5 Keys to Nebraska vs. Northwestern from Dublin, Ireland

The 2022 college football season kickoff is just around the corner. The season starts for the Nebraska Cornhuskers with a Big Ten Conference matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic from Dublin, Ireland.

Last season the Huskers finished 3-9. All of their losses were by single digits, and seven of the nine were one-possession games. Northwestern was also 3-9 last season. Its worst loss, 56-7, came in October in Lincoln at the hands of the Cornhuskers. Northwestern beat only one Power Five college football team, Rutgers, last season. That win came a week after the Nebraska loss.

Below are five keys to Saturday’s game. Will Nebraska start the season on the right foot? Or is Scott Frost’s seat about to get hotter than he ever imagined?

Take a look below, and let us know what you think.

Quarterbacks

AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz

Both teams will have new men under center for the 2022 season. For Nebraska, out is four-year starter Adrian Martinez, who is using his final year of eligibility at Kansas State. In will be Casey Thompson, who comes to Lincoln via the Texas Longhorns.

Head coach Pat Fitzgerald has not yet named a starting quarterback for Northwestern. Heralded transfer Hunter Johnson has gone back to Clemson after a less than stellar season in Evanston. Now former South Carolina starter Ryan Helsinki and freshman Brendan Sullivan are vying for the starting quarterback role.

Inconsistent quarterback play has been an issue for both teams the last several seasons. For Nebraska, Martinez never improved beyond his initial freshman campaign, while Northwestern has finished either first or last in the Big Ten West, alternating over each of the previous four seasons. Those two division titles came when the Wildcats had a veteran quarterback in the huddle. If the Wildcats can find a quarterback, they will see a much better season in 2022 than in 2021.

Travel

The two coaches facing off in this year‘s Week 0 matchup have praised their logistical staff for the travel plans and preparation that has allowed coaches and players alike to acclimate to their environment with minimal disruption. But let’s be honest. You can plan for every possible contingency but cannot account for the level of mental and physical fatigue when traveling across an ocean to play a football game. A six-hour time difference is nothing to scoff at. Whether coaches, players or fans would like to admit it, this issue could be a factor, especially during the second half of Saturday’s game.

Coaches

Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz

The teams’ offensive coordinators are the coaches most in the spotlight heading into this opening weekend clash. For Nebraska, former Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mark Whipple has taken over a unit that ran a spread up-tempo option style system the last four seasons and is transitioning to a more pro-style attack. Last season the Panthers featured Heisman Trophy finalist, all-American and first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett at quarterback. Whipple also had the Biletnikoff award winner Jordan Allison at wide out. Together these two helped to form one of the more explosive offenses in college football last year, averaging 486.6 ypg and 41.4 ppg.

Northwestern coordinator Mike Bajakian, who is entering his third season with the Wildcats, has endured a tough start. Northwestern has scored more than 30 points in a game only twice against Power Five teams in the former Tennessee offensive coordinator’s two years in Evanston against Power Five teams. All eyes will be turned to the play callers on the sidelines on Saturday.

Running Game

Last year, both offenses struggled to run the football consistently. In 12 games, the Huskers averaged 181 yards per game and 4.4 yards a carry, which ranked 45th. The Wildcats were slightly worse, average of 144 yards and 3.8 yards. Their running games will need to improve for either team to have consistent success in 2022.

Northwestern’s best player is junior offensive tackle Peter Skowronski, it’s evident the offensive line will be a strength for Northwestern this season. Will it be able to find someone who can consistently carry the football and handle the week-in and week-out punishment running backs take at this level of football?

Nebraska has not named a starting running back. The Huskers have four candidates able to contribute as power runners between the tackles, as outside runners on options and swing passes and as a wide receiver.

Prediction

I’ll admit I’m all in on the Kool-Aid this year when it comes to Nebraska. I think the Huskers are poised for a breakout season in 2022, and I expect them to get off to a good start in Week 0 against the Wildcats. A hot-and-cold offense put the team in challenging spots in 2021. With a new play-caller on the sidelines, and a new quarterback under center, I look for last year‘s mistakes to no longer be nagging issues for Nebraska this season.

Nebraska 34, Northwestern 17

Story originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire