Minnesota Football: 2017 game-by-game predictions
By Shane Lunnen
Another week and another rivalry game awaits the Gophers as the Huskers visit Minneapolis. Last year was a close battle in Lincoln with Nebraska prevailing 24-17.
Quarterback Tommy Armstrong is gone so Nebraska has a new man under center this year in transfer Tanner Lee. In two seasons with Tulane, Lee passed for 3,600 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also struggled with accuracy and turnovers so he’ll need to improve for the Huskers to compete in the Big Ten.
Stanley Morgan Jr. and Demornay Pierson-El will be Lee’s primary receiving targets. The Huskers have three running backs vying for playing time with Devine Ozigbo, Tre Bryant and Mikale Wilbon.
The Husker defense should be pretty good. The linebackers have a lot of depth and talent, led by Dedrick Young. He has 110 total tackles in his two years at Nebraska and is looking to have a great junior season. The strength on defense comes from their secondary, led by senior safeties Joshua Kalu and Kieron Williams.
This is a toss up game. Both of these teams appear to be middle of the pack Big Ten West teams and it’s hard to say who will finish above the other. Nebraska will pull off the victory on the strength of their defense holding Minnesota’s offense in check for most of the game. The Huskers won’t score a lot either, but it will be enough for the win. Minnesota’s slide in the back half of the season continues.