CFN.com Big 12 Fearless Prediction

HuskerfaninOkieland

HuskerfaninOkieland

Heisman Trophy Winner
CFN.com

Nebraska (7-1) at Iowa State (5-4) Nov. 6, 3:30, ABC

 

Here’s The Deal … And now the spotlight is back on. After dominating Missouri in a strong 31-17 win, the Huskers are in the national title hunt again as the second-highest ranked one-loss team (behind Alabama) in the BCS standing. There’s a dangerous game at Texas A&M, and Colorado is always quirky, but realistically, there shouldn’t be too many problems over the final month if Nebraska plays up to it capabilities. However, Iowa State could be a bit sticky if it comes up with its best game of the season. Just when it seemed like the Cyclones were going into the tank with blowout losses to Utah and Oklahoma, the Cyclones came up with a stunning win at Texas the week after the Longhorns stuffed the Huskers. After taking advantage of the light scrimmage against Kansas, Iowa State is back in the bowl hunt needing a win in one of its final three games to become bowl eligible, but there’s a chance to be thinking even bigger. As crazy as it might sound, Iowa State will win the Big 12 North if it wins out against Nebraska, Colorado, and Missouri. This team isn’t good enough to do it, but it’s interesting enough to screw up the Huskers if they’re not focused … like last year. In one of the ugliest games of the 2009 season, ISU beat Nebraska 9-7 in a turnover fest. It was the Huskers’ last loss until the Big 12 Championship.

 

Why Nebraska Might Win: Iowa State’s run defense is mediocre. Thanks for playing! The defensive front doesn’t generate any semblance of pressure with no pass rush and few tackles for loss, and the Husker ground attack should be able to take advantage. Taylor Martinez is back from the ankle injury that knocked him out of the Missouri game, and he and Roy Helu, Jr. should combine to hit home run after home run. The Cyclones did a nice job against Northern Illinois in the opener, holding the best team in the MAC to 156 rushing yards, but everyone else who can run has been able to with Iowa, Kansas State, Utah, and Oklahoma all rolling for over 200 yards with ease. Offensively, Iowa State has the Big 12’s worst passing attack, and it might struggle to get 100 yards against the nation’s No. 1 pass efficiency defense.

 

Why Iowa State Might Win: The Nebraska defense can be run in if a team sticks with it. The problem is that the Huskers might be up 14-0 right away on two Martinez carries, but if an offense can be patient, the ground game will work. Texas was able to run for 209 yards when Garrett Gilbert channeled his inner Vince Young, and Oklahoma State, Washington, and Kansas State were able to run well before having to start bombing away to try to come back. The Iowa State running game isn’t special, but it has the combination of QB Austen Arnaud and RB Alexander Robinson to get moving on the ground. Can the Cyclones stick with it and can the defense hold up long enough for everything to work? That’s going to be the question. Turnovers shouldn’t be an issue as ISU leads the league in turnover margin giving it away just 11 times this year.

 

What To Watch Out For: Helu has always been the overshadowed back. He ran for close to 2,000 yards with 17 touchdowns in his first two seasons, but he was always playing second fiddle to the great defense in terms of national recognition. This year, Martinez is the one everyone is talking about, but Helu continues to produce with three 100-yard games in the first five dates of the year before coming up with his magnum opus. It takes something special to come up with the greatest rushing performance in Nebraska history, but he carried the attack with 307 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Missouri. Dinged up last year, he was limited in the loss to Iowa State running for just 24 yards, and he was held to 66 yards as a freshman. Martinez is back and will be the focal point of the attack, but Helu makes the offense special.

 

What Will Happen: Iowa State will run well for about two drives, and then the Nebraska floodgates will open. Two home runs for touchdowns will change things in a hurry as the Cyclones will try to start passing, but with no success. The Huskers won’t roll in a blowout, but they’ll be comfortable.

 

CFN Prediction: Nebraska 38 … Iowa State 16 … Line: Nebraska -19

 

Must See Rating: In Treatment: Adele – 5 … In Treatment: Frances - 1 … 2.5

 
I wouldnt wanna play iowa state if its a close game lol . If its a close game in the 4th watch out. They did play well against texas thoe the score should have been more then 28 the way texas was playing

 
Most everyone has had SOME success against us running the ball, but this cannot be stressed enough - this is entirely due to the scheme we are running on defense. We are ranked 115th in the country in Tackles For Loss. This is not an accident, and it's not because our D Line sucks.

Bo went into this season knowing that he did not have the kind of transcendent player on the D Line like he had with Suh. He changed his D Line philosophy to an even more conservative approach than we had last year, where our guys are instructed to guard their gaps, control their push upfield, contain the QB in the pocket, and NOT to over-pursue. Suh was able to guard his gap, contain the QB and stop over-pursuit WHILE rushing pell-mell up the field and wreaking havoc; Crick and Stein cannot do this consistently, so we cannot do what we did last year.

