The outcome of the game depends on whether Bryant plays or not. Nebraska’s defensive backfield does not match up well at all with the Cats’ receivers, but their DL will completely throttle any Cat inside running game. The offense key for the Cats, since their pass protection is poor, is canny play from the QB, quickly finding the what will be an inevitable quickly open receiver and a little bit of pocket space for longer throws. The Cats will also need to throw in the red zone if they want to score. They will get no push whatever close to the goal line, but I am afraid Bajakian will trot out the Lausch alternative in short yardage to dismal results. The Husker offense, as it is, has come to a point where it pretty much revolves around Haarberg’s legs and converting turnovers. While Cats’ DL has shown some ability to stop the run, Cats LB’s have not been able to deal with a physical backs, and a strong running QB will undoubtedly break some long, punishing runs. They will probably generate three scores on offense alone and as many scores off turnovers as the Cats gift for them.
All of this is to say if there was ever a game where the difference in the spread revolved around Bryant versus Sullivan, this is it. Therefore, two predictsions:
With Bryant
The favorite NU of myself, my alum wife, my alum brother and current real NU student niece (TFNUMWBN): 31
The favorite NU of the large number of in-laws who grew up in Nebraska (TFNUILGUIN): 24
With Sullivan
TFNUILGUIN: 38
TFNUMWBN: 17
Because of the large number of Husker loving in-laws, this game largely makes or breaks my year as a football fan. Go Cats!
