Not many expected Indiana to be 6-0 when Nebraska travels to Bloomington. They haven’t faced much competition, but they have dominated in every contest. This Hoosiers team seems to be the real deal under first-year head coach, Curt Cignetti.
The former James Madison head coach has the fourth-ranked offense in the nation, which averages 516 total yards per game. Its defense is right there, being ranked sixth in the country and allowing only 255.7 yards of offense per game.
Here are three keys to a Nebraska victory:
Get after Rourke
The Blackshirts will need to bring the same level of energy Saturday, as they had against Rutgers. Indiana senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been tremendous through the Hoosiers’ first half of the season. Rourke’s stat line is nothing short of impressive. He is second in the country with a 91.9 quarterback rating, throwing for 1,752 yards, 14 touchdowns, and only two interceptions.
After a great performance against Rutgers, this game screams sophomore defensive end James Williams and the entire defensive line. The Blackshirts lead the Big Ten with 20 sacks midway through the season. The Blackshirts have already caused havoc for an elite quarterback against Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders this year. If they can rattle Rourke, they should put themselves in a great position for a victory.
Even though Indiana is averaging 200 yards per game on the ground, Nebraska will need to force them to run the football. This Blackshirts defense has still yet to allow a rushing touchdown. If the Hoosiers can’t air the football out, the Huskers will be sitting well.
Control the time of possession and score in the red zone
Nebraska needs to win the time of possession to keep the explosive Indiana offense off the field. The Huskers have to be able to run the football. They cannot afford to go three-and-out consistently, as they did in the second half against Rutgers. Even though the Blackshirts are elite, they will not be able to be on the field two-thirds of the game and expect to win.
Indiana is ranked sixth in the country in rush defense, allowing three yards per carry. The Huskers struggled to run against weak rush defenses in Purdue and Rutgers. They better have improved on the ground over the bye week and if not, they’re in trouble.
NU must find a way to punch the ball in when entering the red zone. Nebraska’s red zone efficiency is ranked 100th in all of college football. Whether it’s either of the sophomore backs in Dante Dowdell and Emmett Johnson or senior running back Rahmir Johnson, this group has to find a way to gain chunks to sustain drives.
If Nebraska can establish a respectable rushing attack, this will open up the potential big play through the air. The lack of ground production is allowing opposing defenses to bring the house, flustering freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Play a clean game on special teams
This is one of those games where every single possession will matter. Nebraska can’t afford to allow a blocked punt or miss a chip-shot field goal.
Sophomore kicker Tristan Alvano could potentially be back in the mix but it is more doubtful than likely. Expect redshirt freshman John Hohl to continue with the place-kicking duties. It will be interesting to see if junior long snappers Camden Witucki or Aiden Flege improved during the bye week. Nebraska’s second blocked punt against Rutgers had a low snap.
The Huskers have already used all the luck they’ve got. If they continue to play poor on special teams it will contribute to a loss.
My prediction
I predict that Nebraska cleaned up the special teams over the bye week. I foresee Matt Rhule and his staff attacking Indiana with the blue-collar scheme he so loves. The biggest concern is whether or not NU can be successful on the ground.
I think that the running backs take a step in breaking some runs for big gains. This will be crucial to opening up the passing attack for Raiola and the receivers. Fireworks may go off, but I think Nebraska’s strategy will be limiting the number of possessions for Indiana.
The Hoosiers have an impressive resume, but not good enough to prove they’re a better team than the Huskers. They have not seen a ferocious defense like the Blackshirts and they haven’t faced a quarterback to the caliber of Raiola. Therefore, I predict Nebraska will beat Indiana 24-20. If they can use these three keys, they should be in a great position to come home to Lincoln finally bowl-eligible.