Nebraska (4-5 overall, 3-3 B1G) at Minnesota (4-5 overall, 1-5 B1G)
When: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT – Minneapolis, Minn.
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (50,805)
TV/Radio: FS1, KFAN 100.3 FM
Coach: Mike Riley (3rd)
Spread: Minnesota -2½ , o/u: 47½
INSIDE THE GAME
Cornhuskers at a Glance
Nebraska has only lost to the Gophers twice in the last 20 meetings. Prior to that, Minnesota maintained a huge advantage in the series, posting a 29-6-2 record.
By now, you’ve probably heard of JD Spielman. Another Minnesota prep star that got away. The former Eden Prairie Eagle and son of Vikings GM Rick Spielman is having one of the most productive freshman campaigns in Nebraska’s storied history. The 5-foot-9, 180-pounder is just 105 yards shy of passing Ahman Green for the most all-purpose yards by a NU freshman. Earlier this season, Spielman torched Ohio State for 200 yards receiving and a touchdown on 11 receptions. All together, Spielman has 1,254 total yards.
Spielman isn’t the only super-dynamic wideout for Nebraska. Stanley Morgan Jr. is one of the best wide receivers in the Big Ten. Morgan Jr. ranks second in the conference in receiving yards (690), receiving yards per game (86.3 ypg), and receiving touchdowns (7).
Nebraska’s defense has been unusually atrocious. The Huskers rank second to last in the B1G in scoring defense (30.1) and total defense (400.1 ypg). Comparatively, Minnesota is allowing 20.3 points per game and 329 yards per game.
Coach Speak
“I know that’s not necessarily the results that Nebraska expects, you know, but, Coach Riley is a class act and he’s done a great job recruiting there. And it’s amazing, it’s two and a half years into something and everybody’s on him. It’s just amazing where our coaching profession has gone.” – P.J. Fleck
“Minnesota has a good running attack. They have good backs. We’re going to have to do a good job there. And overall defense, they’ve been ranked nationally and playing well.” – Mike Riley
STORYLINE CENTRAL
The Huskers are in the midst of an uncharacteristic 4-5 season, and the seat is getting hot for head coach Mike Riley. Steven M. Sipple of the Lincoln Journal Star takes a look at Riley’s tenure, where the coach is just 19-16 overall and a dismal 12-11 in the Big Ten.
Also from the Journal Star, Peter Gabriel has the latest on the Huskers, including an improved injury report.
The $5 Bits of Broken Chair is (sort of) making a much needed comeback. As is the new tradition, he’s a look back at the history of this amazing trophy game from The Daily Gopher. Though it may not be on the sidelines this year, this trophy is being used to raise money for two charities – the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital and the Team Jack Foundation. For more information, please visit http://brokenchairtrophy.com/.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…
They can tackle better than at Michigan last week. On all of Michigan’s 60-plus-yard touchdown runs, Minnesota missed tackles to spring the running back. The Gophers’ defense showed glimpses last Saturday – forcing four three-and-outs – but the lack of tackling near the line of scrimmage cost them.
“We didn’t tackle well, we didn’t play well, and we’ve gotten away with it at certain times in terms of on defense, when we missed a tackle, people can still run fast enough to catch that certain guy,” said Fleck. “Can’t catch Michigan, and I think the lack of speed showed, and, you know, they ran away from us all night.”
Fleck noted that the speed gap is closer against Nebraska, but the Gophers will still need to be better making the open-field tackle when they have a chance.
The Cornhuskers Win If…
They actually find a way to stop the run. It’s not your typical Blackshirt Defense this year as the Huskers are allowing 176 rushing yards per game. It looks even worse recently where Nebraska is allowing 265 rushing yards per contest over their last four. Nebraska’s last quality performance against the run came over a month ago when they allowed 93 yards on the ground to an Illinois team that is now 2-7. They’ll need to right the ship on their run defense if they want a win on Saturday.