Ohio State football: What to know about today’s game at Nebraska

Where: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Neb.

TV/Radio: FOX/1410

Series history: Ohio State leads 8-1, including 2-1 in Lincoln. The Buckeyes won the first two meetings before the Cornhuskers joined the Big Ten in the 1950s. Nebraska won the first game between them as conference foes in 2011, and Ohio State has won the six since.

Last game: Justin Fields completed 20 of 21 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns last year as the Buckeyes beat Nebraska 52-17 to open the COVID-19-shortened season.

Coaches: Ohio State’s Ryan Day is 30-3 three seasons, including 20–0 in the Big Ten. Scott Frost is 15-26 four seasons at Nebraska 34-33 overall in six seasons as a head coach. The former Huskers quarterback is 0-3 against Ohio State.

Ohio State notes: C.J. Stroud leads the Big Ten in passing efficiency, passing touchdowns (23), passing yards per game (324.3), yards per completion (15.4) and points responsible for per game (19.7). Ohio State has scored six defensive touchdowns this season, the most of any school in the country… This will be the first game Ohio State plays at Nebraska in the afternoon rather than evening… After going 4 for 4 last week, Noah Ruggles has made 13 consecutive field goals… Ohio State is averaging 50.8 points per game during its six-game winning streak.

Nebraska notes: Nebraska is second in the Big Ten and ninth nationally in passing yards per completion (15.0)… The Cornhuskers are 90th in the country and next-to-last in the Big Ten in red zone defense. Their red zone offense ranks 98th nationally and eighth in the conference… Nebraska is 27th nationally in rushing yards and scoring defense, 86th in sacks allowed and 93rd in tackles for loss allowed… The defense is 99th in sacks but 40th in tackles for loss… Nebraska is 16h in the country in total offense but just 53rd in scoring (4/2 in Big Ten)… Linebackers Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich are in the top six in the Big Ten in tackles… Adrian Martinez is second in the Big Ten in yards per pass attempt (9.43) trailing C.J. Stroud’s mark of 10.37… Samori Toure leads the Big Ten in yards per catch at 19.6… Nebraska is 24th in SP+ with the No. 19 defense and 31 offense. They are 128th in special teams… Starting right guard Matt Sichterman of Kings High School is the only Ohio native on Nebraska’s published roster.

Quoted: Frost on how much time his team needs to get the team where it wants to be: “I really thought that this year it would pop, and we’ve been so close. When you’re so close and you don’t get it done, unfortunately you have a mindset, when we got here that we’ve been beat a lot. Winning is a habit and losing is a habit. Trying to break that cycle just takes a few wins in a row and some momentum and a little more belief. The kids believe, but you really believe when it happens. We’ve been so close, I just want to see it happen for these guys.”

Next game: The Buckeyes return home to face Purdue next Saturday afternoon. Nebraska is off next weekend then has a trip to Wisconsin on Nov. 20.

Prediction: Ohio State 38, Nebraska 17