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If ever anyone needed to play Purdue (1-6), this would be the time. Nebraska (3-5) is in the midst of a total disaster of a season, while the Boilermakers are dying a painful death in yet another horrible campaign. Check out the Nebraska vs. Purdue prediction and game preview.

Nebraska vs. Purdue Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Oct. 31
Game Time: 12:00 pm
Venue: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN

Network: ESPNU

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Why You Need To Care

Nebraska can still salvage something out of the season. It has to win three out of the last four games to go bowling, but it’ll take a massive upset of either Michigan State or Iowa – and wins over Purdue and Rutgers on the road – to do it. Would that make things any better after a horrible start to the Mike Riley era? Not really, but it might bring some momentum going into 2016. The five losses are by a combined 13 points, but good teams win the tight ones – Nebraska can’t win any of them.

Speaking of not winning games, Purdue is in the midst of yet another year where it can’t seem to figure out how to beat FBS teams. The last win over a non-FCS team came against Illinois over a year ago, going 1-16 since the 2014 opener against Western Michigan against the big leaguers. The offense has sputtered and the defense isn’t picking up the slack, but there have been flashes. With a week off, it’s time to finally come up with something positive.

Why Nebraska Will Win

The Purdue offense has been painfully inconsistent. It couldn’t move the chains against Wisconsin, and it couldn’t get out of its own way in the Minnesota loss. With 11 picks on the year, the passing game has been an issue, and Nebraska could use the break. The secondary has been under siege, but Purdue’s offense isn’t going to suddenly turn it up a few notches. The weapons just aren’t there.

Why Purdue Will Win

Purdue has been a disaster when it comes to hanging on to the ball, but at least it’s dealing with a team with similar problems. For all of Nebraska’s grousing about losing close games, it’s doing this to itself with way too many penalties – over eight per game – and too many miscues. There’s never a good time for turnovers, but Nebraska always seems to come up with them at truly awful times, losing the battle in six of the eight games. Not so shockingly, the Huskers won both games when it won the turnover battle with ease, beating South Alabama and Minnesota.

Player Who Matters

Remember when Nebraska used to be Running Back U.? Terrell Newby is a decent back with some nice skills, and he’s averaging over five yards per carry, but he’s not a workhorse and the offense isn’t exactly winning over Husker fans with its lack of physicality. Newby has only carried the ball more than 18 times once this year – running for 198 yards and two scores against South Alabama. The only other 100-yard day came against Minnesota another win. Nebraska is 3-0 when running for 200 yards or more, 0-5 when it doesn’t. Since the start of the 2013 season, Nebraska is 14-0 when running for over 200 yards. Newby, get ready.

What’s Going To Happen?

Nebraska is 2-0 against Purdue since joining the Big Ten, winning both by a combined score of 79-21. The Boilermakers did beat the Huskers 28-0 … in 1958. Purdue gives up 198 rushing yards per game. Nebraska will get to over 200 on the way to the easy win.

Nebraska vs. Purdue Prediction

Final Score: Nebraska 37, Purdue 17, Line: Nebraska -9, o/u: 56

Must See Rating: 5: Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church – 1: The Peanuts Movie … 2.5