Nebraska's problem is almost the opposite. At Illinois the Huskers piled up 426 yards at 5.8 yards a play and scored 13 points. They missed both field goals and went 1-for-4 on fourth down. During the 4-game skid they've scored 17, 14, 10 and 13, and 3 of those losses were by a touchdown or less. The offense moves the ball fine. It just doesn't turn drives into points, which is why Rhule changed play-callers instead of changing personnel.
The common opponents show how far apart these two are, as of this week. Both beat Maryland: Nebraska won 48-23 at home, and Rutgers won a 37-30 shootout on the road. Both also lost to Indiana, but Nebraska lost by 3 at home while Rutgers lost 47-15. Rutgers also lost 42-14 at Northwestern and played Michigan within a touchdown at home, so you never quite know which version shows up. At 2-7, Rutgers can't reach a bowl anymore. Nebraska needs 1 more win, and that's what makes this game matter for the Huskers.
The forecast for SHI Stadium is 38 degrees with light drizzle and not much wind, a cold, wet early-season November look for a noon-hour kickoff in New Jersey. That's a tough day for a kicking game that went 0-for-2 last time out. The pressure is on Nebraska. Rhule is 2-11 in November, the worst mark of the 4 coaches Nebraska has had since joining the Big Ten, and his team now has to win a road game it's supposed to win under a brand-new play-caller. Rutgers has nothing left to play for in the standings. That kind of team can either quit on a season or play loose and spoil someone else's.
