oklahoma | 38-31 Oklahoma | 31-27 Oklahoma | 31-24 Oklahoma | 35-21 Oklahoma | 38-28 Oklahoma |
| Purdue at Syracuse | 34-31 Purdue | 35-31 Purdue | 24-20 Purdue | 27-24 Purdue | 30-27 Purdue | 30-27 Syracuse |
| Penn State at Auburn | 27-24 Auburn | 28-21 Penn State | 28-26 Penn State | 20-17 Auburn | 28-24 Auburn | 24-20 Penn State |
| Mich. State at Washington | 30-24 Washington | 27-21 Washington | 21-17 Washington | 24-17 Washington | 24-17 Washington | 28-27 Washington |
| BYU at Oregon | 34-27 Oregon | 27-24 BYU | 30-23 Oregon | 31-30 BYU | 35-31 BYU | 20-17 BYU |
| Miami at Texas A&M | 38-31 Texas A&M | 24-20 Texas A&M | 41-34 Texas A&M | 31-21 Texas A&M | 31-20 Texas A&M | 24-21 Texas A&M |
HuskerOnline Score Prediction Standings
| Expert Picker | Straight Up | vs. the Spread | Cumulative Total |
| Mike’l Severe Big Red Wrap-Up | 9-4 | 8-5 | 17 |
| Jim Rose KFAB Radio | 8-5 | 7-6 | 15 |
| Steven Sipple HuskerOnline | 7-6 | 7-6 | 14 |
| Robin Washut HuskerOnline | 7-6 | 7-6 | 14 |
| Andy Kendeigh KETV ABC-Omaha | 7-6 | 6-7 | 13 |
| Sean Callahan HuskerOnline | 7-6 | 4-9 | 11 |
