The defense will travel
One reason why this Nebraska football team has been much more competitive in 2021, with a chance to win every game, despite four losses, is a much-improved defense.
Despite playing three teams ranked in the top 10, Nebraska is allowing just 17.9 points per game, which ranks 22nd in the FBS. The one area where Nebraska hasn’t fared quite as well as last year is forcing takeaways.
Nebraska will need to change that and against Tanner Morgan, that’s a possibility. He’s been prone to interceptions in the past, although he has just two this season. But he’s only completing 52 percent of his passes, so the Gophers have struggled to throw the ball.
Minnesota’s top two running backs are both out and Nebraska is only allowing 3.9 yards per attempt and that’s after facing Michigan and Michigan State — two of the best rushing attacks in the country.
Nebraska will force Minnesota to be one-dimensional and eventually the pass rush will force Morgan into some mistakes. The defense gave up 32 points last week but turnovers by the offense didn’t help and Michigan has one of the most efficient offenses in the country.
Minnesota just hasn’t shown that capability and Nebraska should be able to hold the Gophers under 20.