3 keys to an upset win for Nebraska football over USC

Now that Matt Rhule has signed a contract extension with Nebraska football through the 2032 season, we can get back to focusing on USC.

A huge challenge awaits Rhule and the Huskers this week. Rhule’s new deal added years, but there wasn’t much new money added. There are more guarantees, meaning Nebraska would have to pay for more to fire Rhule than it did on Wednesday.

Rhule will get a $1 million bonus if Nebraska makes the College Football Playoff. It compounds, too. So, make it three years in a row, and he gets a $3 million bonus. That’s a good incentive, and if the Huskers want a shot at the College Football Playoff in 2025, they need to win Saturday.

Heck, they need to win out. Eight or nine wins feel like the most realistic outcome, but if Nebraska football beats 23rd-ranked USC, who knows? It would be nice the end the losing streak against ranked teams. Here are three keys to doing exactly that Saturday night.

Nebraska has to out-rush USC

There is a common denominator between both of USC’s losses. Each time, the Trojans lost the rushing yardage battle. Against Notre Dame, they lost it by well over 200 yards.

Illinois rushed for 171 yards against USC. The Trojans also have a formidable running game. USC averages 202 rushing yards per game.

However, their top two backs to start the season are injured. King Miller, a former walk-on, is starting. He rushed for 151 yards against Michigan on 18 carries. He also had 70 against Notre Dame (18 attempts).

The Trojans have to be licking their chops looking at Nebraska’s run defense, which has allowed more than 186 rushing yards three times.

Nebraska needs to stop the run. It also needs to feed the ball to Emmett Johnson, shorten the game, and slow down a USC pass rush with 21 sacks in seven games.

Running the ball well does all of that, and if Nebraska has a significant edge in rushing yards, there’s a good chance it will win the game.

Protect and affect the quarterback

Matt Rhule talked about this in his first press conference. It’s what the Huskers need to do Saturday night. They allowed just one sack last week.

That’s twice in three games that Nebraska has only surrendered one sack. Maryland also got to Dylan Raiola just one time. Minnesota was a disaster. So was the Michigan game.

Dana Holgorsen responded by running 60 percent of the time. Nebraska needs to run the ball. The Huskers will also need some explosive plays in the passing game.

USC’s defense isn’t great. The Trojans are allowing 28.3 points per game on the road. Jayden Maiava has been stellar this season. He’s hard to pressure, but Nebraska has to get multiple sacks to win this game.

Dominate special teams

Kenneth Williams leads college football in yards per kickoff return. He’s been elite and has two returns that have covered 85 yards or more. That’s a true X-factor. Jacory Barney hasn’t ripped off a good punt return in a few weeks, but if there is one way Nebraska can negate the talent edge of USC, it’s on special teams.

Nebraska has been nearly perfect in that third of the game this season. The Huskers will need to stay that way to knock off USC. If they do that and have the edge in rushing yards and in sacks, then an upset is a good bet.

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