When the Nebraska football team matches up with Michigan State on Saturday afternoon, it will finally allow Dylan Raiola, who has been champing at the bit to play again, a chance to put up big numbers once again.
Raiola is coming off a solid outing against Michigan, showing that he's ready to take the next step in his career. As a freshman, he carved up defenses in the Huskers' non-conference schedule but struggled in the Big Ten. In NU's game against the Wolverines, he threw for 308 yards and 3 TDs. And he did all that while getting sacked 7 times.
Against Michigan State, the Nebraska quarterback can bounce back and get back in the win column, while continuing to show he's one of the best signal-callers in the nation.
Dylan Raiola on deck for big game for Nebraska football vs Michigan State
There's nothing that the Spartans' defense does all that well. However, where MSU struggles across the board on defense, where they're weakest, is where Raiola can really attack.
While Nebraska is ranked No. 13 in the country in EPA/Pass Raiola and his talented wide receiver corps face off against a Sparty unit ranked near the bottom (No. 126) in EPA/Pass allowed on defense. Then there's a Huskers attack that's just outside the country's Top 10 (No. 11) in available yards percentage, clashing with a Michigan State defense that ranks 122nd.
Nebraska is quite solid in Early Downs EPA/Play while the Spartans have all kinds of problems in that area. And finally, a Huskers team that has been very good in converting third downs goes up against a defense that allows far too many conversions.
All of this is good news for a Cornhuskers squad that does have some issues on defense, especially against the run. NU is ranked No. 121 on defensive EPA/Rush in the country. Granted, some of those struggles came on three plays in their last game against the Wolverines.
In general, star quarterback Bryce Underwood was contained, primarily through the air, but there were some broken running plays that defensive coordinator John Butler will need to fix.
If Dylan Raiola can keep the mojo he's generated so far this season going, he could have another big day for the Nebraska football team and they could turn it into a win this time.