Can Nebraska beat UT and defile the BCS?

[Igetbored216]

Good read, but I am not going to get ahead of the first task at hand: winning the North. We still have three games and they aren't going to be easy with such an anemic offense.

 

If we beat KU, KSU, & CU, then we can talk about Texas.

[Husker66]

When asked by a reporter about his future as a college player, Guy responded: "Yes, sir, I'm committed to Nebraska. It's a good fit for me. I don't know if you watched the game, but the Nebraska defensive line is ridiculous. I think Nebraska can take me to the next level as a player."

 

 

I posted a comment about this a month ago or so....that I thought kids might start passing up Miami beach to come to play for Nebraska because what they thought NU would make of them. I really think we are going to start being a Defensive destination for kids who want to play on Sunday. that is squarely on the Pelini brothers. Now get the O fixed with recruiting and we are in business.

 

On a seperate note, one of the stations in KC was talking about the NU and KSU match up in Lincoln. He made the case that he believes that in 2009, defenses have adjusted to the spread and there seems to be a decline in these aerial 600 yard games....and NU was one who is figuring it out. he also talked about if you can stop these passing attacks and run the ball without losing it, there will be a return to 20-13 games where D makes a big difference and pounding the rock is the best offense. I thought that was an interesting comment.

[AF Husker Fan]

maybe we will see a swap in the offense first mentality of the Big XII and the defense first mentality of the SEC in 4+ years.

 

 

 

 

Just kidding.

[BeachBuffs]

It would be real tough, the only offense right now is your running game and Texas is only giving up 1.5 yds a carry, so you may slow Colt I will concede that but Texas will pretty much institute a lockdown on your offense unless something changes soon.

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

It would be real tough, the only offense right now is your running game and Texas is only giving up 1.5 yds a carry, so you may slow Colt I will concede that but Texas will pretty much institute a lockdown on your offense unless something changes soon.

Not necessarily. OU is still ranked #5 in Rushing Defense averaging about 2.5yds per carry and this comes after Saturday's game where we were able to rack up about 140yds rushing.

[skersfan]

To beat Texas would require the same game we had against Oklahoma.

 

The likelyhood of that happening is not good. We saw a once in a lifetime display Saturday. I hope the kids could play that well again, but it is not likely.

 

I would like to see it though and I think we will. We always play Texas tough even though they seem to have our number.

 

I would like to see Boise or Cincy or TCU get in and win the sucker, or maybe two out of the three in, that would upset the apple cart for sure.

[Bo-Nose]

If we play this game, I'll friggin' hold my breath when our offense has possession of the ball - no doubt.

[RedGixxer]

Fox Sports

 

Nebraska capable of beating Texas, defiling BCS

by Peter Schrager

Peter Schrager is a frequent contributor for FOXSports.com. You can e-mail him at PeterSchrager@gmail.com.

 

Updated: November 9, 2009, 11:22 AM EST 18 comments

 

Two years ago this month, the Nebraska Cornhuskers surrendered 76 points in a loss at Kansas. Three weeks later, the 'Huskers gave up 65 points in a nationally televised, season-ending defeat in Boulder.

 

With Saturday night's 10-3 win over Oklahoma, the 'Huskers have now given up an average of seven points in their past three games. They've held the opposition to 10 points or less six times in nine games.

 

Rest assured, folks — the Blackshirts are back.

 

And if you're a fan of the burnt orange down in Austin, that fact probably shouldn't go unnoticed.

 

Yes, though the offense looks more like a middle school starting 11 than a college one these days, the Nebraska Cornhuskers — still unranked and under the radar — have emerged as one of the few teams in the nation still capable of throwing a wrench in the assumed plan for the BCS Championship Game.

 

With another week of Florida, Alabama and Texas wins now in the books, it appears as though the pundits have all but put the snooze button on until Jan. 7. The sentiment is as follows: The winner of Dec. 5's SEC Championship Game between likely unbeatens Alabama and Florida will play Texas for the BCS title.

 

Alabama continues to find ways to win each week, Florida's defense seems to only be getting better and Texas is finally putting it all together on a consistent basis. For all those pushing for a playoff system or a "plus-one" scenario, the 2009 BCS chase has shaped up to pretty much provide just that. On one side of a fictional bracket is your SEC champion and on the other is Texas.

 

Done and done. No controversies. No antitrust lawyers required. No need to worry, right?

 

Not quite.

