Saunders Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Yahoo! Sports Gerry Ahern (N) - Tom Dienhart (N) - Mike Hugenin (N) - Yahoo! Users (N) 98% THE BUZZ: This is the third meeting within the past year. The Huskers won easily in Seattle during the 2010 regular season, but the Huskies' defense dominated in a Holiday Bowl upset. Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez is third nationally in rushing; he ran for 137 against the Huskies in the regular season but just 23 in the bowl loss. Washington's third-down defense has been abysmal (70 percent conversion rate by foes). THE LINE: Nebraska by 16.5 THE PICK: Nebraska 35-24 ---------- Phil Steele This will be the 3rd meeting in the past yr. LY UW (+3) was hammered during the reg ssn (56-21) but got revenge in the bowl (held NU to a ssn low 189 yds, 209 yds below ssn avg). UW is just 1-8 in road openers but did put together a solid outing LW vs HI with 466 ttl yds in the 8 pt win (just 250 yds in opener vs IAA EW). The Huskers needed a strong 4Q to pull away from a stingy Fresno squad who actually trailed by just 1 pt entering the final period (NU outgained 444-438). UW has their P12 opener on deck and has not traveled to Lincoln since '98. QB Price (career-high 315 pass yds, 4 TD vs HI) is making his first road start in one of the toughest venues in the country and with the Huskies going just 5-13 as an AD and the Huskers in a non-BCS sandwich, this could be a long day for UW with NU seeking legitimate revenge. PHIL'S FORECAST: NEBRASKA 34 WASHINGTON 13 ---------- CBS Sports Adam Jacobi (N) - Jerry Hinnen (N) - Chip Patterson (N)Dennis Dodd (N) - Bruce Feldman (N) - Brett McMurphy (N) - Tom Fornelli (N) ---------- Collegefootballnews.com Washington (2-0) at Nebraska (2-0) Sept. 17, 3:30, ABC Here's The Deal … Well, it's the rubber match in Lincoln. Washington and Nebraska renew acquaintances for the third time in the last 12 months after splitting the last two meetings. The Huskers owned the Huskies during the regular season, rolling 56-21 behind a 533-yard offensive explosion. However, the Huskies delivered one of the biggest surprises of the postseason, holding the Huskers to a season-low in total yards to win the Holiday Bowl, 19-7. It's safe to assume that these two know one another's tendencies. Nebraska is off to a 2-0 start in its debut season in the Big Ten, but broke a sweat in order to get by Fresno State, 42-29, on Saturday. It trailed in the second half, finally shaking the Bulldogs with a few minutes left. Washington has had its own tenuous moments as well, winning its first two games by an average of just five points. The good news is that the team played markedly better in Week 2. The Huskies met the challenge of improved competition, beating back a dangerous Hawaii team for their sixth win in-a-row. Why Washington Might Win: Maybe that Blackshirts defense of Nebraska isn't so scary after all. Despite a preponderance of talent, Fresno State slapped 444 yards on the Huskers, including 169 rushing yards from Robbie Rouse. The Huskies have no shortage of playmakers or confidence after shredding an underrated Hawaii D. Keith Price was sharp in his second game as Jake Locker's successor, throwing for four touchdowns and 315 yards. Behind him is one of the nation's premier backs, Chris Polk, who'll ram into Big Red's front seven much the way Rouse did. Nebraska doesn't have a lot of time to prepare for an offense that's just about to hit its stride. Why Nebraska Might Win: The Huskies will score. The Huskers will just score more. Nebraska is able to turn on the switch when it's necessary, largely because of the presence of a healthy Taylor Martinez. The versatile quarterback makes the attack go, ranking No. 3 in the country in rushing. The combination of the sophomore and RB Rex Burkhead will be a load between the tackles for a mediocre Washington defense. The Huskers are on the verge of diversifying its attack now that true freshmen Jamal Turner, Kenny Bell and Ameer Abdullah have started to make plays. Abdullah set a school record last weekend with 211 kickoff return yards, capped by a 100-yard burst for the end zone to help build a cushion. What To Watch Out For: The Huskers defenders probably needed earplugs during practice this week. The coaches were not happy with their play against Fresno State. Nebraska missed tackles and blew coverages, which is uncharacteristic