Nebraska vs. Rutgers Prediction, Game Preview

Can Nebraska (4-6) really springboard off the win over Michigan State and get in the hunt for a bowl game? It’s on the table now, but first the Huskers have to get by Rutgers (3-6) who also needs to win out to get bowling. Check out the Nebraska vs. Rutgers game preview and prediction.

Nebraska vs. Rutgers Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Game Time: 3:30 pm
Venue: High Point Solutions Stadium, Piscataway, NJ

Network: BTN

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Why You Need To Care

Rutgers appeared to get through all the problems and all of the drama early in the year, but the schedule got nasty and the results have been disastrous losing to Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan by a combined score of 146-33. However, if it can somehow get by Nebraska, with Army and a bad Maryland team to close, there’s still a chance. The offense has to figure out how to score, but the season isn’t totally dead yet – it’s just on life support.

Nebraska wasn’t able to come up with any positive breaks, and then it got a whopper against Michigan State to give the campaign a new lease on life. All was seemingly lost in the shocker at Purdue, but needing one big scoring drive late against the Spartans – and a dropped interception and a questionable non-call – the Huskers got the win to stop a brutal slide of four losses in five games. Win this, and the Iowa game is for a bowl.

Why Nebraska Will Win

There’s that whole inability to score thing that’s been a wee bit of a problem for Rutgers. No, Nebraska doesn’t have the defense to stop anyone cold like Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State, but it’s okay against the run and the Scarlet Knights aren’t able to do anything on the ground. Rutgers can’t score, and it can’t stop anyone from throwing the ball successfully – that’s a bad combination against a Nebraska team that might have found its passing game footing against Michigan State.

Why Rutgers Will Win

The Nebraska secondary has been a disaster lately, giving up four touchdown passes to Purdue and then allowing four more to Michigan State. On the year, the Huskers have just six interceptions with a mere three of them in the last seven games – this group just doesn’t make plays. No, the Rutgers passing game isn’t working with star WR Leonte Carroo hurting, and the offense has fallen flat over the last few weeks against the great defenses, but Nebraska doesn’t have a great defense. If it was ever time to go bombing away, this would be it.

Player Who Matters

Nebraska’s Jordan Westerkamp has turned into one of the Big Ten’s most important receivers over the last few weeks. Good over the first part of the season with a touchdown catch in each of the first four games, he disappeared at times for a while, and then had a nice day against Northwestern with 92 yards before coming up huge the last two weeks with nine catches against both Purdue and Michigan State, cranking out 123 yards and a touchdown against Purdue and 143 yards and a touchdown against the Spartans. He’s been outstanding at finding the seams and getting open, and with De’Mornay Pierson-El out, he has to continue to be the team’s best weapon.

What’s Going To Happen?

Nebraska isn’t going to blow it now. It’s going to be sloppy at times, and Rutgers will play okay at home, but it’ll be a welcomed easy game for the overdramatic Huskers.