Saunders Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 2021 Game 8 “Expert” Picks: Nebraska (-3) @ Minnesota ————— CollegeFootballNews.com Why Nebraska Will Win Now what do the Gophers do? Mohamed Ibrahim was one of the Big Ten’s best backs, but he went down in the Ohio State game with an Achilles tendon injury. In came Trey Potts, he ran for 552 yards and six touchdowns in five games, and now he’s out for the year. Minnesota doesn’t have the passing game to make up the running game if the freshman backs aren’t able to fill the void, and it doesn’t have the explosion to keep up if and when the Huskers start hitting the home runs with the passing game and when QB Adrian Martinez gets free in the second left. The offense is working, and the team has been really, really close to a wonderful season, but … Why Nebraska Will Win Forgive the complete lack of substantive research and analysis on this, but … Nebraska just doesn’t seem to know how to win when it has the chance. You could see it on head coach Scott Frost’s face right as the Michigan game was ending. His team had the monster W right there for the taking, and once again, it couldn’t get it done. It’s good enough to roll in a few blowouts here and there, but it screwed up just enough to matter against Illinois. It couldn’t quite rise up when the chances were there against Oklahoma, the Michigan State game came down to who blinked first late, and it was all there for the taking against Michigan, and … Loss, loss, loss, loss. There are a whole lot of strong parts to the improving Huskers, but the special teams are just okay – to be kind – the O doesn’t move well enough when Martinez isn’t doing something amazing, and there isn’t enough of a pass rush to get through the giant Minnesota offensive front. However … What’s Going To Happen YOU try to guess which Minnesota team shows up. Is it the one that fought through its worst day of the season running the ball to beat Purdue, or is it the one that didn’t get off the bus in a stunning loss to Bowling Green, or is it the one that totally stoned Colorado on the road? The Gopher defensive stats are great, but it also helps that there weren’t any teams on the slate after Ohio State that could run the ball. There won’t be anything spectacular about it, but Nebraska will come up with a very good, very measured, and very business-like performance. It will get two big pass plays to open things up a bit, the run defense will be just fine, and the season that desperately needs a win at this point to keep bowl hopes alive will march on. Nebraska will have the chance in a close game, and finally, it will win. Nebraska 23 - Minnesota 17 ————— ESPN FPI Nebraska 59.7% ————— DRatings Nebraska 27 - Minnesota 24 Nebraska 57% ————— ESPN Bill Connelly SP+ Nebraska 27 - Minnesota 27 (wat?) Nebraska 51% ————— Big Red Wrap-Up Mike’l Severe: Nebraska 28 - Minnesota 21 Jay Moore: Nebraska 21 - Minnesota 13 ————— AP - Ralph D Russo Gophers have lost their top two tailbacks to injury. Nebraska 21 - Minnesota 14 ————— Athlon Sports Steven Lassan : N Mark Ross: N Ben Weinrib: N ————— Bleacher Report - Kerry Miller Minnesota 24 - Nebraska 21 ————— More to come… 3 Quote Link to comment
BigRedBuster Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 Have the majority of the experts been wrong this year? I don't think so and I hope not in this case. 1 Quote Link to comment
Saunders Posted October 14, 2021 Author Share Posted October 14, 2021 19 minutes ago, BigRedBuster said: Have the majority of the experts been wrong this year? I don't think so and I hope not in this case. Only one that the consensus got wrong was Illinois. 4 Quote Link to comment
Xmas32 Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 The Bill C 27-27 tie is literally the perfect result for this game. 2 Quote Link to comment
Saunders Posted October 14, 2021 Author Share Posted October 14, 2021 3 minutes ago, Xmas32 said: The Bill C 27-27 tie is literally the perfect result for this game. Lol. Technically SP+ gives us a 0.2 edge too! 1 1 Quote Link to comment
Toe Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 1 hour ago, Saunders said: Why Nebraska Will Win ... Why Nebraska Will Win 1 1 Quote Link to comment
Lorewarn Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 11 hours ago, Saunders said: Why Nebraska Will Win Forgive the complete lack of substantive research and analysis on this, but … Nebraska just doesn’t seem to know how to win when it has the chance. You could see it on head coach Scott Frost’s face right as the Michigan game was ending. His team had the monster W right there for the taking, and once again, it couldn’t get it done. It’s good enough to roll in a few blowouts here and there, but it screwed up just enough to matter against Illinois. It couldn’t quite rise up when the chances were there against Oklahoma, the Michigan State game came down to who blinked first late, and it was all there for the taking against Michigan, and … Loss, loss, loss, loss. There are a whole lot of strong parts to the improving Huskers, but the special teams are just okay – to be kind – the O doesn’t move well enough when Martinez isn’t doing something amazing, and there isn’t enough of a pass rush to get through the giant Minnesota offensive front. However … The entire "Why Nebraska Will Win" section is about how we don't win and haven't won.... lol Quote Link to comment
Hilltop Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 15 hours ago, Lorewarn said: The entire "Why Nebraska Will Win" section is about how we don't win and haven't won.... lol It was a typo- that is the why Minny will win section. Quote Link to comment
Head Coach Scott Frost Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 lol at the Nebraska wins but Min covers option. We're winning big or losing close. Quote Link to comment
Pasadena Husker Posted October 16, 2021 Share Posted October 16, 2021 i think we are due for another, patented special teams melt down. two missed field goals and a missed xtra-point. Minnesota 24 Nebraska-20 Quote Link to comment
lo country Posted October 16, 2021 Share Posted October 16, 2021 This is the start of the Redemption tour. We beat their a$$ by 14+. No more "this close"......The emotional play for Chin and the loss of his father, play to push back that beatdown we got last year and end the 2 game skid. Also let the B1G know NU is a caged beast with no where to go, but through the next opponent. No more close wins over teams we should beat. 4 Quote Link to comment
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