College football is back fans! We have been waiting a long seven months since Georgia dethroned Alabama in the CFP National Championship Game. Nebraska and Northwestern kick off the season this Saturday in Dublin, Ireland. The last time we saw a game played on Irish shores was back in 2016 when Georgia Tech edged Boston College.
The Cornhuskers and Wildcats were each 3-9 last season, but it was a tale of two seasons. Despite a rotten record, Nebraska was competitive with all 9 losses by single digits, including 8 one-score games.
The Wildcats lost their final 6 games, but Northwestern was plummeted by 26 or more points in 5 of those outings. Northwestern also suffered a 56-7 burning at the hands of Big Red in Lincoln on Oct. 2.
Nebraska Preview
HC Scott Frost
Scott Frost enters his fifth season as Nebraska’s head coach in 2022. Things in Lincoln have not been what Cornhusker nation fans have expected. Since his undefeated season in 2017 with UCF going 13-0, Frost has led the Huskers to a combined 15-29 record.
19 of Frost’s 29 losses at Nebraska (66%) have been by a touchdown or less, including 11 games lost by five or fewer points. Husker fans expect this may be Frost’s last season if things do not turn around this year.
Offense
The Cornhuskers have a new QB in Lincoln. Texas transfer quarterback Casey Thompson, the Big 12’s leader in TD passes in 2021. Bringing in former Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, fresh off coaching Kenny Pickett to an ACC championship. Those additions, plus a receiving group that added good transfers like Trey Palmer from LSU. The transfers will need to show out since the Huskers are only returning 57% offensive production.
Defense
The defense was all not that bad last season with the turnover prone offense. Nebraska though has help on the way to reinforce this defense. Keep an eye on the DL additions, in particular: Ochaun Mathis from TCU ranked top 10 nationally in tackles for loss. Devin Drew from Texas Tech and Stephon Wynn from Alabama gives Nebraska’s front seven a needed jolt of power.
Northwestern Preview
HC Pat Fitzgerald
Pat Fitzgerald enters his 17th season at the helm of Northwestern in 2022. Northwestern has won two of the last four Big Ten West championships and look to get back to contention. The Wildcats are currently on a six-game losing streak from last season and want to start off the season right with a win.
Offense
Northwestern will have QB Ryan Hilinski, former QB at South Carolina, battling it out with redshirt freshman Brendan Sullivan. Hilinski completed just 54.0% of his passes for 978 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions last year. Either way, whoever is the starting QB MUST be effective and play better. Northwestern would like to rely less upon the running back catching balls out of the backfield and use more of a vertical game, but someone must appear as a downfield playmaker.
Defense
The Wildcats lost Chris Bergin, who led college football in tackles a year ago. Overall, this defensive unit was horrible ranking 101st nationally, allowing 429.5 yards per game, and was 89th in scoring defense (29.0 ppg). NU’s secondary does not return a single player who had an interception last season. Northwestern did build through the transfer portal, but it still is to be seen if the additions will be plug-and-play options to turn things around in a hurry as needed.
Nebraska vs. Northwestern odds
- Point spread: Nebraska -13
- O/U: 50.5
- Moneyline: NU -550, NW +400
- FPI pick: Nebraska 78.7%
Prediction: Nebraska ML, NEB -12 (Wynn), & Over 49.5
Nebraska and Northwestern both want to start off the season in the right direction. Unfortunately, only one of these teams can win on Saturday. I am leaning in the direction of Nebraska with the roster they have assembled. Frost desperately needs this year to his way, so start the season off with a bang.
The QB questions and defense worries me about Northwestern heading into this year. HC Fitzgerald knows how to coach, but this roster may be too much to ask for.
