CFN Prediction

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

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

[zoogs]

The Huskers are averaging 189 yards a game on the ground, meaning

something is working.

 

Evidently they didn't quite look at the stats breakdown for each game.

 

Hope we live up to that prediction.

[HuskerRob]

the writer of this article just looked at our overall statistics for our running game...and with 300+ in our last game, that average yards per game is a huge outlier compared to our little over 100 against western michigan and our 99 yards vs San Jose State.

 

We need the running game to work vs Va Tech. We can not allow Bud Foster's D to pin their ears back and come after Ganz at the mercy of their will.

[HuskerRob]

The Huskers are averaging 189 yards a game on the ground, meaning

something is working.

 

Evidently they didn't quite look at the stats breakdown for each game.

 

Hope we live up to that prediction.

 

i like your thinking zoogies

[bbhusker]

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

 

This is a great point. This game will let us know how our running game will be for the rest of the season. VaTech is a very technically sound and disciplined D. They will try and make us one dimensional by taking away the run, I'm curious the see how our offense performs against them.

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

We need the running game to work vs Va Tech. We can not allow Bud Foster's D to pin their ears back and come after Ganz at the mercy of their will.

Exactly. Having a good running game Saturday will definitely slow their D down and lock their LB's up which should hopefully open up the passing game...hopefully

[HuskerRob]

We need the running game to work vs Va Tech. We can not allow Bud Foster's D to pin their ears back and come after Ganz at the mercy of their will.

Exactly. Having a good running game Saturday will definitely slow their D down and lock their LB's up which should hopefully open up the passing game...hopefully

 

especially if the running game isn't successful in the beginning of the game, we just absolutely CAN NOT abandon the run (a la USC 2007). We have to keep the Hokies honest, which opens up our play action passes. If we abandon the run and Watson figures that Ganz can pick apart the Hokies D, we are in trouble. Too much speed and great athletes in their secondary, especially with a great pass rush that they possess.

 

I expect the Huskers to get a W come Saturday, but it's nowhere near a gurantee like some on this board are saying it is. A lot has to go right for us in order to win.

[jayhawk]

We need a big win from the Big Red. Big 12 needs some good interconference wins, so far really only the Buffs have anything of note. We can't let that stand.

[zoogs]

We need the running game to work vs Va Tech. We can not allow Bud Foster's D to pin their ears back and come after Ganz at the mercy of their will.

Exactly. Having a good running game Saturday will definitely slow their D down and lock their LB's up which should hopefully open up the passing game...hopefully

especially if the running game isn't successful in the beginning of the game, we just absolutely CAN NOT abandon the run (a la USC 2007).

 

Maaybe. But maybe we absolutely can not stick to the run (a la USC 2006).

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

We need a big win from the Big Red. Big 12 needs some good interconference wins, so far really only the Buffs have anything of note. We can't let that stand.

So far CU's win against WVU seems huge but it remains to be seen how bad/good WVU is going to be this year. But I agree. The B-12 needs a big non-conf win against a big time program.

[Huskerballz]

Nebraska hasn't run well against weak MAC and WAC teams, I don't see how we're supposed to successfully run against VTech.

 

I still think we'll win however.

[Ohio Pete]

Joe Ganz is going to find it difficult throwing on CB Victor Harris and an

improving Hokie defensive backfield.

Joe, pre-snap read, find out where Harris is and throw the other way.

[Chef K]

Nebraska O will have problems, but still manage to score 27?

[hskrfan4life]

yes the Big 12 needs a good win

[huzkerbob]

Yes we need a sound running game. But I think the quick passing game and short screens will be an effective alternative, or supplement to our running game.

 

I could see Watson trying to get it out to, Lucky and Swift in space. Take advantage of their speed rushers.