Looking ahead to Friday night’s football game between Nebraska and Illinois, here are three critical points for the Huskers.
The Nebraska football team begins Big Ten action on Friday night, with a top-25 battle against Illinois, which is also 3-0.
Neither team faced a particularly difficult non-conference schedule. Illinois defeated Kansas. Nebraska football defeated Colorado. Both teams have excelled on defense and have had outstanding quarterback play.
Talk all you want about Dylan Raiola, but Luke Altmyer has six touchdown passes in three games and zero interceptions. He also completes 69% of his passes and has some running ability.
Illinois allows little over eight points per game on defense. They’ve forced nine turnovers in three games, and while the Huskers are more than a touchdown favorite, this will be a struggle. Here are three keys to a Nebraska football victory on Friday night.
Stuff the run
Fans are always eager to chat about quarterbacks, and understandably so. They are the key players on the pitch.
However, in college football, the quarterback frequently relies on other factors.
Altmyer is a reliable quarterback. He can run, but Nebraska football stuffed Illinois on the ground last season (21 yards on 19 carries), forcing Altmyer to throw 49 times for only 289 yards. He was also fired three times and turned over twice.
If Illinois can run the ball, Altmyer will be able to use play-action, and Nebraska’s pass rush will be less effective. We witnessed that last week versus Northern Iowa. Nebraska recorded one sack. Colorado couldn’t escape, and Shedeur Sanders was tormented all night.
That’s why if Nebraska can shut down the run, Altmyer will have a tough night.
Don’t lose the turnover battle
These issues are frequently decided during the turnover battle. Nebraska football has the best team. I feel that in my heart of hearts, so they do not have to win the turnover battle, but they cannot lose it.
Nebraska could certainly withstand having a turnover ratio of minus one, but if Illinois gets a pair of takeaways, the Fighting Illini will depart Lincoln with a victory.
I can’t see it happening any other way.
Keep it clean with Dylan Raiola
I mean this in two ways: Dylan Raiola needs to play a clean game for Nebraska football and avoid turnovers, but the offensive line must also keep him clean in the pocket.
Raiola will see stuff he hasn’t seen yet this season in Illinois. They will attempt to disguise coverages at the last second in order to confuse the novice quarterback.
It only takes one or two bad mistakes to ruin an entire day (interceptions), especially for a novice quarterback. Raiola is wise beyond his years at the position, so as long as he’s protected, he’ll be fine defending the football.
Illinois has five sacks in three games. They also have six interceptions, but if they can’t get to Raiola, I believe he’ll be able to pick apart the defense.
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