Huskers vs. Northern Iowa Predictions

Mike: This would seem to be a week for a let-down performance.

Jarek: In past years, this was a virtual lock to be a let-down performance.

Jon: THERE WILL BE NO LET DOWN.

Andy: Northern Iowa last week scored ten 4th quarter points to beat the U. of St. Thomas, MN, 17-10. The previous week, St. Thomas was slapped 34-13 by the U. of…Sioux Falls.

My point? There may a letdown, but we probably won’t be aware of it until Bert’s crew come rolling into Lincoln. If your 2nd cousin once removed is a walk-on long snapper from West Point-Beemer, you may see him on the field.

Alabama (-16) at Wisconsin

Patrick: University of Alabama 38 University of Wisconsin 16

Jarek: This will give a lot of B1G teams a chance to fully understand the Badgers’ capabilities, but even at home, it would take a lot of jumping around for Wisconsin to win. Roll Tide. Forrest Gump U 37 Badger Badger Badger 17

Mike: I haven’t seen anything that suggests Wisconsin is ready to take on Alabama. The highlight of this game might be the Jimmy Buffett halftime tribute by the Wiscy marching bad. Fins Up! Badgers down. Tide 49, Badgers 14

Jon: Luke Fickle is a wonderful coach, but I feel he just doesn’t fit with Wisconsin. Wisconsin has beat up their first two opponents, 28-14 over Western Michigan and 27-13 over South Dakota, so I’m sure they’re tuned up and ready for Alabama. Or not.
Perhaps ‘Bama will get confused since it’s way up North, or maybe they’ll fall astray of how much alcohol is consumed in Badger-land… but, oh, hell, the Badgers are cooked.
Will Wisconsin score?
‘Bama 34, Wisconsin 3

Andy: Alabama plays north of Tennessee about as often as often as the Sanders boys own up to any of their many mistakes. Haha, just kidding, Alabama went to Penn State in 2011. This trip will just as successful, however. Alabama still has an Alabama roster and replaced NIL-grumpy multi-millionaire head coach Nick Saban with Kalen DeBoer, who went farther at Washington with way less in 2023. Wisconsin will try their best on D but offer not much worth fearing on offense unless hyper-average QB transfer Tyler Van Dyke makes you shake in your booties. Bama 38 Wiscy 10

Washington State (+4.5) at Washington

Patrick: University of Washington 28 Washington State 21

Jarek: The Apple Cup gets the opportunity to shine earlier in the season now, and I’m not overly convinced that this is where the next coach and roster turnover doesn’t bite Washington. I like the upset here. Former Mike Leach’s 27 Former Kalen DeBoer’s 24

Mike: Yeah, I think this one is screaming upset. Wazzu 37, Huskies 27

Jon: I haven’t watched either of these teams, but Washington has won 9 of the last 10 of these games. It would be funny if the Cougars won, but don’t expect it. Expect a good game, though. Huskies 28, Cougars 24

Andy: The doggies basically flipped the roster while changing coaches after reaching the CFP. The new coach, however, did a bit of a Matt Rhule-ish turnaround at Arizona and, like Matt Rhule (x2), is walking into a roster that, while somewhat decimated, is still talent-loaded enough to not be in danger of a 1 or 2-win first season under new management.

Washington State is expected to improve, but that may just be due to not playing a full Pac-12 schedule. Both played cupcakes in their first two games, so no clues have yet been given. The Cougars have lost 12 of 14, but, dammit, the last time was in Seattle in 2021 and that’s where they play this year! The Spirit of the Dred Pirate 23 Huskies 21

Notre Dame (-10) at Purdue

Patrick: University of Notre Dame 34 Purdue University 10

Jarek: Rudy was very disappointed in the Irish last week, but I wasn’t one of them. Purdue isn’t a fully known quantity yet, but the Irish should be angry enough to avoid another upset. Touchdown Jesus 34 Purdon’t 17

Mike: Wow…only a ten point spread against the general pick for last in the B1G? I kind of see it, because Notre Dame is usually way overrated and Purdue isn’t as bad as people were thinking. But with that line, I could never go against the Irish. Domers 34, Purdon’t 21.

Jon: I couldn’t believe last week’s result, especially after the Domers knocked off Texas A&M in their 2024 opener. I don’t think they’ll have much trouble with Purdue. Notre Dame 38, Purdue 24

Andy: The Domers will likely cover the points, but not because their rage is anything special to be feared – Northern Illinois wasn’t exactly shaking in their boots. Purdue just isn’t very good. Notre Dame, like both the Cowboys and Longhorns of Texas, is massively overrated for almost 30th time in the last 30 years or so, but should still be able to crud out an ugly win. Rudy Perverts 26 Purdon’t 13

Indiana (-3) at UCLA

Patrick: University of Indiana 36 University of California Los Angeles 23

Jarek: The only reason I genuinely believe Indiana is favored here is because they hung 77 on Western Illinois last week. Having said that, unless UCLA found a lot of improvement during their bye week, they are in trouble. Bobby Knight 27 We’re in LA 20

Mike: I know Indiana RUTS’d an FCS program last week, but I think UCLA is a lot better than they looked in the first half against Hawai’i. I’m taking the upset here: Bruins 34, Hoosiers 30

Jon: This is the first Big Ten game for UCLA. It’s on their home turf. I think Indiana takes it to them. Maybe Indiana will be a PITA for a lot of teams in the B1G. Indiana 38, UCLA 24

Andy: After gettin’ little-kidded by Indiana, FIU responded with a 52-16 win over Central Michigan, so that Hoosier win might have a few teeth to it. UCLA looked thoroughly unimpressive in their 16-13 win in Hawai’i to open the season before taking a much-deserved week off (#sarcasm). However, weird things happen in Hawai’i while coaches juggle just how much fun to let everyone have and nothing will drain energy more than soaking up some sun pre-game.

I’ll go Indiana straight-up but no cover since, like hiring Jim Harbaugh in college, believing in Indiana comes with a 4-year show-cause penalty. Whose Ears? 20 UCLA of LA 19

Northern Iowa (+32.5) at Nebraska

Patrick: University of Nebraska 31 University of Northern Iowa 14

Jarek: This spread has grown over the last couple of days, and I’m not overly happy about it. I thought it was just fine where it was. Stop the run, stop holding, win the game and bring on conference play. Herbie and Lil’ Red 45 The Most Liked School in Iowa 7

Mike: I think the goal this week is (1) get Dylan Raiola more comfortable with his receivers, (2) play everybody who we’re not concerned about eligibility with and (3) don’t get anybody hurt. So NU will break out to a big lead and send in the reserves for the final 20 minutes. Huskers 52, Panthers 14.

Jon: I’d probably duplicate Mike’s prediction, except I’d like to see more success in the run game. Dowdell has proven he’s the first string back, but I want to see better run blocking, especially on the perimeters. Nebraska 45, Northern Iowa 10

Andy: See my remarks at the top of the page – this is not a Northern Iowa team to be feared, unless they spent the first two games running dives and QB sneaks to mask the insane play-calling which will lead to one of college football’s greatest upsets, the dismantling of the Big Red rebuild and a wave of therapy and alcoholism to rival that of Germany after being upset by the Allies as 37-point favorites on the French coast in a June match-up followed world-wide in 1942. Huskers 47 Northern Iowa 3

(But the field goal for 3-0 lead on the Panthers opening drive will cause a chunk of the fan base to question their very existence through mid-2nd quarter. And also? I just won the run-on sentence competition – suck it, everyone.)