In a matchup full of conference championship implications, No. 11 Nebraska heads to Camp Randall Saturday to face No. 22 Wisconsin for supremacy in the Big Ten West.
Though many believe the winner will eventually represent the West Division in the conference title game, the Cornhuskers (4-1 Big Ten, 8-1 overall) and Badgers (4-1, 7-2) both face an uphill battle beyond this weekend. Each team must play fellow West contenders Iowa and Minnesota to close out the regular season.
Still, Wisconsin and Nebraska have each asserted themselves as the division favorites, giving this Saturday’s game plenty of significance. But head coach Gary Andersen is not placing extra emphasis on this contest.
“Everybody wants to talk about big games, and it’s this and it’s that. You know, we’re going to approach it exactly the same,” Andersen said. “And the reason I say that is because a week from now we’re going [to be] sitting here and then we’re going to say that that’s a big game.”
The Huskers are coming off a bye last week, one that could not have been timed any better. Star senior running back Ameer Abdullah was hurt two weeks ago in the first quarter of a win against Purdue, but it does not appear he’ll miss any time outside of that game.
With Abdullah on one side and redshirt junior Melvin Gordon on the other, fans will get to watch two of the nation’s best running backs each state their claims for the Heisman Trophy.
Gordon leads the nation in rushing with 1,501 yards and ranks second in rushing touchdowns with 19. He’s scored multiple times in four straight contests and rushed for more than 200 yards in three games.
But Abdullah has four 200-yard games, and despite missing most of the Purdue matchup, he remains a fringe Heisman candidate. His 1,250 rushing yards rank fifth in the nation and his 17 rushing touchdowns are tied for third.
“He’s very shifty. He can cut on a dime. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player that can cut on a dime like he can,” said redshirt senior linebacker Marcus Trotter. “He’s still very strong, and he can carry some people for extra yards. Not only can he run around you, he can run through you as well.”
Abdullah isn’t the only running threat on Nebraska’s offense. Sophomore quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. has tallied 571 yards on the ground this season, averaging over six yards per carry. His rushing prowess helps make up for his mediocre passing numbers—a completion rate of 53 percent and eight interceptions.
“They’ll run him in the run game. They’ll have a misdirection,” said defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. “We saw something similar in Maryland, where they’ll have a sweep action going one way and a quarterback counter going the other way. It’s a play where you really got to be honed in.”
Even if Armstrong isn’t the best passer, his athleticism is a key part of the Huskers’ offense.
“What Nebraska does really well is get defenses out of place and out of position,” Trotter said. “When they’re out of position, Abdullah and Armstrong [are very good] in terms of running through the chute and not even being touched.”
The Wisconsin defense is more than equipped to handle Nebraska’s offensive talent. The Badgers allow 251 total yards per game, the best mark in the country. They’re also top five in each of the other three major categories—passing yards, rushing yards and points allowed.
The Huskers feature a top-tier defense as well, ranking 25th in total yards allowed and 16th in scoring. They will present a challenge to a Wisconsin passing game that’s still trying to find its niche.
“Nebraska’s going to contest every throw. Their coverage is very tight,” said offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. “We’re going to have to throw with great accuracy and make competitive catches. That’s something we’re emphasizing this week.”
Nebraska’s defense relies on disguising its coverages and blitz packages, forcing the Badgers to pay close attention to find subtle differences.
“Their Cover 4 looks, Cover 2 looks can look very similar,” said redshirt junior quarterback Joel Stave. “And then some of the blitzes that they’ll bring with two high safeties will look really similar to just a base defense. You got to make sure you’re really watching the film.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. this Saturday and will be televised on ABC. Now considered an annual trophy game, the winner will receive the inaugural edition of the Freedom Trophy.
