*** 2019 Game 3 "Expert" Picks: NIU at Nebraska ***

Saunders

Saunders

Heisman Trophy Winner
2019 Game 3 “Expert” Picks: NIU @ Nebraska

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CollegeFootballNews.com

https://collegefootballnews.com/2019/09/nebraska-vs-northern-illinois-fearless-prediction-game-preview-2019

Why NIU Will Win

The program has done it before, going into Lincoln in Week 3 of the 2017 season and coming away with a 21-17 win. It’s a new era and a new coaching staff, but this is a good enough team under new head coach Thomas Hammmock to give the struggling and strange Huskers another run. The Huskies couldn’t handle a strong Utah team in a 35-17 loss last week – there wasn’t much from the ground game – but Cal transfer QB Ross Bowers continues to be solid, and the defense after two games has been a brick wall on third downs. On the flip side, Nebraska had a sleepy first game against South Alabama and followed it up with a collapse in an overtime loss to Colorado. Sort of like the early part of last season, there’s a fumbling issue, there’s a pass defense issue, and once again, there’s a big penalty issue. If NIU doesn’t make any big mistakes, it should be able to wait for Nebraska to implode.

Why Nebraska Will Win

It’s like the switch hasn’t been turned on quite yet … but it’s coming. The Huskers have the skill guys to put this away fast. Maurice Washington is a devastating back who hit a big home run against the Buffs, JD Spielman added 112 receiving yards, and despite the fumbling problems, Adrian Martinez started to breakout. Northern Illinois can’t keep up if the Husker offense is on. The O has a huge problem on third downs, and the line hasn’t been able to generate enough of a push or keep lines – particularly Utah’s – out of the backfield. On the other side, without Sutton Smith and some of the other key parts on last year’s defensive front, the Huskies don’t have the pass rush that was so dominant last season. Martinez will have time to work.

What’s Going To Happen

Nebraska will get up early, and then stall. Again. Northern Illinois will dink and dunk its way into the game, but it won’t be able to go on enough long, sustained drives to get over the hump. The Huskers will win, but it won’t be anything to inspire a whole lot of confidence going into the star of the Big Ten season.

Nebraska 26 - NIU 17

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ESPN FPI

https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401112240

Nebraska - 82.8% Win

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DRatings

https://www.dratings.com/predictor/ncaa-football-predictions/

Nebraska 34 - NIU 22

Nebraska - 80.9% Win

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FOX Sports

https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/boxscore?id=30636&type=8

Nebraska 31 - NIU 29

Nebraska - 58.4% Win

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Bill Connelly SP+

https://twitter.com/ESPN_BillC/status/1171926924253421569

Nebraska - 70% Win

Nebraska 35 - NIU 26

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Big Red Wrap-Up

http://netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/sports/big-red-wrap-northern-illinois-prediction-0

Mike’l Severe: Nebraska 31 - NIU 20

Jay Moore: Nebraska 31 - NIU 21

Damon Benning: Nebraska 34 - NIU 17

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So, everyone picks us to win a close game.  Which means we'll lose.

I'm usually optimistic about things, except when it comes to the Cornhuskers.   *sigh*

 
I agree that the Cornhuskers have not done enough yet this year to warrant much "Expert" confidence (or for that matter Cornhusker Nation confidence). The first half against Colorado looked pretty good, but it is sort of amazing that even THAT produced only 17 points in a half of football. ONE of the checkboxes that Frost's program needs to achieve is blowing teams like Southern Alabama or Northern Illinois off the field, routinely, PARTICULARLY on their home field. The 2017 Northern Illinois loss HAS to be one of the worst losses ever in Memorial Stadium. We need to win every QUARTER by a TD (or better) against teams of this level for Nebraska to start regaining "mind share" and the psychological advantage over opponents that Osborne's Cornhuskers exhibited routinely. The problem seems to be that the doubt exists in the player's minds and not just those watching the game.

We need a Strength and Conditioning Program for inside player's heads.

 
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The truly sad thing is that no matter how much we lead by at the end of the half, the other coaching staff will adapt better and either make the game very close, and possibly even win on a late fourth quarter drive that we are powerless to stop.

 
Apsu said:
The truly sad thing is that no matter how much we lead by at the end of the half, the other coaching staff will adapt better and either make the game very close, and possibly even win on a late fourth quarter drive that we are powerless to stop.
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why do you even bother cheering for them then? if you know it's going to end badly wouldnt your time be better spent doing something you enjoy? or are you a masochist?

 
teachercd said:
I think that if this game is not a blowout...think 40's to 14...that fans are going to really get restless.
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The "Fans" that think this should be a blowout really need to check their expectations then. We have an offense that's struggling to get into gear (and stay there), and a defense that, while better than last season, still is prone to mental lapses. And NIU is, what, a Top 10 defense already this season? And the defending MAC champs?

There's nothing that suggests the 2019 Huskers will "blow out" this team. If it happens, then that's awesome, maybe we're getting somewhere. But let's just win in a calm, competent, controlling fashion with all three phases playing good football before we start getting bent out of shape (not you TeacherCD--"the fans") about not having a blowout win. 

 
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VectorVictor said:
The "Fans" that think this should be a blowout really need to check their expectations then. We have an offense that's struggling to get into gear (and stay there), and a defense that, while better than last season, still is prone to mental lapses. And NIU is, what, a Top 10 defense already this season? And the defending MAC champs?

There's nothing that suggests the 2019 Huskers will "blow out" this team. If it happens, then that's awesome, maybe we're getting somewhere. But let's just win in a calm, competent, controlling fashion with all three phases playing good football before we start getting bent out of shape (not you TeacherCD--"the fans") about not having a blowout win. 
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I just want a 14.5 win :)

 
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