 

TCU and Cincinnati fans may be quite pleased to hear that Nebraska — yes, downright ugly Nebraska — could very well be the squad to throw the whole picture-perfect setup into a frenzy.

 

The 'Huskers, 6-3 and winners of two straight, have the defense to put the clamps on a Texas Big 12 Championship Game aerial show. A half-game behind Kansas State in the Big 12 North, Nebraska controls its divisional race. With wins over Kansas, Kansas State and Colorado (teams with a collective record of 14-14) to close out the season, Nebraska would be Texas' last opponent before their assumed entry into the BCS Championship Game.

 

In Saturday night's nationally televised win, the Blackshirts hurried Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones from start to finish and intercepted him five times. The loss marked the first time an Oklahoma offense failed to reach the end zone since 1998.

 

The Sooners had 325 total yards — becoming the first team to put up more than 300 yards on Nebraska this season — but moved inside the Nebraska 20 just once, turned over the ball three times on downs, missed two field-goal tries and had another one blocked.

 

Bo Pelini's defense is more than just carrying this Nebraska team on its back. It's carrying Nebraska on its back, manning the canteen, holding the compass and doing just about everything needed for the climb. In truth, the defense is not only beating Nebraska's opponents in these games, but also willing NU to wins despite an anemic offense.

 

How good is the NU defense? The Blackshirts are second in the nation in scoring defense, second in passing defense and 11th in total defense.

 

How bad is the 'Huskers offense? Nebraska is eighth in the Big 12 in scoring, second-to-last in yards per game and dead last in first downs per game. On Saturday night, the Cornhuskers won despite getting just seven first downs and 180 total yards. They picked up 1 yard when they needed it, though. After Prince Amukamara returned an interception to the Oklahoma 1 in the second quarter, Zac Lee threw to Ryan Hill for Nebraska's fourth offensive TD in its past four games.

 

"That game could have gone a lot of different ways, and we just found a way to hang in there and hang in there, and we made enough plays to win the football game," Pelini said. What he likely meant was, "Thank you, defense. Again."

 

If Nebraska can somehow find an offense — or if one of its two quarterbacks manages to play the position even somewhat competently — over the 'Huskers' next three games, Texas' sleepwalk to Pasadena can be thrown for a loop in the Big 12 Championship Game.

 

In Ndamukong Suh, the likely overall No. 1 pick in the 2010 NFL draft, and sophomore sensation Jared Crick, Nebraska features two of the college game's top interior defensive lineman. Suh is the subject of legitimate Heisman buzz, while Crick had his national coming-out party in a five-sack, 13-tackle performance against Baylor two weeks ago. With Crick, Suh and a well-rounded back seven, the Blackshirts could be just the defense to destroy Texas' national title — and Colt McCoy's Heisman — dreams.

 

Some other unranked teams still capable of spoiling the all-too-perfect BCS picture? Auburn, which plays Alabama at Jordan-Hare Stadium on the Friday after Thanksgiving, could open the door for TCU or Cincinnati if a one-loss Alabama team toppled Florida in the SEC Championship Game. Florida State or South Carolina could do the same for the Gators. Texas A&M has beaten Texas in two of their past three meetings and is playing solid football of late. The Aggies play the Longhorns on Nov. 27.

 

Who knows? Maybe Kansas State takes care of the 'Huskers on Nov. 21, then gets the best of Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game instead. After all, it was the Darren Sproles-led Wildcats who got the best of then-unbeaten Oklahoma in the 2003 Big 12 Championship Game.

 

But it's the surging Cornhuskers that intrigue me the most. In a year when the Heisman Trophy race has been muddied in mediocrity, injuries have sidelined more quarterbacks than ever before and top teams continue to stumble offensively, defense has been the underlining storyline of the 2009 college football season. The Blackhshirts boast arguably the top overall unit in the land. Would it not be fitting for such a squad — one that's all D and no O — to serve as the Steve Wynn elbow to the BCS Picasso?

 

Perhaps the most insightful thing said about Nebraska was what came out of the mouth of a high school kid on Saturday night.

 

Jay Guy, a 6-foot-1, 310-pound blue-chip recruit from Aldine, Texas, attended the 10-3 win.

 

When asked by a reporter about his future as a college player, Guy responded: "Yes, sir, I'm committed to Nebraska. It's a good fit for me. I don't know if you watched the game, but the Nebraska defensive line is ridiculous. I think Nebraska can take me to the next level as a player."

 

It can also ruin the perfect 2009 BCS Championship Game picture.

 

Consider yourself warned, Texas.

