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

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Can Nebraska qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2016 today at Michigan State?

The Huskers travel to Spartan Stadium for the first time since 2021 and for just the fourth time since joining the Big Ten in 2011. As things get closer to kickoff, here are today’s keys to victory for NU against MSU.

Nebraska enters today’s game as a 3-point favorite over Michigan State. Today’s game is set for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff and can be seen on FS1.

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KEYS TO VICTORY: Nebraska vs. Michigan State

KEY 1: Handle the opening charge from Michigan State

It will be Senior Day in Spartan Stadium on Saturday. Michigan State will come out of the locker room with an opening charge. The Huskers must stand up to that early.

KEY 2: Contain Spartan running back Nathan Carter

The key to slowing down MSU’s offense is running back Nathan Carter. He’s one of the top running backs Nebraska has faced this season. They can not let Carter have success on early running downs.

KEY 3: Make smart decisions in the option game

The option attack has become a huge part of Nebraska’s offense. The Big Red has to come out and be smart with its ball handling and decisions on option plays. They cannot afford the QB fumbles like we saw last week vs. Purdue.

KEY 4: Force some first-half turnovers on defense

Nebraska is one of the worst teams in the country in turnover margin. Michigan State is equally bad. The Huskers must force some turnovers and win the TO battle.

KEY 5: Bring your own energy

I imagine Spartan Stadium will be about 65 percent full for this 11 a.m. CT game. MSU has lost its last six games in a row. It’s a bring your own energy day for Rhule’s team. The Huskers must come out with some life and take care of business against this struggling Spartan team.

EXPERT TAKE

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Pubisher

Michigan State will come out of the gates swinging, but Nebraska will survive the opening surge of the game. Once things settle in, the Husker offense will put together a couple of nice drives, and the defense and special teams will give NU the field position they need to win in East Lansing for the first time since 2012.

Nebraska 24, Michigan State 13

Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

Based on what we saw last week from Michigan State – a 27-12 loss to Minnesota – the Spartans haven’t closed up shop just yet. The Spartans play OK defense, but their offense is a mess. Sound familiar, Husker fans? At any rate, Nebraska’s offense will do just enough to keep the program in the thick of the Big Ten West Division chase. By the way, Nebraska’s defense is much better than “OK,” and that’s a significant advantage.

Nebraska 20, Michigan State 16

Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer

In a game that will likely be decided by who turns the ball over the least, I’m going with the squad that’s won five of six over the losers of six in a row. Nebraska gets the win and finally punches a ticket back to the postseason.

Nebraska 27, Michigan State 17

Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

Matt Rhule preaches winning games in the 4^th quarter, but this one could be over early if Nebraska starts quickly –not exactly the Huskers specialty.  Nebraska can’t give Sparty hope on senior day—step on their spirit early, take care of the darn football and play signature Tony White defense and the Huskers should become bowl-eligible for the first time in seven years.

Nebraska 21, Michigan State 13

Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

Long after this season is over, nobody is going to notice that this was the worst schedule Nebraska Football has enjoyed in a many a day. But Hey, remember the days of Iowa, Penn State, Auburn and Florida State in the same NON-CON?  Life truly is 50-50. The Blackshirts are for real. As putrid as Purdue is on offense, shutting them down time and again in their own red zone says something loud and clear about these dudes:  We be a load.  MSU is a dumpster fire.  Has SpartyNation counting the minutes to basketball. They’ve quit. Big Red Rolls.  

Nebraska 31, Michigan State 7

Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

I think there are three keys to Nebraska coming away with the win. First, despite the struggles NU has had through the air, you have to attack the Spartan secondary. It’s the worst pass defense in the Big Ten and is filled with injuries and youth back there. Secondly, don’t get caught up in MSU’s penalty issues. They are the most penalized team in the Big Ten. Lastly, Nate Carter is the 3rd leading rusher in the Big Ten, if you contain him and force MSU to the air, whoever they play at QB will add to their league-leading interception total. 

Nebraska 24, Michigan State 10

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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.