HuskerfaninOkieland
Heisman Trophy Winner
Time for Collegefootballnews.com's weekly prediction:
CFN Predictions
New Mexico State (0-0) at Nebraska (2-0), 7:00 EST
Why to watch: No, New Mexico State didn’t drop its football program. Because of Hurricane Gustav, the season-opening tune-up against Nicholls State was cancelled, meaning the Aggies are coming into Lincoln cold. On the plus side, Nebraska doesn’t have any 2008 film on Chase Holbrook and the potentially high-octane attack. The Huskers will have to fight through the temptation of looking ahead to the showdown with Virginia Tech in two weeks with Missouri to follow. After battling with Western Michigan and San Jose State in games that were a bit tougher than the double-digit margins might indicate, there’s still room for improvement. If nothing else, facing the Aggie passing game will be a good warm-up for Missouri and Texas Tech, the first two Big 12 games on the slate.
Why New Mexico State might win: All the parts are back from the fifth-leading passing attack of 2007. The Aggies averaged 332 passing yards per game and have plenty of time to practice, and plenty of film time to get to know Nebraska. Even though there’s been a solid pass rush to help the cause, the Husker secondary has been awful so far allowing 342 yards to Western Michigan and 242 to San Jose State. A work in progress, the Nebraska defensive backs will have their hands full.
Why Nebraska might win: The Huskers have a pass rush. Getting into the backfield hasn’t been a problem under Bo Pelini and the new coaching staff, cranking out six sacks and 13 tackles for loss in the first two games. If the defensive front can throw off Holbrook’s timing and force him to make a few mistakes, the opportunistic Husker offense should be able to take advantage. New Mexico State doesn’t have a good enough defense to keep the Nebraska attack from cranking out fewer than 400 yards.
Who to watch: The chance is there for Holbrook to generate a major buzz. He wasn’t necessarily a disappointment last season, but he didn’t build on his tremendous 4,541-yard, 34-touchdown first season with twice as many interceptions (18 to just nine thrown in 2007), almost 800 fewer yards, and far more mistakes. He has his top target, Chris Williams, back and healthy, he has the offense down pat, and he has the green light to fun ‘n’ gun it as much as he needs to against the Huskers.
What will happen: Holbrook will throw for 400 yards and will give the Husker secondary fits, but the Nebraska offense will roll at will with a balanced attack that’ll explode in the second half.
CFN Prediction: Nebraska 52 … New Mexico State 31 ... Line: Nebraska -25
Must See Rating: (5 Hole in the Wall - 1 First Blood) … 2
CFN Predictions
New Mexico State (0-0) at Nebraska (2-0), 7:00 EST
Why to watch: No, New Mexico State didn’t drop its football program. Because of Hurricane Gustav, the season-opening tune-up against Nicholls State was cancelled, meaning the Aggies are coming into Lincoln cold. On the plus side, Nebraska doesn’t have any 2008 film on Chase Holbrook and the potentially high-octane attack. The Huskers will have to fight through the temptation of looking ahead to the showdown with Virginia Tech in two weeks with Missouri to follow. After battling with Western Michigan and San Jose State in games that were a bit tougher than the double-digit margins might indicate, there’s still room for improvement. If nothing else, facing the Aggie passing game will be a good warm-up for Missouri and Texas Tech, the first two Big 12 games on the slate.
Why New Mexico State might win: All the parts are back from the fifth-leading passing attack of 2007. The Aggies averaged 332 passing yards per game and have plenty of time to practice, and plenty of film time to get to know Nebraska. Even though there’s been a solid pass rush to help the cause, the Husker secondary has been awful so far allowing 342 yards to Western Michigan and 242 to San Jose State. A work in progress, the Nebraska defensive backs will have their hands full.
Why Nebraska might win: The Huskers have a pass rush. Getting into the backfield hasn’t been a problem under Bo Pelini and the new coaching staff, cranking out six sacks and 13 tackles for loss in the first two games. If the defensive front can throw off Holbrook’s timing and force him to make a few mistakes, the opportunistic Husker offense should be able to take advantage. New Mexico State doesn’t have a good enough defense to keep the Nebraska attack from cranking out fewer than 400 yards.
Who to watch: The chance is there for Holbrook to generate a major buzz. He wasn’t necessarily a disappointment last season, but he didn’t build on his tremendous 4,541-yard, 34-touchdown first season with twice as many interceptions (18 to just nine thrown in 2007), almost 800 fewer yards, and far more mistakes. He has his top target, Chris Williams, back and healthy, he has the offense down pat, and he has the green light to fun ‘n’ gun it as much as he needs to against the Huskers.
What will happen: Holbrook will throw for 400 yards and will give the Husker secondary fits, but the Nebraska offense will roll at will with a balanced attack that’ll explode in the second half.
CFN Prediction: Nebraska 52 … New Mexico State 31 ... Line: Nebraska -25
Must See Rating: (5 Hole in the Wall - 1 First Blood) … 2
