zoogs
Assistant Coach
I thought it'd be fun to see where we stand now at 2-0 and guess how we'll finish the year. As a fan, I'm sure we all want Nebraska to win it all. But I'm trying to be realistic, and curious to see how close I'll be. Looking at the schedule, I'm worried witless about the month of October. Midseason slumps are always killer, and our team has not escaped from them in recent years...and our final stretch, starting from October at Missouri and going for the rest of the season, is not going to be a walk in the park.
Nebraska 52, Nevada 10
Nebraska 20, Wake Forest 17
USC We'll be back in the comfortable confines of Memorial Stadium against a team I hope will be a little haughty, maybe even rusty. Kind of like we were against Wake. Still, I think USC takes it in a hard fought 31-21 battle. It'll be a good game though, one of those "moral victories"...
Ball State Apparently, Ball State didn't do too badly against Michigan last year. In today's world (*cough* Michigan *cough*), you just don't overlook these guys. Granted, it's a home game. And it's Ball State. I think it'll be a magnificent rout. 57-13. We haven't played consistently enough on defense for me to imagine not giving up some big plays. Even if they are Ball State.
Iowa State. Well, well. Losses to Kent State and WHO?! - Northern Iowa? Great way to open up the season there. There was talk on this Board of moving Iowa State to the Big 10 because of their Iowa rivalry...never mind that, they might need to be moved to I-AA (sorry, FCS...I-AA teams are champions too) because of this budding rivalry. Northern Iowa's QB was 23-of-29 today, with a couple of scores. This should be like old times...49-14.
at Missouri. Our pancake schedule (by that, I mean Ball State and Iowa State) ends here and it's a brutal stretch. I think this game is a pivot point that defines our season. I'm no expert on the Missouri team this year, but I hear some rumblings that they aren't good. Not a lot to go on, but I'm going to say we take this - because we have to, and I don't want to imagine a season where we don't. 31-20. They'll put up a fight, but our O will roll, and Chase Daniel will choke. On a booger.
OK State Not in our house. It'll be a tough game, and the way the Blackshirts are playing now, a high scoring affair. But this game is played in Memorial Stadium, and I'm sure we all remember last year. NNo way it happens again. We'll have our hands full, but home field gives us the edge. 34-24.
A&M - Scary, almost reverse situation as OK State. A&M comes off a heartbreaker from last year's game with us. These guys are good - at least on offense. They'll give our Blackshirts fits (at least, that's the early diagnosis). But the early diagnosis also says they can't play defense. I think our offense is just a tad more explosive than Fresno State. 38-27.
@Texas Three tough conference games, and then we get the Longhorns on the road? Oh dear...but the Longhorns were well played by Arkansas State, and had a game of it with TCU until the 4th quarter (and TCU's entire game) broke apart. Still, TCU is a quality team and if Texas pulls out of their rut - we're in one too, if you didn't notice - and since it's at Texas, I have to say advantage Longhorns. But Oklahoma looks to be the class of the Big 12 this year. It's kind of like the situation Texas A&M has with us, actually - heartbreaking loss...but away this time. I say we have a shot here, maybe even more of a shot than against USC. 24-30, L. I don't want to forecast a victory and be disappointed, I'd rather pick conservatively and realistically, and then let the team surprise me with heart and high-caliber play.
at Kansas JGS30 was right. Kansas is looking pretty scary good this year. Not Oklahoma scary good, but given our last two games (and our last trip down there), this game is no letup and another tough conference road challenge. But what am I saying. It's the Big 12 North, and we're Nebraska. I say we eat the Jayhawks for lunch, dominating them with our defense and pulling out a win despite some offensive inconsistencies. 27-7.
Kansas State They really look like they are on the rise. Prince seems to know what he's doing, and Freeman is going to be a good Big 12 quarterback. But no way we lose this one. 28-14.
at Colorado The Buffs look loads better this year and it'd be a mistake to overlook them. Iowa State is the laughingstock of the division this year. Colorado is winning an Arizona State game on the road they have no business winning if these are the Buffs of last year. Closer than we expect, I think. And you know, last year's game was close for a long time before we pulled out all the stops and the Joe Ganz to Barry Turner magic. 24-16.
