Sizing Up the Aggies
3 comments so far
November 7, 2006 by
Texas A&M is a big team. They have a big offensive line, a big defensive line and two big linebackers. But the beef they have on the lines pales when compared to what they're packing at tailback.
Plowhorse Jorvorskie Lane weighs over 270 lbs. That's pretty frightening for a Husker defense that's already worn down from playing 10 straight games without a bye. If it's some consolation, the passing game for the Aggies has not been overpowering. If the Huskers can start fast (as they have all year) and force the Aggies to throw the ball, good things can happen. The Aggies aren't built to play from behind. Take away the run and you've taken away the Aggies best chance at victory.
That's easier said than done. Quarterback Stephen McGee can pile up the rushing yards and the receivers seem built for run blocking with two weighing in at over 220 lbs. With weapons like Mo Purify, Brandon Jackson, and Marlon Lucky, the Huskers should have chances to score as well. As usual the key will be execution on offense and assignment sound football and good tackling on defense. Three and outs offensively could spell slow death against a team that can really wear down opposing teams.
A scoring contest would seem to favor the quick-strike Huskers. A defensive battle would favor the power game of the Aggies. In either case, I expect a close game that isn't decided until the fourth quarter. The Huskers can be thankful they'll get a bye week to recover from this one, they'll surely need it.
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Brad Nov 08 06
"In either case, I expect a close game that isn't decided until the fourth quarter."
you can count on that one, the last 6 of our games have been decided in the final minutes, and the average margin of victory/defeat is about 4.
should be a great game.
darren Nov 08 06
Players like Jorvorskie Lane fascinate me. He's basically like Bettis or Christian Okoye.
It's hard not to gawk at a skill player with that kind of size. And, it's easy to appreciate that kind of production, especially his TDs.
Here's the thing, it's his foot quickness that that gets my attention. He's more like Bus than Okoye in that regard. Okoye couldn't move laterally at all, and it made him a liability at times. By the way, one way to counteract any "big" back is to have penetration in the backfield... make them move laterally and don't let them get a head of steam!
It's not that Lane has *great* feet, but they are surprisingly quick for a guy of his size. It catches people off guard and they miss the tackle. Honestly, I think it is more a matter of the Huskers recognizing Lane's ability other than his size, and first being in the right position to make the tackle.
Now, making the tackle is a whole other mess. But, hit him low and I'd bet he goes down. It's hard to run when your knees are wrapped up.
Still, that guy is big!
Scott Nov 08 06
I know what I'm about to say has been heard for road teams over and over and over again and it pretty much common sense. But if we can stay in it until the fourth quarter then I really do like our chances.
To me it seems that the more aggressive our play calling is, the better we perform on offense. I know BC likes to "pound the rock" and rightfully so. It's nice to not only see improvement in that category this year, but to see us be one of the top teams nationally says a lot about how far this team has come. But I'm hoping for a nice mix of run and pass this week. NU needs a quick start to get that crowd out of it early. How nice would it be to get a couple of defensive stops and some "special" special teams play out there??
This should be a great college football game to watch. And I agree with Steve....the bye week will be much needed after this one. Hopefullythat gives the Huskers a little more incentive to lay just a little bit extra out on the line.