Husker Football: Nebraska Fan’s TV Guide for Week Nine

Another week, another TV Guide just for you, Husker Football fans.

I’ll be honest, the top of the line matchups are few and far between this week, but rest assured, I’ve combed through the listings and found the top games of the week to watch, all with the Big Red in mind.

Burgers, brats, dogs? Nah, the Huskers’ start early. Let’s grill up some breakfast this week. You bring the food, I’ll bring the TV Guide.

Enjoy!

(All times are CST)

Saturday, October 18

11:00 a.m. – Rutgers at No. 16 Nebraska (ESPN2)

After so many night games in a row, I was beginning to get used to watching all of the early games leading up to the Huskers’ clashes, but alas, week nine brings an early one to the table. Gary Nova’s passing attack comes calling to Lincoln.

The Scarlett Knights have passed for 257 yards per game, good for fifth in the conference. It’ll be up to the Nebraska defense (with newly-awarded Blackshirts) to shut down the Rutgers offense without two of their top running backs.

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, there is the Husker offense which will pose plenty of problems for Rutgers. If Tim Beck is researching a game plan, he should look no further than last week’s matchup between Ohio State and and the Scarlet K-ah-niggits.

The Buckeyes rushed 40 times for 324 yards and four touchdowns.

Oh, Mr. Abdullah?

2:30 p.m. – Michigan at No. 5 Michigan State (ABC)

Stay with me on this one. It’s a rivalry game between two schools that hate each other. One team can shock the college football world (and possibly save its coaches job) with a huge upset. The other team is looking to make another statement on its way to a possible chance at the inaugural College Football Playoff.

Hah, who am I kidding? Michigan isn’t great. In fact, they’re pretty bad. The Spartans are a fantastic team, and I expect them to flex their muscles.

They’re leading the conference in scoring with 47 points per game and Michigan sits at No. 12 only averaging 21.7 points per game. Sparty will be feeling good after this one.

6:15 p.m. – No. 3 Ole Miss at No. 23 LSU (ESPN)

The “Landsharks” of Ole Miss leads the country in scoring defense, surrendering only 10.6 points per game. They’re big, strong, fast and their unblemished record attests to that. Quarterback Bo Wallace has been on fire tossing 1,899 yards worth of offense and 17 touchdowns.

This team has what it takes to make the CFB Playoff.

They’ll go up against an LSU team that has two losses on the season, but to two teams in the current Top Five. Talk about a tough schedule, but that’s life in the SEC West. If the Tigers can run the ball, they’ll find themselves capable of pulling off a massive upset…but that’s a pretty big “if”.

Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Okay, you caught me. While this is not directly involved with Husker Football, it’s still a big game in the college football landscape, and worth a watch. Enjoy one of the better games this weekend.

7:00 p.m. – No. 12 Ohio State at Penn State (ABC)

Ohio State is SO HOT RIGHT NOW. They’ve won four games in a row and have scored more than 50 points in every one. Freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett has thrown 1,615 yards and 20 touchdowns compared to five interceptions.

As he goes, so do the Buckeyes. Makes you wonder what will happen next season if Braxton Miller returns…

THE Ohio State’s opponent, Penn State, is on a two-game losing streak after starting the season a perfect 4-0. Those two losses are…well, they’re just bad. One to Northwestern and the other against a terrible Michigan team.

If James Franklin can pull off the upset against a Top 15 team, then there’s an argument that all of the season’s ills will be forgiven. Sadly for them, I don’t see it happening.

9:00 p.m. – No. 21 USC at No. 19 Utah (Fox Sports 1)

A top-25 game to end your viewing viewing as the Trojans visit beautiful Salt Lake City to play the Utes. Both teams have played well defensively, ranking No. 2 and No. 3 respectively in the Pac-12 conference.

The league is known for high scoring affairs, but I have a feeling these teams may throw some haymakers defensively to keep it low scoring.

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That’s not to say the teams don’t have firepower on offense. Devontae Booker, the running back for Utah, is No. 14 nationally averaging 123.67 yards per game. Javorius Allen, USC’s top back, is No. 11 with 129.86 yards per game. Big time defense and solid running games?

This should be a Husker football fan’s paradise.

That’s not evening mentioning the divisional impact this game has in the Pac-12. This is a huge game as both teams have one loss in the league (USC has two overall) and the winner stays alive in the division race.

Other notable games:

• Maryland at Wisconsin (11:00 a.m., BTN)
• Minnesota at Illinois (11:00 a.m., ESPNU)
• Texas Tech at TCU (2:30 p.m., FOX)
• South Carolina at Auburn (6:30 p.m., SECN)
• Arizona State at Washington (9:30 p.m., ESPN)