Fearless Forecast: Northwestern vs. Nebraska
Northwestern rolls into Lincoln on Saturday looking for a fifth straight win for the first time since opening the season 5-0 in 2020.
The Wildcats and Huskers both own a 5-2 record in this clash of old Big Ten West rivals, though Northwestern (3-1) is a game up on Nebraska (2-2) in the Big Ten standings. Northwestern pitched its first shutout in eight years in blanking Purdue 19-0 last weekend, while the Huskers are coming off of a disappointing 24-6 road loss at Minnesota.
After not playing each other in 2023, the two schools will resume one of the most closely matched and entertaining series in the Big Ten.
The Cornhuskers hold a 7-6 edge over the Wildcats since joining the Big Ten in 2011. Ten of the 13 contests have been decided by one score, and seven times the two former Big Ten West rivals were separated by a field goal or less. It doesn’t get much closer than that.
Will Northwestern snap its three-game losing streak at Memorial Stadium and lock up an automatic bowl bid with its sixth victory? Or will the Huskers win for the fourth time in five games at home in this series?
Our staff makes their picks.
MORE ON NEBRASKA WEEK: Michael Kilbane has a full plate on Northwestern’s defensive line l Behind Enemy Lines: Nebraska l Notebook: Komolafe cleared to return, Braun recaps Purdue decision-making
Matt Shelton (5-2)
For the second time this Big Ten season, the Wildcats go into a hostile but uncertain environment. Nebraska seemed poised to put it all together this season under Matt Rhule, but a stunning loss to the Gophers and rumors of Penn State hiring Rhule have undermined what seemed a solid six-game foundation. That could also undermine the hostility of the home crowd, with a chance for disquiet or even boos to come out if the Wildcats can apply pressure early.
Still, I’m going with the Huskers on their home turf. Nebraska has the best passing defense in the nation in terms of yards per game, and after Preston Stone put together a solid three-game stretch, he looked off target against Purdue and is possibly still dealing with a nagging injury.
The Wildcats are struggling to convert red-zone opportunities and even though they’re 3-1 in the Big Ten, they’re averaging just 18 points per game against conference foes. Nebraska’s offense has struggles of their own, but I don’t think Northwestern can break free of their low-scoring ways enough to win this on the road.
Prediction: Nebraska 21, Northwestern 17
Wildcats—donate blood in Abbott and the Big Ten’s We Give Blood competition to help
NU win $1 million for campus health initiatives and score a limited edition Homefield t-
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Louie Vaccher (5-2)
I like this matchup for Northwestern.
The Wildcats want to run the ball all day, and Nebraska strength is pass defense. The Huskers have a big-time quarterback, but they can’t always protect him; only three teams in all of FBS have allowed more sacks.
I think Northwestern is more physical than the Huskers on both sides of the line of scrimmage. If Stone takes care of the football – and he looked a little shaky with ball security at times last week – I think the Wildcats can control the clock with their running game, limit possessions and grind this one out. A lot like they did against Penn State.
My advice to offensive coordinator Zach Lujan for this game would be simple: run the damn ball. And if Nebraska stops it…run it some more.
Prediction: Northwestern 21, Nebraska 17
