Who will win on Saturday?
Another week, another attempt to get win number six. Nebraska hosts the Wisconsin Badgers with both teams sitting at 5-5 and signs point to the Huskers defeating the Badgers.
Wisconsin’s got a big disadvantage. They’re on a three-game skid, lost a low-scoring 16-13 battle with No. 1 Oregon, fired its offensive coordinator and are playing in Lincoln on Senior Day.
But this is still Nebraska, a team whose last trip to a bowl game occurred in 2016, a team on a 10-game losing streak against Wisconsin, a team that any opponent would prefer to play in November.
Nebraska’s issues remain the same. Outside of a Ceyair Wright’s pick-six, the Trojans sliced up the Blackshirts secondary. Though some passes found a USC receiver’s hands by luck, others fell right into an open Trojan’s hands.
It also struggled to stop running back Woody Marks, the second running back this year Nebraska fully allowed to get the better of it.
However, the Badgers’ struggles do allow for potential rebound by the Huskers. Along with its offense making a sudden change at play caller, Nebraska’s defense is presented with a chance to hold an opponent to 20 or fewer points for the first time since the first week of October.
Indiana and Ohio State are some of the toughest teams in the nation. UCLA was building momentum, and USC’s quarterback fit more into Lincoln Riley’s system. All played a part in Nebraska’s already struggling defense being pressured further.
Braedyn Locke has been inconsistent this season. His main strength is hitting the deep shot receiver or the quick slant, both of which Nebraska needs to prioritize. However, the run game is just as important, with Tawee Walker averaging 4.8 yards per carry this season.
Locke’s inconsistency lately gives the Blackshirts an opportunity to bounce back properly compared to their previous four quarterbacks. However, Wisconsin’s change in offensive coordinator makes it more unpredictable than ever, which in turn acts more as a disadvantage for the Blackshirts until proven otherwise.
As for Wisconsin’s defense just held No. 1 Oregon to 16 points, its fewest in a game all season. But in Oregon’s defense, it played in Madison under the lights and looked to control the game offensively instead of dominating it.
Holgorsen now has a game under his belt as offensive coordinator for the Huskers and knows more of the offense’s strengths and weaknesses during a game.
But it’s likely going to be another one-score game, and once again, recent history shows a win by Nebraska in November by one-score is more surprising than anything else.
Unfortunately, despite the look, history is most likely going to continue.
Score Prediction: Wisconsin 24, Nebraska 21
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