5 things to watch for Nebraska football vs. Akron

Nebraska football got a season-opening win over Cincinnati last Thursday, and after some extra practice time, the Huskers will be at Memorial Stadium for the first time on Saturday.

Frankly, Akron shouldn’t offer much resistance. Besides the fact that Akron isn’t eligible for a bowl game, due to a poor program GPA, there isn’t much to be excited about or worried about from a Nebraska football perspective.

Akron was 4-8 last season. Joe Moorhead is a good offensive mind. The quarterback is experienced but average. The playmakers are young, and here are five things to watch about Nebraska football vs. Akron.

Nebraska football vs. Akron odds

The Huskers are a 34.5-point favorite. The over/under is 47.5. On the surface, that seems like a huge spread. It is. However, Nebraska has a talented quarterback, a solid defense, and the Zips didn’t score any points last week against Wyoming.

Statistical averages will tell you that Akron should score this week, but it’s hard to see them score more than twice. And after scoring just seven points in the second half against Cincinnati, it feels like the Huskers are due for an explosion.

A chance for the run defense to rebound

Nebraska’s run defense wasn’t great last week. Outside the QB runs, the Cincinnati running backs carried the ball 12 times for 82 yards (6.8 per carry). The Huskers will look to rebound, and Arkon is a great opportunity.

Frankly, it would be nice if Nebraska had a more stern test on the ground. Arkon averaged just 3.5 yards per rushing attempt last season and graduated its top back. The Zips running backs had six combined D-1 carries coming into the season.

Akron rushed for 89 yards on 28 attempts last week (3.2). Sean Patrick and Marquese Williams each averaged over five yards per attempt, but on limited attempts. There is some threat, but if Nebraska’s defense doesn’t rebound this week, it will be cause for concern.

Left tackle

Matt Rhule said that the rotation at left tackle wasn’t going to continue. Yet, the depth chart this week still lists Gunnar Gottula, Elijah Pritchett, and Turner Corcoran as the No. 1, separated by an “or.”

Pritchett was the most effective. His grades were the best against Cincinnati. He passed the eye test, too. The penalties have to stop, but Pritchett taking the job is what’s best for the team.

Who is RB2?

One game into the season, and it’s not clear who the No. 2 running back is going to be. Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee each got one carry in the Cincinnati game. Emmett Johnson got too many carries. Matt Rhule even said he didn’t like how many times Johnson touched the ball.

If Nebraska tries to give Johnson 25 carries a game, he won’t last through the Big Ten schedule. Some other reliable backs need to emerge, at least one, preferably two.

Kwinten Ives is back in the mix now that he’s healthy. Nelson and Mozee should get more chances this week in what should be a lopsided affair. How will they perform?

That’s something I’ll be watching closely.

Hit the quarterback

Last week, Nebraska didn’t hit the quarterback, outside of on run plays. The Huskers had nine pressures, all hurries, but didn’t get a quarterback hit or a sack.

That’s more disturbing than the run defense. The tackling will be better, and I’m sure the run fits will be, too. But the EDGE players need to start winning more one-on-ones. Williams Nwaneri earned himself more playing time this week.

There are numerous candidates to get the job done, and getting a veteran quarterback, which is what Ben Finley is, with 671 career attempts across six seasons at NC State, Cal, and Arkon.

The game plan is surely to get the ball out quickly. Nebraska needs to stop the run and allow its pass rushers to pin their ears back in a way that wasn’t always possible last week.

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