Nothing like looking ahead 2 months. What about Kansas, Kansas State and Colorado?? DUH !!!

[KansasHusker]

Fox Sports

 

Nebraska capable of beating Texas, defiling BCS

by Peter Schrager

Peter Schrager is a frequent contributor for FOXSports.com. You can e-mail him at PeterSchrager@gmail.com.

 

Updated: November 9, 2009, 11:22 AM EST 18 comments

 

Two years ago this month, the Nebraska Cornhuskers surrendered 76 points in a loss at Kansas. Three weeks later, the 'Huskers gave up 65 points in a nationally televised, season-ending defeat in Boulder.

 

With Saturday night's 10-3 win over Oklahoma, the 'Huskers have now given up an average of seven points in their past three games. They've held the opposition to 10 points or less six times in nine games.

 

Rest assured, folks — the Blackshirts are back.

 

And if you're a fan of the burnt orange down in Austin, that fact probably shouldn't go unnoticed.

 

Yes, though the offense looks more like a middle school starting 11 than a college one these days, the Nebraska Cornhuskers — still unranked and under the radar — have emerged as one of the few teams in the nation still capable of throwing a wrench in the assumed plan for the BCS Championship Game.

 

With another week of Florida, Alabama and Texas wins now in the books, it appears as though the pundits have all but put the snooze button on until Jan. 7. The sentiment is as follows: The winner of Dec. 5's SEC Championship Game between likely unbeatens Alabama and Florida will play Texas for the BCS title.

 

Alabama continues to find ways to win each week, Florida's defense seems to only be getting better and Texas is finally putting it all together on a consistent basis. For all those pushing for a playoff system or a "plus-one" scenario, the 2009 BCS chase has shaped up to pretty much provide just that. On one side of a fictional bracket is your SEC champion and on the other is Texas.

 

Done and done. No controversies. No antitrust lawyers required. No need to worry, right?

 

Not quite.

 

TCU and Cincinnati fans may be quite pleased to hear that Nebraska — yes, downright ugly Nebraska — could very well be the squad to throw the whole picture-perfect setup into a frenzy.

 

The 'Huskers, 6-3 and winners of two straight, have the defense to put the clamps on a Texas Big 12 Championship Game aerial show. A half-game behind Kansas State in the Big 12 North, Nebraska controls its divisional race. With wins over Kansas, Kansas State and Colorado (teams with a collective record of 14-14) to close out the season, Nebraska would be Texas' last opponent before their assumed entry into the BCS Championship Game.

 

In Saturday night's nationally televised win, the Blackshirts hurried Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones from start to finish and intercepted him five times. The loss marked the first time an Oklahoma offense failed to reach the end zone since 1998.

 

The Sooners had 325 total yards — becoming the first team to put up more than 300 yards on Nebraska this season — but moved inside the Nebraska 20 just once, turned over the ball three times on downs, missed two field-goal tries and had another one blocked.

 

Bo Pelini's defense is more than just carrying this Nebraska team on its back. It's carrying Nebraska on its back, manning the canteen, holding the compass and doing just about everything needed for the climb. In truth, the defense is not only beating Nebraska's opponents in these games, but also willing NU to wins despite an anemic offense.

 

How good is the NU defense? The Blackshirts are second in the nation in scoring defense, second in passing defense and 11th in total defense.

 

How bad is the 'Huskers offense? Nebraska is eighth in the Big 12 in scoring, second-to-last in yards per game and dead last in first downs per game. On Saturday night, the Cornhuskers won despite getting just seven first downs and 180 total yards. They picked up 1 yard when they needed it, though. After Prince Amukamara returned an interception to the Oklahoma 1 in the second quarter, Zac Lee threw to Ryan Hill for Nebraska's fourth offensive TD in its past four games.

 

"That game could have gone a lot of different ways, and we just found a way to hang in there and hang in there, and we made enough plays to win the football game," Pelini said. What he likely meant was, "Thank you, defense. Again."

 

If Nebraska can somehow find an offense — or if one of its two quarterbacks manages to play the position even somewhat competently — over the 'Huskers' next three games, Texas' sleepwalk to Pasadena can be thrown for a loop in the Big 12 Championship Game.

 

In Ndamukong Suh, the likely overall No. 1 pick in the 2010 NFL draft, and sophomore sensation Jared Crick, Nebraska features two of the college game's top interior defensive lineman. Suh is the subject of legitimate Heisman buzz, while Crick had his national coming-out party in a five-sack, 13-tackle performance against Baylor two weeks ago. With Crick, Suh and a well-rounded back seven, the Blackshirts could be just the defense to destroy Texas' national title — and Colt McCoy's Heisman — dreams.

