Three Keys For Northwestern to Beat Nebraska On The Road

Ryan Cole

Oct 22, 2025, 22:29

Ryan Cole

Oct 22, 2025, 22:29

Updated at: Oct 22, 2025, 22:29

Northwestern has a chance to secure a bowl game appearance this weekend.

The Wildcats are looking for five straight wins this weekend at Nebraska, but it will be a difficult matchup. The 'Huskers are coming off a pretty brutal loss against Minnesota, but they were ranked No. 25 a week ago.

Northwestern, meanwhile, enters in good spirits after a shutout, 19-0, victory at home over Purdue. It was a game Northwestern had to have in the context of its bowl chase. It took care of business and now heads to Lincoln just one win short of a bowl.

Here are three keys for Northwestern this Saturday:

Control Nebraska's passing attack

Completely holding Dylan Raiola and Nebraska's passing game in check is likely impossible, but Northwestern needs to control it to an extent. The 'Huskers sit in second in the conference in passing yards per game.

Holding it in check is crucial for a couple of reasons. First, Northwestern needs to be able to hang its hat on its defense. The unit dominated last week, and keeping that momentum rolling is crucial for the outlook of the rest of the season.

Second, Northwestern's offense is not built for shoot outs. The 'Cats can grind you down with the run game, win the possession battle and come out on top. But Preston Stone and his current receiver group haven't inspired a ton of confidence in their ability to score drive after drive or make big, explosive plays.

Prepare for an angry team

Earlier this week, Raiola revealed to the media that Nebraska held a "player's only meeting" after the loss to Minnesota. It's safe to say, the 'Huskers are coming into this game angry and looking to rebound.

Sometimes, that doesn't happen. Sometimes, these meetings add the dumpster to the fire. But, oftentimes, a reeling team coming back to its home stadium rebounds in a big way. Northwestern needs to be ready for that version of events on Saturday.

It comes down to continuing to playing the brand of football NU has played in recent wins. Nebraska may come out firing on offense. The 'Cats shouldn't try to match that. Hand the ball to Caleb Komolafe, stay ahead of the chains and hold on to the football.

No turnovers

Since the first three games of the season, Stone and the offense have, largely, done a phenomenal job of rewriting the script and not turning the ball over. It was a correlation AND causation situation. The 'Cats immediately started winning games.

Northwestern's recipe has been winning the possession battle. That won't happen against the 'Huskers if they turn the ball over, which they did twice in the second half against Purdue. It didn't burn them then, but it isn't realistic to expect the same kind of defensive performance in this one.

If Komolafe is healthy, and Stone keeps the football in the hands of the offense, then Northwestern has a really good shot to win the game. If he doesn't, then they might just give Raiola one too many chances.

Three Keys For Northwestern to Beat Nebraska On The Road