Huskers can't stop Badgers

Everyone thinks the line should be 7, there's a reason Vegas set it at 9. They don't want to get stuck needing Nebraska in this one.

Here are some stats, Nebraskas opponents have put up:

Fresno State Bulldogs Comp Att Yds Pct Y/A Sack YdsL TD Int Rating
Derek Carr 20 41 254 48.8 6.2 0 0 1 0 108.9


Fresno State Bulldogs Rush Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
Robbie Rouse 36 169 4.7 21 0 0


Washington Huskies Comp Att Yds Pct Y/A Sack YdsL TD Int Rating
Keith Price 21 37 274 56.8 7.4 2 3 4 2 143.8

Washington Huskies Rush Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
Chris Polk 22 130 5.9 25 1 0


Both of those were HOME games for the Huskers. Giving up 4.7, and 5.9 yds per rush, is not going to get it done vs Wisconsin, and is there any question Wisconsin is a better football team on both sides of the ball than Fresno St, and Washington?

A 143.8 passer rating??? It's Price's FIRST year, and he walks into Lincoln and lights them up. IF not for a couple huge misques by Washington on special teams (they fumbled one kickoff on their own 1 yd line to Nebraska, giving Nebraska two touchdowns just a few seconds apart), they might have beaten Nebraska.

In the Fresno game (42-29), don't let the score fool you. Fresno matched Nebraska score for score throughout that game. FS led 17-14 at half time. They led 20-14 mid way through the 3rd quarter. They missed a 2 pt conversion or would have been tied 28-28 with 12 minutes left in the game. At 26-28, Nebraska ran the next kickoff back 100 yds for a td. FS came right back with a fg to cut it to 35-29, with 5 1/2 minutes left. Facing 3rd and 3, at the FS 46 with 2:17 or so remaining, and most Husker fans sitting on the edge of their seat, knowing full well a FS stop, could smell err spell, a last second defeat for the Big Red, Taylor Martinez iced it with a 46 yd TD run.

This is the team you think can play with Wisconsin? N. Illinois owned fresno st in the bowl game last year. N. Illinois would give Nebraska fits. Wisconsin beat them 49-7. I know you get in trouble making those sorts of comparisons, we can all play the a beat b, b beat c, c beat d, and d beat a, game, but I can't see Nebraska stopping Wisconsin, but however, I can see Nebraska stopping themselves.

They have a new offensive coordinator this year. It was a foregone conclusion after the way Nebraska stumbled offensively in several games last year. Nebraska lost 9-6 to A & M, only managed 17 points on South Dakota State, 20 on Kansas, 13 vs a bad Texas team, got shut out in the 2nd half of the Big 12 championship vs OU, and looked terrible in the bowl game vs Washington.

At times last year, Nebraska looked like a bad 7th grade team on offense. Taylor Martinez is NOT good under pressure. He has a goofy side arm delivery, and seems to curl up in the fetal position, when the pressure is on. He was a freshman last year, but there were many times I thought he held the ball too long, and took a costly sack when he could have thrown it away. There were countless times, when he bumped into his running back, running that stupid read option.

This version of Nebraska sucks at the read option. I think we saw it first back in the days of Charlie Ward and Warrick Dunn. They ran it to perfection. As did Timmy Tebow, and Eric Crouch. But Taylor Martinez, gets rattled, and puts the ball on the ground. They fumbled 4 times vs Wyoming last week (lost one).

In that Texas game last year (keep in mind, Iowa State beat Texas), Nebraska was extremely fired up to win the game. Unfortunately they should have left the mistakes on the practice field. The read option is suppose to read the tackle. If he takes the back, you fake, and if he takes the QB, you hand off. Texas had some really big fast tackles, and well, to be blunt, they took BOTH. NU had no answer. They tried to throw the ball, and the receivers dropped one td pass after another. I think they had 4 or 5 drops in that game that could have been touchdowns. Some of that is coaching folks. You have to figure out how to loosen up your players, and get them to play well for you. I don't know if Bo is there yet. He's a defensive guru, but seems a little inept on the offensive side of things.

I will admit, UNLV moved the ball pretty well on Wisconsin in the opener. Teams can run the ball a little on them as well. Nebraska should have "some" success. Unfortunately, I don't think it will be enough. I see a mistake prone offense in one of the most difficult road venues in the country, playing a very disciplined Badger team. NU will stub their toe here and there, and the Badgers will darn near score at will. They only thing that's going to keep Whiskey off the north side of 50, is that good ol boys network in the big 10, that doesn't run it up on anyone. I don't think this one will still be in doubt, heading into the 4th quarter. I'll be watching, and still rooting for the Huskers, but this defense is NOT as good as they had projected, and their offense, despite some speed and quickness out of martinez and berkhead, is pretty middle of the road. If either team has to throw the ball, I'll take Wilson and the Badgers all day long.

