UCLA v. Nebraska: Keys to victory, HuskerOnline score predictions for Saturday

Nebraska (5-3, 2-3) will try to get to bowl eligibility on Saturday for the first time since 2016, as UCLA (2-5, 1-4) comes to Lincoln for the first time as a member of the Big Ten.

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

NU is a 6.5-point favorite in today’s game against UCLA, which will be broadcast at 2:30 p.m. CT on the Big Ten Network.

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KEYS TO VICTORY: UCLA vs. Nebraska

KEY 1: Establish the line of scrimmage

Nebraska’s No. 1 key in this game is establishing the line of scrimmage and winning up front on offense and defense. We saw that last week, and they nearly pulled off a major upset at Ohio State.

KEY 2: Put UCLA in turnover situations

UCLA ranked 118th nationally in turnover margin at -7. They have turned it over at a pretty high level. The Blackshirts must force few today, especially if conditions are wet and ugly.

KEY 3: Raiola and the running game

NU needs to find some balance in their offense, obviously, but a big thing is QB Dylan Raiola must take free yards when they are there. UCLA plays a lot of man-free defense, which could open up some runs for Raiola.

KEY 4: Nebraska’s corner play

The Huskers will likely be without Tommi Hill and Malcolm Hartzog in the secondary today. That means Jermaih Charles and Ceyair Wright will be in the starting corner spots. The Huskers need Wright and Charles to come ready to play. The Bruins have a very good group of wide receivers.

KEY 5: Bring the same energy as last week

We need to see the same focus from Nebraska we saw a week ago at Ohio State. The Huskers cannot play down to their opponent’s level. NU needs to understand the importance of this game and what it would mean to the program to get bowl-eligible on the first weekend of November.

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Expert takes

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Pubisher

It could be a wet and ugly weather day in Lincoln. That plays into the hands of Nebraska and its defense. The Blackshirts will have a big day and score a defensive touchdown. The ground game finds enough to complement the passing game, and the Huskers get bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016.

Nebraska 27, UCLA 17

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Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

Nebraska’s defense, coming off a ultra-strong performance, should be able to shut down a Bruins squad that is horrible when it comes to running the ball. It’ll be all UCLA can do to eke out three field goals. But Nebraska’s offense isn’t exactly humming, either. So, expect this to be tight in the second half.

Nebraska 21, UCLA 9

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Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer

This is the day. For the first time since 2016, Nebraska will finally clinch bowl eligibility today with a win over UCLA. The Huskers’ defensive line will control the game and the offense will make enough plays to seal the victory. Improving to 6-3 will have never felt so good.

Nebraska 21, UCLA 17

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Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

Matt Rhule’s team is 5-3 for the second straight season.  Last year the Huskers went 0-4 down the stretch but this year will be different.  UCLA is the 7^th different opponent Rhule’s Nebraska team will face with an opportunity to secure bowl eligibility, and the 7^th time is the charm.  The Huskers will put it all together on a wet Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium as Husker fans will happily have their holidays disrupted with planning a bowl trip.

Nebraska 24, UCLA 13

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Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

The Huskers won by losing at Ohio State.   Bad officiating and a couple of plays are all that kept Big Red from a program-changing win.  Too bad for the Uclans.  Gonna get stomped in Lincoln.   Look at it this way Bruins—-you’ll be back in your Westwood Paradise by dinner.

Nebraska 42, UCLA 14

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Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

UCLA is vulnerable to several of the Huskers’ strengths. For example, the Bruins’s havoc allowed ranking is 118th, while Nebraska is a top 20 Havoc defense. Ethan Garbers is tied for the B1G lead in interceptions with nine in only six games. UCLA has allowed 20 sacks in seven games and is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry. Depending on the weather (wind and rain) I think Raiola will have his best passing game of the season. UCLA is allowing nearly 270 yards a game through the air and have only forced 20 punts in seven games. Get the lead early and force Garbers into many turnover-worthy throws.  

Nebraska 27, UCLA 16

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HuskerOnline Week 10 Score Predictions

Week 10	Sean Callahan	Steven Sipple	Robin Washut	Andy Kendeigh	Jim Rose	Mike’l Severe
UCLA at Nebraska (-6.5)	27-17 Nebraska	21-9 Nebraska	21-17 Nebraska	24-13 Nebraska	42-14 Nebraska	27-16 Nebraska
Ohio State at Penn State (+4.5)	24-20 PSU	21-19 PSU	28-24 OSU	31-28 PSU	28-14 PSU	30-27 OSU
Minnesota at Illinois (+2.5)	27-24 Illinois	24-21 Illinois	31-27 Illinois	19-13 Illinois	24-20 Illinois	30-24 Minn.
Indiana at Michigan State (+7)	38-24 Indiana	34-24 Indiana	38-20 Indiana	34-21 Indiana	35-17 Indiana	30-14 Indiana
Wisconsin at Iowa (-3)	23-17 Iowa	27-20 Iowa	15-11 Iowa	20-16 Iowa	20-14 Iowa	28-17 Iowa
USC at Washington (+3)	37-27 USC	36-30 Wash.	34-33 USC	38-31 USC	35-31 USC	31-27 Wash.

HuskerOnline Score Prediction Standings

Picker	Straight Up	Vs. Spread	Cumulative
Andy Kendeigh	37-17	34-20	71
Robin Washut	34-20	28-26	62
Sean Callahan	31-23	30-24	61
Jim Rose	35-19	25-29	60
Mike’l Severe	32-22	27-27	59
Steven Sipple	31-23	24-30	55

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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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