Nebraska Cornhuskers: Do they have the EDGE? – Brent Craig breaks it down
By Kelli Anne
Nebraska vs. Northwestern Preview:
Nebraska Cornhuskers travel to Chicago this weekend for their annual B1G Ten battle with the Northwestern Wildcats. On paper, Nebraska has been the better team, but for whatever reason Northwestern has recently been a thorn in the Huskers side. In the last three meetings the games have been too close for comfort for Nebraska fans, and have come down to last second dramatic finishes. The recent series since Nebraska entered the B1G TEN Conference has Nebraska leading two games to one, with all three games having been decided by three points or less.
Let’s compare the teams on paper to get an idea of this week’s matchup:
Nebraska ranks 13th in total offense – Northwestern ranks 43rd in total defense
Edge: Nebraska
Northwestern ranks 99th in total offense – Nebraska ranks 33rd in total defense
Edge: Nebraska
Nebraska ranks 6th in rushing and has the 4th best leading rushing in the country
Northwestern ranks 54th in defending the run
Edge: Nebraska
Northwestern ranks 103rd in rushing – Nebraska ranks 36th in defending the run
Edge: Nebraska
Nebraska ranks 74th in Passing – Northwestern ranks 38th in defending the pass
Edge: Northwestern
Northwestern ranks 69th in Passing – Nebraska ranks 58th in defending the pass
Edge: Nebraska
Nebraska ranks 8th in the nation in special teams efficiency – Northwestern ranks 77th in the nation in special teams efficiency
Edge: Nebraska
Nebraska is 71st in turnover margin with 0.0 – Northwestern is 22nd in turnover margin with +0.8
Edge: Northwestern
photo credit Nati Hardik/Associated PressAnd don’t forget about De’Mornay Pierson-El! Northwestern was scorched by Minnesota with their special teams, and if all goes as planned, Pierson-El could have a special day. He leads the nation in punt returns with a total of 334 yards on 19 attempts. He has two punts for touchdowns, the longest being an 86 yard score, and he is averaging 17.6 yards per return. Everyone seems to be catching DPE Fever!
Northwestern may have an advantage defending the pass against the Huskers, but I don’t think Nebraska will need to throw the ball very much. If Tim Beck sticks to the rushing game, and if Nebraska can hold onto the ball, then Nebraska should win in old time Husker fashion — BIG!
This isn’t Michigan State’s defense the Huskers will be up against. Forget the last three years, this game won’t be close. – BRENT CRAIG