Nebraska football is back at Memorial Stadium for Homecoming against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are undefeated, while the Huskers are already two-thirds of the way to bowl eligibility in the first weekend of October.

Matt McMaster offers his three keys for the Huskers to see success in week six.

John Bullock

No. 5 is having an incredible season. The former defensive back turned linebacker is having an All-Big-Ten Caliber season. The Omaha native leads the Huskers with 29 total tackles, five for loss, two sacks and one interception. He has been the Blackshirts’ MVP through five games, but the Big Red will need him more than ever against the Scarlet Knights.

Opposite Bullock will be one of the best running backs in the country, Kyle Monangai. Monangai is fifth in the nation with 589 rushing yards, an average of 6.1 yards per carry. Monangai is the type of running back who can single-handedly run an offense and wear down a defense.

Monangai is unstoppable. He will have his moments in this game, but you can control him. You can stop him in moments and force Rutgers into more passing situations. But to do this you need a linebacker to fill in the gaps and take Monangai down on first contact. Bullock will have to do his best to achieve this. If he doesn’t, his team will lose.

Special teams

This will be a close game. They are two incredibly strong and well-coached teams looking to continue their early season success. A win for either side will earn them a number next to their names next week and put them in the College Football Playoff conversations with half the season still to play.

Every point is going to matter. The execution of special teams decides these types of games, where every point matters. Bad kicks, missed kicks and general special teams will tip the scales in an exciting match.

Nebraska still had a week to sort out their sloppy punt operations. This season the snapper, holder and kicker have made mistakes. Another one will cost them this game against Rutgers, just as it did against Illinois.

Third down

Rutgers is one of the best third-down teams in the country. They converted 55% of their third downs on offense and held their opponents to a 36% third down conversion rate.

The Scarlet Knights, and their elite run game, put themselves in short third down situations and earned themselves a 10th-ranked ranking in the nation in time of possession this season. Their effectiveness on the ground allows them to have long possessions and wear teams down.

Want to guess who’s one spot behind them? Yes, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Taking Rutgers off the field is crucial to taking them off their game and allowing the Big Red to play the game their way. They want to give Rutgers a taste of their own medicine and converting third downs on both sides of the ball will accomplish that.

Mark my words: whoever wins the third battle wins the game.

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