3 bold predictions for Nebraska football vs. Penn State

Nebraska football returns to action Saturday night, and the Huskers will be playing against the alma mater of their head coach as Penn State is up next.

The Nittany Lions might be 4-6, but they are fresh off a 28-10 win over Michigan State. Penn State ran for nearly 250 yards against the Spartans to keep their hopes of reaching a bowl game alive.

If Penn State beats Nebraska football this week and then Rutgers next week, it will be bowl-eligible. That’s better than a losing season, and even in this NIL era, that still matters to some players.

For Nebraska, this game is about building momentum and getting another win in November. Nebraska won exactly one Big Ten game in the past two Novembers. So, defeating Penn State to win a second straight road game would be progress, even if Nebraksa is out of the playoff race.

Matt Rhule’s program is blossoming. There is also maybe a question brewing at quarterback, with the decommitment of Dayton Raiola and the emergence of TJ Lateef.

We’ll see what happens this week with Lateef and Nebraska, but here are three bold predictions for Saturday night.

Emmett Johnson keeps the Heisman hype buzzing

Emmett Johnson isn’t going to win the Heisman Trophy. But a trip to New York as a Heisman finalist might still be possible, especially if he has a massive game against Penn State on national TV.

Johnson probably needs two more games like the one against UCLA to earn an invitation. It won’t be easy against a stout Penn State defensive line. The Nittany Lions are better at rushing the passer than stopping the run, allowing 4.1 yards per rushing attempt.

Johnson will end up touching the ball close to 30 times. He will rush for at least 100 yards, and at least another 50 through the air.

Nebraska won’t allow multiple sacks

Rhule said this week that Penn State has a “ferocious pass rush.” Dani Dennis-Sutton is one of the best defenders in the Big Ten. He’ll cause some issues.

However, the Penn State pass rush has generated just 22 sacks total (2.2 per game). There have been some ugly performances in terms of sacks allowed, but in four of the past five games, dating back to Maryland, Nebraska football has allowed one sack or less

TJ Lateef will account for multiple touchdowns

Just like he did against UCLA, the true freshman quarterback will be just fine against Penn State. I don’t expect him to complete 13-of-15 passes, but just like he did against the Bruns, Lateeef will throw for a touchdown, and he will run for a touchdown, too.

As Nebraska football fans know, a QB who can run is invaluable in the red zone. With the running game struggling a little in the red area, Lateef will run one in the end zone for the Huskers. He will also have a touchdown pass, but don’t be shocked if he has his first turnover as a starting quarterback.

Score: Penn State 20, Nebraska 17

Both teams want to run the ball and shorten the game. Ethan Grunkemeyer hasn’t won a game as a starting quarterback, throwing more than 20 passes. He had 13 last week. Lateef had 15 in Nebraska’s last game.

The team that does a better job of protecting its quarterback with its running game will probably win the game. I expect a low-possession game that comes down to the final possession.

Penn State wins a battle with a walk-off field goal.