Keys to the Game

Ugh. Another one of these stupid Keys to the Game articles.  In reality, the key to the game is scoring more points than the other team.  However, I am much too anxious to wait to talk about Husker football, so I've got to write something.

Nebraska needs to...

*Continue to "Bend, not Break."

Give up yards, but don't give up.  Eliminate big scoring plays.  If a huge 50 yard pass ends up only giving Missouri 3 points, it's a winning situation in my point.

*Score touchdowns.  

Nebraska is better, show it.  Score touchdowns, make plays.  1 red-zone field goal, the rest need to be touchdowns.

*Hold on to the football.  

There haven't been problems holding on to the ball.  Watching Helu, Jr. drop the ball into the end zone last game (although I thought he scored before) is scary.  It will be rainy and wet and Nebraska can't afford turnovers.

Nebraska needs to control...

*The clock

Run the ball effectively.  The weather will make passing yards harder to come by.

*Missouri's offensive line

Derrick Washington is talented enough to run by the Cornhuskers.  If the Huskers can control the line of scrimmage and stay physical, Washington will have trouble getting into open spaces.  Force Blaine Gabbert to take the game into his hands.

*Blaine Gabbert

He can throw, no doubt about it.  He's a young starter and doesn't have the experience under pressure.  Nebraska needs to exploit this and keep him fearful in the pocket.  Make him throw the ball away, sack him, knock him down.

Predictions...

*Each team will throw (at least) one interception each.

Nebraska's defense will (hopefully) get pressure on Gabbert, forcing a bad throw or two.

Zac Lee didn't respond well to pressure in the VT game and some of tendencies may have been fixed, but not all of them.

*Special teams will play a role in the outcome.

Watch for a return touchdown, blocked kick (Nebraska has a knack for blocking field goals).

*Roy Helu, Jr. will have more than 25+ carries and 100+ yards.

The passing game will be down.  When the passing game has been going (in the Sun Belt games), Helu, Jr. averaged 15 carries.  However, when Lee struggled, Helu had 28 carries.  Expect the same trend.  Hopefully he'll get into the end zone twice or more

*Nebraska will win.

Missouri will have more turnovers.  They will also have the ball far less than the Huskers.  Their scoring opportunities will limited (in comparison to the other games).  The game will be decided in the fourth quarter, but not in the last 7 min.  

Final score: 31-20 Nebraska.