Michigan State vs. Nebraska: Keys to victory, HuskerOnline score predictions for Saturday

Nebraska (3-1, 0-1) will try to get back on track today against Michigan State (3-1, 0-1) in Lincoln on Homecoming weekend. Both the Spartans and Huskers are coming off losses to start Big Ten play and did not play this past Saturday.

As things get closer to kickoff, here are today’s keys to victory for NU vs. MSU.

Nebraska enters today’s match-up as a 12.5-point favorite against Michigan State. Today’s game is set for a 3:00 p.m. CT kickoff, and it can be seen on FS1.

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KEYS TO VICTORY: Michigan State vs. Nebraska

KEY 1: Manage the wind conditions

With potential 30 to 40 mph wind conditions on Saturday, every single deep throw, kick, and punt will have to be thought out. That also means when going towards the south end zone, you might have to get well inside the 25-yard line before you feel good about taking a shot at a field goal.

KEY 2: Containment of Chiles

Nebraska will see another mobile quarterback in Michigan State’s Aidan Chiles. Most of what they do will go through him, both through the air and on the ground. The Huskers must be prepared for him to run 10 times in this game and not let any of those gains be significant.

KEY 3: Give Raiola a clean pocket

The Spartans have produced just 46 QB pressures and six sacks as a defense. They have also struggled covering the pass. This should set up for a big day for QB Dylan Raiola if they can keep him clean in the pocket.

KEY 4: Get off blocks and win on early run downs

Look for Michigan State to try to create alignment issues and put Nebraska’s defense in one-on-one situations where they have to get off blocks and make a play. This is an area that needs improvement on Saturday.

KEY 5: Come out punching

Both Nebraska and Michigan State are coming off a bye. It’s going to be hot and windy in Memorial Stadium. NU needs to come out swinging right from the jump. A flat start is not what you want to see coming off the open date.

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Expert takes

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Publisher

This is a great match-up for Nebraska at home. The Spartans don’t rush the passer well and have had issues on the back end. This sets up for a big day for Dylan Raiola and a 14-point win for the Huskers. Adian Chiles will make some plays for Sparty, but it won’t be enough.

Nebraska 38, Michigan State 24

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Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

Another tense game. Get used to it. I understand Michigan State has major problems defensively. But until Nebraska shows more strength up front on both sides of the ball, Husker fans will feel tension throughout Big Ten games, right until the end of most of them.

Nebraska 38, Michigan State 31

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Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer

As rough as some aspects were in the loss to Michigan, Nebraska has had two weeks to reflect and evaluate for a bounce-back opportunity this afternoon. Dylan Raiola puts up big numbers through the air (and the offensive line keeps him clean) while the Blackshirts bottle up Aidan Chiles in a needed Husker victory.

Nebraska 34, Michigan State 24

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Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

A business-like approach the last two weeks in Lincoln will reap results against Michigan State.   Nebraska knows the key is up front at the line of scrimmage and they will be much better against the Spartans—no chance they give up 7 sacks this week.  Huskers will somehow manage the wind, cope with the October heat wave and beat Michigan State soundly.

Nebraska 31, Michigan State 17

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Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

Dana Holgerson said they practiced “200,000 passing sets!”  So when did they have time to practice the run game?  The Huskers seek to redeem themselves after the Michigan loss.  MSU looks like a willing participant.  Three new starters on their OL (injuries) best tackler out with a targeting flag, best CB out with injury.   The Spartans will hit hard but they are just a few horses short to win the game.   Best chance for them is to grind out drives.  I dunno.  Nebraska wins in a high scoring affair. 

Nebraska 42, Michigan State 28

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Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

Based on the numbers this should be a higher scoring game but it looks like high winds might affect the offenses. Still the 17th worst pass defense in the B1G vs the best passing offense and another dual threat QB in Chiles vs a Blackshirt group that struggled vs Sorsby and Underwood. I think the only way it stays in the 50’s is if Nebraska hasn’t gotten its issues with the red zone fixed during the bye week. 

Nebraska 34, Michigan State 17

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HuskerOnline Week 6 Score Predictions

Week 6	Sean Callahan	Steven Sipple	Robin Washut	Andy Kendeigh	Jim Rose	Mike’l Severe
Mich. State at Nebraska (-12.5)	38-24 Nebraska	38-31 Nebraska	34-24 Nebraska	31-17 Nebraska	42-28 Nebraska	34-17 Nebraska
Wisconsin at Michigan (-16.5)	34-13 Michigan	38-10 Michigan	33-17 Michiga	28-10 Michigan	31-14 Michigan	31-17 Michigan
Washington at Maryland (+5.5)	37-34 Washington	31-24 Washington	28-24 Washington	31-24 Maryland	31-28 Maryland	27-20 Washington
Iowa State at Cincinnati (-1.5)	41-34 Cincinnati	34-27 Cincinnati	23-20 Cincinnati	27-24 Cincinnati	28-20 Cincinnati	35-31 Cincinnati
Vanderbilt at Alabama (-10.5)	41-24 Alabama	28-21 Alabama	37-31 Alabama	37-20 Alabama	45-20 Alabama	34-24 Vanderbilt
Miami at Florida State (+4.5)	38-35 Miami	28-20 Miami	33-30 Miami	34-31 Florida State	35-31 Miami	31-24 Miami

HuskerOnline Score Prediction Standings

Picker	Straight Up	Vs. Spread	Cumulative
Robin Washut	21-9	17-13	38
Jim Rose	17-13	17-13	34
Mike’l Severe	17-13	17-13	34
Steven Sipple	18-12	14-16	32
Sean Callahan	17-13	14-16	31
Andy Kendeigh	17-13	14-16	31

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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.

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