CFN Prediction

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

CFN.com

 

Nebraska (8-3) at Colorado (3-8), 3:30 EST, Saturday, November 27, ABC

 

Why to watch: Let the always interesting debate begin. How do you handle this game if you’re Nebraska? It doesn’t matter for the Huskers, they’re already in the Big 12 Championship against Texas next week and won’t improve their lot in life with a win, while a loss won’t hurt them in any way. Do they sit the stars and get a week of rest before the showdown, or do they want to go into the game rolling? Do they use this is as a live scrimmage to test some new things out, or does the coaching staff make it business as usual? There’s no way that a Bo Pelini-coached team does anything less than all-out, but Nebraska can be forgiven if it’s not 100% focused. On the flip side is Colorado, who’s playing out the string in an utter disaster of a season with the Dan Hawkins era likely coming to close. After losing to Iowa State and Oklahoma State over the last two weeks, bowl hopes are long gone, but beating the North champion would be a nice way to end the year.

 

Why Nebraska might win: The Colorado offense hasn’t gone anywhere all season long, and it’s not exactly going to get healthy against the Huskers. As far as the question of whether or not the Huskers will take this game seriously, the answer for the D, at least, is heck yeah. The pass defense is the best in the Big 12 helped by a tremendous pass rush that should camp out in the Buff backfield all game long. The Colorado offensive line doesn’t have a prayer of stopping Ndamukong Suh and the Husker defensive front, while the running game that averaged 84 yards per game won’t be going anywhere.

 

Why Colorado might win: It’s not like the Nebraska offense is setting the world on fire. Points have been hard to come by when the defense isn’t creating easy opportunities; the firepower isn’t there for the Huskers to pull away. Outside of the 31 points scored on Kansas and the tremendous fourth quarter against Missouri, the Nebraska attack has done a whole bunch of zip in play against BCS conference teams. Colorado has a quirky way of playing at another level once in a while in Boulder, and with nothing to lose, Hawkins will throw everything in the playbook at the Huskers. If the Buffs get up early, the Nebraska offense might not be able to come back.

 

Who to watch: The Big 12 world will revolve around Zac Lee for the next two weeks. The Nebraska quarterback has to use this game to try to make more things happen for the passing game before facing a Texas defense that won’t allow Roy Helu to do a thing for the ground game. Both Colorado and Texas will put everyone up on the line and dare Lee to make something happen, and while it has been his job to be a game manager, not screw up, and make a few plays here and there, he needs to start connecting on a few more deep plays. He has only thrown two touchdown passes in the last six games (to be fair, he didn’t play against Baylor), but he can at least give it a shot this week because 1) his defense will bail him out and 2) it doesn’t matter.

 

What will happen: Colorado will make this fun with an interesting group of trick plays with everything emptied out on the field. The Nebraska D will be up to the task.

 

CFN Prediction: Nebraska 17 … Colorado 13 ... Line: Nebraska -8

 

Must See Rating: (Charlie Brown Thanksgiving 5 … The Twilight Saga: New Moon 1) … 2.5

[CENTEXHUSKER]

I'm a little nervous about Hawkins emptying the playbook against us. Good point in the article, if CU puts a 14 spot up early, it will be stressful watching our offense trying to match it. I know, I know, its Colorado, but still....

 

Hopfully the Blackshirts will not be sleepwalking into Dallas

 

GBR

[knapplc]

This is definitely not a game to sleep on, that's for sure. It would be tremendously embarrassing to lose.

[bdubb75]

For whatever reason, I feel like we will lose this game. Colorado has done fairly well this season here and there and with our offense sputtering, I see us losing but not by a lot.

[KansasHusker]

This is definitely not a game to sleep on, that's for sure. It would be tremendously embarrassing to lose.

We've already won the north. It wouldn't be any worse than losing to ISU. Don't see us losing anyhow.

[bdubb75]

This is definitely not a game to sleep on, that's for sure. It would be tremendously embarrassing to lose.

We've already won the north. It wouldn't be any worse than losing to ISU. Don't see us losing anyhow.

 

 

I think it does matter if we lose it. I think if we beat Colorado that we'll have a little more confidence going into the Texas game. I think a demoralizing loss like the one to Iowa State will be crushing this late in the season.

[Touchdown Tommie]

I am thinking that Bo is stressing the importance of playing their best and put a beating on CU. This will carry over to the Texas game and help them be even more prepared for UT.

[skersfan]

This team needs to establish that it is for real, not only in our minds, but theirs.

 

I can not believe some think this game is not important.

 

We need this win for the confidence to play with Texas.

 

We need this win to give this program a positive view in the publics eye. Recruiting on National TV.

 

Losing this game, would be far more damaging than the Iowa State game.

 

A loss to Colorado, would mean we really have not improved over the BC years in my mind.

 

Losing to Iowa State was terrible, but losing to the other cellar dweller is even worse.

 

It would reflect poorly on coaching, drive, dedication, importance of the program.

 

This is a very big game. One that really says who we are or what we are.

 

We lose this game, there will be more screaming than after some of BC's games.

 

MUST WIN!!!! PERIOD.

[WCHusker]

This CU team stinks this year, and yes-it is very important that we win this game. How anyone can think that it is not is beyond me.

[Husker Richard]

This CU team stinks this year, and yes-it is very important that we win this game. How anyone can think that it is not is beyond me.

 

 

I agree. As Herm Edwards would say, you play to win the game.

[808Husker in KCMO]

Colorado is the best 3-8 team in the country. No joke.

[Hskr86]

Colorado is the best 3-8 team in the country. No joke.

 

 

Agree w/ you 808. have watched CU many games on the tube this year - there's a big difference between a win/loss record that stinks, and effort that stinks.

 

CU is still dangerous. We will need to play well.

[BeachBuffs]

Don't worry we may march it down the field on the last drive for the win and then we will get a key hold, and then a perosnal foul, and then Cody will be inserted into the game and then he will throw a pick to seal the deal.

[CENTEXHUSKER]

Colorado is the best 3-8 team in the country. No joke.

 

Is that kinda like being the prettiest girl in the trailer park?

[Nexus]

Colorado is always tough regardless of their record. The fact that they have nothing to gain or lose going into this game makes them all the more dangerous. Not to mention the high altitude can be daunting to play in if you're not used to it.

 

On a side note, don't be surprised if A&M pulls off an upset against Texas tomorrow. Afterall, A&M have won 8 of their last 12 games against the Longhorns. They also have the advantage of playing at home, so you know the 12th man will be fired up.