Minnesota Football Gameday Central: Keys to victory, predictions, and more
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2, 2-1) will play host to the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1, 2-1) on Friday night at Huntington Bank Stadium. With kickoff getting closer, Gophers Nation provides our keys to victory for the Gophers on Friday night, as well as our prediction for the game.
Game Details
Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Stadium: Huntington Bank Stadium
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
Odds: Minnesota is a 7.5-point underdog to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, with the total currently set at 47.5 points.
Minnesota’s Keys to Victory
KEY TO VICTORY #1: Establish the rushing attack
This Nebraska team, through five games, hasn’t shown too many weaknesses for opposing teams to take advantage of. One area of the game, however, that which the Huskers have shown cracks is defending opposing rushing attacks.
Through six games, the Huskers have allowed 6.7, 3.1, 2.7, 8.7, 2.2, and 4.3 yards per carry. To no surprise, when the Huskers have allowed over four yards per carry, they have two wins by three points and one loss. In their games in which opposing offenses haven’t been able to average four or more yards, they have wins of 68, 52, and 11 points, albeit two of those wins were against Akron and Houston Christian. Nonetheless, if the Gophers want a chance to win on Friday night and going forward, they’ll need to get the ground game moving. Their 2.2 yards per carry in Big Ten play is simply not going to cut it.
KEY TO VICTORY #2: Get off the field on third down
The Cornhuskers on offense this season have been very good about staying ahead of the sticks and converting on third downs. The Nebraska offense is converting on 45.9% of its third-down attempts, 26th best in the country. They’re also averaging 24.2 first downs per game, which is tied for 18th best.
The Gophers’ defense this season has struggled at times getting off the field, with opposing offenses converting at a 39.1% clip.
KEY TO VICTORY #3: START FAST
This is a poor matchup for Minnesota in the regard that the Golden Gophers are one of the worst first-quarter and first-half teams in the country offensively, while Nebraska has been one of the best this season when it comes to starting fast.
The Gophers are averaging just 0.6 points per first quarter this season, which ranks 135th out of 136 teams nationally. In the first half, 9.4 points, which is slightly better at 107th nationally, but still a far cry from where it should be.
The Cornhuskers, for comparison, are averaging 6.0 points per first quarter and 20.2 points in the first half this season.
Score Prediction
Dylan Callaghan-Croley (Gophers Nation):
The Huskers haven’t come to the Twin Cities and won a game since 2015, and P.J. Fleck has had Nebraska’s number throughout his tenure with a 5-1 record. History tells us that this is a classic spot where P.J. Fleck and the Gophers pick up a win. That being said, the Gophers have shown major issues on both sides of the ball despite their 4-2 record. Offensively, they haven’t shown the ability to start fast against any FBS-level competition, and the offensive line play has been abysmal in run blocking as well. Defensively, both the pass defense and run defense have had major red flag moments. The pass defense held against Purdue last week, but I’m not sure they could do the same against a much better, stronger, and explosive Nebraska offense. Perhaps the Matt Rhule to Penn State rumors will play a factor? Probably not, though. Give me Nebraska to beat Minnesota, but for the Gophers to cover. Nebraska 31 – Minnesota 24
I should pick Minnesota to win this game. The Gophers have won the last five matchups. Nebraska hasn’t won a football game in Minneapolis since 2015. It hasn’t beaten Minnesota since 2018. PJ Fleck has owned Nebraska. So there’s definitely some prove-it Nebraska needs to show Friday night. But, give me the Huskers to break the streak. Nebraska 27 – Minnesota 24
Big Ten Week 8 picks
| Away | Home | Time | Channel | SU PICK | ATS PICK |
| Washington | Michigan (-4.5) | 11:00 AM CT | FOX | Washington | Washington |
| Purdue | Northwestern (-3) | 2:00 p.m. CT | BTN | Purdue | Purdue |
| No. 1 OSU | Wisconsin (+25.5) | 2:30 p.m. CT | CBS | Ohio State | Ohio State |
| Michigan State | Indiana (-27.5) | 2:30 p.m. CT | Peacock | Indiana | Michigan State |
| No. 8 Oregon | Rutgers (+17) | 5:30 p.m. CT | BTN | Oregon | Oregon |
| Penn State | Iowa (-3) | 6:00 p.m. CT | Peacock | Penn State | Penn State |
| Maryland | UCLA (-3) | 6:00 p.m. CT | FS1 | Maryland | Maryland |
| No. 20 USC | No. 13 Notre Dame (-9.5) | 6:30 p.m. CT | NBC | Notre Dame | USC |
Reading Content
Top in-state target returning to Minnesota for second-straight week (On3+)
By the Numbers: Minnesota vs Nebraska
Updated Minnesota football bowl projections entering week eight
Minnesota Football Behind Enemy Lines: Nebraska Cornhuskers(On3+)
Projecting Minnesota football’s offensive depth chart against Nebraska (On3+)
Gophers aim for faster starts in the second half of the season
What did Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule say about Minnesota during his weekly press conference?
2027 OL Gus Corsair is high on Minnesota following latest visit (On3+)
INTEL: Minnesota men’s basketball’s early 2027 recruiting efforts (On3+)
2028 Iowa OL Declan Heying receives offers from Gophers on gameday visit (On3+)
Minnesota Football: 10 Cornhuskers to know ahead of Friday
Minnesota Football: First look at the Nebraska Cornhuskers
‘A Selfless Player’: P.J. Fleck applauds Gophers’ cornerback Jai’Onte McMillan (On3+)
Everything that Minnesota football head coach P.J. Fleck said on Monday — Nebraska week
Official Minnesota – Nebraska Game Notes
Follow along with Gophers Nation
Gophers Nation will have live updates on the Gophers’ week eight clash with the Huskers throughout pregame, through P.J. Fleck and the players’ postgame press conference. Gophers Nation subscribers can chat with the staff and Gophers fans on the Inside Gophers Nation forum.
Stay Tuned
Stay tuned to Gophers Nation as we bring the latest updates on the Golden Gophers’ upcoming matchup against Nebraska.
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