HuskerfaninOkieland
Heisman Trophy Winner
Virginia Tech (3-1) at Nebraska (3-0), 8:00 EST, ABC
Why to watch: The Bo Pelini era in Lincoln technically began on Aug.
30 when Western Michigan visited Memorial Stadium. For most Husker
fans, however, things don’t really get started until Virginia Tech
comes to town for Saturday night’s primetime affair. Nebraska is
unbeaten, yet really hasn’t been tested, and has delivered mixed
results on both sides of the ball. This weekend will give the program
a chance to show a big chunk of the country just how far along it’s
coming under Pelini. Give credit to Frank Beamer and the Hokies for
rebounding with three straight wins after dropping the opener to East
Carolina. No one is pretending this is a vintage Tech team, yet it’s
eked out back-to-back three-point wins over ACC rival, stamping it the
early favorite in the Coastal division. There’s no substitute for a
great coaching staff, something Husker fans hope to be preaching
before too long.
Why Virginia Tech might win: The one constant for the Hokies this fall
has been the play of the defense, which has gotten better with each
passing week. In last week’s pivotal win over North Carolina, the unit
had four sacks and created an equal number of turnovers. The pressure
is coming from multiple sources across the line, including speedy ends
Orion Martin and Jason Worilds. The Husker offense has been sporadic,
and will have problems with this Tech D. Beating up on the likes of
Western Michigan and New Mexico State has not prepared it for a
well-coached group that will strip the ball and wrap up its tackles.
Why Nebraska might win: Although this isn’t your daddy’s Blackshirt
defense, it’s already evident Pelini is having a positive impact on
that side of the ball. Since having some breakdowns versus Western
Michigan, the Huskers have gone more than eight quarters without
allowing a touchdown pass and have been particularly stingy in the red
zone. Led by lineman Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska already has nine sacks,
which is good for No. 2 in the Big 12. The way the Hokies are
sputtering on offense, ranking 112th nationally, their problems moving
the ball figure to continue this weekend.
Who to watch: Pelini hasn’t decided on a feature back, so he’ll
continue using three, Marlon Lucky, Roy Helu, Jr., and Quentin
Castille, who all offer something a little different to the offense.
The Huskers are averaging 189 yards a game on the ground, meaning
something is working. The trio will have to be a factor because Joe
Ganz is going to find it difficult throwing on CB Victor Harris and an
improving Hokie defensive backfield.
What will happen: Intangibles are always tough to gauge, but you’ve
got to figure that the atmosphere in Lincoln will be electric and the
Huskers will feed off that energy. While the program isn’t where it
needs to be yet, it’ll still capture its most important victory of the
past few years. The heroes will be on a defense that keeps QB Tyrod
Taylor from making big plays and forces the Hokies to attempt field
goals when touchdowns are needed.
CFN Prediction: Nebraska 27 … Virginia Tech 16 ... Line: Nebraska -7
Why to watch: The Bo Pelini era in Lincoln technically began on Aug.
30 when Western Michigan visited Memorial Stadium. For most Husker
fans, however, things don’t really get started until Virginia Tech
comes to town for Saturday night’s primetime affair. Nebraska is
unbeaten, yet really hasn’t been tested, and has delivered mixed
results on both sides of the ball. This weekend will give the program
a chance to show a big chunk of the country just how far along it’s
coming under Pelini. Give credit to Frank Beamer and the Hokies for
rebounding with three straight wins after dropping the opener to East
Carolina. No one is pretending this is a vintage Tech team, yet it’s
eked out back-to-back three-point wins over ACC rival, stamping it the
early favorite in the Coastal division. There’s no substitute for a
great coaching staff, something Husker fans hope to be preaching
before too long.
Why Virginia Tech might win: The one constant for the Hokies this fall
has been the play of the defense, which has gotten better with each
passing week. In last week’s pivotal win over North Carolina, the unit
had four sacks and created an equal number of turnovers. The pressure
is coming from multiple sources across the line, including speedy ends
Orion Martin and Jason Worilds. The Husker offense has been sporadic,
and will have problems with this Tech D. Beating up on the likes of
Western Michigan and New Mexico State has not prepared it for a
well-coached group that will strip the ball and wrap up its tackles.
Why Nebraska might win: Although this isn’t your daddy’s Blackshirt
defense, it’s already evident Pelini is having a positive impact on
that side of the ball. Since having some breakdowns versus Western
Michigan, the Huskers have gone more than eight quarters without
allowing a touchdown pass and have been particularly stingy in the red
zone. Led by lineman Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska already has nine sacks,
which is good for No. 2 in the Big 12. The way the Hokies are
sputtering on offense, ranking 112th nationally, their problems moving
the ball figure to continue this weekend.
Who to watch: Pelini hasn’t decided on a feature back, so he’ll
continue using three, Marlon Lucky, Roy Helu, Jr., and Quentin
Castille, who all offer something a little different to the offense.
The Huskers are averaging 189 yards a game on the ground, meaning
something is working. The trio will have to be a factor because Joe
Ganz is going to find it difficult throwing on CB Victor Harris and an
improving Hokie defensive backfield.
What will happen: Intangibles are always tough to gauge, but you’ve
got to figure that the atmosphere in Lincoln will be electric and the
Huskers will feed off that energy. While the program isn’t where it
needs to be yet, it’ll still capture its most important victory of the
past few years. The heroes will be on a defense that keeps QB Tyrod
Taylor from making big plays and forces the Hokies to attempt field
goals when touchdowns are needed.
CFN Prediction: Nebraska 27 … Virginia Tech 16 ... Line: Nebraska -7
