We are closing in on Game 6 Husker Nation. That’s right, after this week the regular season will already be halfway over for Nebraska Football.
No matter how the season goes I’m always taken aback when realizing somehow we survive 7-8 months without college football. Speaking of how the season is going – Nebraska Football is currently 2-3 with two heartbreaking losses and the other being one that will absolutely haunt fans of the program if it keeps the Huskers from making it to the postseason.
Last week against Michigan State, the Huskers outplayed Sparty — Plain and simple.
Even with the offensive line play, Nebraska’s offense was able to outscore Michigan State’s thanks to a dominating performance by the Blackshirt defense and a few Houdini acts performed by quarterback Adrian Martinez yet again.
I understand that Martinez threw a costly interception in overtime but I’m having a hard time putting any blame on him as he seemed to be running for his life much of the game. Since the Illinois game, he’s completed over 70% of his passes and makes plays with his feet I haven’t seen many other guys in college football make since the likes of Johnny Football.
Michigan State did not gain a single first down in the second half.
— Derek Peterson (@dr_petey) September 26, 2021
Five possessions. 14 yards.
The Spartans win in overtime.
Yet here we are — Shooting ourselves in the foot once again on special teams. Something has to be done. That’s all I will say about it other than apparently Coach Scott Frost sat in on some special teams and offensive line meetings this week so we shall see if anything is better this week. Let’s hope neither becomes a major factor in the mistake department.
I’ve discussed the importance of each game this year but we are finally at the point in the season where every game is important. However, this game against Northwestern in my opinion, is a make-or-break game for Nebraska football.
Simply put — If the Huskers cannot come out and win this game under the lights of Memorial Stadium, you can kiss any hope of a postseason birth goodbye. I believe the Huskers need to win three of their next four games if this is still the team’s goal, which I’m sure is true.
If Nebraska plays a good game, yes GOOD not great, they should be able to beat this Northwestern team by a couple of scores. The problem, however, is can Nebraska cut down on their own mistakes?!
The Huskers will have to flat out give Northwestern touchdowns whether it be a pick-six, scoop and score, or an all too familiar special teams’ blunder for this game to come down to the wire. The talent gap is too wide for any excuses this game.
Ah but don’t worry I haven’t forgotten. This has been the narrative many times before and somehow Northwestern always seems to hang around in these types of games with Nebraska. In the five contests in Memorial Stadium since Nebraska joined the Big Ten, every matchup has been decided by one possession.
Even with mistakes, Scott Frost and his team will come out victorious. I pray that this team comes out, takes care of business, and this is the starting point of a winning run.
My prediction:
Nebraska – 31
Northwestern – 20