The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Minnesota Golden Gophers are a perfect example of how a few plays can completely change a season. Nebraska is only 11 points away from being a 6-0 team, but defensive breakdowns and an inability to put games away when ahead has caused them to start the season at a dismal 2-4. Minnesota meanwhile, is 4-2 on the season; but it has been far from a smooth ride. Minnesota squeaked past Colorado State, Kent State, and Ohio by a combined nine points before being shut out by Northwestern in their Big 10 opener. Both teams are in desperate need for a win, Minnesota to keep their Big 10 hopes alive, Nebraska to keep their shaky bowl hopes alive. Here are the positional match-ups heading into Saturday’s game in Minneapolis.
Nebraska vs Minnesota Preview
POSITION MATCHUP
Quarterback
Both Tommy Armstrong and Mitch Leidner are three-year starters and are the unquestioned starters for their team. That said, neither has played at a very high level thus far in conference play. Armstrong has hit a wall after a solid non-conference performance, as the junior has thrown for just 234 yards through two games while completing only 35.6% of his passes. The only Big 10 quarterback to throw for less yards than Armstrong thus far in Big 10 play is Leidner, who has thrown for a paltry 131 yards in Big 10 play. Both quarterbacks are considered dual threat quarterbacks; but Armstrong has been the more effective runner through 6 games, rushing for 206 yards to Leidner’s 122. For that reason, I’ll give the Huskers a slight edge at the quarterback position, though I don’t expect Saturday’s game to be an exhibition for quarterback play.
Slight Edge: Nebraska
Running Back
Both teams have struggled to replicate their 2014 success in the run game, mainly due to the absence of their two star running backs. Ameer Abdullah’s graduation has left a major void in the backfield, one that neither Terrell Newby, Imani Cross, or Devine Ozigbo have been able to fill. Minnesota has also struggled to replace David Cobb, though freshmen Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks have begun to emerge. Smith has been a solid, if unspectacular back for the Gophers through six games, averaging 74.5 yards per game. Brooks had a breakout game when Smith left the Purdue game with injury, rushing for 176 yards on just 17 carries last Saturday. Nebraska is still trying to figure out their running back rotation, as none of their running backs have been able to seize the number one job and consistently succeed. So, the slight edge goes to Minnesota due to them having an established plan for their rushing attack.
Slight Edge: Minnesota
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
Nebraska appeared to have arguably the 2nd best receiving unit in the Big 10 at the end of non-conference play, but the wheels have come off in conference play. Jordan Westerkamp and Brandon Reilly were both on pace for over 1,000 receiving yards through four games, but the pair have combined for just 4 catches for 32 yards the past two games. One bright spot for the Huskers’ receiving corps is the emergence of Demornay Pierson-El, who returned from a broken foot that sidelined him for four games. He has seen his role increase in Big 10 play. The Gophers’ receiving corps is lead by KJ Maye, who leads his team with 256 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Junior Drew Wolitarsky is second on the team with 243 receiving yards, but he has done little since his 114 yard game against Colorado State. Nebraska’s Cethan Carter has emerged in Big 10 play, with six of his eight catches coming in Big 10 play. Neither of these teams’ receiving corps have been overly impressive the past two games, but Nebraska has more depth at the receiver position and an advantage at tight end.
Edge: Nebraska
Offensive Line
Nebraska’s offensive line has been good but not great through six games, excelling at pass pro but failing to get a push in the run game when they needed it most. Now the Huskers will have to make due without their most impressive lineman, as Nick Gates suffered a high ankle sprain against Wisconsin and will not play Saturday. Minnesota’s line has slowly found its groove after being hammered with injuries early in the season. The Gophers mauled Purdue’s defensive line last Saturday to pave the way for 326 rushing yards.
Edge: Minnesota
Defensive Line
Sophomore Steven Richardson has been a pleasant surprise for the Gophers, as the sophomore from Chicago has accumulated 22 tackles and 3.5 sacks from his defensive tackle spot. He has led a Gopher defensive line that has been solid against the run but has struggled to get to the quarterback. The Gophers have just nine sacks through six games this season. Nebraska is led by Maliek Collins, who has been dominant in Big 10 play with 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks the past two games despite dealing with constant double teams. Collins was joined last week by Vincent Valentine, who was impressive in his first game back from a high ankle sprain, accumulating three tackles and a sack against Wisconsin. Nebraska will miss sacks leader Freedom Akinmoladun, who underwent knee surgery last week; but Nebraska gets the edge due to their dominant duo at defensive tackle.
Edge: Nebraska
Linebackers
Both Nebraska and Minnesota are led by sophomore middle linebackers. Cody Poock leads the Gophers with 45 tackles while Chris Weber leads the Huskers with 42. Nebraska has received a major boost from the emergence of Dedrick Young and Marcus Newby at the outside linebacker positions; and will be further bolstered by the return of Josh Banderas. Minnesota has received solid play from their outside linebackers, as De’Vondre Campbell and Jack Lynn have been steady performers. This one was too close to call, so I’ll call this one even.
Even
Secondary
Nebraska has the worst pass defense in the country, Minnesota has one of the best. There really isn’t to much more to say.
Big Edge: Minnesota
Special Teams
Both Minnesota and Nebraska are in pretty good shape at kicker, where fellow sophomores Drew Brown and Ryan Santoso have shook off some early struggles to be solid options from within 45 yards. Both teams have solid punters, but Nebraska’s Sam Foltz has been just a little bit better than Minnesota’s Peter Mortell. Neither team has an overly impressive return unit.
Slight Edge: Nebraska
Final Take
This one is tough to get a read on. Neither team has been very impressive through six games; and this contest has a very high probability of becoming an ugly punt fest type of game. I’ll take Nebraska in this one, mainly due to their maligned secondary finally getting a bit of a break against one of the worst passing offenses in the country. Neither team’s offense will look good, but Collins and Valentine will lead the Huskers to a victory they desperately need.
Nebraska: 13
Minnesota: 7
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