Keys to Victory: Nebraska vs. Rutgers

Author

TJ Birkel
October 04, 2024

by T.J. Birkel

Nebraska takes on undefeated Rutgers in Lincoln on Saturday afternoon. The Huskers are looking to make it two straight after winning their first road game at Purdue last weekend. Rutgers comes into the game at 4-0–their best start since 2012–having most recently defeated Washington 21-18. 

On behalf of the Common Fan podcast, here are three keys to victory for the Huskers, and three keys to victory for all the fellow Common Fans. 

Nebraska’s Keys to Victory

Get Ready for a Street Fight. I must admit, when Rutgers joined the Big Ten, I didn’t think much of the school’s football program. But especially since Greg Schiano took over in his second stint as head coach in 2020, the Scarlet Knights have been a tough matchup. Schiano is a heck of a coach, and his teams are always tough and physical. While Nebraska owns a 5-0 record historically vs. Rutgers going back to 2014, this has not been an easy out for the Huskers. 

The two games during Schiano’s tenure tell a similar story. During the 2020 COVID season, the teams played on a cold night in Piscataway in December. Nebraska trailed for most of that game, in what was a sloppy, turnover-filled contest, before finally eeking out a 28-21 win. The most recent game in 2022 was an absolute rock fight. The Huskers trailed 13-0 at halftime, and their first seven possessions in that game went like this: punt, punt, interception, punt, punt, interception, punt. It was an extremely physical contest, and Nebraska had a hard time getting anything going. The Big Red was able to piece together two 2nd half touchdowns, and hold on for a 14-13 win. 

Bottom line: I expect another brawl in Lincoln on Saturday. 

Get a Lead and Hold Onto It. Schiano’s teams are known for blocking field goals and scoring non-offensive touchdowns. They’re also excellent defensively in the red zone. Throw all of that in a blender, and they are the type of team that can punch above their weight, beating more talented teams even when it appears they are being outplayed. Case in point…

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