Nebraska at Minnesota: Keys to victory and HOL predictions

MINNEAPOLIS - Both Nebraska (4-5, 3-3) and Minnesota (4-5, 1-5) are fighting to get to bowl eligibility today.

The Gophers have struggled as of late, while the Huskers blew a chance to knock off Northwestern last week in Lincoln.

As things get closer to kickoff, here are the keys to a Nebraska victory over Minnesota. NU enters today's game as a slight 2.5 point underdog to the Gophers.

KEY 1: Line of scrimmage play

Whoever wins the line of scrimmage in this game will more than likely leave TCF Stadium with the a win. This game is set up to be an ugly, black and blue type game, that will probably last under 3 hours because of all the running.

KEY 2: Eliminate the leaky yardage

Both Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith are talented backs. The Huskers need to do a better job this week of wrapping up, and not allowing them to get leaky yards after contact his made.

KEY 3: Run for close to 200 yards on the ground

Last week Michigan really exposed the Gophers rushing defense, running for 371 yards on 37 carries. The Huskers need to go right at this weakness, and find a way to rush for over 200 yards for the first time since Week 1.

KEY 4: Explosive plays

Last week Michigan hit on several explosive plays, and that's how they were able to dismantle the Gophers. NU needs to use their play makers like Stanley Morgan, De'Mornay Pierson-El and JD Spielman to find a few explosive plays early, and that will open up the running game that much more.

KEY 5: Play with attitude

The temperature around the Nebraska football program right now is not pretty. The air if filled with rumors and speculation about the future of Mike Riley and his coaching staff. The teams needs to block all of that out today, and take the field with some attitude.

Sean Callahan - HuskerOnline Publisher

This is a much better match-up for Nebraska than Northwestern a week ago. The Gophers struggle to throw the football, and their backs aren't as good as what NU saw last week. This should also be the first time since arguably Illinois where the Huskers will be able to run the football with consistency, which should help them sneak out of Minneapolis with a win.

Nebraska 23, Minnesota 17

##############################

Robin Washut - HuskerOnline Senior Writer

If Nebraska can control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, there’s no reason why the Huskers can’t pick up an important road victory today. However, both of those tasks have been much easier said than done for this team all season, and it’s hard to feel confident that both of those issues will suddenly get fixed this late i the year.

Minnesota 27, Nebraska 24

##############################

Nate Clouse - HuskerOnline Lead Recruiting Analyst

Nebraska travels to Minnesota as the more talented team, but will they play like it against the Gophers on Saturday? If there’s a remaining opponent the Huskers should be able to run against it’s Minnesota. If NU can win the turnover battle and convert in the red zone they will win the game.

Nebraska 24, Minnesota 21

##############################

Mike'l Severe - Omaha World Herald Bottom Line

My numbers say that the Gophers should be 6 point favorites but that makes no sense to me. Unless there is some really nasty weather (Wind) I can't see NU losing this game. It reminds me of the Illinois game this time with Minn not being able to threaten the Husker through the air. Nebraska can stack the box and pressure Demry Croft ​into some mistakes. The Gophers only hope is some long runs from Smith and Brooks and some shot plays to deep threat Tyler Johnson.

Nebraska 23, Minnesota 17

##############################

Andy Kendeigh - KETV Channel 7 Sports Director

Run-the-ball-guy loves the weather forecast for Minneapolis on Saturday, rain/snow mix with temps in the low-to-mid-30's. It's been more than a month since Nebraska outrushed an opponent (Illinois/September 29) so it's imperative the Huskers run it against a decent Golden Gopher front. The magic number? 125. When Nebraska runs it for 125 or more yards they are 3-0. When the Gophers give up 125 or more yards they are 0-6.

Nebraska 27, Minnesota 21