UCLA vs. 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 could be without Tommi Hill and Malcolm Hartzog in the secondary today. ESPN reports both are trending to play now, but you still question if they would be 100 percent with foot and hamstring injuries. Jermaih Charles and Ceyair Wright would start in their place. 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
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
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
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 7th different opponent Rhule’s Nebraska team will face with an opportunity to secure bowl eligibility, and the 7th 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
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
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
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 |
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.
