After a frustrating loss to Minnesota, Nebraska returns home to face one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten on Saturday. Northwestern has won four games in a row, including a victory at Penn State and a shoutout of an offensively strong Purdue team. Wildcat Head Coach David Braun brings a tough, physical, experienced group to Lincoln. These are exactly the kinds of teams that have given Nebraska problems this season, so finding a way to beat the “other NU” will be a huge step for the Huskers. Win, and Nebraska will have secured bowl eligibility before its toughest stretch of the schedule to end the season. Lose, and another late season collapse will be on the minds of Husker fans.
Nebraska Offense vs Northwestern Defense
Defense has been the strength of the Northwestern team all season. The Wildcats rank among the best in the country in scoring, total yards, and passing yards. They achieve this with a high level system, disciplined players, and an intensity Matt Rhule described as “shocking effort.”
The area they’ve excelled in the most is in red zone defense. Northwestern has allowed just 7 touchdowns on 16 trips by opponents into their endzone. This success both in the number of trips and the number of stops appears to give the Wildcats a massive advantage against a Nebraska team that has struggled mightily with scoring touchdowns in the red zone.
Where the Northwestern haven’t flourished has been creating negative plays. The Wildcats have just 28 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, some of the lowest numbers in the Big Ten. However, both Minnesota and Michigan State weren’t havoc-causing defenses before facing the Huskers either, and both lived in the Husker backfield. So handling defensive lineman Michael Kilbane and Aidan Hubbard and their combined five sacks on the season will be key for Nebraska to stay ahead of the chains.
Nebraska Defense vs Northwestern Offense
The Wildcat offense has not shared in the success of the defense, but have been finding their footing during their recent win streak. The strength of the attack is certainly its running scheme. Northwestern have two backs averaging over four-yards per carry. Caleb Komalafe has 483 yards on 107 attempts and Joseph Himon II has added 360 yards of his own. The two backs are plenty capable of producing the long runs that have hurt the Huskers so far this season, and Northwestern as a team is comfortable with a high-run rate—a scary proposition coming off a performance where the Blackshirts were heavily leaned on by a Minnesota team that was among the worst in the conference at running the football.
When Northwestern isn’t pounding the running backs, they are usually looking to get the ball to one spectacular receiver—Griffin Wilde. The Sioux Falls native has 516 yards on 37 catches and is a master at making contested catches. He’ll test the top ranked Husker pass defense that will once again be without Malcom Hartzog, who will be out for the rest of the regular season.
The weakness of the Wildcat offense, is unquestionably turnovers, particularly interceptions by quarterback Preston Stone. The transfer from SMU may not throw it often, but he takes chances when he does. His four interceptions in Northwestern’s season-opening loss to Tulane all but handed the game to the Green Wave. If the Blackshirts can finally get their run defense right and force Stone to throw, there should be opportunities for game-changing plays.
Much like last week, the Huskers will be the more talented team on the field Saturday. Their ability to pair that talent with poise and violence will be the factor that decides whether wins and secures bowl eligibility before Halloween.
Game Notes
- Last season was the first season Nebraska did not face Northwestern since joining the Big Ten in 2011.
- Ten of the thirteen conference games between these two schools have been decided by one score.
- Eight of twelve games between 2011 and 2022 were decided by three or fewer points or in overtime.
- The last meeting was a 17-9 home Nebraska victory in 2023.
- The Wildcats have held 4 teams to 14 points or fewer this season.
- With its win over Maryland two weeks ago, Nebraska reached 5-1 in consecutive years for the first time since 2013-2014.
- A victory over Northwestern would give Nebraska six wins its first games for the first time since 2016.
- Senior linebacker Javin Wright has had 10 or more tackles in the last 4 games, including a career high 12 tackles in each of the last two games. He’s the first Husker to record four straight double-digit tackle games since Barrett Ruud in 2003.
Broadcast Info
TV: FS1 (Connor Onion, Mark Helfrich)
Radio: Husker Sports Network (Kyle Crooks, Damon Benning, Jessica Coody)
Internet Audio: Huskers.com
App Audio: Official Huskers App