Preview and prediction for Nebraska football vs. Michigan State

Hey, Esker fans. Welcome back to the Husker Big Red YouTube channel. I'm Chris Peterson. And joining me as always is Danny Gillette. And we're back for another preview episode of the Michigan State game on Saturday. The Huskers are coming into this one, five and three. And they need one more victory to get to a bowl game or at least get to bowl eligibility. And so they'll have that opportunity Saturday, 11 a.m. Central time in East Lansing. So Danny, let's get into it, man. What do you think about, you know, this Michigan State matchup? And what are your first

impressions of the Michigan State Spartans. Coming into this game, you know, I don't think, you know, the last time we played Michigan

State, the 2021 game, which made me lose all my hair, basically, because I had a full head of

hair back then. You know, they had an X factor in Kenneth Walker

And the defense that year stopped Kenneth Walker really well. This year, you know, two years later, there's not really a Kenneth Walker X factor type

player in my opinion that can take over a game for michigan state that's not to say that nebraska

should just you know sit back and rest on their laurels and take them lightly but i don't really see

a major x-factor player i mean they do have you know their quarterback is thrown for over a thousand

yards noa kim you know six touchdowns six interceptions i mean he has a 56.9 completion

percentage so he's not the most agri passer but i mean I guess if we are looking for an X factor, it would have to be, in my opinion, again, the running game

Nathan Carter, 609 yards, four touchdowns. I mean, to me, if we stop the run, we should be okay

That's not to say completely ignore the pass, but I don't see this Michigan State offense being one that's very high-powered

Yeah, so some facts about Michigan State. You know, they haven't won, you know, any games in the Big Ten yet

They're two and six overall. They're O and four in the Big Ten. They haven't beaten a Power Five opponent yet this season

And in fact, they've only had one game against the Power Five opponent that wasn't a double-digit loss

So, you know, that's they obviously, you know, Mel Tucker got, you know, fired

Harlan Barnett has been the interim head coach. He hasn't won a game yet

One thing to note when you were talking about Noah Kim, he's actually going to be out for

this game. So he's not going to play. Caten Hauser has been starting. He started the past couple of games, but has not played

well. He's 0-N-3 is the starting quarterback. And then there's, you know, another quarterback

that played last week, Leavitt. He was 8 to 12. He ran for 52 yards. So they've got a couple

of different options there at quarterback. Nate Carter definitely is a guy to watch it

running back defensively. You know, they do, they're pretty good on third down defense

they're ranked 20th in the country and third down defense. Nebraska's 84th and third down conversion

so that's kind of something to watch. But for the most part, there's nothing truly special about this Michigan state team

I mean, they've got two, whichever quarterback they use, probably going to use both of them

They're both freshmen. They've attempted a total of 111 passes, I believe

throughout their careers, which have all been this season. So I would think that Tony White and this Nebraska defense are kind of looking their chops a little bit

And on the defensive side of the football for Michigan State, I actually watched a little bit of Jordan Hall

the freshman linebacker the other day, and he's going to be a key piece of their defense

In the future, he has 41 tackles on the season, two sacks and a forced fumble

So they do have pieces on defense, and quite honestly, their defensive units scares me a little bit more than their offensive unit

But, I mean, you know, as long as Nebraska can be efficient on offense

it's nothing that they can't overcome. Again, Hall is, you know, the player I'm watching in this particular instance because he is really good

And one has to wonder if he'll leave Michigan State to go somewhere else, whether it be NIL or, you know, things like that

Teams will come calling because Hall has a bright future. Yeah, Michigan State defensively, I mean, they are really, they're solid against the run

They only allow 3.6 yards per carry. And I think that's what, you know, has me a little bit worried

They're one of the worst scoring defenses in the Big Ten conference, but they give up a lot of their points through the passing game

And as we all know, Nebraska is the only Big Ten team right now that's averaging more passing yards per game than the Huskers is Iowa

