Link: http://collegefootballnews.com/2016/minnesota-vs-nebraska-prediction-game-preview
Minnesota (7-2) at Nebraska (7-2)
Saturday, November 12 - 6:30 p.m. - Big Ten Network
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
One team is 7-2 and has the world there for the taking. The other team is 7-2, and it's limping through the late part of the season.
The world isn't over for Nebraska. If Wisconsin can lose once more along the way -- although it might be tough to hope for a loss against Illinois, at Purdue and Minnesota -- then the Huskers can control their world if they can win out.
Get through Minnesota, Maryland and at Iowa, and get that Wisconsin loss, and it's off to the Big Ten Championship with a shot at getting into the College Football Playoff -- and no, that's not crazy if the Huskers can avenge their loss to Ohio State.
And that's a problem.
That wasn't just a loss to Ohio State last week; the Huskers were destroyed 62-3 as the team was totally and completely dominated, QB Tommy Armstrong was lost to a concussion, and combined with the overtime loss to Wisconsin, ruined a 7-0 start with a two-game losing streak.
They've got a solid team with a good run defense, an effective offense, and now, no pressure. They're not supposed to be a factor anymore, but they're still unbeaten at home, they still have a solid ground game and they don't screw up.
Minnesota, unlike Nebraska, has its fate in its own hands. If it beats Nebraska and Wisconsin on the road, and takes care of business against Northwestern, it'll be in the Big Ten Championship with a likely shot at the College Football Playoff -- even if it's unranked at the moment.
With over 200 yards on the ground in every game but three, Minnesota is methodical and effective and controlling games, but it can throw just a little bit here and there. The big key, though, is the team's ability to always, always win the turnover margin. It didn't win it against Penn State, going (-1), and lost, and it was even against Iowa, and lost. In all seven wins, the Gophers were on the plus side.
Can Nebraska keep from messing up?
It's a +4 on the year in turnover margin, only losing it three times, but it has turned the ball over two times in five of the last six games, and will give away two more to the Gophers.
After allowing 561 rushing yards in the last two games and four scores, the Huskers are about to get run over in a close, tough game -- because Minnesota always plays close, tough games -- that'll come down to the final drive. Nebraska will have the ball with a chance to win, and the final drive will stall.
Prediction
Minnesota 26, Nebraska 23
Spread
Nebraska is currently favored at home by 7
Minnesota (7-2) at Nebraska (7-2)
Saturday, November 12 - 6:30 p.m. - Big Ten Network
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
One team is 7-2 and has the world there for the taking. The other team is 7-2, and it's limping through the late part of the season.
The world isn't over for Nebraska. If Wisconsin can lose once more along the way -- although it might be tough to hope for a loss against Illinois, at Purdue and Minnesota -- then the Huskers can control their world if they can win out.
Get through Minnesota, Maryland and at Iowa, and get that Wisconsin loss, and it's off to the Big Ten Championship with a shot at getting into the College Football Playoff -- and no, that's not crazy if the Huskers can avenge their loss to Ohio State.
And that's a problem.
That wasn't just a loss to Ohio State last week; the Huskers were destroyed 62-3 as the team was totally and completely dominated, QB Tommy Armstrong was lost to a concussion, and combined with the overtime loss to Wisconsin, ruined a 7-0 start with a two-game losing streak.
They've got a solid team with a good run defense, an effective offense, and now, no pressure. They're not supposed to be a factor anymore, but they're still unbeaten at home, they still have a solid ground game and they don't screw up.
Minnesota, unlike Nebraska, has its fate in its own hands. If it beats Nebraska and Wisconsin on the road, and takes care of business against Northwestern, it'll be in the Big Ten Championship with a likely shot at the College Football Playoff -- even if it's unranked at the moment.
With over 200 yards on the ground in every game but three, Minnesota is methodical and effective and controlling games, but it can throw just a little bit here and there. The big key, though, is the team's ability to always, always win the turnover margin. It didn't win it against Penn State, going (-1), and lost, and it was even against Iowa, and lost. In all seven wins, the Gophers were on the plus side.
Can Nebraska keep from messing up?
It's a +4 on the year in turnover margin, only losing it three times, but it has turned the ball over two times in five of the last six games, and will give away two more to the Gophers.
After allowing 561 rushing yards in the last two games and four scores, the Huskers are about to get run over in a close, tough game -- because Minnesota always plays close, tough games -- that'll come down to the final drive. Nebraska will have the ball with a chance to win, and the final drive will stall.
Prediction
Minnesota 26, Nebraska 23
Spread
Nebraska is currently favored at home by 7
