By admin 
Matt McMaster offers his three keys for the Huskers to find success against the Trojans on Saturday.
Take the Easy Passes
I like Dylan Raiola a lot. He has a huge arm, good mobility and has emerged as a great leader. He has the athleticism and ability to make just about any throw and consistently says the right thing.
Through his struggles and the fouls, he has refused to be a distraction to the team. But the young sharpshooter still has a long way to go before he emerges as the high-caliber NFL prospect we think he is.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are hoping newly appointed offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will unlock something that predecessor Marcus Satterfield couldn’t. Watching the tape, it is clear to me that Raiola constantly keeps his eyes on the field. He is looking for the big piece every time.
I don’t think this quality is necessarily bad. I’d much rather my quarterback look downfield than turn into a check-down Charlie, but there’s nothing wrong with a four-yard throw. There’s nothing wrong with reading it for the first time, even if it’s just a quick win.
I’m not saying they should coach the aggressiveness out of Raiola. That aggressiveness and desire to push the ball down the field is why he was one of the top recruits in his class, but there’s a big difference between third and sixth and third and second. It’s so much harder for a defense to anticipate a play. 2nd and 4 compared to 2nd and 8.
A key, not only for this game, but for the rest of the season, is taking the layups. Get into a rhythm and then let the ball race down the field.
It is crucial to emphasize that it is not just up to Raiola to make these throws, but up to Holgorsen to openly plan and execute these passes.
Put pressure on the quarterback
Something that has flown under the radar, thanks to the struggles the Big Red have endured over the past month, is the massive change USC made last week.
After a disappointing season, Lincoln Riley has opted to change who takes the snaps at center for his program. Jayden Maiava will replace Miller Moss. Maiava is a redshirt sophomore and transfer from UNLV. During his time as the Rebels’ starting quarterback, Maiava threw for more than 3,000 yards, with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 14 games.
Maiava is not inexperienced, but this Nebraska defense is one of the best defenses he has ever played. Maiava will also make his first start under center in almost a year in a game that Riley seemingly needs to win to get his seat cooler.
There will be a lot of pressure on Maiava to perform as his team’s postseason hopes and the impending future of the head coach rest on his shoulders. This means the Blackshirts have to apply pressure. The best way to rattle a new starter is to hold it in his face for 60 minutes.
Maiava isn’t green, but he hasn’t started an organized game in almost 12 months. To say there will be rust to shake off is an understatement and the best way to take advantage of this is to BLITZ BLITZ BLITZ.
Disciplined pass coverage
This isn’t major news, but USC likes to throw the football. The Trojans rank second in the nation in rushes per game and eighth in passes per game. They average 40 passing attempts per game and almost 300 passing yards per game.
This Nebraska secondary needs to settle down. The Trojans have talented wideouts Luke Zachariah Branch and Makai Lemon who can blow right by you.
At this point, the Nebraska offense cannot be relied upon to put up 30 points in a game. They haven’t done that since Week 3 against Northern Iowa. A failure in coverage of the Nebraska secondary could single-handedly lose the game for the Big Red.
The back half of this defense needs to have a good game or Matt Rhule will go 0-8 in potential bowl-clinching games.
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