McMaster's Key to the Game: Nebraska Football vs. Rutgers

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 through bowl eligibility as of the first weekend in October.

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

John Bullock

No. 5 is having an incredible season. The former walk-on defensive back turned linebacker is coming off 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's the Blackshirts' MVP through five games, but the Big Red will need him more than ever against the Scarlet Knights.

Opposite Bullock is Kyle Monangai, one of the best running backs in the country. Monangai ranks fifth in the country 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 contain him. They can stop him in moments and force Rutgers into more passing situations. But that requires a linebacker who can fill the gaps and bring Monangai down at first contact. Bullock will have to do his best to make this happen. 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 team will earn them a number next to their name next week and put them in the College Football Playoff talks with half of the season still left to play.

Every point will be important. Special teams execution makes or breaks games like these where every point counts. Bad punts, missed kicks and general special teams will be the deciding factor in a close contest.

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

Third descent

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

The Scarlet Knights and their elite running game got themselves into short third-down situations and ranked 10th nationally in possession percentage this season. Their effectiveness on the ground allows them to have long periods of possession and wear teams down.

Want to guess who's one place behind? Yes, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Getting Rutgers off the field so they can get out of the game and allow the Big Red to play the game their way is critical. 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 down battle will win the game.

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