3 bold predictions for Nebraska football against North Dakota

Nebraska football wraps up the non-conference portion of the schedule on Saturday night, with a 6 p.m. matchup against North Dakota.

The Fighting Hawks last played in Lincoln back in 2022. It was the final victory of the Scott Frost era. That game wasn’t as comfortable as it should have been.

Who knows if Saturday’s game will be like that one. It was close at halftime before the Huskers pulled away. That contest was a defensive struggle. With two offenses that average over 500 total yards and 50 points per game, this could be anything but.

North Dakota signal caller Jerry Kaminsky should probably be playing quarterback in the Big Ten, just like Anthony Colandrea. This North Dakota team is also rushing for over 250 yards per game and holding teams to just 77.

It will be a solid test all around, maybe the best of the pre-conference slate just because of the quarterback. Nebraska is a 24.5-point favorite. Here are three bold predictions, plus our prediction of the final score.

Anthony Colandrea throws for over 300 yards

North Dakota might provide some more resistance when it comes to running the football. Nebraska will have success, but maybe not as much as the past two weeks.

Some of that depends on how much Colandrea runs. My guess is that we see a wide-open game. Nebraska’s wide receivers are difficult to match up with. Jamal Rule and Mekhi Nelson will get theirs. One of them will get over 100 total yards, but the passing game will shine on Saturday.

Nebraska’s defense will get two takeaways

If the Huskers can slow down the Fighting Hawks’ run game, which includes Kaminsky, who averages 25 rushing yards per game, that should force UND to throw a lot.

There will be more pass attempts, and more chances for the pass rush and secondary to show what they can do. North Dakota will score points. The Fighting Hawks will get yards, especially once some of the backups come in later in the game, but the defense will get two takeaways: an interception and a strip sack.

That’s all order against a veteran quarterback. Rob Aurich talked up the pass rush this week. Nebraska got 14 pressures against Bowling Green, and Saturday, those pressures will lead to sacks.

Nyziah Hunter leads Nebraska in receiving

After 617 receiving yards a season ago, Nyziah Hunter has two receptions for 21 yards. That’s a regular-season pace of 120 yards for the season.

Dana Holgorsen called out Hunter this week. Saying that if he wants the ball, he essentially needs to show Holgorsen he can still be great.

Hunter was Nebraska’s best contested-catch guy last season. He scored on a screen play in the first game, but it was called back by penalty.

Hopefully, Hunter responded this week in practice. Nebraska football needs to get him going. Whether it’s with his patented tunnel screen or taking some shots down the field, Hunter will make multiple explosive plays (20-yard catches or more) and get in the end zone.

Colandrea will get one of his best wide receivers going.

Prediction

This should be a high-scoring game. I’m taking Nebraska with the points. The Huskers will roll up over 500 yards and over 50 points in a 52-27 win.

Nebraska 52, North Dakota 27 

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