ESPN: Huskers Must-Win & Trap Game

[Mavric]

Must-win game: Oct. 7 vs. Wisconsin. Nebraska’s chances to make its first Big Ten championship appearance since 2012 meet its first -- and likely its biggest -- obstacle during the first week of October. Wisconsin remains the team to beat in the West with four division titles in the last six years. Mike Riley got his Cornhuskers back to a nine-win season last year. To fully prove his positive-energy approach is superior to the cantankerous coach he replaced, he’ll need to eventually reach double-digit victories and play for a championship. Riley’s team should be favored to win its first five games of the year, setting up the Badgers’ visit as the first big-time Big Ten matchup of the fall.

 

Trap game: Oct. 28 at Purdue. Nebraska gets a bye week to regroup after facing the Badgers and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks, which will present a temptation to relax before heading to Purdue. The Boilermakers have been the league’s doormat for the past several years, but if new coach Jeff Brohm has successfully installed a good chunk of his offense by late October they’ll have a chance to surprise some teams in shootouts. Brohm’s Western Kentucky team led the nation with 45.5 points per game in 2016. The ability to score in bunches might not make Purdue an immediate consistent threat, but it does give them a chance to put a scare into any opponent if the offense hits a rhythm on any given game day. A loss to the Boilermakers, especially after facing a harrowing duo in its two previous games, could derail a positive start to the season for Nebraska if it’s not careful.

 

ESPN

[teachercd]

Let me just say it...we know that NU and Purdue have had some classic battles...but if NU gets beat by Purdue this year...Riley needs to be gonzo.

[Thanks_Tom RR]

The two Must-win games need to be Wisconsin and Iowa. Nebraska needs to beat both of these teams in a single season again. #2012

[B.B. Hemingway]

Let me just say it...we know that NU and Purdue have had some classic battles...but if NU gets beat by Purdue this year...Riley needs to be gonzo.

What if he wins the other 11?

[B.B. Hemingway]

The two Must-win games need to be Wisconsin and Iowa. Nebraska needs to beat both of these teams in a single season again. #2012

 

 

Couldn't agree more. Before we can worry about winning the conference, we need to lock down the West.

[Treand3]

The two Must-win games need to be Wisconsin and Iowa. Nebraska needs to beat both of these teams in a single season again. #2012

Agree

[ADS]

 

 

Let me just say it...we know that NU and Purdue have had some classic battles...but if NU gets beat by Purdue this year...Riley needs to be gonzo.

What if he wins the other 11?

Some fans would still find something to bitch about.

[ScottyIce]

Let me just say it...we know that NU and Purdue have had some classic battles...but if NU gets beat by Purdue this year...Riley needs to be gonzo.

What if it's his only loss?

[NUance]

 

Let me just say it...we know that NU and Purdue have had some classic battles...but if NU gets beat by Purdue this year...Riley needs to be gonzo.

What if it's his only loss?

 

 

Then you can all join me in celebrating our first MNC in 20 years!

[B.B. Hemingway]

 

 

Let me just say it...we know that NU and Purdue have had some classic battles...but if NU gets beat by Purdue this year...Riley needs to be gonzo.

What if it's his only loss?

 

 

Then you can all join me in celebrating our first MNC in 20 years!

 

[teachercd]

 

 

Let me just say it...we know that NU and Purdue have had some classic battles...but if NU gets beat by Purdue this year...Riley needs to be gonzo.

What if it's his only loss?

 

 

Then you can all join me in celebrating our first MNC in 20 years!

 

Exactly...and he won't have to be fired because he will retire.

 

But, with that said...I meant that if Purdue beats him again, he should be canned after the game.

[B.B. Hemingway]

 

 

 

Let me just say it...we know that NU and Purdue have had some classic battles...but if NU gets beat by Purdue this year...Riley needs to be gonzo.

What if it's his only loss?

 

 

Then you can all join me in celebrating our first MNC in 20 years!

 

Exactly...and he won't have to be fired because he will retire.