This Saturday will be a much different type of matchup than the last two Saturdays. Both UTEP and Colorado were spread, air it out, type teams. Northern Iowa has built its brand on the exact opposite. Northern Iowa is a physical run type team that has averaged more than 250 yards on the ground through two games. They have not thrown the ball more than 120 yards in a competition yet, although it’s only been two games. Northern Iowa believes it has three good running backs that can be a nightmare to matchup against due to their size. All three backs are over 220 pounds. The lead running back, Ty Edwards, is 6-4 (not a typo!) and 230 pounds. He is bigger than most running backs in height and weight, bigger than most linebackers and even most quarterbacks! Their second running back, Hickson, is an Omaha, Nebraska native, and is 6 foot and 225 pounds. To keep this all in perspective, Dante Dowdell, our biggest back by at least 25 pounds, is Hickson’s size. Now their third back, only played in their season opener, but did not play last week. I am not sure the reason why, if it was just game script or injury, but he is 5’10, 221 pounds. Now, their QB can run as well and will keep it by design on read options but they haven’t used his mobility too much through their first two games. Northern Iowa is ranked in the top 25 in the FCS, I believe they are ranked 21st. Their coach, much like Iowa in the BIG10, has been their coach for 20 years. This Northern Iowa team will be a good team to use to springboard into BIG10 play, as their physical playstyle matches up against most opponents we will see down the stretch.
Got to like Nebraska in this matchup, as the Cornhuskers showed how physical that defensive front is through two games. I expect that we can shut down their run at the line of scrimmage. However, the Huskers need to go into this game with the right mindset. If they sleepwalk into this game looking ahead to Illinois next Friday night, they could find themselves in a dog match early. Despite this being an FCS opponent, it’s going to be physical especially for the defensive front. They will need to bring their energy and “A” game to not get pushed around.
This game should be shorter than both the UTEP and Colorado games, as both teams are likely going to run the football quite a bit. Nebraska will still attempt to stretch the field and give Dylan Raiola a shot, and given our big, fast and physical receivers, I think we see more than one big play by the offense this game. All in all, with a likely shorter game and the Huskers probably playing the backups in the third quarter again, give me the Huskers 38-0 over Northern Iowa. Go big RED!