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Nebraska Football, Huskers vs Bruins: Who Has The Edge?

By Brent Craig

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I am reminded of the opening of Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, when he wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…,” while  I look back at the Nebraska Football season, contemplating if they belong in this upcoming bowl game or not.

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At 5-7, the season shocked Huskers made the bowl game selection. How can one not be excited for Big Red and the seniors?  By all rights the season should have been over, but much to my chagrin, the Huskers were able to sneak into the Foster Farms Bowl.  I was indeed shocked but also I was very  excited for the team.

Does losing 7 games negate a team that could easily be 10-2 from playing in the post season.? Apparently not.  You have to give this team some credit, don’t you?  The Huskers did not have the ball bounce their way like it did in a few games the season prior, but, oh how close they were, and they even kept the Big Ten Champion from a perfect season record.

For many Huskers, it was the best of times. The former volatile head coach was gone.  Things were new again and the season had promise with a team now headed by a man with the demeanor of Coach Osbourne.  A coaching staff with talent and experience was created to bring the Huskers back to relevance.  At least that is what we all hoped!

How the game was played was a completely different tale all together. It was the worst of times, for certain! The Nebraska football team could not find the continuity they needed to bring the victories. It wasn’t one player’s fault, but more the team itself that could not help Big Red rise to the occasion in those close loses and instead provide the fans with a multitude of unfamiliar emotions.

Oct 10, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Stunned Nebraska Cornhuskers fans remain in the stadium after the loss against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Wisconsin defeated Nebraska 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately Husker fans, we do not have to look back that far for a 7 loss season (2002), or even for a losing season (2004), but we do need to look back some 67 years to find an 8 loss Nebraska football team (1948).  Is it really a good idea to play the bowl game knowing this could turn  into the worst season since 1948? Of course it is!  The Huskers just might win this one!

So let’s take a look and see who has the edge for this match-up!

The Huskers face an 8-4 Bruin team in which the only common opponent  was BYU, where the Huskers lost by 5 in the last few seconds of the game and UCLA took the go ahead touchdown with 3 minutes left in the game to defeat BYU by 1 point.  Could this game be a last minute win for either team?

Nebraska ranks 42nd in total offense averaging 443 yards per game-UCLA ranks 58th in total defense, allowing opponents to average 394 yards per game.  Edge to Nebraska!

UCLA ranks 3oth in total offense averaging 473 yards per game-Nebraska ranks 66th in total defense, allowing opponents to average 402 yards per game. Edge to UCLA.

Nebraska ranks 75th in rushing offense averaging 167.8 yards per game-UCLA ranks 88th in rushing defense, allowing opponents to average 187.8 yards per game. Edge to Nebraska!

UCLA ranks 49th in rushing offense averaging 186.8 yards per game-Nebraska ranks 7th in rushing defense, allowing opponents to average 113.4 yards per game.  Edge to Nebraska!

Nebraska ranks 33rd in receiving offense averaging 274.7 yards per game-UCLA ranks 39th in receiving offense, allowing opponents to average 205.7 yards per game.  Edge to UCLA.

UCLA ranks 28th in receiving offense averaging 285.8 yards per game-Nebraska ranks 122nd in receiving defense, allowing opponents to average 288.2 yards per game.  Edge to UCLA.

Nebraska ranks 28th in special teams efficiency – UCLA ranks 115th in special teams efficiency.  Edge to Nebraska!

Nebraska is tied for 119th in turnover margin with an average of -1.o8 per game-UCLA is tied for 60th with a turnover margin of +1 per game. Edge UCLA.

I have this as a pretty even game and either team could pull off the victory. UCLA is favored by 6.5 points.  The question on everyone’s mind though is, which Husker team will show up to play?  Kickoff is set for 8:15 pm CST this Saturday night on ESPN.  Most have predicted UCLA as the probable victor of the Foster Farms Bowl, but don’t count the Huskers out.  As I said, the Huskers are just a few minutes from being 10-2 had things went their way, and perhaps the Huskers have finally come together to bring home a victory for the Nebraska football team.  Go Big Red!

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