3 keys to a Nebraska football win against Northern Illinois

Nebraska football will play at home for the first time this season and here are three keys to beating Northern Illinois.

It won’t necessarily be the way Nebraska football fans imagined, but they will welcome Matt Rhule to Memorial Stadium for his first home game on Saturday.

Nobody wanted the Huskers to be 0-2. Rhule definitely didn’t. But there’s still plenty within reach for the Huskers. The first goal is knocking off Northern Illinois, a team that won the MAC championship two years ago but missed a bowl game last season.

Through two games, the Huskies have been hard to figure out. Northern Illinois knocked off Boston College in Week 1 but was upset by Southern Illinois of the FCS, 14-11, in Week 2.

Nebraska football is a 10.5-point favorite, and here are three keys to a Huskers win.

Don’t overlook Northern Illinois

The last two head coaches both suffered losses against Group of Five teams and it will be up to Matt Rhule to avoid that Saturday. That’s the last thing that Rhule needs. He reminded everybody this week that he wants to build this program, but starting 0-3 isn’t part of anyone’s plan.

Northern Illinois isn’t a pushover. Rocky Lombardi started at Lincoln Memorial Stadium for Michigan State back in 2018. He’s also won a conference title. NIU upset Boston College in Week 1 and if the Huskers think they can just go through the motions Saturday night, they’re wrong.

Run for at least 200 yards

Whether the starting quarterback is Jeff Sims, who is expected if he’s ready to go, or Henrich Haarberg, Nebraska football needs to rush for 200 yards or more.

The quarterback running game should be a focal point. Sims and Haarberg are both capable runners and this might be a week to use Haarberg even if Sims does start the game.

Northern Illinois is allowing 4.1 yards per rush so far this season. Nebraska football for all of its faults, is averaging 201 rushing yards per game, as well as 5.2 yards per attempt.

With Sims/Haarberg and the trio of running backs, Nebraska shouldn’t have a problem getting over 200 yards rushing on Saturday and if not, it could spell trouble for the Huskers.

Don’t give the ball away

Nebraska is averaging four giveaways per game. No matter how talented you are, that makes it very difficult to win games. The good news is that Northern Illinois has forced just one turnover in two games.

Northern Illinois is also turning the ball over two times per game. Lombardi has three interceptions and the Huskies are averaging just 2.8 yards per rushing attempt. Nebraska is allowing 1.9 yards per rush. So you can see how Lombardi could find himself in some third-and-long situations if NIU is unable to run the ball.

Nebraska does lead the nation in sacks. Meaning the pass rush can get home, but the most important factor in winning the game, is not giving the ball away four times as the Huskers did in the first two games.

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