5 things to know about Nebraska football vs. USC

It’s November, and Nebraska football is 6-2. Please take a second to enjoy that, Husker fans, because it has been nine years since this program has had a record like this, or a team this good.

For the first time in what feels like forever, Nebraska has goals for November that don’t have to do with trying to make a bowl game. 

Matt Rhule was right when he said this program wasn’t going to celebrate six wins again. Fox Sports didn’t even put up the graphic that Nebraska’s bowl eligible, because it’s not a storyline anymore.

Nebraska football has moved on to bigger and better things, which starts this weekend with a massive game against 23rd-ranked USC.

This is the biggest game of the Rhule era. If the Huskers win, they will be on the fringe of the playoff conversation, maybe even ranked in the first release of the College Football Playoff rankings.

It’s all on the table, and here are five things to know for Nebraska vs. USC.

Nebraska vs. USC odds

First, let’s look at the odds. USC is a 6.5-point favorite as a road team. That feels like a big number, but Michigan was favored, too. The over/under is 58.5 points. The moneyline for Nebraska football is +190 and -234 for USC.

Nebraska vs. USC: How to watch

This game will be broadcast on NBC’s “Big Ten Saturday night.” Fans can also stream on Peacock. Huskers.com will also have the radio broadcast for free. Kickoff is set for just after 6:30 PM CST.

A big opportunity

Nebraska had the chance for a defining win against Michigan earlier this season, but couldn’t get it done. The Huskers have beaten a team ranked in the top 25, Cincinnati, which is 17th. However, the losing streak against ranked opponents dates back to 2016.

Matt Rhule has struggled to beat ranked teams. He hasn’t done it as the Nebraska head coach yet. This is the kind of win the Huskers need to sell to recruits, fans, and everyone.

It would reinforce everything Rhule has been building. It would also give the Huskers a realistic shot at the playoff if they win out.

Beyond all that, Nebraska just needs to win a big game, and this would qualify.

A huge challenge for the Blackshirts

This USC offense is by far the best Nebraska has faced this season. Not only does Jayden Maiava lead the Big Ten in passing yards per game (311), but the Trojans are also averaging 203 rushing yards per game.

USC has run the ball on good teams, too. The Trojans had 224 rushing yards against Michgan, despite their top two running backs leaving the game with an injury.

King Miller, their third-string running back, had 154 yards against the Wolverines, plus 70 yards on 18 carries against Notre Dame. Waymond Jordan won’t be back for this game. Eli Sanders is out for the season.

So Miller is the guy. The biggest issue facing the Trojans, though, is dealing with the receivers and tight ends. Makai Lemon (758 receiving yards in 7 games) is the best wideout in college football, or at least as good as Jeremiah Smith. Ja’Kobi Lane (424 yards) is dangerous too, as are tight ends Lake McRee and Walker Lyons.

Expect a ton of 12 personnel. USC will make Nebraska prove it can cover the tight ends. They also love to have two tight ends on the field to run block, so it makes for a tough matchup.

If the Blackshirts are going to have any chance of success in this game, they have to play well against the run and get pressure on the quarterback. Otherwise, it could be a long day. USC is scoring 42 points per game (5th in college football), and its lowest output was 24 points in the last game at Notre Dame.

Making matters worse, the Trojans are coming off a bye week, so they will be fresh, and Lincoln Riley got an extra week to dissect John Buter’s defense.

If Butler wants to make a name for himself, Saturday is his chance.

The best defense is a good offense

Nebraska course-corrected after the Minnesota game. The Huskers only ran it 16 times against the Gophers. Emmett Johnson got 14 carries for 63 yards.

Dana Holgorsen fixed that against Northwestern, feeding Johnson the ball 27 times. He touched it 29 total. The game plan needs to be the same on Saturday.

Johnson is probably getting too many carries, but what choice do the Huskers have? They have struggled in pass protection, and one reason the offensive line held up so well against Northwestern was that Nebraska football was invested in running the ball.

There isn’t a better way to neutralize a pass rush, outside of having elite pass blockers, which the Huskers don’t have. So the running game will be essential. Dylan Raiola has to have a clean game.

Nebraska isn’t good enough to overcome losing the turnover battle. The Huskers need to win it. Emmett Johnson needs to get about 30 carries. Shortening the game, as Minnesota did, should be a goal.

There were 141 offensive plays between Notre Dame and USC. In the Nebraska-Minnesota game, there were 109. That should be Nebraska’s goal. Shorten the game. Cut it down to about 110 plays. Reduce the possessions. Milk the clock on every possession, every play.

That’s the path to victory. The same formula Minnesota used to beat Nebraska is the way Nebraska can beat USC, minus the sacks. Emmett Johnson is the second-most productive running back in the Big Ten. Raiola is incredibly accurate, and the Huskers have the edge on special teams.

It’s doable and I for one can’t wait for Saturday night.

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