Predicting the Final Score of Nebraska vs. Northwestern

Just when you count out Northwestern, the Wildcats’ brilliant coach, Pat Fitzgerald, concocts a game plan that draws up a big win.

For Northwestern fans, they have to hope that Fitzgerald has been breaking down a lot of Nebraska game film over the past six days, because that is what he does exceptionally well. A week after his team was beaten by Northern Illinois, Fitzgerald found flaws in Penn State that led to a 29-6 win on the road.

Well, 5-1 Nebraska comes to the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Ill. to face the 3-3 Wildcats, and Northwestern is an appealing underdog in this one.  The Wildcats need a win here to have any chance of remaining in the Big Ten hunt. The Wildcats rely on defense, allowing just 17.5 points per game. Northwestern has also forced 13 turnovers aided by 14 sacks. The Wildcats have won 11 of their last 15 games while holding a team to under 400 yards and should be able to do the same against the run-oriented Cornhuskers.

Even though Nebraska is a one-touchdown road favorite, history is on the side of Northwestern in this one. Since the Cornhuskers have joined the Big 10 in 2011, all three games have been decided by a total of seven points, with the Huskers winning two. With Fitzgerald’s history of burning the midnight oil to come up with good game plans, this one figures to go down to the wire, too, with the Wildcats pulling off the mild upset.

Prediction: Northwestern 24, Nebraska 21

Mike Gibson is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.