Nebraska football vs. Rutgers: Game preview

The game begins at 3 p.m. and will be broadcast on FS1.

1. Limit penalties: Double-digit penalties each of the last two weeks have wiped out big gains and held the Nebraska offense back at times. If the Huskers can limit false starts, holding and offensive pass interference calls at the very least, it’ll go a long way toward their touchdown drives.

2. Consistent special teams: In what could be a low-scoring game, Nebraska will need its kicking operation to be significantly improved from a week prior. A missed field goal could make or break the game — and the Huskers will need to make sure the snap even gets there in the first place.

3. Find Barney: Freshman wide receiver Jacory Barney has been one of NU’s best offensive weapons this season, evidenced by his touchdown run against Purdue. Whether as a pass-catcher or as a rusher, Nebraska has to find a way to get the ball into his hands.

4. Steady up front: So long as quarterback Dylan Raiola has had time to work, he’s efficiently moved the ball against every opponent he’s faced. The Nebraska offensive line has been consistent in its pass protection and will also be needed to move the line of scrimmage as run blockers.

1. Contain the pocket: Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis isn’t the most prolific passer, but he can hurt teams with his legs by extending plays and throwing on the run. If Nebraska keeps him in the pocket and doesn’t break contain, it can neutralize one of the Rutgers’ quarterback’s best traits.

2. Hard-nosed linebackers: As the Huskers face a high-powered rushing attack, their linebackers are sure to be busy. John Bullock continues to excel, but he’ll need the likes of Mikai Gbayor and Vincent Shavers to join him in clogging rushing lanes and knocking back the Scarlet Knight offensive line.

3. Start fast: An entire half of scoreless football against Purdue set the tone for a Nebraska defense that has often played its best early on. Finishing in the fourth quarter matters too, but giving the Huskers a foundation to build upon without falling behind will be crucial.

4. Mindful of Monangai: Running back Kyle Monangai has the second-most rushing yards in the Big Ten, having run for 100 or more yards in three of his four games this season. Nebraska can’t hope to neutralize Monangai altogether, but if it does slow him down, it’ll make Rutgers have to work that much harder to move the ball.

16: Sacks totaled by the Nebraska defense this season, tied for No. 13 nationally.

4: Sacks recorded by the Rutgers defense, a bottom-four mark nationally.

3: Kicks blocked against Nebraska, tied for the most in the nation.

RB | No. 21 | So.: Johnson played a season-high 23 snaps last week, providing tough and much-needed rushing production in the second half of Nebraska’s win over Purdue. An uptick in playing time should continue if Johnson remains an efficient runner this week.

LB | No. 33 | Sr.: Wright returned to the lineup last week after four weeks away, even if just in a limited role. As Wright regains his fitness, he won’t play starter-like snaps for a while — but he’s sure to make an impact whenever he’s on the field.

Rutgers run game against Nebraska defense

Nebraska can expect to be tested by a mostly ground-based Rutgers offense this week. While the Huskers did hold their own against another strong running back a week ago, Monangai and the Rutgers offensive line tend to wear opponents down and break through whenever their concentration wavers. Nebraska will need a big day from its defensive tackles and linebackers to ensure Rutgers doesn’t move the ball on the ground.

In terms of special teams efficiency, the gulf between the two teams is massive — Nebraska ranks No. 118 nationally; Rutgers ranks 24th. Greg Schiano-coached teams have a knack for blocking kicks and doing the fundamental things right on special teams, something Nebraska has struggled at recently. Neither kicking game is especially effective, but one big play on special teams could be what it takes to flip the game in someone’s favor.

Expect a nail-biter in a game that shouldn’t go down as a shootout. Quarterback Dylan Raiola will have a major role to play, but facing a tough Rutgers secondary also means that Nebraska’s rushing attack will need to hold its own. The game will likely be decided on the ground, particularly when Rutgers leans on its running backs to get past a Husker front that has been up and down against the run. An unseasonably warm fall afternoon will impact things too, with defenses needing to rotate players to avoid cramping up. So long as Raiola keeps up his level of play and the Nebraska defense holds its own, the Huskers should be favored to enter their bye week off a victory.