Nebraska walks into Autzen Stadium at 5 and 1 with one question hanging over Eugene… can the Blackshirts hold an Oregon offense that scores 41 points a game? My answer is right in the headline. “Nebraska beats Oregon 35 21.” That’s 35 to 21, and I’m sticking to it.

Where we stand

Indiana got us last week, and it stung. We’re over it. As I said in the video, “We’re building a bridge and getting over it.” Now it’s a second straight ranked opponent (Oregon is No. 25 in the coaches poll), and kickoff is 10 p.m. Central Saturday night on FOX. Holy smokes, that’s late.

The last time Nebraska beat Oregon was 2016 in Lincoln, under Mike Riley. This is the first meeting between these schools as Big Ten foes.

Two things before the keys. Keep it clean. Nobody likes penalties, not even the most intelligent, game savvy fans in all of America. And it’s going to be loud in Autzen, so quiet that stadium down early.

Then push the ball with Jamal Rule. He’s averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Watch the start of the game. If Oregon is holding him to half of that, they’ve figured something out… so get Anthony Colandrea on a bootleg and get out.

Key 1: Third down

This is the one you might not expect. Nebraska leads the nation in third down defense at 19.7 percent. Oregon is No. 2 at 22.1 percent. Number one versus number two.

So how do you beat that if you’re Nebraska? “You don’t get the third down. It’s that simple.” Pick up first downs on first and second down. If you do get to third, make it a short one, and trust the offense on fourth. Nebraska is ninth in the country in third down offense at 52.4 percent, so the Huskers know how to stay ahead of the chains.

Keep Oregon’s offense on the bench. If they’re on the bench, they can’t score.

Key 2: The Blackshirts shut them down

Blackshirts versus an offense that scores 41 a game. “Shut them down. That’s it.”

Nebraska is giving up 15.2 points per game. And remember this… a lot of that Oregon average came with Dante Moore running the show. Moore was injured against USC. As I said in the video, “He’s not Saturday.”

I want more sacks. The Blackshirts already have 18 sacks in six games, and the penetration has been good. I’d like to hear two names a lot on Saturday: Dawson Merritt and Williams Nwaneri. Get after whoever is back there.

I don’t think Oregon’s 41 points per game is that big of a deal. Matter of fact, I’ve got them at just about half of that… 21.

Key 3: The turnover battle

Don’t give it up. Don’t start now. Nebraska has committed just 3 turnovers all season. Oregon has lost 9, and seven of them came in that loss to UCLA.

If you’re Nebraska, protect the ball. If you’re Oregon, keep giving it up. I won’t complain.

Key 4: Run the ball at the soft spot

Nebraska is running for 213.8 yards per game, 26th in the country, and scoring 39.2 points a game, 19th. Oregon allows about 118 rushing yards a game, and its pass defense ranks 93rd.

When I first looked at this game, I thought it was maybe a 5 point Nebraska win. Then I went through the numbers. “As I looked at the numbers, I’m liking us by 14.”

Feed Rule early. Shut the crowd up. Keep Oregon’s offense on the bench. That’s the whole thing.

What to watch live

Watch who takes the snaps for Oregon. Watch the pre snap penalties, because cutting even three or five of them changes everything. And watch Colandrea’s protection. Indiana sacked him five times. Oregon is a very good defense, but I don’t think it’s elite. Give him time and he’ll find people.

My pick

Nebraska wins 35 to 21 over Oregon. Mark it down.