CFN Prediction

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

Nebraska (5-6) at Colorado (5-6) 12:00 PM ABC

 

Why to watch: It wasn't all that long ago that this matchup was determining Big 12 championships and having a major influence on the national title chase. Fast forward a few years and now it's a battle of teams and programs going in different directions, but each needing a positive ending to build on for 2007. Nebraska is 99% certain to make a coaching change at the end of the year, but the Bill Callahan era can be extended by an extra game with a win to build on the cathartic 73-31 win over Kansas State to stop a five-game losing streak. The passing game has been rolling well enough to overcome the mediocre defense, and now it'll be bombs away as the Huskers try to prove that they really weren't that horrible all along. The Buffs have put the horrendous 2006 year in the past with a decent bounceback season, but they've blown two good chances to get bowl eligible with a blowout loss to Missouri (acceptable) and a 31-28 loss at Iowa State two weeks ago (unacceptable). It's easy to forget that the program went to the Big 12 title game in 2004 and 2005, and a win this week would be a solid step back to that level. While Nebraska is about to tear everything down and start fresh, Colorado is rebuilding and could desperately use the extra practices and time a bowl game would provide.

 

Why Nebraska might win: To disrupt the Nebraska passing game, a defense has to generate consistent pressure. Colorado can't do that. The Buffs have a strong secondary, but they're not getting much of a break with opposing quarterbacks able spend five days to find second and third options. It took a full season, and Joe Ganz stepping in for an injured Sam Keller, but the air attack is finally rolling like it was supposed to from the start of the Callahan era. With 315 yards and three scores against Texas, 405 yards and four scores against Kansas, and 519 yards and seven touchdown passes against Kansas State, the Huskers are in a groove. If they're on target, Colorado doesn't have the firepower to keep up.

 

Why Colorado might win: The Buffs need to get the running game going early and control the clock to keep Ganz and the Husker offense off the field. While Hugh Charles hasn't been rolling lately, he shouldn't have much of a problem against a Nebraska run defense that hasn't even been close all year. Kansas State got down too quickly and couldn't establish its ground game, but before that, KU ran for 218 yards and five touchdowns while Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Texas all ran for well over 300 yards each in the previous three games against the Huskers. Colorado won't tear off three bills, but it should be able to crank out enough production to balance out anything Nebraska can do.

 

Who to watch: Is Ganz the real deal? He might not look the part of a prototypical chucker, but he's been the nation's hottest quarterback over a two game span with 915 yards and 11 touchdowns. He only completed half his passes in the loss to Kansas, and pitched four interceptions, but he rolled against Kansas State completing 30 of 40 throws for 510 yards and seven scores with no interceptions. He can even run a little bit. If he can put up huge numbers again, then he'll start to be considered the real deal, and if he pulls off the win, it might be interesting to see if there's a slight shift in the Dump Callahan movement.

 

What will happen: Nebraska hasn't been good on the road, but this isn't the same team that was beaten up by Kansas a few weeks ago. Tired of all the problems, the offense has started letting it fly knowing it has nothing to lose; it's all about attitude with this bunch. Colorado has something to lose, and it'll play tighter. That'll make all the difference.

 

CFN Prediction: Nebraska 41 ... Colorado 36 ... Line: Colorado -5.5

 

Must See Rating: (5 The inside of your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1 The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill) ...3

[mattbri17]

CFN Prediction: Nebraska 41 ... Colorado 36 ... Line: Colorado -5.5

 

 

I AGREE

[huskernation20]

That was a great read. I agree w/ it completly.