5 predictions for Nebraska football against Purdue

Another test awaits Nebraska football this week as they hit the road to take on the Purdue Boilermakers. On paper, this matchup looks to favor the Huskers.

However, head coach Matt Rhule said this week that Nebraska football is a “team of winners” that is still learning how to win. Last week was another lesson that the Huskers aren’t quite where they need to be.

They didn’t trail in the second half and had the ball inside the 30 with four minutes to go but couldn’t seal the deal. This feels like it will be another close game and here are five predictions for Nebraska football vs. Purdue.

More rushing attempts than passes for Nebraska

This isn’t a crazy prediction if you look at the Purdue run defense. The Boilermakers have allowed an average of 5.6 yards per rush attempt. Teams are attempting 48 rushing attempts per game against Purdue compared to just 18 passes.

Nebraska football probably won’t be that imbalanced but I wouldn’t mind if they were. The weather isn’t supposed to be very good and if the Huskers can’t run on Purdue, it’ll be a bad sign.

An efficient day for Dylan Raiola

I’d love for Raiola to throw 20-25 passes in this game. It would be great to get him to quality play-action opportunities but you have to establish the run first.

Nebraska might struggle to pass protect at times, yet they can cover up the left tackle spot with the help of a tight end or running back. You can scheme around one guy and Gunnar Gottula isn’t that bad. He was fine last week and after a full week of practice, he should be even more comfortable.

You still don’t want Raiola throwing 35-40 times. Purdue’s defense has eight sacks in three games. That’s eight sacks on 54 pass attempts or a sack every 6.75 throws. That’s why teams are running it so much and why if the Huskers can’t run, it could spell trouble.

Operating under the assumption that the running game gets going, Raiola will throw for approximately 200 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing) with zero interceptions.

A 100-yard game for Dante Dowdell

I thought Dante Dowdell was going to 100 yards against Illinois. However, I underestimated their run defense. The Fighting Illini won the battle of the line of scrimmage, which is why they won the game.

Nebraska football needs to win that battle on Saturday morning. Purdue has only played three games on defense. Yet, by every metric, their run defense is terrible. Dowdell has averaged five yards per rush this season and with a new starting left tackle, Nebraska football will lean into the run.

Purdue runs for 100 yards, just barely

I do think that the Blackshirts will be better on defense this week. But Purdue is really committed to running the ball and did it a bunch last week despite losing by three scores to Oregon State. I don’t see Devin Mockobee running for over 100 yards as he did two years ago, but as a team, the Boilers hit 100 just barely. Nebraska’s front seven isn’t quite where it needs to be and I think Purdue will find some success testing the edges.

Huskers don’t just win they cover

Even giving up 100 yards rushing to Purdue, which I don’t think will come easy, I have a hard time seeing Purdue score 20 points in this game. They just haven’t been very good on offense. The defense had one bad week for Nebraska. Maybe the Blackshirts are as good as we thought, but they are better than they looked last week.

Purdue will keep it interesting, but in the third quarter, Nebraska football grabs a two-score lead and puts away Purdue in a way it wasn’t able to do against Illinois.

Prediction: Nebraska 31, Purdue 17

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