3 predictions for Nebraska football vs. Wisconsin

Nebraska football needs a win on Saturday against Wisconsin and here are three predictions for the Huskers, and a score.

It’s been up and down season for Nebraska football. In the first year of a new head coach, we should have expected that.

The start was rough, but then Nebraska won five of its next six games. The idea of a Big Ten West title was dancing in the minds of Huskers fans before crushing losses to Michigan State and Maryland brought them crashing back down to earth.

With two games to go, Nebraska football is 5-5. The Huskers need to win one of two games to reach a bowl game and avoid having this season end up as a failure.

It’s bowl game or bust for Nebraska and Matt Rhule. With that in mind, here are three predictions and a pick against the spread for Nebraska football vs. Wisconsin.

Emmett Johnson runs for 100 yards

If there’s one part of the Nebraska offense I have confidence in still, it’s the running game. I’ve been begging for Nebraska football to give Johnson the ball more and he did get 18 carries last week.

This week, against a Wisconsin defense that is ninth in the Big Ten in rushing yards allowed, please give Johnson at least 20 carries. I don’t see the Badgers running away from Nebraska in this one.

Wisconsin actually has only scored 14 points or more once in the past five games. So be patient, pound the rock, and take the ball out of the quarterbacks hand as much as possible.

If Johnson gets enough touches, he’ll reach 100 yards.

The point total is way under

If I were a betting man, I’d definitely put money on this game not hitting the over which is 37 points according to DraftKings.

Maybe Braelon Allen is closer to 100 percent, but he played last week, then stopped playing after three carries because the high-ankle sprain wasn’t any better.

Is it going to be better this week? Probably not that much and without him, the Badgers don’t have a whole lot. They actually ran for under 100 yards last week against Northwestern and scored in garbage time just to get 10 points up on the board.

Nebraska can run the ball. It’s not very good throwing the ball and half the plays seem to turn out better for the other team. That’s a bit of a joke, but sadly, it’s pretty close to the facts.

Nebraska turned the ball over three times last week and has turned it over 12 times in the last three games. I’m sure there will be 2-to-3 turnovers on Saturday night, even with Chubba Purdy expected to start, which is another reason why I don’t know if the final point total hits 30.

I definitely don’t think it hits 37.

The Blackshirts dominate

Is this even a bold prediction? No, because Nebraska football has been stellar on defense all season. Shedeur Sanders and J.J. McCarthy are the only guys to have done any real damage. Michigan State had some moments too, but again, the offense helped a lot and the Spartans still only scored 20, which makes them one of just three teams to hit that mark against the Blackshirts.

I don’t see Wisconsin scoring 20 points in this game. Without the help of turnovers, I actually don’t see Wisconsin scoring more than 10.

My prediction is that Nebraska holds the Badgers under 100 yards rushing and under 300 yards of total offense. But will the Huskers protect the ball well enough to win?

Four giveaways won’t cut it, even against one of the worst offenses in the Big Ten. But I don’t see Wisconsin scoring more than 13-17 points in this one.

Nebraska vs. Wisconsin prediction

I’ve gone back and forth. It’s Friday night, so I’m feeling optimistic. I really don’t see either offense having much success but believe Nebraska’s running game is the best thing going for either team on offense. That means as long as Purdy can avoid losing the game, the Huskers will win.

Prediction: Nebraska 17, Wisconsin 10

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