Wisconsin football plays Nebraska this weekend under the lights. We asked a Nebraska expert about the Badgers’ opponent.
Wisconsin football hosts Nebraska at Camp Randall this weekend under the lights. This venue hasn’t been good to the Huskers since they joined the Big Ten and they’re currently winless on the season. Nebraska desperately needs to get the Scott Frost era off and running. Will this be the week?
We got in touch with the expert at Husker Corner, Oliver VanDervoot, to learn more about Wisconsin’s opponent this weekend. He answered some of the burning questions we had to help give Badger fans a bit more insight on just who is rolling into Camp Randall Saturday night.
What’s the general mood of the fanbase surrounding the disappointing start to the Scott Frost era and the current state of the program?
The general mood is one of frustration but there is also hope that Frost and company can still turn this thing around. At the moment, the new staff is still very much getting the benefit of the doubt while Mike Riley gets the blame.
What’s been the main contributing factor to Nebraska’s 0-4 start?
Stupid mistakes all over the place. Special teams have been a complete disaster and can be directly traced to the loss against Troy. The defense hasn’t really been improved from last year.
What strengths does Nebraska have that you expect them to lean on to try to win this game?
Devine Ozigbo has shown he can be the featured back in this offense. I would hope the coaches will lean on him and try to run the ball with the backs a bit more than they have so far.
Stanley Morgan Jr. and JD Spielman are two of the most talented players in the Big Ten but haven’t shown it so far this year statistically. Why do you suspect that is? Wisconsin has a young secondary they could exploit this weekend.
Spielman had 10 catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns against Purdue. It’s possible they are going to be catching on a bit moving forward. The fact that we have a true freshman starting most games, and a walk-on starting one didn’t help.
What’s Nebraska’s biggest weakness that you’re most concerned about?
They’re just so mistake prone. Whether it comes to missing a block or reading an option wrong, there isn’t one aspect that goes wrong. Run defense is obviously going to be the biggest concern coming into the game against Wisconsin since Taylor has already killed us once.
Who are some of Nebraska’s standout players on defense to keep an eye on?
Mohammed Barry at linebacker and DiCaprio Bootle at corner are easily two of our best defenders.
Do you have a prediction for the game?
I’ll be pleasantly surprised if the Huskers are able to stay within three touchdowns. I think once this team wins a game, it might start a domino effect, but I don’t think that’s happening this weekend.
How do you see the rest of the season/Scott Frost era unfolding for Nebraska?
It’s pretty up in the air right now. I haven’t been thrilled with the way the coaches have reacted to the losses but it’s also early enough that their reactions might have steered the team in the right direction. I know this year is going to be rough. I’ll be shocked if they win more than three at this point.