So that kind of tells you, you know, the state of the Nebraska passing game right now

And it's been fine. And Heinrich Hartberg has done a solid job. But, you know, I don't know that Nebraska has, you know, the ability to go in and take advantage of, you know

what Michigan State doesn't do well, which is defend the past. I think they will get some opportunities, but even if you look at the last two weeks

you know, the 44-yard touchdown to Malachi Coleman, the 73-yard to, you know, Jalen Lloyd

those were both off-play action, you know, the belly option pass play. So they've got to be able to get the running game going

That's going to be the key. I don't think it's going to be easy against this Michigan State team

So I really think this is going to lead to a low-scoring game on Saturday afternoon

Well, I think we're going to have to see a lot of quarterback run and not necessarily running back run

and we've seen that a lot already, but I think, you know, it's going to be more important to get

Heinrich Harberg involved in the running game. And also, you know, one thing I noticed, and you can

you know, offer your thoughts on this too is Harberg tends to throw a little bit better when he's

on the run I mean it seems like that gives him more time to throw obviously and it seems like he feels more comfortable throwing on the run And you know for what it worth I thought the group you know even with all the

injuries, I thought the offensive line played, you know, fairly well last week

So I'm excited to see what they can do this week and kind of build off that

Yeah, I do think, you know, Harvard, I would say one of them, you know, he does throw a little

bit better on the run, but I think at times he does, he doesn't stick in the pocket long enough

He tucks and runs too quickly, you know, from my observations, which at times, you know, he does make plays at times

But there are also times where I think he has guys open or that could develop open where the staff probably is hoping he would

But, you know, he's only in his first year playing. He's only making his six. He's only started six games

So, but in any rate, I would still give Nebraska the quarterback advantage joining into this matchup because I'm neither of these Michigan State guys that have played

They're both four star guys. They were both four star recruits out of high school and they have town

but they have not been very productive. So, you know, we'll see kind of what happens there

I don't think, I mean, I think the Nebraska defense, this matchup sets up pretty well for them

But, you know, it's just going to be, you know, scoring. And then at the same time, I guess let's shift to our keys because, you know, a big key for me in this game is obviously going to be taking care of the ball

You just, there's no getting around it. I mean, Michigan State is a team that it actually, if you look at turnover is Michigan State and Nebraska are two of the worst

teams in the country at giving the ball away, they're tied for 125th. So basically, there's only

two teams in college football that have turned the ball over more than Nebraska, Michigan State

who both have 19 giveaways this season. So, I mean, whichever team, you know, can kind of avoid that

is going to have a good chance to winning this game. But that's one way that I can see Nebraska

losing if they, you know, turn the ball over three, four times like they did last week. I mean

you know that every single time, Arberg, or one of these guys is running with the football, they're going to

have two, three guys ripping at it, trying to rip it out because teams have had success at that

So hopefully, finally, Nebraska can hold on to the ball this week

Yeah, I'm hoping for that, too. I mean, it's been a real issue. And even on the kickoff return, open the game, there was a fumble

So I'm just hoping all around, they do a better job of taking care of the football

And then I guess the key for me is to find ways to get the running game going, whether it be end-arounds, quarterback runs

I mean, we're not a team that can focus on solely passing the football and win

We need some sort of running game element. So I guess a key for me, and this is probably mostly for Mark Satterfield here

is to find ways to get the running game going, even if it's a little bit unorthodox

Yeah, I thought they did a good job last week. I mean, Josh Fleeks had a few nice plays, and then he had the personal foul

and we didn't see him much after that. but I would like to see some of that stuff, you know, get some, get Heinrich some easy throws early and get him some confidence

But, yeah, this game is going to come down to, you know, for on the offensive side, the offensive line in, you know, Harburg and Emmett Johnson and Anthony Grant being able to run the football

Because if Nebraska doesn't, if Nebraska doesn't win the running battle in this game, they're not going to win

Like if Ohio State or excuse me, if Michigan State has more rushing yards than Nebraska on Saturday, they're going to win this game flat out