This year we have Kunalic and Henery, both of whom are capable of making the opponent start deep in their territory every time. The goal of our defense is to force those long drives through short gains. We do this very well, and although it's not a sexy defense, it's damned effective. Consider: We've already played two of the three highest-scoring offenses on our schedule, yet we're still 16th in the nation in scoring defense - a stat which will only improve.

We don't stuff many running backs, but we do a great job of slowing them down. That's our philosophy this year, and so far it's working.

 
The problem is that the Huskers might be up 14-0 right away on two Martinez carries, but if an offense can be patient, the ground game will work.
Click to expand...
Has anyone else noticed Martinez hasn't hit paydirt on the ground since KSU nearly a full month ago? Sure would be great for him to break the streak. It's been too long since one of his game-breaking highlight TDs.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
knapplc said:
Most everyone has had SOME success against us running the ball, but this cannot be stressed enough - this is entirely due to the scheme we are running on defense. We are ranked 115th in the country in Tackles For Loss. This is not an accident, and it's not because our D Line sucks.

Bo went into this season knowing that he did not have the kind of transcendent player on the D Line like he had with Suh. He changed his D Line philosophy to an even more conservative approach than we had last year, where our guys are instructed to guard their gaps, control their push upfield, contain the QB in the pocket, and NOT to over-pursue. Suh was able to guard his gap, contain the QB and stop over-pursuit WHILE rushing pell-mell up the field and wreaking havoc; Crick and Stein cannot do this consistently, so we cannot do what we did last year.

This year we have Kunalic and Henery, both of whom are capable of making the opponent start deep in their territory every time. The goal of our defense is to force those long drives through short gains. We do this very well, and although it's not a sexy defense, it's damned effective. Consider: We've already played two of the three highest-scoring offenses on our schedule, yet we're still 16th in the nation in scoring defense - a stat which will only improve.

We don't stuff many running backs, but we do a great job of slowing them down. That's our philosophy this year, and so far it's working.
Click to expand...
Yup, you nailed it. The coaches have been saying this all year, but everyone just thought it was coach-speak and they were covering for their guys. But, it's 100% true. This DL doesn't suck and they CAN rush the passer when asked to do so, just ask Gabbert. That MU line was maybe the best line we've seen all year and our front 4 (and sometimes 3) completely dominated them from the start. When told to pin their ears back and go, they can!

 
ESPY said:
The problem is that the Huskers might be up 14-0 right away on two Martinez carries, but if an offense can be patient, the ground game will work.
Click to expand...
Has anyone else noticed Martinez hasn't hit paydirt on the ground since KSU nearly a full month ago? Sure would be great for him to break the streak. It's been too long since one of his game-breaking highlight TDs.
Click to expand...
I'll trade those rushing TD's for a solid overall game where he keeps defenses back with his arm and gets solid yards when he pulls it down and runs. I'll also trade those rushing TD's for back to back wins over undefeated, ranked teams!

But, yes, I'd also like to see him go crazy this weekend and get his numbers back up as well!

 
ESPY said:
The problem is that the Huskers might be up 14-0 right away on two Martinez carries, but if an offense can be patient, the ground game will work.
Click to expand...
Has anyone else noticed Martinez hasn't hit paydirt on the ground since KSU nearly a full month ago? Sure would be great for him to break the streak. It's been too long since one of his game-breaking highlight TDs.
Click to expand...
I've noticed. He's definitely lost a step or two in the last month. He hasn't been able to gain the edge as easily as in the beginning of the season, and I attribute that entirely to the several solid hits he's taken this year. He's banged up some, there's no doubt about it.

I met Taylor's uncle this weekend and asked him about that, and his response was guarded - he said that nobody is injury-free this time of year. That's true in a contact sport, but it's also true that not everyone loses that fifth gear like Taylor seems to have.

I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with TMart, but I do think he's half a step slower. Turns out he's mortal after all.

 
knapplc said:
ESPY said:
The problem is that the Huskers might be up 14-0 right away on two Martinez carries, but if an offense can be patient, the ground game will work.
Click to expand...
Has anyone else noticed Martinez hasn't hit paydirt on the ground since KSU nearly a full month ago? Sure would be great for him to break the streak. It's been too long since one of his game-breaking highlight TDs.
Click to expand...
I've noticed. He's definitely lost a step or two in the last month. He hasn't been able to gain the edge as easily as in the beginning of the season, and I attribute that entirely to the several solid hits he's taken this year. He's banged up some, there's no doubt about it.

I met Taylor's uncle this weekend and asked him about that, and his response was guarded - he said that nobody is injury-free this time of year. That's true in a contact sport, but it's also true that not everyone loses that fifth gear like Taylor seems to have.

