The Wisconsin Badgers will look to clinch bowl eligibility this Saturday in Lincoln when they take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m.
The Badgers suffered their most heartbreaking loss last week at home against number-one Oregon, 16-13. It was another regrettable performance by quarterback Braedyn Locke and the offense, as Wisconsin racked up only 226 yards.
What should Badgers fans know about the Nebraska Cornhuskers?
Opponent Preview
For the second straight season under Matt Rhule, the Huskers reached five wins in October but have failed to get that sixth win before the Wisconsin game.
Freshman Dylan Raiola came to Nebraska as one of the most heralded quarterback recruits in the program’s history.
After earning the starting job, he showed fans his talent was legit. Raiola threw for nine touchdown passes in the first six games of the season but has since struggled in Nebraska’s four-game losing streak. Since the Huskers’ went to 5-1, Raiola has thrown only two touchdowns and seven interceptions.
One note about Raiola was a quote he gave to the media this week after discussing play calling with interim offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, “We’ll get the win next week and get us to a bowl.”
Duly noted, Dylan.
Nebraska comes into this game ranked thirteenth in total rushing yards and eleventh in total passing yards in the Big Ten. The Huskers’ offense has been stagnant, which led to the demotion of Marcus Satterfield.
Oregon transfer running back Dante Dowdell is the Huskers leading rusher with 523 yards, but backup Emmett Johnson was the primary running back last week against USC. In the Huskers’ 28-20 loss, Johnson rushed for 91 yards on 17 carries. In the passing game, look for Isaiah Neyor and Wake Forest transfer Jahmal Banks to make plays. Both wide receivers have over 400 yards each, with Neyor having the most touchdown catches at five.
The Huskers have done a great job at stopping the run this season, as Nebraska boasts a top-20 rushing defense in the nation under second-year defensive coordinator Tony White. The Blackshirts defensive line has three studs: Ty Robinson, James Williams, and Nash Hutmacher. Robinson leads the Huskers with six sacks on the year, with Williams behind him with four.
In the secondary, Isaac Gifford, an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten safety last year, leads the team in total tackles with 59. Defensive back Malcolm Hartzog, who surprisingly at the highest PFF grade against USC despite a poor game, has the most interceptions on the team with four.
Score Prediction
The Badgers have won ten consecutive games against the Huskers, but Nebraska has come close the last three years, losing each game by one score.
The big question for both of these teams is where they are psychologically. Wisconsin’s loss to Oregon was as dispiriting as it gets. On the other hand, Matt Rhule is 0-8 in clinching bowl eligibility since taking over.
Wisconsin has its issues on offense, which is why offensive coordinator Phil Longo got the boot, but so does Nebraska. Raiola has shown these last few games that he’s still a freshman and is learning to adjust to defenses throughout the season.
This game will go back and forth, and the Huskers will play inspired football since it’s Senior Day in Lincoln. Until Nebraska shows they can finish the deal and win that important sixth game, I’m picking Wisconsin.
Prediction: Wisconsin 14-13