3 keys for Nebraska football in order to beat USC

A lot has happened since Nebraska football last was on the field. The Huskers have a new offensive coordinator and hopefully, a new-found spark on offense this week.

4-5 USC desperately needs to win this game, and it is coming off a bye week. The Trojans have also made some big changes since their last game, as Lincoln Riley has changed starting quarterbacks from Miller Moss to Jayden Maiava, a former UNLV transfer.

Matt Rhule and the Huskers are desperately seeking that sixth win and bowl eligibility. Riley is in the same spot. The Trojans have UCLA and Notre Dame up next, so a loss on Saturday likely means USC will miss a bowl game.

USC is a nine-point favorite and looking ahead to Saturday’s game, here are three keys for Nebraska football to beat the Trojans.

Get Dylan Raiola’s confidence back

This might be the biggest reason why Matt Rhule decided to make Dana Holgorsen the new offensive coordinator. Holgorsen has worked with numerous NFL quarterbacks such as Geno Smith, Graham Harrell, and Case Keenum.

He’s a proven offensive coordinator. He was also a former head coach and should be able to add some value to the staff in more ways than just being the OC.

Rhule said this week though that Nebraska was trying to do too much. You could see it. They need to simplify things, especially for Raiola, and get him playing with confidence once again.

Frankly, this team won’t have a chance to win if that doesn’t happen. USC is too good and Raiola needs to be early-season Raiola if the Huskers are going to stand a chance at the upset.

Win in the trenches

The Huskers have been inconsistent on the offensive line this season. Even the defensive line has struggled at times but part of that is due to simply wearing down. Guys like Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, and Jimari Butler are playing a lot of snaps.

We saw how the front controlled the game against Ohio State. That’s what needs to happen against USC. The Trojans run the ball better than people realize. Jo’quavious Marks averages 5.7 yards per carry and 97 yards per game. He’s got 100 yards rushing in three of his last five games and if Nebraska allows USC to run the ball like that, it will be a long day for the Blackshirts.

At the same time, it’s going to be a long day for Raiola and the offense if the running game isn’t working. The freshman needs a running game — every quarterback does — and if the Huskers can out-rush USC, their chances of winning will improve dramatically.

Be solid on special teams

You could easily have put winning the turnover battle here, but if you’re going to pull an upset on the road as nearly a double-digit underdog, you have to get a good day from your special teams unit.

USC has dangerous athletes all over the field, which includes in the return game. The Huskers can’t afford to give up field position to the Trojans. They can’t afford shanked punts, bad snaps, fielding kickoffs, or punts inside the five, and when John Hohl gets his chances he has to convert.

If Nebraska football can do those three things — win in the trenches, get Raiola going, and be solid on special teams, they can beat the Trojans.

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