I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with TMart, but I do think he's half a step slower. Turns out he's mortal after all.
Click to expand...
You might be right on that, it does seem like he's been a little slower to the corner. But, I also think, since KSU, teams have geared their entire gameplan around keeping him from getting that corner. We've played some pretty solid teams that all have great athletes as well.

I have a feeling we'll see that 5th gear again these next two weekends a few times!

 
knapplc said:
ESPY said:
The problem is that the Huskers might be up 14-0 right away on two Martinez carries, but if an offense can be patient, the ground game will work.
Click to expand...
Has anyone else noticed Martinez hasn't hit paydirt on the ground since KSU nearly a full month ago? Sure would be great for him to break the streak. It's been too long since one of his game-breaking highlight TDs.
Click to expand...
I've noticed. He's definitely lost a step or two in the last month. He hasn't been able to gain the edge as easily as in the beginning of the season, and I attribute that entirely to the several solid hits he's taken this year. He's banged up some, there's no doubt about it.

I met Taylor's uncle this weekend and asked him about that, and his response was guarded - he said that nobody is injury-free this time of year. That's true in a contact sport, but it's also true that not everyone loses that fifth gear like Taylor seems to have.

I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with TMart, but I do think he's half a step slower. Turns out he's mortal after all.
Click to expand...
i just assumed that it was a mix between ksu being the last really bad defense (other than okie lite, but he did not need to run in that game) and he was electric enough that every team since has specifically game planned to stop him, even if it means helu breaks a 307 yarder.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
sd said:
knapplc said:
ESPY said:
The problem is that the Huskers might be up 14-0 right away on two Martinez carries, but if an offense can be patient, the ground game will work.
Click to expand...
Has anyone else noticed Martinez hasn't hit paydirt on the ground since KSU nearly a full month ago? Sure would be great for him to break the streak. It's been too long since one of his game-breaking highlight TDs.
Click to expand...
I've noticed. He's definitely lost a step or two in the last month. He hasn't been able to gain the edge as easily as in the beginning of the season, and I attribute that entirely to the several solid hits he's taken this year. He's banged up some, there's no doubt about it.

I met Taylor's uncle this weekend and asked him about that, and his response was guarded - he said that nobody is injury-free this time of year. That's true in a contact sport, but it's also true that not everyone loses that fifth gear like Taylor seems to have.

I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with TMart, but I do think he's half a step slower. Turns out he's mortal after all.
Click to expand...
i just assumed that it was a mix between ksu being the last really bad defense (other than okie lite, but he did not need to run in that game) and he was electric enough that every team since has specifically game planned to stop him, even if it means helu breaks a 307 yarder.
Click to expand...
I agree. I think that we have seen speedier, more athletic teams, that are geared to stop him. While T-Mart might be banged up, I don't think that he has lost the "5th gear" so to speak.

 
74Hunter said:
I agree. I think that we have seen speedier, more athletic teams, that are geared to stop him. While T-Mart might be banged up, I don't think that he has lost the "5th gear" so to speak.
Click to expand...
Which would make it a chicken-or-the-egg question, to which none of have the answer. Or it could be a combination of better/faster defenses and a ding or two. Really hard to say.

 
74Hunter said:
sd said:
knapplc said:
ESPY said:
The problem is that the Huskers might be up 14-0 right away on two Martinez carries, but if an offense can be patient, the ground game will work.
Click to expand...
Has anyone else noticed Martinez hasn't hit paydirt on the ground since KSU nearly a full month ago? Sure would be great for him to break the streak. It's been too long since one of his game-breaking highlight TDs.
Click to expand...
I've noticed. He's definitely lost a step or two in the last month. He hasn't been able to gain the edge as easily as in the beginning of the season, and I attribute that entirely to the several solid hits he's taken this year. He's banged up some, there's no doubt about it.

I met Taylor's uncle this weekend and asked him about that, and his response was guarded - he said that nobody is injury-free this time of year. That's true in a contact sport, but it's also true that not everyone loses that fifth gear like Taylor seems to have.

I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with TMart, but I do think he's half a step slower. Turns out he's mortal after all.
Click to expand...
i just assumed that it was a mix between ksu being the last really bad defense (other than okie lite, but he did not need to run in that game) and he was electric enough that every team since has specifically game planned to stop him, even if it means helu breaks a 307 yarder.
Click to expand...
I agree. I think that we have seen speedier, more athletic teams, that are geared to stop him. While T-Mart might be banged up, I don't think that he has lost the "5th gear" so to speak.
Click to expand...
Maybe you guys have forgotten, what touchdowns he didn't get on the ground he got them through the air. Granted he had none against Texas or Missouri, but one week was Bye and the Okie State game he had 5 passing touchdowns. He is simply adapting from a running QB to a dual threat QB.

 
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