I sure as hell wouldn't have any problem laying 2 scores in this one. I'd lay 13 if I had to. 49-24, 45-27, is in the ball park fellas. The line would suggest 32.5-23.5 I think that's about right for Nebraska, but way too low for Whiskey. If you can find a whisky team total, play the over. Hell, I'd play the over 56 in general.

Wisconsin hasn't played anyone yet 

This won't be as easy as you think

Any reasons for your pick? 

One long write-up bro. With no stats, trends etc. Just from watching the games, I see Wisconsin rolling over the 'huskers.

Martinez and RB Burkhead are #2 and 3 in B10 rushing.  

Nebraska has the Defense (#15-29) and Special Teams (#4-78) edges.

Game will be a lot closer than people think.  

one thing is for sure...there will be one contender and one pretender left standing after this game...

Who has Wisconsin played again?? No one that's right, now we'll see Wilson revert to his old acc form against a real defense. Also wisky hasn't seen speed like ne has on offense or even close Neb can put 4-5 guys on the field at once with legit sub 4.5 speed, ill gladly take +10 and hammer it.

Neither of these teams could stop a nosebleed....over for me son!

LOL at these Husker fans thinking they have a shot Saturday night. Its cute. I have no idea what the spread is or if Wisc will cover but I can guarantee they win they game. For Nebraska fans to think otherwise its delusional. Jim rome has been making fun of them all week for calling in with that trash.

Well I'm glad you guaranteed it, that will give me a chance to buy back my bet, what was I thinking betting against mighty Wisconsin....tool!

I'm thinking Wisconsin Team total over also.

I am leaning towards the Badgers, but I will probably not wager on this one.

For the record, I am a life time Nebraska fan.  I'm just not as blind as some husker fans.  I see a defense that has had trouble stopping the run, both last year, and this year.  Last year they were stellar against the pass.  Perhaps the best in the country in that regard.  But you have to stop the run first, and I'm not seeing it.

Like some have said, it's possible the pelini's have been playing a little vanilla so as not to tip their hand, heading into the Wisconsin game, but I see too many mistakes, especially on offense during their regime to back the huskers in this one. 

Another post suggested the cornhuskers are the worst fumbling team in the nation since the beginning of last year.  They're 2nd to the Cocks in that regard this year.  While Wisconsin is number 1 in that same time period protecting the football.

Yes, Bo and company did a great job shutting down Texas two years ago, and OU last year in those title games, and perhaps deserved to win both of them.  But the offense was terrible in both.  Nebraska didn't score in the 2nd half of that game last year.  We managed 6 points vs Texas A/M.  13 vs a lousy Texas team.  17 vs South Dakota St.  (Doesn't that send off some alarm bells in your head?), 20 vs Kansas.  It's still martinez and rex, with no helu.  I don't doubt they're going to score some points on Wisconsin.  24 to 27 points isn't bad, I just can't see them stopping Wisconsin.  Washington and Fresno St moved the ball awfully well vs the Huskers (IN LINCOLN), and Whiskey is better than either.

Yes UNLV had some success moving the ball.  Yes, the Huskers will too.  But when it's all said and done, IMO, Nebraska will make a couple big mistakes, as they've been prone to do in some of these high caliber games, and won't be able to keep pace with the Badgers.  49-24, 45-27.  I don't see anything that would suggest any different.

Badgers beat Mich last year 48-28.  Taylor Martinez is a poor mans Dennard Robinson.  I don't think Nebraskas offense is any better than last years Michigan team, and Wisconsin shut them out in the first half when it mattered.  You might argue Nebraska's defense is better than the Wolverines, but I'm not seeing it.  They're a not as good as last years defense, and seem to have holes vs the run and pass.  There were way too many receivers running open in that Washington game.  I think the score will be similar.

Last yrs game vs Mich is a pointless comparison, 2 new teams

Husker_lee, we're both Big Red fans, so I'm not going to bash you too much, but I think you're drinking too much red coolaid.  "real defense"?  In comparison to the crud Wisconsin has played perhaps, but the Cornhusker defense I've been watching the last few weeks, has some big holes.  It's possible Pelini and company have been playing it as vanilla as possible to leave some wrinkles for the Badgers, but they look awfully vulnerable.  Bo looked like he was trying hard to cover the spread and run it up in that Washington game, and just couldn't stop the huskies.  Fresno had way too much success.  I'm not sure how you think we're going to stop Wisconsin Saturday.  Can you realistically say they will score any less than 38?

