HuskerfaninOkieland
Heisman Trophy Winner
Personally, after last weeks debacle, I think their score prediction is a bit conservative
College Football News
Nebraska (3-2) at Texas Tech (5-0), 3:00 EST
Why to watch: Nebraska used to own Texas Tech. Nebraska used to own everyone. The Huskers had beaten the Red Raiders seven straight times, and then came a 70-10 Texas Tech destruction in 2004 that showed just how much times had changed in Lincoln. The two teams only played once since then, a 30-17 Red Raider win in 2005, and now the gap has really widened. This is the strongest Texas Tech team head coach Mike Leach has ever fielded, while Nebraska is floundering in year one under Bo Pelini. The Huskers closed out a five-game homestand with back-to-back losses to Virginia Tech and Missouri. Now the real work begins with three road games in the next four, finishing up with a trip to Oklahoma.
Meanwhile, Texas Tech has yet to be given any sort of a shove. Last week’s trip to Kansas State was supposed to be a battle, but a 58-28 win showed otherwise. This game against Nebraska was supposed to be a trap, as is next week’s date at Texas A&M, but neither will be if the Huskers and Aggies play like the have over the first part of the year. The key is to keep tuning up without blowing up. Tech is always good for one or two out-of-the-blue clunkers a year, and with Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma still to deal with, this can’t be one of those games.
Why Nebraska might win: Texas Tech has faced only one team with any semblance of a running game, Nevada, and it got ripped up for 224 yards despite the loss of Wolf Pack star RB Luke Lippincott to a knee injury. Mike Rozier, Ahman Green and Lawrence Phillips aren’t exactly hanging around Lincoln lately, and while Marlon Lucky is a good, strong back, he’s not being used enough. This is the game for the Nebraska running game to take charge, and with a good pass rush that should be able to generate a little bit of pressure, the combination of a ground game and a sack or two could get the job done. However …
Why Texas Tech might win: … that same formula was supposed to be used last week against Missouri. Chase Daniel completed 18-of-23 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns, and the Huskers got down so quickly that they only finished with 76 yards. The Nebraska secondary is a nightmare, and if QB Graham Harrell gets a little time to work, he’ll have a field day.
Who to watch: This time last year, after five games, Harrell had thrown for 2,301 yards and 24 touchdowns. This year, so far, he has thrown for 2,027 yards and 18 scores. While the numbers might be a bit down next to the astronomical stats of last year, he has still been solid and decisive. This is year three running the offense; he gets it. He hasn’t thrown an interception in the last three games, he isn’t forcing his throws, and he’s using his running backs more and more in all phases. He’ll be under pressure this week, and he’ll have to be a bit sharper.
What will happen: It won’t be 70-10, but it won’t be far off. Pelini is a defensive wizard who simply doesn’t have the horses to do everything he wants to. Missouri rolled at will, and so will Texas Tech.
CFN Prediction: Texas Tech 48 … Nebraska 24 ... Line: Texas Tech -21
Must See Rating: (5 The Girls Next Door: Season 5 - 1 2008 Chicago Cub Playoff Highlights) … 3
College Football News
Nebraska (3-2) at Texas Tech (5-0), 3:00 EST
Why to watch: Nebraska used to own Texas Tech. Nebraska used to own everyone. The Huskers had beaten the Red Raiders seven straight times, and then came a 70-10 Texas Tech destruction in 2004 that showed just how much times had changed in Lincoln. The two teams only played once since then, a 30-17 Red Raider win in 2005, and now the gap has really widened. This is the strongest Texas Tech team head coach Mike Leach has ever fielded, while Nebraska is floundering in year one under Bo Pelini. The Huskers closed out a five-game homestand with back-to-back losses to Virginia Tech and Missouri. Now the real work begins with three road games in the next four, finishing up with a trip to Oklahoma.
Meanwhile, Texas Tech has yet to be given any sort of a shove. Last week’s trip to Kansas State was supposed to be a battle, but a 58-28 win showed otherwise. This game against Nebraska was supposed to be a trap, as is next week’s date at Texas A&M, but neither will be if the Huskers and Aggies play like the have over the first part of the year. The key is to keep tuning up without blowing up. Tech is always good for one or two out-of-the-blue clunkers a year, and with Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma still to deal with, this can’t be one of those games.
Why Nebraska might win: Texas Tech has faced only one team with any semblance of a running game, Nevada, and it got ripped up for 224 yards despite the loss of Wolf Pack star RB Luke Lippincott to a knee injury. Mike Rozier, Ahman Green and Lawrence Phillips aren’t exactly hanging around Lincoln lately, and while Marlon Lucky is a good, strong back, he’s not being used enough. This is the game for the Nebraska running game to take charge, and with a good pass rush that should be able to generate a little bit of pressure, the combination of a ground game and a sack or two could get the job done. However …
Why Texas Tech might win: … that same formula was supposed to be used last week against Missouri. Chase Daniel completed 18-of-23 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns, and the Huskers got down so quickly that they only finished with 76 yards. The Nebraska secondary is a nightmare, and if QB Graham Harrell gets a little time to work, he’ll have a field day.
Who to watch: This time last year, after five games, Harrell had thrown for 2,301 yards and 24 touchdowns. This year, so far, he has thrown for 2,027 yards and 18 scores. While the numbers might be a bit down next to the astronomical stats of last year, he has still been solid and decisive. This is year three running the offense; he gets it. He hasn’t thrown an interception in the last three games, he isn’t forcing his throws, and he’s using his running backs more and more in all phases. He’ll be under pressure this week, and he’ll have to be a bit sharper.
What will happen: It won’t be 70-10, but it won’t be far off. Pelini is a defensive wizard who simply doesn’t have the horses to do everything he wants to. Missouri rolled at will, and so will Texas Tech.
CFN Prediction: Texas Tech 48 … Nebraska 24 ... Line: Texas Tech -21
Must See Rating: (5 The Girls Next Door: Season 5 - 1 2008 Chicago Cub Playoff Highlights) … 3
