HuskerfaninOkieland
Heisman Trophy Winner
CFN.com
Nebraska (2-0) at Washington (1-1) Sept. 18, 3:30 ET, ABC
Here’s The Deal … Nebraska is about to earn its No. 8 ranking, on the road, for the first time in 2010. Washington gets its second chance this month to make a national splash with a non-conference victory. In the first go-round, the Huskies came up short in Provo, losing to BYU, 23-17. While U-Dub got off the mat with a big second half to escape Syracuse, 41-20, beating the Huskers would provide tangible proof of how far the program has progressed in Steve Sarkisian’s second season in Seattle. After toying with Western Kentucky and Idaho, questions remain about Nebraska? Is the quarterback situation really solved? How close is the defense to last year’s edition? If the Huskers clear this hurdle in hostile territory, it’ll have to be viewed as more than just a Big 12 contender.
Why Nebraska Might Win: The Huskers are turning back the clock, winning with a relentless running game and an opportunistic defense. Led by precocious QB Taylor Martinez and backs Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead, Nebraska is No. 3 nationally in rushing at 325 yards a game. At the point of attack, it will physically punish a soft Washington interior, allowing runners to quickly get to the second level. The defense is just beginning to peak and was terrific against a pretty good Idaho team, creating six turnovers and eight sacks. Who is going to block DT Jared Crick? Who steps up among the Husky receivers if CB Prince Amukamara blankets WR Jermaine Kearse?
Why Washington Might Win: Don’t ever dismiss the value of having the home crowd or the best player in the stadium. Husky QB Jake Locker has the skills to be a transcendent figure in this type of game, energizing the crowd in the seats and on the sidelines. He continues to improve as a complete player, getting plenty of help from RB Chris Polk and Kearse, who torched the Orange for nine catches for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Is this the time that a questionable passing game catches up to Nebraska? Martinez has yet to throw a touchdown pass, which will allow Washington to press up LB Mason Foster and S Nate Williams to crowd the box.
What To Watch Out For: For years, Washington has struggled with its offensive line play. It has a chance on Saturday to dramatically spruce up the reputation. Besides Crick, who can be a force of nature, Nebraska will also attack with 290-pound tackle Baker Steinkuhler and 265-pound ends Pierre Allen and Cameron Meredith. The Huskies can’t boast an all-star blocker to combat one of these guys, which is going to be the biggest challenge the team faces this weekend.
What Will Happen: Yes, Nebraska is vulnerable; Locker, Martinez’s first road game, and that Husky Stadium crowd. However, you get the feeling Bo Pelini has crafted the right team to meet these challenges. It’ll pound away at the Washington defense to keep Locker off the field and relieve some pressure from Martinez. And that defense will be a handful, especially for the Husky O-line. It’s going to be close for a while, but the Huskers will set the tempo and do just enough to keep the upstarts at an arm’s length distance.
CFN Prediction: Nebraska 31 … Washington 23 … Line: Nebraska -3.5
Must See Rating: Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps – 5 … The Event - 1 … 3.5
Nebraska (2-0) at Washington (1-1) Sept. 18, 3:30 ET, ABC
Here’s The Deal … Nebraska is about to earn its No. 8 ranking, on the road, for the first time in 2010. Washington gets its second chance this month to make a national splash with a non-conference victory. In the first go-round, the Huskies came up short in Provo, losing to BYU, 23-17. While U-Dub got off the mat with a big second half to escape Syracuse, 41-20, beating the Huskers would provide tangible proof of how far the program has progressed in Steve Sarkisian’s second season in Seattle. After toying with Western Kentucky and Idaho, questions remain about Nebraska? Is the quarterback situation really solved? How close is the defense to last year’s edition? If the Huskers clear this hurdle in hostile territory, it’ll have to be viewed as more than just a Big 12 contender.
Why Nebraska Might Win: The Huskers are turning back the clock, winning with a relentless running game and an opportunistic defense. Led by precocious QB Taylor Martinez and backs Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead, Nebraska is No. 3 nationally in rushing at 325 yards a game. At the point of attack, it will physically punish a soft Washington interior, allowing runners to quickly get to the second level. The defense is just beginning to peak and was terrific against a pretty good Idaho team, creating six turnovers and eight sacks. Who is going to block DT Jared Crick? Who steps up among the Husky receivers if CB Prince Amukamara blankets WR Jermaine Kearse?
Why Washington Might Win: Don’t ever dismiss the value of having the home crowd or the best player in the stadium. Husky QB Jake Locker has the skills to be a transcendent figure in this type of game, energizing the crowd in the seats and on the sidelines. He continues to improve as a complete player, getting plenty of help from RB Chris Polk and Kearse, who torched the Orange for nine catches for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Is this the time that a questionable passing game catches up to Nebraska? Martinez has yet to throw a touchdown pass, which will allow Washington to press up LB Mason Foster and S Nate Williams to crowd the box.
What To Watch Out For: For years, Washington has struggled with its offensive line play. It has a chance on Saturday to dramatically spruce up the reputation. Besides Crick, who can be a force of nature, Nebraska will also attack with 290-pound tackle Baker Steinkuhler and 265-pound ends Pierre Allen and Cameron Meredith. The Huskies can’t boast an all-star blocker to combat one of these guys, which is going to be the biggest challenge the team faces this weekend.
What Will Happen: Yes, Nebraska is vulnerable; Locker, Martinez’s first road game, and that Husky Stadium crowd. However, you get the feeling Bo Pelini has crafted the right team to meet these challenges. It’ll pound away at the Washington defense to keep Locker off the field and relieve some pressure from Martinez. And that defense will be a handful, especially for the Husky O-line. It’s going to be close for a while, but the Huskers will set the tempo and do just enough to keep the upstarts at an arm’s length distance.
CFN Prediction: Nebraska 31 … Washington 23 … Line: Nebraska -3.5
Must See Rating: Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps – 5 … The Event - 1 … 3.5