That's just, that's, I 100% believe that. And I guess another key for me is to simplify the playbook

I mean, you just kind of mentioned it right there. You know, they started off with some quick flows, quick throws to Josh Fleeks and things like that

Nothing crazy, nothing downfield. You know, just something to let the speedsters work in space and give Harburg easy completions and a chance to move the chains forward

I think simplifying the playbook in terms of giving Harburg easy reads and, you know

allowing those speedy receivers that we've heard about, you know, Malachi Coleman, Jalen Lloyd, Josh Fleeks

allow them to showcase their speed and, you know, allow Harburg to also make high percentage

throws. And, you know, that can make the difference between a third and long and a second and

short, for instance. And on the defensive side of the ball, I think, for the, it's like we've already talked about

but it's stopping the run. And if they, and I know that sound, you know, I just

just mentioned that, but that really is the key to this game because if Nebraska's one-dimensional

is forced to be one-dimensional, that's not going to be a good thing. And at the same side of

things, if Nebraska can force Michigan State to be one-dimensional with their two freshman

quarterbacks against our pass rush and our secondary, that's going to be a recipe for two or

three turnovers, maybe even a defensive touchdown. I know we got one on special teams last week

but man, it feels like the defense, you know, I just, it feels like, you know, Tommy Hill

one of these guys is going to pick one off and run it back soon. I just have a feeling. And it feels like this really could be an opportunity for that just because, you know

this Michigan State off, there's nobody in this passing game receiver-wise that I truly

you know, fear. And, you know, I just think if they can slow down Carter, and he is a good player

I mean, he is a really good running back, but if they can slow him down and put all the

pressure on these quarterbacks with all the different things that Tony White's throwing at people, I just think it's going to make a bad day for these Michigan State quarterbacks

if that's how this game plays out. Is there an update on Omar Brown

I know he was in concussion protocol early in the week, but have we heard anything else on the status of Brown

Not. I haven heard anything yet I guessing Maybe we I not sure if we hear from Coach Rule today on Thursday but yeah I mean I glad it just it only a concussion protocol thing I know there also been talk of Marcus Buford coming back

I mean, I would be surprised if he got thrown into the starting lineup right away

but he could be available Saturday. You know, I'm not sure his status, but hopefully Omar Brown

you know, will be back because he has been, you know, really spectacular this season

one of the few seniors in the, on the Nebraska team. And on the defensive front, I think, you know, Nebraska will need another, you know, big game from Tommy Hill

I mean, Hill, I thought, played really well last week. I believe he had one interception, or did he have two

I know he had one. He had two. He's had three interceptions over the last two games

He's on a much better job than last year in terms of covering. And, you know, not only covering, but his instincts have been a lot better this year

And he looks a lot more comfortable in the secondary. So I would love to see him have another big game because, you know, last year

you know, we knew he was a highly rated recruit. We didn't really see it. I think this year it's finally all coming together for him

Yeah, I mean, I think we're seeing, you know, this coaching staff with a lot of guys, they're getting stuff out of them that, you know, the previous staff didn't

You know, Tommy Hill. Gifford is a great example. Yeah, Gifford is another one

I think Bryce Benhardt is another example of a guy that has really thrived

And I know it's the same offensive line coach, but it's a different staff and he's really played well

So, you know, there's a lot of guys I feel like that are standing. And even, you know, I think Nick Heinrich has played better this season

I know he hasn't played, you know, he's been hurt and stuff, but I think he's been a better player

And, I mean, Ty Robinson and Nash Hutchmaker, you know, probably the two best examples

But there's a bunch of guys. Yeah. Yeah, Omar Brown. I mean, it's been a lot of guys

I really am impressed with, you know, how this coaching staff has, you know

develop the players, you know, on this team. And I think, you know, we all recognize that there was talent

on this roster. Now they're starting to get that talent out of these guys. And so we'll see if that

continues on Saturday. But if you look at this Michigan State team, I mean, it's, they've been one of

the worst teams in the Big Ten. Flat out, no, that doesn't mean that Nebraska can't lose this game

