It’s fair to say that every next game is the most important game. It was said against Colorado, and at the time, it was true. It was said against Illinois, which, at the time, was also true. Going 1-0 every week is the sole objective, and looking ahead is meaningless if business the week prior isn’t taken care of.
The positive news for the Huskers is they did just that, beating Purdue 28-10 in an ugly, don’t show your grandma, good ol’ fashioned Big Ten West showdown. There’s no pictures on that scoreboard, and that includes, but is not limited to, a pair of blocked field goals and another one missed. A win is a win, and Nebraska lives to see another biggest game.
That game is against Rutgers and the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers comes into this game with an undefeated record of 4-0, fresh off a win against a regressed Washington Huskies team who were national runner-ups just last season.
History says Nebraska should take care of business on Saturday, having not ever lost a game to the Scarlet Knights, but the past may not be the best metric to gauge how this one may go. The Rutgers team of 2024 is drastically different than the one the Huskers are accustomed to facing. Head coach Greg Schiano has instilled a culture of toughness that has been absent within the program in recent years. That toughness might be best displayed by Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai.
Monangai led all of the Big Ten in rushing yards last season and has been a force to be reckoned with this year as well. In Rutgers’ first four games he’s ran for 589 yards and six touchdowns, averaging just over six yards a carry. Monangai isn’t one to shy away from contact and has been excellent at turning three yard gains into six or seven. Nebraska will have to match Monangai’s physicality in space, or the projected second-third round draft pick will have his way.
The key to success against the Rutgers rushing attack will lie heavily on the shoulders of Nebraska’s front seven. Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher will have the opportunity to reaffirm their dominance in the trenches, and another solid performance by John Bullock would go a long way. Even with strong play up front it’s hard to imagine a game where Monangai doesn’t get to the second level. If and when that happens safeties Deshon Singleton and Malcom Hartzog will need to be better than they have been in the tackling department.
On offense, Nebraska’s emphasis should be on finishing drives. The Scarlet Knights have held teams to 19 points per game thus far, good for 28th in the country. On the other side of the coin, they are giving up 383 yards per game, which comes in at 72nd. Teams have moved the ball, but when the chance for points presents itself, Rutgers haven’t caved. Washington missed three field goals in their loss to Rutgers last week, and it cost them a win. Nebraska also missed three field goals, and if the game comes down to special teams, the Huskers will be in trouble.
Dylan Raiola has been super in his first 5 career games, and he will be the biggest challenge that the Scarlet Knights have faced this season. With their focus on the true freshman quarterback, Emmett Johnson, who emerged in a big way last week against Purdue, will have another shot to shine.
While every new game is the most important, this one has a different feel in regard to how the rest of the season may unfold. Getting to 6-1 before Ohio State would be a major accomplishment for Matt Rhule and this team, but for that to happen, it needs to start on Saturday against Rutgers.
It needs to be a tone-setter.
Score Prediction: 28-17, Nebraska moves to 5-1.