As a fan, surely you must see some of the clumsiness in that Husker offense.  They're going to move the ball, but will have break downs in the red zone.  FG's aren't going to get it done.  Best case scenario we lose 38-27.  Worst case we get blown out of the bldg.  Badgers would have to come out flat for us to play with them in that bldg, and you know that's not going to happen this week.  Both teams are going to be jacked. 

There are too many husker games, like the one with Iowa St, where we turned the ball over 8 times, and lost 10-7.  We can't make mistakes and beat the badgers. 

Do you remember a game a couple decades ago, where we were underdogs to Kordell Stewart and company, and beat them something like 27-7?  We played absolutely perfect ball.  No turnovers, no penalties.  It might have been the most perfectly played husker game ever.  We're going to need something close to that this weekend.  That Badger team is a very well coached team.  On BOTH sides of the ball.  If this were in Lincoln, we'd give em all they want.  I just don't see it in Madison.

I see a lot of mistakes and breakdowns coming.  It might get ugly.  Naturally I'd love to see a Husker win, I just can't find it on paper.

both teams should score

over is the safest bet IMO

 

Very unlikely that Wisky puts up 49 on Nebraska. They may cover but I think the prediction is a bit off. Although Nebraskas D isnt the best, they should control a lot of the clock with their running game. I like the Huskers to keep it close....

You have a good point there.  Nebraska should be able to run the ball, and eat some clock, which will keep the wisconsin scoring down... a little.  How about 38 or 41 then?  41-27.  Is that better?

I must have a little red cool aid of my own.  I got a couple games mixed up.  #3 Nebraska beat Kordell and #2 Colorado 24-7 in 1994 at Lincoln, but they did have a pic, and a couple penalties in that one.  In 1995, they won something like 44-21 ish, and had no turnovers, gave up no sacs, and had no penalties, but that one was not Kordell Stewart.  Sorry.  (Tommy Frazier Rocked).

Without a solid passing game, I think Nebraska may struggle in the Red Zone.  With a less than great defense, fg's won't be enough.  I don't think you have to look back at too many big Husker games during the Pelini era, too find offensive struggles, particulary down deep.  Martinez is bothered by pressure.  I think he's going to struggle often enough for the Badgers to pull away.

I'm not going to act like some arrogant complete know-it-all though.  I'll admit that Bo's huskers have showed up in a couple games I thought they'd get their ass kicked.  They should have beaten Texas, and had OU on the ropes in both of those Big 12 championship games, and I thought those wouldn't be close.  So I've been wrong before.  But I think you have to admit their offense left alot to be desired in both cases.  I'm afraid the Badgers are going to run away with this one.  Crick is a beast, but Suh, and Prince have moved on.  There's just not enough Blackshirt domination left to stop em.

It'll be an entertaining evening either way.  I am very excited about the Huskers joining the Big 10, and will love every minute of the beginning of some huge rivalries.  Huskers/Badgers Huskers/Wolverines, Huskers/Hawkeyes, Huskers/Buckeyes, and Huskers/Nittany Lions, are all going to be a blast year in and year out.

Those early 80's Penn state matchups were classics, with Turner Gill, Rozier, Fryar, Roger Craig, Todd Blackledge, Kurt Warner, Kenny Jackson, etc.  I've got goosebumps thinking about it.

this wisconsin team IS the real deal...bottom line

Good riddance Cornies......the Big 10 welcomes you with open arms.......now you can be the whipping-boy up north.....Pelini talks a big game with his big mouth and all those so-called D credentials.....

Hope Wisky hangs 60 on em tonight......Osborne deserves a real head coach.....

1 yd, and a missed extra point from hitting this one on the nuts. 

Nebraska is not a top 10 team.  I'm not certain they are a top 20 team.  I spent a good portion of the game watching the Nebraska linebackers.   They were lost.  Play action was giving them fits.  There are a lot of teams that will give them trouble.  They are a work in progress on both  sides of the ball.  Taylor Martinez is just not a good passer. 

That was still a winnable game coming out of the break.  That pick he threw to start the 2nd half should have been checked down to a wide open Rex Berkhead, who would've gained an easy 6-8 yds.  Instead of forcing it into coverage on the sideline.  I don't like the way this offense performs when the pressure is on.  They got bailed out by special teams in both the Fresno state, and Washington games.  Nebraska will be lucky to win their division.  It would not surprise me if Michigan and Mich state beats them.