The Huskers allowed just 21 rushing yards in Week 6. The Huskers now boast the No. 8 rushing defense in the nation.
Illinois is not the best rushing team in the world, but holding a conference foe to 21 yards rushing will be impressive no matter what. If Rhule can maintain an elite run defense once the offense improves, the Huskers will win a lot of games, and soon.
The Huskers will be off in Week 7, so instead we look toward Week 8. The Huskers next game will be at home in Lincoln against the Northwestern Wildcats.
This is a great matchup for the Huskers. As mentioned above, the Huskers are going to have a hard time against teams who stop the run. Luckily, the Wildcats are not one of those teams.
Northwestern has the No. 107 run defense in the nation, allowing 172.3 yards per game on the ground. This means the Huskers should easily be able to control the time of possession and establish the ground game.
Northwestern can’t stop the run, and they can’t really run the ball either. The Wildcats are the No. 120 run game in the nation, averaging just 103 yards per game on the ground. The Wildcats can’t really pass the ball either, sporting the No. 99 passing attack in the nation.
Teams with elite ground games or dynamic pass attacks can expose the Nebraska defense. Fortunately, the Wildcats have neither and should struggle to move the ball against this stout unit.
Expect Rhule to try and establish the run early. The Huskers need to go on long drives that end in touchdowns. This feels like the type of game where the first team to 20 points should win.