Keys to Minnesota-Nebraska and a pick

No. 25 NEBRASKA vs. MINNESOTA

When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Huntington Bank Stadium
TV: FOX
Radio: KFAN, 100.3 FM
Weather: 64 degrees, cloudy, 7 mph northeast wind
Betting spread: Nebraska, minus-7.5

Records: Gophers (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) delivered a comeback to beat Purdue 27-20 on homecoming Saturday. After a home loss to then-No. 21 Michigan, Nebraska (5-1, 2-1) has won two straight with comebacks against Michigan State on Oct. 4 and Maryland last weekend.

History: Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck is 6-1 versus Nebraska, including five straight victories. Seven wins would mark his most against any opponent. From 1963 to 2012, Minnesota lost 16 meetings in a row to the Huskers, but is 8-3 in the series since 2013.

Big question: Can the Gophers start fast? Falling behind Rutgers 14-0 and Purdue 10-0, Minnesota needed to put its foot in the ground to get Ws. But unlike those two teams — who are a combined 0-6 in Big Ten play — Nebraska is a better opponent that won’t be as easy to turn.

Key matchup: RB Emmett Johnson vs. Gophers tacklers. Minnesota has missed an average of 14.5 tackles across its last four games, while the Minneapolis native’s cutting has contributed to 31 missed tackles this season, per Pro Football Focus.

Who has the edge?

Gophers offense vs. Nebraska defense: Minnesota’s running game is stuck on a treadmill — moving but not gaining much distance. The U’s 3.59 yards per carry ranks 112th in the nation. Coaches are committed to the same five lineman, but have mixed up combinations in recent weeks — to little added success. If a breakthrough comes, it might be this week. Nebraska is 99th in the country, allowing 4.5 yards per rush. … The Cornhuskers best pass rushers have been two ends — five-star prospect Williams Nwaneri (19 pressures) and Oklahoma transfer Dasan McCullough (13) — but the team’s 11 sacks are evenly split. … New Huskers defensive coordinator Jeff Butler, who came from Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans, is expected to heavily blitz QB Drake Lindsey and give him different fronts, but the redshirt freshman has been poised in tough moments this season, with crucial fourth-quarter drives against Rutgers and Purdue. … RB Darius Taylor was the U’s most-targeted pass catcher with 11 targets vs. Purdue. OC Greg Harbaugh got Taylor, and the offense, going with a screen pass that went for 40 yards. … Seventh-year LB Javin Wright is showing his veteran savvy with a team-leading 39 tackles. EDGE: Nebraska

Gophers defense vs. Nebraska offense: QB Dylan Raiola had zero turnovers in three nonconference games, but has had at least one in the last three Big Ten games, including three interceptions against Maryland. That was a return to his turnover-prone form from freshman year, but he did have four touchdowns in the comeback win on the road. … Minnesota’s plus-three turnover margin was vital in the Purdue win, highlighted by Koi Perich’s pick-six. Raiola also tossed a pick-six to give Maryland a second-half lead. … Nebraska OC Dana Holgerson, who was the head coach at West Virginia and Houston, loves getting the ball to Johnson, a product of Academy of Holy Angels. Johnson leads the Big Ten in carries, but is also second on the Cornhuskers with 24 receptions. … Raiola said in the offseason his receiver room has “Ferraris and Lamborghinis” with the addition of Nyziah Hunter (California transfer) and Dane Key (Kentucky). They each have four TDs. Sophomore Jacory Barney Jr. is the top target with 26 grabs and three scores. … The Cornhuskers will play two road games across six days, which might be a lot for a team to overcome or an early touchdown away from being an afterthought. EDGE: Nebraska  

Special teams: Nebraska allowed 10 blocked kicks last season, but new coordinator Mike Ekeler has eliminated them. Kick returner Kenneth Williams had an 85-yard return against the Terps. … Kicker Brady Denaburg made his first field goal over 40 yards against Purdue; he is now 1 of 4 from long range. EDGE: Nebraska

Prediction: Matt Rhule has turned his third straight program around in its third season. After many years of shooting themselves in the foot in close games, Nebraska is 2-1 in one possession games. While Fleck has had success against the Huskers, his team’s two main problems (tackling and blocking) haven’t been resolved. Nebraska, 28-24.