Steele's Prediction: NU v OSU

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Here's what Phil Steele has to say about our matchup this Saturday - el linko

The Cornhuskers were upset last week by a rested Texas team who tweaked its offense in the bye week as NU dropped their record to just 1-9 against the Longhorns in Big 12 meetings. QB Martinez was even benched in the 3Q as the Huskers were held without an offensive TD, but HC Pelini has said he will play here. Oklahoma St meanwhile won for the first time in Lubbock since 1944 as they jumped out to an early 21-0 1Q lead and cruised 34-17. While the Cowboys’ triplets of QB Weeden (328 ypg), RB Hunter (leads Big 12 in rush) and WR Blackmon (leads NCAA in rec yds and scoring) have put up impressive numbers, they have faced only 1 D in the NCAA’s top 87. This week Pelini will have the Blackshirts motivated coming off the loss as the Huskers have performed really well on the road this year outscoring Washington and Kansas St 104-34 and get the big bounce back win here.
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Rushing Yards:NU - 223

OSU - 172

Passing Yards:

NU - 155

OSU - 225

Points:

NU - 29

OSU - 27

Turnovers:

NU - 2.6

OSU - 2.9

Special Teams:

NU - one dot

OSU - no dots

Phil's Forecast: NEBRASKA 38 OKLAHOMA ST 24
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Two interesting things I noticed about Steele's predictions for this game:

1. our special teams will top OSU's, which has been one of the best in the country up to this point while we've been struggling mightily across the board

2. OSU gains more total yards than we do offensively, yet score 2 TDs less. It's definitely possible considering how good OSU's offense is and how we're known for our "bend don't break" style of D. But, will that actually come true? Tought to tell.

 
His stats are off. We are averaging 49 points per game, 535 yards (174rush/361pass). NU averages 37 points and 446 yards (302rush/144pass).

Our special teams' play is really up and down. On one hand, our kickoff guy (Quinn Sharp) leads the nation in touchbacks with 36 and it's not even close (next closest has 26). But on the other, when a team does run it out, we suck at containing them. We are 119 out of 120 in kickoff return defense. Ouch. Kickoff returns for us are below average, but we have had a couple punts returned for TDs. Here's hoping Sharp can put his (many) kickoffs out of the endzone.

 
andyokstate said:
His stats are off. We are averaging 49 points per game, 535 yards (174rush/361pass). NU averages 37 points and 446 yards (302rush/144pass).

Our special teams' play is really up and down. On one hand, our kickoff guy (Quinn Sharp) leads the nation in touchbacks with 36 and it's not even close (next closest has 26). But on the other, when a team does run it out, we suck at containing them. We are 119 out of 120 in kickoff return defense. Ouch. Kickoff returns for us are below average, but we have had a couple punts returned for TDs. Here's hoping Sharp can put his (many) kickoffs out of the endzone.
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Those aren't season stats, those are what Steele and his computers predict this weekend.

 
andyokstate said:
His stats are off. We are averaging 49 points per game, 535 yards (174rush/361pass). NU averages 37 points and 446 yards (302rush/144pass).

Our special teams' play is really up and down. On one hand, our kickoff guy (Quinn Sharp) leads the nation in touchbacks with 36 and it's not even close (next closest has 26). But on the other, when a team does run it out, we suck at containing them. We are 119 out of 120 in kickoff return defense. Ouch. Kickoff returns for us are below average, but we have had a couple punts returned for TDs. Here's hoping Sharp can put his (many) kickoffs out of the endzone.
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I didn't realize that tidbit. Don't worry though, Nebraska ain't much better at this point. I think we rank in the 90s in kickoff coverage, so it's almost a moot argument who has the better special teams. Just as you'll have to depend on Sharp's touchbacks, we'll need to rely on Kunalic's (MANY MANY) kickoffs out of the endzone (see what I did there ;) ).

 
Thanks for the clarification, Z.

ESPY, what is up with our crappy kickoff coverage teams? Guess we like to live on the edge.

 
Not sure of the orientation of the stadium but Weather.com is predicating a windy day for Sat. with potential for rain tomorrow and late sat. evening.

edit- unfortunately, they do not have the speed up yet or direction but this could play a factor in the kicking game just like last weekend.

 
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andyokstate said:
Thanks for the clarification, Z.

ESPY, what is up with our crappy kickoff coverage teams? Guess we like to live on the edge.
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Yeah, methinks neither of our teams like living on the edge. They're just forced to 'cause apparently there's no one who cares enough to step up and do something about it.

I'd actually say this is big surprise for Nebraska 'cause we had a ferocious coverage team last year, and equally effective return men. I'd go so far as to say our special teams ranked near the top in the Big 12, so we're definitely not performing how we thought we would.

 
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