What do you think? If there's a game I'm worried about dropping (outside of USC and Texas), it's got to be Missouri. I think A&M has a better chance of beating us, but Missouri is on the road and if we lose, it could start an ugly slide. Come on, Sam Keller. Play up to your potential quick.
Nebraska 52, Nevada 10
Nebraska 20, Wake Forest 17
USC We'll be back in the comfortable confines of Memorial Stadium against a team I hope will be a little haughty, maybe even rusty. Kind of like we were against Wake. Still, I think USC takes it in a hard fought 31-21 battle. It'll be a good game though, one of those "moral victories"...
Ball State Apparently, Ball State didn't do too badly against Michigan last year. In today's world (*cough* Michigan *cough*), you just don't overlook these guys. Granted, it's a home game. And it's Ball State. I think it'll be a magnificent rout. 57-13. We haven't played consistently enough on defense for me to imagine not giving up some big plays. Even if they are Ball State.
Iowa State. Well, well. Losses to Kent State and WHO?! - Northern Iowa? Great way to open up the season there. There was talk on this Board of moving Iowa State to the Big 10 because of their Iowa rivalry...never mind that, they might need to be moved to I-AA (sorry, FCS...I-AA teams are champions too) because of this budding rivalry. Northern Iowa's QB was 23-of-29 today, with a couple of scores. This should be like old times...49-14.
at Missouri. Our pancake schedule (by that, I mean Ball State and Iowa State) ends here and it's a brutal stretch. I think this game is a pivot point that defines our season. I'm no expert on the Missouri team this year, but I hear some rumblings that they aren't good. Not a lot to go on, but I'm going to say we take this - because we have to, and I don't want to imagine a season where we don't. 31-20. They'll put up a fight, but our O will roll, and Chase Daniel will choke. On a booger.
OK State Not in our house. It'll be a tough game, and the way the Blackshirts are playing now, a high scoring affair. But this game is played in Memorial Stadium, and I'm sure we all remember last year. NNo way it happens again. We'll have our hands full, but home field gives us the edge. 34-24.
A&M - Scary, almost reverse situation as OK State. A&M comes off a heartbreaker from last year's game with us. These guys are good - at least on offense. They'll give our Blackshirts fits (at least, that's the early diagnosis). But the early diagnosis also says they can't play defense. I think our offense is just a tad more explosive than Fresno State. 38-27.
@Texas Three tough conference games, and then we get the Longhorns on the road? Oh dear...but the Longhorns were well played by Arkansas State, and had a game of it with TCU until the 4th quarter (and TCU's entire game) broke apart. Still, TCU is a quality team and if Texas pulls out of their rut - we're in one too, if you didn't notice - and since it's at Texas, I have to say advantage Longhorns. But Oklahoma looks to be the class of the Big 12 this year. It's kind of like the situation Texas A&M has with us, actually - heartbreaking loss...but away this time. I say we have a shot here, maybe even more of a shot than against USC. 24-30, L. I don't want to forecast a victory and be disappointed, I'd rather pick conservatively and realistically, and then let the team surprise me with heart and high-caliber play.
at Kansas JGS30 was right. Kansas is looking pretty scary good this year. Not Oklahoma scary good, but given our last two games (and our last trip down there), this game is no letup and another tough conference road challenge. But what am I saying. It's the Big 12 North, and we're Nebraska. I say we eat the Jayhawks for lunch, dominating them with our defense and pulling out a win despite some offensive inconsistencies. 27-7.
Kansas State They really look like they are on the rise. Prince seems to know what he's doing, and Freeman is going to be a good Big 12 quarterback. But no way we lose this one. 28-14.
at Colorado The Buffs look loads better this year and it'd be a mistake to overlook them. Iowa State is the laughingstock of the division this year. Colorado is winning an Arizona State game on the road they have no business winning if these are the Buffs of last year. Closer than we expect, I think. And you know, last year's game was close for a long time before we pulled out all the stops and the Joe Ganz to Barry Turner magic. 24-16.
What do you think? If there's a game I'm worried about dropping (outside of USC and Texas), it's got to be Missouri. I think A&M has a better chance of beating us, but Missouri is on the road and if we lose, it could start an ugly slide. Come on, Sam Keller. Play up to your potential quick.
Last edited by a moderator: