Know Your Enemy: Nebraska Cornhuskers

The fine folks from Corn Nation stop by to talk corn, state fairs, and the electoral college.

In preparation of Saturday’s game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, I reached out to the folks over at Corn Nation, the Nebraska SB Nation site, to answer some questions about their team and their state.

Dylan Raiola has completed 72% of his passes so far this season to go along with 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. What’s been his biggest strength so far?

Jon: Given our past few quarterbacks, his biggest strength has been to not throw the ball to the other team.

Patrick: His ability to see and read the field. The guy has a high football IQ and has been brought up to play the possession well. He’s one of those players that just gets the game. Not just what is in front of him but everything that goes on in it. He still has a ways to go but is light years ahead of most who play the position considering he’s just a freshman.

Jarek: He’s incredibly smart with the football. The two interceptions he’s thrown are footballs that have been stolen out of the receivers’ hands. It’s very rare that he puts the ball in genuine jeopardy.

Raiola has also been sacked just 6 times in four games (an issue that was brought up by the Colorado QB after their loss to Nebraska) what has been the biggest key to the offensive line keeping him upright?

Jon: Nebraska played UTEP, Colorado and Northern Iowa to begin the season. Those are not teams conducive to our beloved Huskers giving up sacks. Illinois had 5 sacks, 3 of which came in overtime at which point Nebraska pooped all over itself and lost. What does all this mean? It means Nebraska should do everything they can to not play in overtime. Ever.

Patrick: Experience. This is probably our most experienced line in a long time. They seem to work together well and have little problems executing. Injuries to the unit are starting to hurt but they seem to be moving along fairly well.

Jarek: I think the communication (OT against Illinois aside) has been good. Guys are better passing off stunts and keeping their heads on swivels to see any potential blitzers.

This game against Purdue will be Nebraska’s first road game this year. Can Purdue fans expect to see a lot of red in the stands on Saturday?

Jon: Yes.

Patrick: Probably, we travel well and you folks sell beer at the stadium. Add in a Indiana pork tenderloin sandwich and we will show up.

Jarek: It’s no secret that Nebraska fans travel well. As many people argue with us we don’t have much better to do, so we might as well follow the team.

Purdue has really struggled against the run this year especially to the outside. Who are the key players that Purdue should look out for in the running game?

Patrick: Dante Dowtell is our top running back with 51 carries for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns. Next to him is Emmett Johnson with 13 carries for 124 yards and 1 touchdown. Gabe Ervin is another back who has produced Also of note is Rahmir Johnson who has 26 carries for 104 yards and 2 touchdowns. Also, watch out for last year’s quarterback, Heinrich Harberg who is being used as a utility player on certain downs to not only throw but carry the ball outside.

These are four of thirteen players that have touched the ball out of the backfield this fall. Rhule is using a lot of players this season. Basically, because we can. There’s a lot of quickness in this group that has got Nebraska quality yardage.

Jarek: I think Dowdell is the biggest run threat, however if it’s to the outside this could be more of a Rahmir Johnson type game. He’s a little quicker on the edges, but Dowdell will soften things up the middle to wear guys down.

The Nebraska defense has forced 7 turnovers so far this season (Purdue has forced 0 other than a few turnovers on downs). Not a real question, just like, can you teach us?

Patrick: Sure, why not? You teach us how to get quality big men for the Nebrasketball team and we will teach you how to get turnovers. Sounds good? Editor’s Note: To quote Brad Pitt’s character from Inglorious Basterds “damn good deal.”

Jarek: You do realize we have the worst overall turnover margin this entire century right? We’ve given the ball away more times then Santa has delivered total presents. I’m sure we’ll be charitable.

Purdue has struggled on offense against their non-FCS opponents. What is the strength of this Nebraska defense and how can we avoid it?

Patrick: I am going to pick out the defensive line. If your offensive line can block, you should be fine. If not, Hudson Card might be in for a long day. These guys are nasty in the trenches and don’t give up.

Jarek: I agree with Patrick here. If you can run block the front 3, Mockobee will have a good game. If you need to throw a lot, it could end up more like the Colorado game than Illinois.

Which state has the better corn?

Jon: Dude. I grew up in Western Nebraska. You have never had sweet corn until you’ve gone out, picked it off a stalk, then roasted/grilled it properly (basically, steamed in husk) and swathed it with salt, pepper, and butter. All the other corn in the universe is shit by comparison.

Patrick: I’m going to go with Nebraska based on our ability to irrigate from the self replenishing Ogallala Aquifer. That water source alone can make everything it touches better.

Jarek: I was born and raised in Nebraska, but I’m an outlier here as I don’t eat corn. Corn is a healthy food and my body doesn’t react well to healthy things.

Whose state fair is better?

Fun questions, I’ve always liked you guys. Nebraska’s state fair is nice. I know nothing about Indiana’s state fair. So, I’m going to go with Minnesota. It’s huge and pretty awesome. I know Iowa also has a great one but this is football season so I’m not going to give them credit.

Jarek: It’s been a hot minute (probably 10 years) since I’ve been to the state fair in Nebraska. It was a fun time. I assume Indiana’s is a little bigger with more options to have a better time.

Nebraska famously splits their electoral votes, is there any way that this game could be split into quarters and if Purdue wins a quarter they get credit for a partial victory?

Jon: You’re not winning a quarter, you sunsabitches!

Patrick: Sure, why not? B1G! B1G! B1G! (Did I do this right? We’re one big happy conference, correct?)

Jarek: If this is the case, then both teams should win 2 quarters each. Math dictates that a half rounds up to a whole, so we both get a conference win.

If you wake up Sunday and see Nebraska has lost, what would your initial thoughts be as to why and how?

Jon:

– Russian/Chinese interference in officiating.

– I woke in a different multiverse in which Nebraska will almost always be national champions in basketball, but not quite.

– Everyone in the two-deep had the flu (see – Russian/Chinese interference).

– Someone gave that Mockobee kid a cleaver and he went about chopping off limbs without being called once for it by shitty Big Ten officials.

– You guys score a field goal on your first drive, then pull your magical TARP onto the field while the officials declare a weather delay that doesn’t end until May 15th,2025 because you need it for baseball.

Patrick: Bewildered. I’ll be picking apart every aspect of the game and questioning my philosophy regarding a happy and productive life. Just chalk it up to having another college football driven existential crisis.

Jarek: Every loss starts with the question “what was the biggest clown show in this particular circus”? Start there, then just get nitpicky as the spiral continues until the numbness sets in.

What’s your prediction?

Patrick: University of Nebraska 42 Purdue University 17

Jon: Nebraska 38, Purdue 17

Jarek: Nebraska 31 Purdue 24