Wisconsin Football vs Nebraska: Key Players, Notes, & Betting Lines

Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers football team — coming off their worst loss of the season — will host Matt Rhule and the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday.

Nebraska comes into this game with a record of 5-5 and has lost their last two contests against Michigan State and Maryland. But Coach Rhule has the Cornhuskers playing respectable football — and one could argue that Nebraska is on the upswing under his leadership.

As it stands, kickoff is set for 6:30 PM central time on Saturday and will air on NBC. But before that happens, here is a look at some key players, a few matchup notes, and the opening spread for the Wisconsin Badgers matchup vs. Nebraska in the battle for the Freedom Trophy.

Key Players

QB Heinrich Haarberg: The Nebraska Cornhuskers are a painfully one-dimensional offense right now — and are one of the worst in the Big Ten. However, that one dimension is pretty damn good — considering they have the No. 1 rushing offense in the conference at 185.8 yards per game. 

A big reason for that success is they found a dual-threat option in sophomore quarterback Heinrich Haarberg that’s opened things up. In fact, Matt Rhule has basically decided that Haarberg is a running back — which is why he exited last week’s game against Maryland with an injury and is questionable heading into Saturday’s matchup against the Wisconsin football team. 

The Nebraska native has appeared in nine games this season, throwing for 967 yards — but completing just 49% of his passes — for seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. Haarberg has also run for a team-high 477 yards and four more touchdowns on the ground. 

Thus far, Haarberg has completed just 7-of-31 pass attempts thrown 20+ yards downfield — according to Pro Football Focus — so run defense will be critical for the Wisconsin Badgers. 

If Haarberg can’t go, the Huskers will turn to Jeff Sims or Chubba Purdy under center — either way, neither inspires a ton of confidence. 

S Omar Brown: Nebraska has a tough defense this season — and one of the reasons why is Omar Brown on the backend. 

The 6-foot-1 safety provides enough versatility on the backend that the Cornhuskers can put an extra defender in the box to help boost their second-ranked rushing defense, allowing only 79.2 yards per game. 

Brown has registered 46 tackles, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles, two pressures, and an interception. PFF also has him graded as the team’s best defensive player (84.8 — elite). 

Wisconsin football hasn’t found much success doing anything on offense this season — and running the ball won’t get any easier on Saturday — which means Tanner Mordecai and company will need to exploit the middle of the field and hope wideouts can make something happen after the catch to keep the sticks moving. 

Wisconsin Football Matchup Notes

• Wisconsin football is 12-4 against Nebraska all-time
• The Badgers are 9-1 in their last 10 meetings.
• The last meeting took place on November 19, 2022, when Wisconsin won 15-14 in Lincoln. 
• Wisconsin is 7-1 at home vs. the Cornhuskers all-time. 
• UW’s largest margin of victory against Nebraska came in 2012 when the Badgers defeated the Wildcats 70-31. 

Wisconsin Football Spread & Betting Lines vs. Northwestern 

When the Wisconsin football team takes the field against Nebraska on Saturday, they’ll do it as five-point betting favorites over the Cornhuskers, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Thus far, the Wisconsin Badgers are currently 3-6-1 against the spread this season and 3-7 on hitting the over. 

• Moneyline (ML): Nebraska +170 OR Wisconsin -205
• Against the spread: Wisconsin -5 (-110)
• Over/Under (O/U): 37 (O: -110 U: -110)

Well…the Badgers find themselves fighting for their lives to extend its bowl eligibility streak to 22 seasons — but they’ll need to find a way to overcome the pity party — and overall lack of ‘give a shit’ that’s taken place over the last three games to make that happen. 

Before I get to my prediction, you ought to know a few things. Wisconsin football has failed to cover the spread in its last six games against non-AP ranked teams at Camp Randall Stadium. Additionally, each of the Badgers’ last five games has gone under the points total. 

Now that I’ve put that out into the universe — I’m going against the grain — throwing caution to the wind — and drawing my own line in the sand.

I’m going to parlay the Wisconsin Badgers money-line, them to cover the spread, and also take the over. Comments from Tanner Mordecai and Hunter Wohler after this past week’s game were telling — and if the team doesn’t come out on fire with something to prove at home — then I’ll be at a loss for words. Prove me right. 

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