3 bold predictions for Nebraska football against Rutgers

After four straight losses, motivation could be a major factor for Nebraska football against Rutgers on Saturday.

Justin Evans and Luke Lindenmeyer talked this week about how they want to go out with a winning season and end their careers on a high note.

That means at least making a bowl game and not losing seven straight. The next two games are against Ohio State and Iowa, so if Nebraska doesn’t win tomorrow, the Huskers could miss the postseason for the second time in four years under Matt Rhule.

As frustrating as this season has been, Nebraska football is one of four teams in the FBS to have outgained its opponent in all nine games. The other teams are Utah, UCLA. and Notre Dame.

Keeping that in mind, here are three bold predictions for Nebraska vs. Rutgers.

Jamal Rule runs for over 100 yards

Rutgers has the worst run defense in the Big Ten, allowing 5.7 yards per carry. Nebraska is sixth in the Big Ten in rushing yards (conference games only).

Rule was stellar early in the season. He’s gotten back to form over the past two weeks with 28 carries for 141 yards. The freshman back should have had 40 carries over the past two weeks. You have to think that will change with Glenn Thomas.

Matt Rhule wants to pound the rock, meaning Rule will get 20-plus carries and more than 100 yards.

Nebraska offense goes off for 40

This sounds like a bold prediction, but it really isn’t. The Scarlet Knights have allowed 37 points or more at home three different times this season. Michigan, the worst offense in the Big Ten, scored 28 points. Tommy Carr could barely complete a pass against Michigan State and still accounted for over 300 yards rushing and passing against the Scarlet Knights.

Anthony Colandrea completed 31 of 43 passes last week for 283 yards. The yardage has been there; the issue has been the inability to turn those yards into points.

However, against a defense that ranks 15th or worse in the Big Ten in rush defense, pass defense, third-down defense, scoring defense. and red-zone defense, the Huskers will get the ball into the end zone five or six times.

If not, then this offense really isn’t as good as we thought.

Antwan Raymond won’t get anywhere

Raymond has been held under 50 yards rushing three different times this season. Nebraska’s run defense has been elite this season. The Huskers are allowing just 81 yards per game.

Raymond carried the ball 11 times for 85 yards against Michigan two weeks ago, which included a 57-yard run. He’s capable of keeping Rutgers in this game. He has to go well over 100 yards, though. My prediction is that he won’t top 50 yards and won’t even get 15 attempts.

Score prediction: Nebraska 41, Rutgers 10.