for this group. There's star power at each level, such as DT Jared Crick, DE Cameron Meredith and LB Lavonte David. However, its lockdown corner, Alfonzo Dennard, has been sidelined since August with a pulled leg muscle. His status remains uncertain for Saturday, which means it might be up to sophomores Andrew Green and Ciante Evans to shut down Washington receivers Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar. What Will Happen: And the winner of the best-of-three playoff series is … Nebraska. The Huskers heard their wake-up call a week ago, and will rebound accordingly. The defense will play much better than in Week 2, and Martinez will steal the show on offense. Although Price has a bright future, Memorial Stadium is a brutal place to be making your first career road start. His erratic play will be turned into Nebraska turnovers and points. An early lead will allow the Huskers to take chances on defense, and apply more backfield pressure. CFN Prediction: Nebraska 37 … Washington 21 ---------- ESPN Blogger Picks (B10) Adam Rittenberg: After a week of enduring Bo Pelini's wrath, the Blackshirts respond against young quarterback Keith Price as Nebraska pulls ahead in the fourth quarter. Nebraska 28, Washington 16 (B10) Brian Bennett: The defense simply has to get better, and I think it will slow down Washington'sChris Polk. Taylor Martinez atones for the bowl game as Huskers-Huskies III goes the home team's way. Nebraska 31, Washington 14 (P12) Ted Miller: Lincoln is a tough place to play for a new starting quarterback, but the the Huskies will give the Cornhuskers all they can handle in what will be the best-played game in the three-game series. Nebraska 30, Washington 24 Quote Link to comment
The Dude Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Nebraska: 116 Warshington: -2 BOOK IT! Quote Link to comment
walksalone Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Nebraska: 116 Warshington: -2 BOOK IT! but, not Lockumented Quote Link to comment
bshirt Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I think the BigRedMachine rips Washington apart. We're gonna pour it on and not stop. Quote Link to comment
darkhorse85 Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Nebraska: 116 Warshington: -2 BOOK IT! Ah yes, the fabled negative safety. I heard about it once when I was a boy. 1 Quote Link to comment
308_Husker Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 38-27 good guys. Get some! Quote Link to comment
VectorVictor Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 So with apologies to the local Seattle press, it's looking quite unanimous that Nebraska will pull this out? At least we'll know that holding will be called, what with Big 10 refs and all. Quote Link to comment
ADS Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Nebraska: 116 Warshington: -2 BOOK IT! Oh no he didn't! Quote Link to comment
Mike Mcdee Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 So with apologies to the local Seattle press, it's looking quite unanimous that Nebraska will pull this out? At least we'll know that holding will be called, what with Big 10 refs and all. I was wondering who the crew was for this weekend. Good to know. Quote Link to comment
Enhance Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 PurpleDrank and UDub do not give their stamp of approval. Obviously the two-headed walrus monster that is Price and Polk are too good to be stopped. Quote Link to comment
UDub Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Looks like 98% are going down in flames. Quote Link to comment
Huskerfan1985 Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Looks like 98% are going down in flames. Udub, I love your confidence. I don't understand it, but I love it. Please do us one favor and stick around the board for a couple of days after the game because I want to hear what you have to say. I don't think NU is a bunch of world beaters, but this game will not be close. What exactly makes you feel you so differently? Quote Link to comment
EbylHusker Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Looks like 98% are going down in flames. I'd like to congratulate you on an insightful and positive contribution to the thread. 2 Quote Link to comment
ADS Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Looks like 98% are going down in flames. Cool story bro. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.