3 keys for Nebraska football to beat Wisconsin

There is a lot of noise surrounding the Nebraska football program right now. Matt Rhule is starting to feel the pressure and there are rumors about players leaving the team.

It’s what usually happens when losing continues for an extended period of time. People point fingers and things fall apart.

This program needs to win. It needs to get six wins and I have gone on record as saying if Rhule doesn’t get six wins this season, he starts 2025 on the hot seat.

That’s the last place any Nebraska football fan should want him to be. But, if he doesn’t reach a bowl game this season or next season, if there aren’t questions about his job, there should be.

Nebraska football has too much going for it not to play in a bowl. It’s become the rule, not the exception and it’s time to start changing that on Saturday. As far as beating Wisconsin, here are three keys.

Run the damn ball

I’m convinced that whichever teams run the ball better and for more yards is going to win the game. Based on the past few weeks and the entire season, it’s hard to see that being Nebraska.

However, the Huskers did out-gain Ohio State on the ground, in the Horseshoe. They are capable of grinding out tough yards and also being stingy on defense. They just don’t seem to do it at the same time.

Nebraska allows 3.5 yards per rush but gains 3.7. The Badgers allow 4.6 but get 4.5. So it’s anyone’s guess as to who wins the rushing battle but Nebraska needs to if it wants to win.

No turnovers

Dylan Raiola has eight interceptions in his last five games. If he can avoid throwing an interception against a Wisconsin defense that forces just 1.1 turnovers per game that will surely help.

Wisconsin has a new offensive coordinator and it feels like the Badgers will play it close to the vest. I don’t know what he’s going to do but my guess is that the Badgers try to run the ball and shorten the game.

Nebraska can’t give up easy points and allow Wisconsin to get confidence. Make the Badgers earn everything. The Huskers have turned the ball over in the fourth quarter on a drive that could tie the game or give them the lead in each of the last three weeks.

If they are in that scenario again, they need to deliver, for once, with a scoring drive.

The Blackshirts need to play out of their minds

Twice this season, Nebraska football looked like it had an elite defense: the Colorado Game and then against Ohio State.

Ohio State was limited to 21 points. They had 64 yards rushing and the Badgers don’t have the skill position players that the Buckeyes do.

Heck, the Badgers don’t have the talent that the Buffaloes do. Nebraska’s defensive line dominated. Colorado and Ohio State couldn’t run the ball, at all and that needs to be the case on Saturday.

If Nash Hutmacher, Ty Robinson, and Jimari Butler want to play in a bowl game, they need to dominate. If this defense can channel the Ohio State game, the Huskers will have a good shot to win.

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