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McMaster’s Keys to the Game: Nebraska vs. Northern Illinois
A football game is a long, 60-minute grind.
It is truly a game of inches and that comes down to hours of practice and tedious preparation. Games in college football are not just won by talent on the field but by strategy and weeks of game planning.
Nebraska is primed to capture its first win of the season against Northern Illinois at Memorial Stadium. Although this may seem like a walk in the park on paper, the game will be no such thing if NU doesn't do these three things.
Quit the turnovers
Nebraska can’t help but keep giving the ball to their opponents.
NU has turned the ball over eight times through two games this season. Their -6 turnover differential ranks last in the country. The worst part about the Husker's turnover problems is that they’re primarily self-inflicted. Out of four lost fumbles, only one was forced out. Bad reads, butterfingers, and lack of fundamentals have been the Big Red’s Achilles heal.
In two games combined, NU gave up 26 points off of turnovers. Ten of Minnesota’s 13 points came after turnovers, and they grabbed an interception after Nebraska reached the Gopher one-yard line.
Nebraska is playing a non-power-five opponent in their building. In theory, this game should not be very competitive. It will be if the Huskers don’t hold onto the ball and give veteran quarterback Rocky Lombardi more opportunities to lead a well-coached Northern Illinois offense down the field.
Get to the red zone and finish drives
Out of Nebraska’s 20 drives this season, the Huskers have reached the red zone three times. In those three trips, they’ve totaled ten points and one interception. Their only red zone touchdown came during garbage time against Colorado. Their two other touchdowns this year have come on explosive plays.
Head coach Matt Rhule said the offense has not been in sync. A long drive where NU marches into the red zone and scores seven will go a long way in not only this game but for the season.
It’s like a sharpshooter in the NBA who’s on a cold streak. All that player needs is to see the ball go in once to gain confidence that they can do it again.
Nebraska’s offense needs to prove to itself that in high-pressure situations, it can move the ball down the field and punch it in.
Third-down defense
The bright spot for Nebraska has been the defense.
The Blackshirts look aggressive, fast and fundamentally sound. Defensive coordinator Tony White has his unit firing on all cylinders and confusing offenses with their multiple looks. The Huskers have dominated the line of scrimmage, ranking seventh in the NCAA in rushing yards allowed and holding opponents under two yards a carry. Nebraska has also gotten to the quarterback, recording an NCAA-leading 11 sacks.
But the Blackshirts have one glaring weakness: opponent third-down conversion rates.
NU’s opponent third-down conversion rate is 51.4%, ranking 120th out of 132 in the nation. The curious case is that many of these converted third downs were long-yardage situations. Minnesota converted on 3rd down and 8 three times, a 3rd and 9, and a 4th and 10. Colorado converted on 3rd and 10 (twice), 3rd and 15, and 3rd and 16.
The Blackshirts do a phenomenal job putting themselves in positions to get off the field but are one of the worst teams in the country at getting it done. If this defense is to be considered one of the best in the country, it needs to be a lot better on the money down.
