5 things to know about Nebraska football vs. Washington

Fresh off a bye week, Nebraska football and Washington will meet at Lincoln Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Both teams handled the bye differently. The Huskers took it easier than the Huskies did. Jedd Fisch treated it like another training camp. Nebraska just tried to get healthy.

Anthony Jones won’t be able to play this week. Jamir Conn might. Getting him back would be huge for the defense, just like getting Jamal Rule back to 100 percent would be huge for the offense.

Sitting at 5-2, this feels like a must-win game. Here are the five things to know about Nebraska vs. Washington, including how to watch and the odds.

Nebraska vs. Washington odds

The Huskers are a 7.5-point favorite. The over/under is 49.5 points, and the moneyline is +255 for Washington and -320 for Nebraska.

How to watch Nebraska vs. Washington

Big Ten Network will have the broadcast of the 7 p.m. Central game. Huskers.com will also have the radio broadcast for free.

Huskies don’t believe in running the ball

Washington is tied for 17th in the Big Ten in rushing attempts this season. The Huskies average 3.5 yards per carry overall and 104 yards per game. However, in Big Ten play, their running game has gotten nowhere, averaging just 66 yards per game and 2.8 yards per attempt.

Washington throws for 266 yards per game in league play. Both quarterbacks have had success throwing the ball. Demond Williams is a dynamic runner, too. However, coming off a rib injury, he might not be that enthusiastic about running.

Nebraska’s run defense has been elite. The Huskers are giving up just 99 yards per game and 3.2 yards per attempt. Rob Aurich thrives, as most defensive coordinators do, when he can make the offense one-dimensional.

As far as Washington is concerned, that shouldn’t be that hard to do. It will simply be up to Aurich and the pass rush to take advantage of that.

Nebraska needs to pound the rock

Speaking of run defense, Washington is allowing 4.5 yards per rushing attempt this season. The Huskies are allowing 381 total yards per game, including 231 through the air. Anthony Colandrea should have a strong game.

I’d like to see more involvement in the zone read. Mekhi Nelson and Jamal Rule need to get going. The Huskers are only getting 3.3 yards per attempt from their backs during Big Ten play. Rule is averaging 2.8, although getting knocked out of the Michigan State and Oregon games after a few carries didn’t help.

Two great third-down defenses

Nebraska has the best third-down defense in college football and the Big Ten. The Huskers are allowing just 19.1 percent conversion on third downs. Indiana and Oregon were 4-for-28 on third down in the last two games.

Washington allows 31.3 percent on third downs. It’s a strength of the Huskies. Their third-down offense converts just 33.3 percent of the time, ranking 18th in the Big Ten and 117th nationally. Washington also ranks 116th nationally in red-zone defense, so it feels like this is a quality matchup for Nebraska all around.

Frankly, it’s a game Matt Rhule’s team needs to win.

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