PFF was pretty spot on in their prediction/analysis of the Nebby game...

[Katatonic]

NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS VS NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS (+375)​

Last season, Nebraska had the worst pass-blocking grade in the Power Five by double-digit points. Enter transfer QB Casey Thompson, formerly of University of Texas, who doesn’t handle pressure too well. His 7.8% turnover-worthy play rate under duress last year was the sixth-highest in the Power Five. Northwestern will rely on Adetomiwa Adebawore to create most of its pressure, but he’s proven to be more than capable. His 78.2 pass-rush grade in 2021 is the third-best by a returning Big Ten edge defender.

Nebraska’s strength is their defense, led by edge defenders Garrett Nelson and Caleb Tannor. However, they should be neutralized by Northwestern LT Peter Skoronski, PFF’s top offensive tackle in the country. RT Ethan Wiederkehr is also a strong player, posting a 70.8 grade last year that ranked in the top-15 among Big Ten tackles. Northwestern should be able to both create pressure on Nebraska while keeping pressure away on offense, making an upset more feasible than the listed odds would suggest.

Best Bet: Northwestern ML (+375) ​

While both sides of the trenches have improved from the disaster that was last season, going to have to see how things fare against better B1G competition to get a real sense of how much of an improvement.

Concerned about the D giving up big plays by being out of position; also seemed that the game plan/personnel grouping wasn't prepared for Nebby's 3-4 WR sets at the onset.

Hilinsky played well, but he should have with the protection he got and with the separation that the receivers were getting against Nebby's secondary, not to mention the run support.

The true test for Hilinsky will be when he is facing pressure, when he has to throw into a tight window or when he has to lead a drive down the field without much time on the clock.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Hilinski

 

[DaCat]

Interesting analysis. What do they say about Duke?

 

[TheC]

NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS VS NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS (+375)​

Last season, Nebraska had the worst pass-blocking grade in the Power Five by double-digit points. Enter transfer QB Casey Thompson, formerly of University of Texas, who doesn’t handle pressure too well. His 7.8% turnover-worthy play rate under duress last year was the sixth-highest in the Power Five. Northwestern will rely on Adetomiwa Adebawore to create most of its pressure, but he’s proven to be more than capable. His 78.2 pass-rush grade in 2021 is the third-best by a returning Big Ten edge defender.

Nebraska’s strength is their defense, led by edge defenders Garrett Nelson and Caleb Tannor. However, they should be neutralized by Northwestern LT Peter Skoronski, PFF’s top offensive tackle in the country. RT Ethan Wiederkehr is also a strong player, posting a 70.8 grade last year that ranked in the top-15 among Big Ten tackles. Northwestern should be able to both create pressure on Nebraska while keeping pressure away on offense, making an upset more feasible than the listed odds would suggest.

Best Bet: Northwestern ML (+375) ​

While both sides of the trenches have improved from the disaster that was last season, going to have to see how things fare against better B1G competition to get a real sense of how much of an improvement.

Concerned about the D giving up big plays by being out of position; also seemed that the game plan/personnel grouping wasn't prepared for Nebby's 3-4 WR sets at the onset.

Hilinsky played well, but he should have with the protection he got and with the separation that the receivers were getting against Nebby's secondary, not to mention the run support.

The true test for Hilinsky will be when he is facing pressure, when he has to throw into a tight window or when he has to lead a drive down the field without much time on the clock.

If I remember correctly, Nebraska had 3 big plays.

1) The first touchdown pass was pretty well defended. Thompson just threw it up and their WR made a fantastic one-on-one play to get the ball. Can't really do much there except tip your cap (helmet).

2) The long scramble, pass was a great individual play again by Thompson, but it was helped by what appeared to be a few guys giving up on the play. First, the DL who was in Thompson's face seemed stunned when Thompson backpeddaled away from him. He froze for a second which allowed Thompson to set his feet and make the long throw. If he had kept coming, Thompson probably wouldn't have had his feet set to make such a strong throw. As for the backend D, I couldn't see on TV how the WR got lost, but considering how long that play lasted, it was somewhat understandable.

3) The long TD run by Grant was a nice initial hole for 10-12 yards, but two badly missed tackles in the Cats secondary is what made that a big play. That needs to be cleaned up.

 

[EvanstonCat]

NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS VS NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS (+375)​

Last season, Nebraska had the worst pass-blocking grade in the Power Five by double-digit points. Enter transfer QB Casey Thompson, formerly of University of Texas, who doesn’t handle pressure too well. His 7.8% turnover-worthy play rate under duress last year was the sixth-highest in the Power Five. Northwestern will rely on Adetomiwa Adebawore to create most of its pressure, but he’s proven to be more than capable. His 78.2 pass-rush grade in 2021 is the third-best by a returning Big Ten edge defender.

Nebraska’s strength is their defense, led by edge defenders Garrett Nelson and Caleb Tannor. However, they should be neutralized by Northwestern LT Peter Skoronski, PFF’s top offensive tackle in the country. RT Ethan Wiederkehr is also a strong player, posting a 70.8 grade last year that ranked in the top-15 among Big Ten tackles. Northwestern should be able to both create pressure on Nebraska while keeping pressure away on offense, making an upset more feasible than the listed odds would suggest.

Best Bet: Northwestern ML (+375) ​

While both sides of the trenches have improved from the disaster that was last season, going to have to see how things fare against better B1G competition to get a real sense of how much of an improvement.

Concerned about the D giving up big plays by being out of position; also seemed that the game plan/personnel grouping wasn't prepared for Nebby's 3-4 WR sets at the onset.

Hilinsky played well, but he should have with the protection he got and with the separation that the receivers were getting against Nebby's secondary, not to mention the run support.

The true test for Hilinsky will be when he is facing pressure, when he has to throw into a tight window or when he has to lead a drive down the field without much time on the clock.

I liked the fact that JON's defense played stronger as the game progressed and he adjusted apparently from what was a ominous start. They did give up a couple scores in the 2nd half, but that included one off a turnover and another saved by a freak Joe Burrow scramble play, and they did shut down Nebraska when it counted at the end.

 

[Katatonic]

If I remember correctly, Nebraska had 3 big plays.

Nebby had 3 huge plays, but they had altogether - 11 plays that gained 12+ yds.

They also had numerous other plays where they gained 8-11 yds.