 

Some other unranked teams still capable of spoiling the all-too-perfect BCS picture? Auburn, which plays Alabama at Jordan-Hare Stadium on the Friday after Thanksgiving, could open the door for TCU or Cincinnati if a one-loss Alabama team toppled Florida in the SEC Championship Game. Florida State or South Carolina could do the same for the Gators. Texas A&M has beaten Texas in two of their past three meetings and is playing solid football of late. The Aggies play the Longhorns on Nov. 27.

 

Who knows? Maybe Kansas State takes care of the 'Huskers on Nov. 21, then gets the best of Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game instead. After all, it was the Darren Sproles-led Wildcats who got the best of then-unbeaten Oklahoma in the 2003 Big 12 Championship Game.

 

But it's the surging Cornhuskers that intrigue me the most. In a year when the Heisman Trophy race has been muddied in mediocrity, injuries have sidelined more quarterbacks than ever before and top teams continue to stumble offensively, defense has been the underlining storyline of the 2009 college football season. The Blackhshirts boast arguably the top overall unit in the land. Would it not be fitting for such a squad — one that's all D and no O — to serve as the Steve Wynn elbow to the BCS Picasso?

 

Perhaps the most insightful thing said about Nebraska was what came out of the mouth of a high school kid on Saturday night.

 

Jay Guy, a 6-foot-1, 310-pound blue-chip recruit from Aldine, Texas, attended the 10-3 win.

 

When asked by a reporter about his future as a college player, Guy responded: "Yes, sir, I'm committed to Nebraska. It's a good fit for me. I don't know if you watched the game, but the Nebraska defensive line is ridiculous. I think Nebraska can take me to the next level as a player."

 

It can also ruin the perfect 2009 BCS Championship Game picture.

 

Consider yourself warned, Texas.

Nothing like looking ahead 2 months. What about Kansas, Kansas State and Colorado?? DUH !!!

True. After the way our D has played this season I really want to take on Texas and see what happens. Still have some work to do though. If our D plays the way it did against OU we should be able to win out the regular season.

[TheCheshireCat]

I doubt NU can beat Texas, but I guarantee if they play like they did Saturday it will be pretty close, and ruin whatever chances McCoy has of winning the Heisman (if the Heisman is named after the B12CG... I can't remember).

[beanman]

I doubt NU can beat Texas, but I guarantee if they play like they did Saturday it will be pretty close, and ruin whatever chances McCoy has of winning the Heisman (if the Heisman is named after the B12CG... I can't remember).

 

What if we lost to Texas in a close one but knocked McCoy out for the title game? It could happen. Yep. I'm predicting it. Mark it down. A McCoy-less Texas team will get smoked in the title game by Florida. And we will once again have to hear the Tebow love-fest for another 9 months until the season starts.

[Bo-Nose]

[Yellowjacketfan]

If Neb beats Texas GT could possibly pass them in the rankings! One step closer to the National Championship! Needless to say I will be rooting for Neb to take UT down... and for all the teams playing the 6 teams in front of us!

 

EDIT: And I may have just jynxed my team ... please don't let us lose to Duke...

[SaturnDrew]

Texas did it to us in 1996.

 

 

Let's get some revenge.

 

I can see it right now: 6-0 Texas leads and it's down to the last play for Nebraska---a 4th and 1 at midfield. Everybody's thinking run but instead Zac Lee rolls left and passes to a wide open Mike McNeil who takes it down the field for the game's only touchdown.

 

Oh yes, revenge must be served extra sweet.

[Paul in WI]

We have a National Championship caliber defense. We can compete with any team in the country with a defense like we have if we can only get A LITTLE offensive production. Is even 300 yards too much offensive production to ask for? At this point, all that I can say is "What a waste of an awesome defense that has kept us in every single game this year."

 

There is nothing that I'd enjoy more than to see NU screw up the pre-ordained NC game that the pundits have been opining over. We still get raked over the coals for backing into our last national championship game, so there's nothing I'd love better than to see the outcome of a bonafide "playoff game" place Nebraska in a BCS bowl as the Big 12 champion. The media's reaction would be priceless, absolutely priceless. After all, they wanted playoffs and conference championship games, right? (ohhhhh......but that was only as long as the RIGHT TEAMS won....)