Minnesota gets to host Nebraska under the lights. The Cornhuskers started out as 5 or 6-point underdogs and that number quickly moved up to 9.5-point dogs. Often, the Nebraska betting lines move significantly toward the Huskers because of many irrational Husker fans. Was that the case here? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Can Minnesota get another home win and push the winning streak over Nebraska to six?
How to Watch
TV: Fox
Time: 7:00
Stream: FoxSports.com
Fan angst is reaching peak levels for this season. The Purdue game
was a win, but the Boilermakers outgained the Gophers by nearly 200 yards and they committed a couple of crippling penalties that aided the 4th quarter comeback for Minnesota. It was a win that felt like a loss.
We have discussed the struggles of the offensive line (more than once) this week. But the concern over these struggles is very real, they are valid and these concerns are leading people to think that we have little to no chance on Friday night. Here are the keys to beating Nebraska.
KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN
Need turnovers – Dylan Raiola has thrown five picks this season. He threw three at Maryland last week and has thrown at least one in three straight games. We may need one or two. Having a better pass rush may be the key to this key. Look for Anthony Smith to return to his quarterback
Fix something – ANYTHING. Run defense has been terrible against all of our P4 opponents. The ground game on offense has been the worst we have seen in years. Something needs to be better. I don’t expect that a magic wand was waived and all of a sudden both of these areas have been fixed. But one or both needs to be better. I don’t see how we can win if we give up 150 yards rushing in the first half and become completely one-dimensional on offense (AGAIN).
Win the first quarter – If we have learned anything, it is that we can come from behind and win games where the first quarter goes very poorly. Down 14-0 to Rutgers and down 10-0 to Purdue were not ideal starting scenarios. They managed to make adjustments and find a way to win these games in the end, but maybe a better start will make for a cleaner finish.
OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH
- #15 QB – Dylan Raiola – In his second year as a starter and Raiola is looking much better than he did a year ago. He’s still prone to some mistakes, but he is having a fine season.
- #8 DeShon Singleton – senior defensive back who is second on the team in tackles and also leads the team with two interceptions.
PREDICTION
On paper this looks like a really bad matchup for the Gophers. Nebraska has been very good at defending the pass and that happens to be the only thing the Minnesota offense can do. And I fear that the Gopher defense will get on it’s heels while Dana Holgerson’s offense moves the ball freely.
Nebraska is better and so far, Minnesota has not been as strong as most of us had hoped. I think Nebraska should rightly be favored, but this game is not out of reach. Trips to Ohio State and Oregon…those games are not going to be wins. But Nebraska is not the juggernaught that many would like to think that they are.
I am not succombing to the doom and gloom that I’m seeing around the Gopher inter-webs, but I’m also not confident in this particular game.
Minnesota – 17
Nebraska – 30
