[Husker] Rumors and NU vs OU

[rczeranko at juno.com]

Rumors are ugly myths that like all myths have a kernel of truth. The only truth I see regarding Taylor Martinez is that he contacted his father while being the locker room. I didn't see any pictures or other comments regarding a boot being on the wrong foot. There is not much on ESPN, etc regarding Taylor Martinez leaving the team. So, I don't put a lot of weight on any of this. The rumor of Coach Carl Pelini being the possible head coach at Louisiana Lafayette may be true, but all the press about how his and Coach Bo Pelini's 'anger management' issues may keep them away. And, Coach Carl Pelini has just put in a bochie ball court and it takes a year to settle in, so I don't see him leaving anytime soon. Now on to NU vs OU this evening. This game is pretty much 50-05, but Nebraska can win it. I believe that Nebraska needs to make OU one dimensional. Nebraska has been hurt by throwing teams that have had success running the ball. I know that OU is passing team, but making them one dimensional plays into Nebraska's defensive strengths. Nebraska's defensive line will need to step up big time in this game. Now is the time for them to fight through double teams, fight through being held (and they will be held a lot - and it WON'T be called), and pressure the OU QB. As well as the defense has played this season (and the defense has played well enough for Nebraska to win evey game), they are the key to winning this game. I hate to put the burden on their shoulders ,but offensively Nebraska is not a 100%. It is up to the defense to seize control of this game. The offense needs to manage the game and not hurt the defense with turn overs, and they need to make sure they get first downs. Too many three and outs will put the defense on the field too much and tire the defense out. OU is a very talented team and does not need any help. Of course the offense needs to score, but I don't think that Nebraska will win by scoring a lot of touch down (the potential is there, but like I said earlier the offense is not 100% right now). Nebraska needs to stay committed the ground game. OU will stuff the run early on, but the more physical Nebraska is on offense the more it will pay off later in the game. The ground game will also open up the deep ball on play action passing making game more vertical. Nebraska runs the ball best in the I formation with the fullback as a leading blocker. (If Nebraska a used this against aTm, they would have scored a touch down or two, IMHO, well maybe not so humble.) Special teams are also key to the win here. Nebraska needs to keep up the touch backs to avoid a long run back and giving OU a short field. When punting Nebraska needs to maintain the excellence they have had all season long. I thought that last year the huge TV hanging down from the ceiling messed things up in the kicking game (and contributed to the out of bounds kick at the end of game). Both kickers have been there before, and I believe will be ready of the wrinkle that TV causes. The coverage teams need to avoid an appearance of over aggressiveness. Call it a conspiracy, call it poor officiating.  Either way, Nebraska is being watched by the officials of overly aggressive play. Today's game will not be any different. This goes for the offense and defense as well. Nebraska has to make sure that they don't give the officials any reason to flag the team. There is interesting anecdote from the 1995 Orange Bowl (Coach Osborne's first national championship win). At half time Coach Osborne prophetically predicated that in the second half there would be an 'incident' by Miami that would come a critical time in the game. Coach Osborne warned the players not to retaliate, he used the phrase something like, "Don't be a banty rooster out there." (There were probably quite a few players that had no idea what a 'banty rooster' was. But the message was clear.) And sure, enough, Miami got flagged and pinned back against the goal line. Nebraska was able to get a safety. Nebraska seized momentum and never looked back. This will happen at the game today as well. If an OU player is trying to twist off a Nebraska's players head or package check an NU player, then the Nebraska needs protect themselves without a perceived retaliation. It won't be easy and hopefully OU will play cleaner than aTm and ISU did. Nebraska needs to make sure that they are not the 'second player' that gets caught. Coach Pelini needs to react as he did during the Colorado game. He did an excellent job keeping himself in check and giving the officials any reason to be biased against Nebraska. It is only human nature to make calls against one team if that team's coaches are slammer you. So, Coach Pelini needs to make sure that he does not give the officials any cause. I wrote three years ago that Coach Pelini would win the Big-XII Championship during his third season as head coach. I believe that Nebraska will win today. NU 27 OU 21 Good Luck Husker! Go Big Red! Rob Czeranko
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