Five Reasons Nebraska Will Win: Akron

It’s good to be back.

This is a weekly column in which I pick five reasons that Nebraska will win regardless of the opponent.

Let me repeat myself. This is a weekly column in which I pick five reasons that Nebraska will win regardless of the opponent.

Just to be clear, if Nebraska were to play Tom Brady and the New England Patriots then I would still write the same column.

Also, unl.wiebe is writing the counter column in which he will have five reasons that Nebraska will lose. Every. Single. Week. Regardless. Of. Opponent.

One: Hard to Game Plan When There Is No Tape

I am a high school basketball coach and there have been several times where we have gone into a game and because either we had trouble getting game tape or other various reasons it was impossible to know what the other team was going to do when it comes to scheme. It really makes it difficult to set up a game plan.

But that is basketball and in the end at that level after an adjustment period a team should be able to figure things out.

With football I don’t think it is that easy. And while Terry Bowden and the Zips could probably watch Scott Frost’s first season at UCF to possibility get an idea of what they might see but in all reality it could be a losing battle. I don’t think you watch last season as much because that is a 2nd season for UCF in that system and the coaches are probably dialing up different plays.

Combine that with the fact that Scott Frost plans on running this offense, which the Zips might not have much of an idea scheme wise what to expect, as such a rapid pace that they likely will not be able to keep up.

It could blow up fast.

Two: Prime-Time Home Dominance and Catharsis

While Memorial Stadium can feel a little sleepy for an 11 a.m. game against a Northsouthern Jacksonville State, when the night games roll in there is usually enough fuel for Husker fans to get riled up.

Even after the past 20 years of Nebraska football, it is still tough for opposing teams to win in Lincoln when the game is in prime-time.

The Huskers have won 20 of their last 22 home night games in Lincoln. NU is 46-7 all-time in Memorial Stadium night games. And all seven of those losses were to teams that won at least 10 games that season.

Two of those losses came last year.

And lets admit the fact that Nebraska fans might use this game to release all kind of emotions. Whether it is frustration over the past two decades or it is happiness in that the future finally looks bright but a night game to start off the season will allow some fans to treat game day as a form of catharsis.

Let it all out Nebraska fans.

Three: Stanley Morgan Jr. and JD Spielman

There are a lot of unknowns on this Nebraska team including the coaches. But one of the for sure things going into the season is that we have one of the best wide receiver groups in the country.

If everything goes to play (which it rarely does) Stanley Morgan should graduate from Nebraska as an all-time great receiver in both catches and yards. He needs 946 yards and 62 receptions to tie Kenny Bell.

Last season not only did JD Spielman lead all FBS freshmen in receiving yards per game and total receiving yards, he was third in the country in all-purpose yards only behind Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin (who is a beast) and AJ Dillon of Boston College. Regardless of class, Speilman ranked 13th in all-purpose yards.

I hope that we will be adding Mike Williams to that list of great receivers this season.

Four: Akron’s Offense Was Among the Worst in the Country Last Year

But then again so was the Nebraska defense. However, it is safe to assume there will be quite the improvement by the Nebraska defense that they should be able to be successful against Akron.

In 2017 Akron’s rushing offense ranked 124th in the country, the passing offense was 81st and total offense was 108th. They played musical chairs with the assistant coaches on the staff as the special team coordinator is now the passing game coordinator while the running backs coach is now the running game coordinator.

While Akron defense returns almost it’s entire starting unit, I don’t think Scott Frost’s offense should have any issues scoring. The defense ranked 73rd in points per game given up in 2017.

Five: Scott Frost has gone up against Akron Before

Completely relevant I know...

But the last time Nebraska played Akron it was 21 years ago. Nebraska won the game 59-14. Do you know who was the starting quarterback that day?

Scott Frost.

Mind Blown....I know.

It was the opening game of his senior season. He rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns while completing 7-13 passes for 67 yards.