I mean, Nebraska's a three-point favorite. And, you know, this Michigan State, they do have a

solid defense, especially in the front seven. So it's going to be a physical game. And I just feel like

you know, winning that running battle is going to be the decisive factor for Nebraska. And they've done it now

seven out of eight games, they've won the rushing battle by a pretty wide margin

I mean, I want to say almost every game they've won it by, you know, 60, 70

Most of the times it's over 100 yards outside of the Michigan game. So if they can just do that again, I just really don't see Michigan State win in this game

Quite honestly, I know that, you know, we were, you know, we're down a couple guys on the offensive line

but I thought the group that they put together last week did really well

and I'd love to see more effort like that again. And, you know, shout out to them because Purdue's defensive line, especially the ends

they were very good players. And I know we were a little bit leaky on the edge. But by and large, I thought that for, you know, for all the injuries and, you know

the relative, you know, experience of that group we put out on Saturday, I thought they did a good job

So before we kind of get into our final predictions, let's talk a few X factors

We've had some, a couple weeks ago. You know, we talked about Malachi Coleman

He cut a touchdown. We mentioned some, you might have mentioned Jalen Lloyd last week

And, you know, he had a big touchdown last week. So what, you know, going into this matchup, I guess first from the Nebraska side of the thing

what is the next factor or who might be a next factor for Nebraska on Saturday

I'm going to say Heinrich Harburg. I mean, that's the easy cop-out answer

But, you know, when he is on top of his game and he takes. takes care of the football and he plays well

You know, the offense follows. And, you know, when he doesn't, you know, the offense struggles a bit

So I guess if you don't want a Harburg answer, I'm going to say probably, probably

hmm. I'd say outside of Harburg, I'd say probably Jalen Lloyd again because, you know, I think

when you look at the speed that Lloyd presents, we saw it on that touch

I mean, he's difficult to match up against because of that speed

And, you know, I think, you know, this offense, they don't have a lot of weapons right now

but Lloyd and Coleman are going to be key pieces for the future

and they're starting to show it, you know, as the season progresses here. Yeah, I think the freshman receive, I think all three freshman receivers are great

X-Fectors for this week. And, you know, if one of them can come up with a big play, then

And I think that basically will clinch this win for Nebraska because really I don't see

I don't see this being a high scoring game. You know, I don't see Michigan State scoring a lot of points unless, you know

there's defensive touchdowns or something like that. And yeah, it's, you know, last week, you know, Jaden Doss, you know, had a nice reception

Malachi had a drew a pass interference penalty, which would have been on a touchdown

He was wide open. And then J. Linoy, too. And they've done a great job of getting all three of these guys to football

And I feel like at some point, you know, one of one of these three guys is going to

to make an explosive play probably a couple We probably see a couple explosive plays from that group But my X factor just to shift gears a little bit in this game I think it going to be for me it going to be Emmett Johnson Harburg has to run the football well I think they started to do a better job And he started to have seen defenses are focusing on him on more of those read plays Emmett has over 70 yards and back games

and I think he's going to have to have a similar effort on Saturday. I'm not saying he has to get 100 yards or anything

but they need to rush for about 150 or so. And Heinrich can't do that by himself

So I really think, especially with Michigan State's front focusing on that

I think Emmett Johnson is going to have to deliver, and he's my X-factor for Saturday

And if he can get in that 70-yard range again in terms of rushing yardage

then I feel pretty confident that Nebraska, like I said, will win that running battle

And if they win that, they're going to win the game. That's my opinion. And it also, you know, sets him up well

sets up the program well for the future. I mean, we've talked about the decommission of Kowan Lacey and, you know

things like that. But a guy like Emmett Johnson, who's having a good season right now and, you know

can really kind of progress to next season. and things like that

Emmett Johnson back, Ramir Johnson back. You know, we have quitting eyes next year not to go too far into it

but, you know, this, you know, growth and solid play from Johnson

leaves me hopeful for the running back room in the future at a position that we, quite frankly, are still a little bit worried about

