3 bold predictions for Nebraska football vs. UCLA

The Nebraska football season took a turn last week against USC. During a drive that could have extended a 14-6 lead against the Trojans, Dylan Raiola was sacked and knocked out for the season.

Nebraska’s 21-17 loss to USC ended its hope of making the College Football Playoff. Realistic or not, that had to be a goal for the players. They will need to re-focus and stay motivated.

The Huskers will also be playing with their backup quarterback, TJ Lateef.

A former Elite-11 QB rated as a four-star coming out of high school, from California, will get his chance to shine. He’s talented. Lateef can run, too. The offense should look different. Expect a lot of RPOs.

The UCLA Bruins need to win three of their last four to reach a bowl game. It’s probably not possible even with a win over Nebraska because Washington, Ohio State, and USC loom. UCLA has won three of four games. Nico Iamaleava has 10 touchdown passes and four touchdown runs, but is averaging just 183 passing yards per game.

He is the biggest reason UCLA has to feel confident it can win this game as a slight favorite (1.5 points). With all that in mind, here are three bold predictions and a prediction against the spread (5-3 overall, 4-4 ATS).

Emmett Johnson accounts for 200 total yards

This is probably too bold, but what the hell?

Johnson is the best player on the field on Saturday. At least he should be. Johnson has 1,002 rushing yards and leads all Power-4 running backs. He has also touched the ball more than any other player in the Big Ten.

It’s been a remarkable season. He’ll put a stamp on it Saturday night. UCLA allows 195 rushing yards per game. The Bruins surrender 5.2 per carry.

The Nebraska offensive line might not be great. However, the Huskers have run the ball well. Lateef should be incorporated in the run game with zone reads, RPOs, etc.

So even though more pressure could be on the run game, meaning more players in the box, Nebraska can force UCLA to account for Lateef in ways that defenses didn’t have to account for Raiola.

If the young QB can make the right reads, Emmett Johnson should have a big night. I have a feeling Johnson will do some damage in the passing game, too.

200 total yards might be steep. He almost did it against Maryland, though, and it feels like that’s the Emmett Johnson Nebraska will get on Saturday night.

The Blackshirts hold UCLA under 20

UCLA scored an average of 40 points per game in wins over Michgan State and Penn State. However, the offense came back to Earth, scoring 20 at home against Maryland. The Bruins managed six on the road against Indiana, which isn’t terrible, honestly, but still, that’s an average of 13 points the past two games.

Nico has run for over 100 yards just once this season. Nebraska doesn’t need to sack him. They need to keep him in the pocket. The zone read and designed QB runs will be a big part of this game.

I actually think Nico will rush for 100 yards. However, I don’t think he will throw for 100. Nebraska will be able to limit his passing ability, and, sort of like the Cincinnati game, the pass offense for UCLA will be non-existent, allowing the Huskers to hold UCLA under 20 points.

TJ Lateef will complete a bomb

Lateef can run. But if Nebraska is going to win this game, he’s going to have to make plays with his arm. Against USC, Lateef completed 5 of 7 pass attempts for seven yards. That’s one yard per attempt.

The coaches will have to get him comfortable. They also need to let him throw the ball downfield. UCLA’s pass defense is ranked 23rd nationally. Some of that can be attributed to the run defense, sort of like Nebraska, although the Blackshirts proved against USC that they can stymie an elite passing attack.

Johnson will run the ball well. Lateef will, too. The RPO game could yield some big chunk plays; however, Lateef will show off his arm talent and complete one pass of 40 yards or more.

That hasn’t been part of the offense lately. But Nebraska could catch the defense sleeping. Lateef can make all the throws. The Huskers still have a stellar group of pass catchers, so let it fly.

Score prediction: Nebraska 20, UCLA 17 

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