Nebraska Football: Time for Huskers to step up in close games

Nebraska football outside linebacker Garrett Nelson said in a press conference earlier this week that he’s “sick and tired of everybody doing this”, making a gesture with his pointer finger and thumb signifying how “close” the Huskers have been to winning games.

This has been the story of the Huskers the past few years.  A touchdown here, one less turnover there, a made kick for us, or a missed kick for them, and who knows, maybe Scott Frost and his players are looking at a couple of bowl game seasons instead of three losing seasons.

Nebraska’s last four losses have been by a combined total of 28 points.  The two most recent losses were to a top-ranked Oklahoma team and an Illinois loss that will probably make most fans sick for the rest of the year.

I’m also pretty sure those same fans are with Nelson on this one. Last week vs Oklahoma should be the last “moral” victory for the Huskers and it’s time to turn the page and this week’s game vs Michigan State is the perfect opportunity to do that.

Here’s what Nebraska football will need to do to make that happen.

First of all, Michigan State is 3-0 and starting to create some buzz. On paper, their opponents look good. They trounced Miami, who no matter how good or bad they are will always carry a little weight due to their name, and they also beat up on 2020 Big Ten West Division champ Northwestern.

However, Miami has one win which was a two-point victory against Appalachian State and Northwestern’s lone win was against Indiana State with a loss to Duke most recently, so before anyone starts comparing records it may be worth looking at the quality of opponents.

In Michigan State’s defense, they did dominate those opponents and they deserve the ranking they have been given. They have a dynamic duo in quarterback Payton Thorne (Manning Award Quarterback of the Week) and running back Kenneth Walker who has tallied up 493 yards and five touchdowns while averaging a whopping 8.6 yards per carry.

Luckily the blackshirt defense has been consistent so far.

The main factor in this game will be if the Husker offense can finish in the red zone. Michigan State’s defense seemed to take a bend don’t break approach in their most recent game against Miami. They played soft coverage and allowed plenty of underneath throws but caused multiple turnovers once they had their backs against the endzone.

As long as Nebraska can limit the turnovers they should be able to score. If Michigan State continues to play soft coverage, some of those 10-yard completions could turn into big chunk plays with receivers like Samori Toure and Omar Manning being able to get the ball in open space. Husker fans have seen what Toure can do when he gets the ball and got a glimpse of Manning’s playmaking ability last week against Oklahoma.

Another major key as per usual is Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez. Since the Illinois game, Martinez has played maybe the best football of his career completing over 70% of his throws and using his legs effectively when needed.

Even with a 2-2 record, Nebraska looks like it may be the most challenging team the Spartans have faced. This game is a pivotal point in the Huskers season as it could set the tone for somewhat of a run in Big Ten play or it could just as easily be the start of a downward slide creating a major hole to come out of if it plans to make it to postseason play.

Nebraska is tired of being the dangerous team you can’t overlook. It’s time to be the team the opposition fears.

It’s time to WIN.