And then I guess in terms of Michigan State, my X-Factor, I'm going to go with Sam Levitt

who might actually be starting at quarterback onset. We really don't know

Amarland Burnett has said, like, it's kind of a competition at this point

which is pretty weird because you're so far into the season. But Leavitt is a true freshman

He has a touchdown two picks this season, but he ran for 52 yards last week as well on six carries

So, you know, maybe he can give them a spark running the football, throwing it or whatever

But he's going to be my X factor, Sam Levitt, because I just really, I don't know if they're going to go with Kate and Houser

and I just really haven't seen anything from him that makes me think he's going to play

four quarters. and have success against Nebraska. Nathan Carter and Kerry is for 44 yards against Minnesota last week

Four yards of carry. It's pretty solid average on the ground. If Nebraska can stop him, you know, I think that will, you know, give them a great chance to win

But, you know, he's an explosive player. He had a 100-yard game against Richmond and Central Michigan at the beginning of the year

And he also had one against Iowa at the end of September

So Carter can be an explosive player. And, you know, I think the defensive line will be tasked a lot with stopping him

And if they can do that and continue their solid play, then I think we have a great chance to win this game

Yeah, I totally agree. So let's see. We'll get down to prediction time

And so last week we were both correct on our picks. I think you had Nebraska 3117

So you were actually close. I was so close, yeah. I think I had them win in 20 to 17

So I wasn't that close. But Purdue actually ended up being a one-point favorite. So I did get that one right against the spread

So for the season, I'm 8-0, straight up, 4-4 against the spread

So I'm not sure what your record is, Danny. You probably aren't keeping track. No, because I'm terrible predictions

I at any rate, I mean, you were pretty on last week. So maybe you're not, maybe to give yourself a little more credit

but I'm going to put the ball in your court here first

Prediction time. What's your prediction? Michigan State, Nebraska. What do you got? Nebraska wins 20 to 10

20 to 10. Nice. Like it. I'm going to say this is going to be a bit of a slug fest

and I'm going to go 1610 Nebraska wins it over Michigan State

Tristan Obano. That's interesting. Yeah, I just don't see them scoring a lot

I really don't. I mean, you know, it's maybe they get, you know

lucky play here or turnover or whatever, but I just don't see them. You know, this defense has been really damn good

And I don't see Carter run the ball well. So, yeah, you know, unless Nebraska has a three or four turnover game

I really, I really see him getting win number six on Saturday. And I think Alvano's absolute laser from, what was it, 55 yards out

55, yeah. You know, boosted his confidence and, you know, credit to roll for sticking with the freshman kicker

and developing even at that position. And just a quick side note, not to get too far into it

but if you didn't catch Matt Rule's speech about why players have the breast cancer awareness ribbon on their helmet

please check it out. I mean, it absolutely gave me chills. And, oof, I mean, say what you want about Matt Rule as a coach

but he is a damn good motivator. I'd go play for many day of the week. Yeah, that was another great, yeah, that was another great speech

Certainly gave me chills. so definitely check it out on the inside Nebraska stuff they got going on

That's great stuff, but yeah. Yeah, it's been really cool. It's been great to get, you know, that motivation

Even Ethan Piper's mom was even there at the end. So, yeah, great stuff

Check it out. And we got our guy. We got our head coach. So I'm proud that he's leading the program

And I feel pretty confident he's going to lead us to a bowl game, bowl eligibility, I should say, on Saturday

So make sure for our purposes, you guys, hit the subscribe. button if you haven't already hit the like button get to the comment section that all really helps

us out and then we'll be back on saturday morning we'll have our annual our regular pregame chat so

come hang out with us saturday morning and talk some nebraska football and until then check out

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