Nebraska’s Offensive Blueprint vs Akron

Against Akron, expect Holgorsen to expand the vertical stretch elements of the playbook, layering deep shots off play-action and tempo sequences to exploit the Zips’ soft zone coverage and test their defensive discipline early.

Playmaker Roles

Raiola stands at the heart of Nebraska’s offensive blueprint, bringing arm talent, poise, and field vision that allow the Huskers to stretch defenses vertically and manipulate coverage structures. Behind him, the running back rotation offers versatility and fresh legs, with a committee approach that blends downhill zone concepts with swing passes and RPO tags to keep Akron’s linebackers guessing. Look for running back Emmett Johnson to continue his strong performance after recording 108 yards on 25 carries against Cincinnati.

Tight ends will also play a pivotal role, with motion and split-zone looks designed to create mismatches, especially in red-zone situations where Nebraska can leverage formation variety to isolate defenders and finish drives.

Akron's Defensive Struggles

Akron enters this matchup with several defensive concerns that Nebraska is well-positioned to exploit. Despite holding Wyoming to just 10 points, the Zips surrendered a late touchdown. They consistently failed to generate meaningful pressure, an issue that could be magnified against a tempo-driven Huskers offense.

Compounding their challenges, Akron faces roster depth limitations, giving Nebraska the freedom to rotate personnel and push the pace without fear of fatigue. With soft zone coverage and shaky intermediate discipline, Akron’s defense is vulnerable to Nebraska’s spacing concepts, layered route combinations, and rhythm-based passing game.

What to Watch For

One of the key storylines to watch in Nebraska’s matchup against Akron will be how the Huskers open the game with scripted drives. Expect motion, tempo, and formation shifts designed to test Akron’s defensive alignment and communication.

Raiola’s deep ball timing and pocket movement will be under the microscope, especially as Nebraska looks to stretch the field and capitalize on coverage breakdowns. In the red zone, look for creative wrinkles in personnel groupings and formations, as Rhule and Holgorsen continue to refine their scoring packages and build versatility into the offensive blueprint.