In less than 24 hours, Nebraska hosts the Fighting Hawks of North Dakota. UND comes in 3-0, ranked No. 6 in the FCS, and has looked sharp through three games. The predictions range from a blowout to a nail-biter. Only one of those feels realistic.
Nebraska has shown North Dakota real respect this week, and that is fair. The Fighting Hawks are disciplined, balanced, and tough. They are also an FCS team, with FCS talent and FCS depth. This should not be a game after the first quarter.
A lot has been made of North Dakota scoring 40+ points before halftime twice this year. One of those games was against Long Island. The other was against St. Thomas. Those are not skull-crushing defenses. Against LIU, UND was shut out after the break. Outside of a fourth-quarter burst at Portland State, the Hawks have faded in the second half.
Nebraska has the talent edge on every side of the ball. The Huskers’ explosiveness on offense should be too much for North Dakota’s defense, even if the weather becomes a factor. On the other side, this will likely be the best defense UND sees all season. Expect the Hawks to move the ball early, then drop off once the Blackshirts settle in and Nebraska has a read on the game plan. North Dakota should get a touchdown and maybe a couple of field goals. I also would not be shocked if they take a kickoff back.
North Dakota is good. It is not B1G good. The first quarter should be slow and close. After that, Nebraska takes off and never lets up. The Huskers finish non-conference play 3-0 and win 52-13.
