Big Ten Skill Position Rankings and Key Matchups for Week 4

Tommy Armstrong, Jr. vs. Clayton Thorson

On paper this looks like a game Nebraska should comfortably win.  Northwestern’s offense was mostly abysmal in non-conference play and the team is a shell of its 10-game winning team from 2015.

A deeper look suggests a closer than expected game.  The Cornhuskers are hitting the road for the first time after an emotional win and coach Pat Fitzgerald has one arrow left in his bag to get his team’s season back on track, pull the upset against Nebraska.

They’ll also be playing in a stadium that will lack any energy as the fans in Evanston have nothing to cheer for right now.

Thorson finally found a rhythm against Duke last week passing for 320 yards with two touchdowns.  He also had two interceptions.

To give Northwestern a chance, he’ll need to play like he did last year when he had a career game against the Cornhuskers in 2015 passing for 177 yards with one touchdown and rushing for 126 yards and one touchdown.

Armstrong became Nebraska’s all-time career passing leader last week.  He now sits at 7376 and should build on it against a Northwestern defense that is allowing 261-yards passing per game.

The Cornhuskers have positioned themselves for a special season.  Winning games like this requires veteran leadership.  Armstrong can continue to show that he ready to carry this team all year by beating the vulnerable Wildcats.

Nebraska wins 31-17.