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

Can Nebraska (4-3, 2-2) win three games in a row for the first time since 2016? They’ll have a great opportunity today against Purdue (2-5, 1-3).

As we get closer to kickoff, here are today’s keys to victory for the Huskers against the Boilermakers.

NU enters today’s game against Purdue as a 2.5-point favorite. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT, and the game can be seen on FS1.

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KEYS TO VICTORY: Purdue vs. Nebraska

KEY 1: Protect the offensive line

It will be important for Nebraska to know the situation with its offensive line today. They can’t put them in too many high-risk spots. They have to move the pocket at times and hopefully run the football well enough to keep Purdue off-balanced with the threat of the play-action.

KEY 2: Set the tone early with Mockobee

A year ago in West Lafayette, running back Devin Mockobee had his way with the Huskers. It caught everyone off guard, as nobody expected Purdue to run the ball like that. Mockobee can’t surprise Nebraska again today.

KEY 3: Hit another deep shot

Last week, we saw how important it was for Nebraska’s offense to find Malachi Coleman with a deep shot. The Huskers need to find another shot play down the field against Purdue.

KEY 4: Defensive pressure

The Blackshirts had one of its best games of the season last week in terms of pass rush. They will need that type of effort again today and make Purdue QB Hudson Card think twice every time he drops back in the pocket.

KEY 5: A better offensive start than last week

Last week, Nebraska’s start on offense was a disaster. Fumbling twice and throwing an interception on three of the first snaps would cost you the football game on many Saturdays. Heinrich Haarberg and the Husker offense must come out laser-focused with a better start.

EXPERT TAKE

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Pubisher

This is a coin flip-type game, but the advantage for Nebraska will be its defense and the weather conditions. This will probably not be a day geared for offense and the throwing game. I think that plays into the hands of the Huskers, and NU picks up its fifth win of 2023.

Nebraska 24, Purdue 17

Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

This will be a much tougher test for Nebraska than last week’s win against Northwestern. Hudson Card is a big reason. Granted, he hasn’t put up big numbers this season, but he’s much more skilled at the position than Northwestern’s backup. Meanwhile, Purdue’s defense has been porous, but its strength – the outside linebackers – could cause problems for the Huskers’ offensive tackles. Bottom line, this game feels like a toss-up.

Nebraska 23, Purdue 21

Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer

This is another one that will come down to the wire, and the team that plays the cleanest will win. Both Nebraska and Purdue have been sloppy with the football offensively, and the winter weather won’t help. Despite all of the offensive injuries, the Blackshirts dominate enough to help NU pull out a close victory.

Nebraska 20, Purdue 17

Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

Mother nature must be a Husker fan since Saturday looks like a recipe for the Blackshirts to excel.  Conditions fit more for Thanksgiving than the Saturday before Halloween so running the football will be key.  The Boilermakers rank 9^th in the Big Ten in rushing offense largely behind Devin Mockobee but also rank 11^th in rushing defense.  The big question can the Huskers replace three-fifths of its offensive line to piece together a running game?  I say yes they will.

Nebraska 17, Purdue 10

Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

In this dark stretch of years for Nebraska Football the fans gave up on style points long ago.   So when it comes to wins, it’s not how but how many.  This is clearly the best defense in the West, which means if young Heinrich Haarberg can simply keep the offense away from any self-inflicted wounds, this thing will end very well.  

Nebraska 21, Purdue 7

Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

The weather could play an important part in the matchup. You would think cold, windy and possibly wet conditions might play into Nebraska’s hands. But both teams have struggled with ball handling this season. Two of the Boilermakers’ top players RB Devin Mockebee and QB Hudson Card each have six fumbles on the season. On the other hand, Heinrich Haarberg is tied for second in FBS with seven fumbles.

I think the key to the game will be big plays on the ground. The Huskers lead the Big 10 in long running plays (10+ yards) and Purdue is second in the conference among teams that have played seven games in allowing long plays. Purdue also has one of the worst special teams units in the conference, last in net punting and FG conversions.    

Nebraska 24, Purdue 20

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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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