Nebraska at Purdue: Keys to victory and HOL predictions

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Nebraska (3-4, 2-2) will take on Purdue (3-4, 1-3) today in what is a must win type of game for both programs.

The Huskers are trying to salvage their season and get things back on track, while the Boilermakers are hoping to build on what they've done already under first year head coach Jeff Brohm.

NU enters today's match-up as 5 point underdog to Purdue. Here are today's keys to a Husker victory, along with our HOL expert score predictions for Saturday.

KEY 1: Establish a ground game

Really the No. 1 key for Mike Riley's offense to work is to rush for at least 150 yards on the ground, if not 200. When Riley's teams run for over 200 yards at Nebraska they are undefeated. They have to find that formula again today.

KEY 2: Make Purdue earn it on offense

This is a Purdue offense that comes into Saturday with only one offensive touchdown in their last eight quarters of football. The Blackshirts have to make that trend continue where they keep the Boilermakers out of the end zone and force field goals instead.

KEY 3: Tackling on the back end

It should be fun seeing Joshua Kalu, Chris Jones, Aaron Williams, Antonio Reed and Lamar Jackson on the field together for the first time. This was the strongest part of the NU defense going into the season, and Saturday marks the first time the entire band is back together. They need to improve NU's tackling on the back end from what we saw the last two weeks.

KEY 4: Handling the blitz

Purdue and defensive coordinator Nick Holt like to bring it. Expect the Boilermakers to bring a lot of heavy pressures at the Huskers. NU needs to pick these up and find the big plays when they are out there. If you remember back in 2010, when the Huskers faced Nick Holt's defense at Washington, they found a ton of big plays that day. Those type of plays can be there again today if you read things properly.

KEY 5: Play like you want it

This is what we still don't know about this football team. How bad are they going to fight for Mike Riley and his staff these final 5 games? This team has to show up today wanting this win, and they need to play inspired football.

Sean Callahan - HuskerOnline Publisher

Nebraska is getting Purdue at the right time. The Huskers have had an extra week to get healthy, and most importantly "get right" mentally after two straight tough losses to Wisconsin and Ohio State. Meanwhile the Boilermakers have lost three of their last four games and have really struggled offensively. I think Nebraska will go into today and get the win as the underdog.

Nebraska 27, Purdue 23

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Robin Washut - HuskerOnline Senior Writer

This game will ultimately decide not only what will become of Nebraska’s season over the final five weeks, but also potentially Mike Riley’s fate. I see the Huskers answering the call tonight, going on the road and getting an ugly but desperately-needed win. Devine Ozigbo carries the offense and the Blackshirts shutdown a struggling Purdue team.

Nebraska 21, Purdue 17

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Nate Clouse - HuskerOnline Lead Recruiting Analyst

The word “physical” has been brought up an awful lot following the bye week and I expect we’ll see Nebraska get a physical run game going against Purdue. I think the Blackshirts will play well on the night, but a late trick play or two may make the final score appear closer than the game really is. Regardless, the Huskers get back on the right track on the road.

Nebraska 27, Purdue 20

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Mike'l Severe - Omaha World Herald Bottom Line

Purdue has been able to produce a lot of yards over the second half of the second but hasn't gotten the ball in the endzone. I think NU reaches paydirt a couple more times than the Boilers. I like Ozigbo to have a big day in the colder weather. Tanner Lee has to watch out for Purdue's underneath coverage when throwing crossing routes.

Nebraska 26, Purdue 20

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Andy Kendeigh - KETV Channel 7 Sports Director

Mike Riley's Nebraska teams are 0-7 when rushing for less than 100 yards. Purdue's defense is much improved giving up two touchdowns less than it did a year ago (33.3 in 2016 vs 19.3 in 2017). If the Huskers can out rush the Boilermakers they win.

Nebraska 27, Purdue 24