After a 68-0 thrashing of Akron last Saturday, where the Huskers posted their first shut out victory since 2009, Nebraska is set to host Houston Christian to finish off their non conference slate.
The 68 points scored by the Huskers are the most points scored by Nebraska in a single game since 2012, while their 728 total yards of offense is the most since 2014.
Sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola was excellent, throwing for 364 yards to go along with 4 touchdowns.
Raiola’s 607 passing yards through two games rank him 15th nationally in passing, a good spot for a quarterback who received little love from the national media in the offseason.
For the Huskies, they are led in by second year head coach Jason Bachtel and will have a tough task for a program who wasn’t a full member of the NCAA till 2011.
The Huskies have a record of 1-1 this season, shutting out Arkansas Baptist 69-0 in their season opener before losing to Eastern Kentucky 20-10 last Saturday.
Key #1: Keep the foot on the gas:
After only scoring 20 points against Cincinnati, it was very refreshing to see the Huskers score 68 last Saturday, what’s even better is the 35 points Nebraska put up in the second half.
You can tell that this team’s mentality is not only to beat opponents, but finish and put them away and the Huskers did just that right up until the final snap of the game, forgoing the victory formation to get one more play in.
You want teams to hate having to play Nebraska and that certainly looks like this team’s mentality through two weeks of the season.
Key #2: Stop the run:
The Huskies aren’t a big threat through the air, but they do have a pair of running backs who can get the job done on the ground.
Freshman Xai’shaun Edwards leads the Huskies in rushing with 200 yards and 4 touchdowns, while averaging an impressive 7.4 yards per carry.
The more experienced back in this offense is senior Darryle Evans, totaling 128 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground.
Nebraska has allowed 315 rushing yards through their first two games, a number that defensive coordinator John Butler certainly would like to see improve.
Key #3: Stay Healthy:
I think the most important part of this game will be for the Huskers to keep their players healthy, given that the Huskers start conference play next Saturday.
A total of 108 different players saw the field for the Huskers against Akron and I think Nebraska will reach that number once again this weekend, if not more.
Prediction:
Nebraska will and should not have to sweat this game, if anything, head coach Matt Rhule will most likely be stressing more about adding another shut out victory to his name.
The last time the Huskers shut out opponents in back to back weeks was 1979 and I have a weird feeling that it will happen again this Saturday.
This team knows what’s ahead of them and it’s not Michigan, it’s Houston Christian.
Nebraska: 55 Houston Christian: 0
