Joseph Maier, senior sports editor: Wisconsin 13, Nebraska 7
The Huskers don’t win in Madison. You can change the coach, the scheme, the quarterback, heck, even the athletic director, but that one constant remains true.
But if there’s one night Nebraska can end a 57-year drought at Camp Randall, it’s this Saturday. The Badgers are arguably the most vulnerable they’ve been in three decades. Their 21-year bowl streak is in jeopardy under first-year head coach Luke Fickell and injuries have hampered their offense all year.
Even with much of the fanbase checked out, Saturday is still bound to be the most intimidating atmosphere the Huskers have played in all year. One last chance to jump around with bowl eligibility in the balance should have Camp Randall rocking.
For me, this game comes down to how many times Nebraska shoots itself in the foot. The defense can overcome one or two gaffes. Four or five? Not so much.
Away games have given Husker quarterbacks fits this season, and we still don’t even know who’s starting under center. If Nebraska hands the ball off 40 times to freshman running back Emmett Johnson, they have a good chance to pull off the upset. But I have no faith in offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield to stick to that game plan.
Wisconsin held Ohio State to 24 points and Iowa to 15. If Nebraska scores more than 14, I’d be shocked.
I’ll stick with the predictable outcome in this one. The Huskers keep it close but three crushing turnovers lead to another heart-breaking loss.
Marissa Kraus, assistant sports editor: Nebraska 13, Wisconsin 10
After a heartbreaking loss against Maryland and despite a season-long turnover problem, I’m giving Nebraska its first victory against Wisconsin since 2012 — and bowl eligibility to boot. Yeah, I can’t believe I have the Huskers winning either.
Wisconsin and Nebraska are similar in several ways. Besides the obvious of having the same 5-5 record, both are adapting to first-year coaches and still finding their identity. However, while Wisconsin seems to still be lost late in the season, the Huskers are shaping their identity around its defense.
The Blackshirts have been consistent for most of the season, certainly doing more for the team than the offense. Last week, the Nebraska defense held the Maryland offense scoreless in the first quarter and limited the Terrapins to just one touchdown. It’s also held the opposition without a rushing touchdown for five straight games. Therefore, I expect the No. 2 ranked rushing unit in the Big Ten to be a challenge for the Badgers. While the Wisconsin offense has been fairly competent, gaining 153.5 yards per game on the ground while throwing for 217.8 yards per game, they haven’t been able to gain momentum and have struggled to finish strong in the last few contests.
The Badger defense hasn’t looked fantastic either. In last week’s loss to Northwestern, the Wisconsin defense allowed 24 points in the first half, allowing 295 yards and 16 first downs. Like its offense, the Badger secondary has been unable to find consistency.
Even so, Wisconsin may not need to be perfect, or even great, to overcome the abysmal Husker offense. After it seemed like sophomore quarterback Heinrich Haarberg was the man to finish the season, an ankle injury resulted in both backup quarterbacks taking snaps. With each quarterback taking their share of five total turnovers in the last contest, it seems like the offense is back to square one with two regular season games left to play.
It’s the same pattern of turnovers week in and week out for Nebraska with no progress to be had. Even so, with a Wisconsin team that’s far from the early-season Big Ten West favorites, I think the Huskers will have just enough to overcome the Badgers at home.
It won’t be pretty — most likely scrappy and by the skin of its tail– but this just might be the week where Nebraska can finally put together a much-needed victory when it matters most. With Iowa ahead, it’s now or never for the Huskers’ bowl dreams to become reality.
Anthony Rubek, assistant sports editor: Wisconsin 17, Nebraska 10
The Huskers once again find themselves playing for bowl eligibility against a team that has been on a cold streak as of late. They haven’t been able to capitalize the past two weeks, and I don’t see that changing.
Wisconsin may have lost three in a row, but a majority of that was without senior quarterback Tanner Mordecai and junior running back Braelon Allen. Both made their returns from injury against Northwestern last week, but neither looked 100% in the 24-10 loss.
With Allen presumably healthy, the Blackshirt run defense faces its toughest challenge of the season. Nebraska is fourth in the country in rushing yards allowed per game with 79.6. Allen alone runs for 84.11 yards per game, leaving the Husker defensive line with their hands full.
Mordecai may not be having the greatest season stat-wise, but he is still a proven college quarterback the defense must keep tabs on. The Badgers also have sophomore wide receiver Will Pauling, who has shined over the last month. The Nebraska secondary should be getting some help back in cornerback Quinton Newsome, but even with the senior they have fallen victim to many deep plays in the past.
The Husker offense is in shambles with no solution at quarterback. With sophomore quarterback Heinrich Haarberg being limited in practice all week, it may be sophomore Chubba Purdy’s time to shine as signal caller.
No matter who gets the start under center, the primary focus should be on the run game. Redshirt freshman running back Emmett Johnson set career highs in carries and yards last week with those numbers likely to be exceeded this week. Wisconsin surrenders 134.5 rushing yards per game, a number Nebraska has eclipsed in all but one game this year.
After failing to exploit two bottom of the Big Ten secondaries, the Huskers face a more competent unit. The Badgers rank in the middle of the conference for pass defense but have a game-breaker in cornerback Ricardo Hallman. The sophomore has five interceptions on the season, tied for second in the nation. Nebraska’s quarterback must know where he is at all times while not forcing passes that aren’t there.
Similar to the game last week, Wisconsin is also playing for bowl eligibility making it a win-and-in scenario for both sides. It also serves as a chance for the Huskers to beat the Badgers for the first time since 2012 and win the Freedom Trophy that has stayed in Madison since its inception. However, seeing the performances of the Nebraska offense in the last two games doesn’t give me any confidence to see them pull it off.