Houston Christian vs. Nebraska: Keys to victory, HuskerOnline score predictions for Saturday
Nebraska (2-0) will try to get off to a 3-0 start to the season for the second year in a row when Houston Christian (1-1) comes to town on Saturday.
The Huskies are from the FCS ranks and feature an offense that has rushed for 223.5 yards over the first two weeks of the season.
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As things get closer to kickoff, here are today’s keys to victory for NU vs. HCU, and the HuskerOnline score predictions for Saturday. There is currently no official point spread listed for the match-up. Saturday’s game is set for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff on FS1.
KEY TO VICTORY: Houston Christian vs. Nebraska
KEY 1: Set the tone early
Nebraska needs to come out of the gates and set the tone early in this football game. They cannot let Houston Christian develop any offensive rhythm or pace, and they must win on early third downs both offensively and defensively.
KEY 2: Early down run defense
Last week, Akron averaged 3.9 yards per carry on 15 first-down run plays. That won’t be enough once the Huskers enter Big Ten play. The Huskies come in averaging 223.5 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry. They should offer a formidable test for the Blackshirts.
KEY 3: Adjusting to Houston Christian’s different defensive fronts
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule said on Thursday that Houston Christian showed six different defensive fronts alone on their first defensive series a week ago against Eastern Kentucky. QB Dylan Raiola and the Husker offense must recognize the various fronts and looks early from HCU and avoid allowing them to get any free rushers due to a lack of communication.
KEY 4: Find points with special teams
We’ve already seen Nebraska create a significant advantage in both the punt return game and kicking game over the last two weeks. I would like to see Mike Ekeler’s crew take it to another level today and find points in the return game.
KEY 5: Faceless, nameless opponent
The Huskers are expected to wear all-red uniforms today, possibly for the first time since 1986. That said, who cares about the uniforms. Rhule’s team needs to lock in. Don’t get caught up in the opponent and their FCS standing. Take care of business and get your work done early so we can see another 108 players play in this football game.
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Expert takes
Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Publisher
Nebraska will make quick work of the Huskies, and the top unit players will see around 2.5 quarters of play. Dylan Raiola will have another big day, right around 300 yards passing. The Huskers will enter next week’s showdown against Michigan feeling confident.
Nebraska 55, Houston Christian 7
Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist
Forget a letdown. Dylan Raiola once again will put on a show. Meanwhile, Emmett Johnson will average 9-plus yards per carry, and at least a dozen players will catch passes. Look for Nebraska’s special teams to take another step forward while the defense leaves us wanting a bit more.
Nebraska 62, Houston Christian 17
Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer
Not much to think about today. This one should be over before halftime, with Nebraska emptying its active roster for the second consecutive week. Another blowout win should have the Huskers feeling good going into next week’s massive Big Ten opener vs. Michigan.
Nebraska 59, Houston Christian 3
Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha
This is a stat-stuffer game for Nebraska. Emmett Johnson needs another 100-yard game, Dylan Raiola- another 300-yard, multiple-touchdown performance, and I think you will see a score on special teams. The Huskers need to continue building the momentum as they head into Michigan week and the Big Ten season. The last thing they need is a letdown — and by letdown, that’s anything but a blowout win.
Nebraska 60, Houston Christian 7
Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha
HCU may wish this game was played at their tiny on-campus stadium because directly across from the Press Box is a CVS. The Huskies may need a boat load of aspirin after this one. The only real opponent for the Big Red is apathy. This game holds all of the entertainment value of a dental appointment and the significance of a flawed Census. Not one of the top 22 Huskies could break NU’s 2-deep this year. Expect another win with ease.
Nebraska 56, Houston Christian 7
Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up
Just based on comparable stats, you can argue that Houston Christian is a better team than Akron. It’s only two games, but the Huskies have been pretty stout on defense. Leading the FCS in opponents’ yards per play and 3rd down conversion rate. On the other hand, the offense is not very good through the air. If Nebraska can control HCU’s two-headed rushing attack, it should be a really short day for Nebraska’s starters.
Nebraska 45, Houston Christian 3
HuskerOnline Week 3 Score Predictions
| Week 3 | Sean Callahan | Steven Sipple | Robin Washut | Andy Kendeigh | Jim Rose | Mike’l Severe |
| Houston Christian at Nebraska (NL) | 55-7 Nebraska | 62-17 Nebraska | 59-3 Nebraska | 60-7 Nebraska | 56-7 Nebraska | 45-3 Nebraska |
| Wisconsin at Alabama (-20.5) | 34-10 Alabama | 37-19 Alabama | 27-14 Alabama | 34-10 Alabama | 35-14 Alabama | 30-17 Alabama |
| Minnesota at Cal (+2.5) | 27-23 Minnesota | 28-17 Minnesota | 34-31 Minnesota | 27-20 Minnesota | 28-17 Minnesota | 30-27 Minnesota |
| Georgia at Tennessee (+3.5) | 38-35 UGA | 37-27 Tenn. | 28-24 Tenn. | 34-28 UGA | 35-31 Tenn. | 24-21 UGA |
| K-State at Arizona (-1.5) | 31-27 K-State | 37-20 Arizona | 38-35 K-State | 28-24 Arizona | 38-30 K-State | 26-20 Arizona |
| Texas A&M at N. Dame (-7) | 34-30 N. Dame | 31-21 N. Dame | 21-20 Texas A&M | 31-21 N. Dame | 30-24 N. Dame | 27-26 N. Dame |
HuskerOnline Score Prediction Standings
| Picker | Straight Up | Vs. Spread | Cumulative |
| Jim Rose | 10-2 | 8-4 | 18 |
| Sean Callahan | 8-4 | 6-6 | 14 |
| Robin Washut | 7-5 | 7-5 | 14 |
| Mike’l Severe | 7-5 | 6-6 | 13 |
| Steven Sipple | 7-5 | 5-7 | 12 |
| Andy Kendeigh | 6-6 | 6-6 | 12 |
Sean Callahan can be reached at [email protected] and is heard daily at 6:45 am and 5:05 pm on Big Red Radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during the football season. He can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha during the fall, and each week, he appears on Nebraska Public Media’s Big Red Wrap-Up Tuesdays at 7 pm.
