Why Nebraska Will Win Saturday
5 comments so far
September 6, 2007 by
I was enjoying a rare mid-week happy hour in honor of a retiring friend and ran into a Wake Forest enthusiast. Much like some of our visitors to this site, he had a lot of confidence that Wake would win. He bet me a beer that Nebraska wouldn’t cover the touchdown they were favored by (I hadn't seen that the spread had grown to 9 points in favor of the Huskers). He kept saying he felt bad for me since I’d be driving away from Winston-Salem disappointed. I’m quite capable of pessimism about the Huskers (I confess I even picked Nevada to cover the spread last weekend), but this week I’m just not feeling it. There are a number of reasons:
1) Quarterbacks - Nebraska brings a bigger more experienced quarterback who’s proven he can be productive on the field. In reserve, Nebraska has a backup who’s pushed for playing time. Wake Forest brings a smallish backup in replacement of their second-team All-ACC performer. Lord knows what plan B would be if he gets hurt.
2) The running game – Nebraska has one and apparently Wake doesn’t. I’m sure Wake will get more than the 2 yards of a week ago. But I don’t see 150 for them. I see at least 150 for Nebraska – maybe 250.
3) The setting – A small stadium with an early kick isn’t the most hostile environment you’ll ever see. In fact, a vocal Husker minority might make it downright friendly.
4) Wide Receiver/Defensive back matchups – The Huskers have big receivers and the Demon Deacons have small defensive backs. Advantage NU. Wake’s receivers on the other hand are not big, so they can’t claim the same advantage offensively.
5) Depth – Just about everywhere you see depth at Nebraska. Five starting linebackers, four starting cornerbacks, the offensive line, quarterback, running back. Meanwhile, a gimpy runner only a year removed from an ACL tear like Micah Andrews is still Wake’s best option in the backfield. They lost a linebacker without a clear replacement. Now they’ve lost their starting quarterback and a defensive end. Wake looks less and less like the squad that won 11 games a year ago.
6) Confidence – NU handled Wake pretty easily in 2005 (and that was without much offense) and Nevada easily last week. Wake has now lost its last two games. Which team would you expect to be more confident?
7) Pass defense – Nebraska held Nevada to 33% passing. Meanwhile, Boston College managed over 400 passing yards against Wake Forest. Even if the Demon Deacons can handle the Husker running game, why should we think they can defend the pass against a quarterback that’s averaged about 300 yards a game as a Division I starter?
8) Turnovers – Wake had four turnovers (all interceptions) against Boston College while Nebraska had only one in the opener. If this happens again Saturday, Wake will have no chance to win.
9) Field Position – Adi Kunalic is booting it deep and Wake’s return game was nothing special a week ago. Meanwhile, the Huskers are starting to get some things going in their return game. Nebraska was also better in net punting to start the year. If these trends hold, Wake will have to put together long drives in order to score. With no running game, how often can you expect to move the chains against a defense expecting the pass?
10) It’s not just me – Whether it’s the point spread or the predictions, no one else is making the case for the Demon Deacons. No one sees them winning unless they're a Wake fan.
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Greg Morrow Sep 06 07
Very good reasons, Steve. Reasons 1,2,4 and 5 are each good enough by themselves to tip the scales.
I thought the Deamon Deacons were smallish, but they're about average with a couple of exceptions, big and small.
Nebraska has decent skill guys on offense, but what I think is the big overall advantage is at both lines- size and depth. Especially at O-line. I'm not going to say it had a profound impact on me, but the 413 yards running were essentially force fed on Nevada. Callahan alluded to a weakness he saw, but WOW!, that doesn't account for Nebraska basically just pushing "the Pack's" 11 up and down the field for about 3 quarters. No misdirection, no counters that I could identify, just find the hole along the line and cut up.
These guys can now do that in their sleep, after counting sheep. Shouldn't be as successful against a clear notch up in competition, but with more determined passing there may be more of a possibility of breaking a couple.
Like the matchup, love the high noon start in the opponent's house and now it's time for a demonstration of balanced precision.
ze bop Sep 06 07
I don't even know why we're having this discussion: NE by 21. I've already said it will not be close. We outclass them in every respect. Where are all the Wake Trolls this week on our boards? A conspicuous absence, but they know what's in store for them. Emotion might keep them close for about the 1st qtr., and then, "SEE YA!"
So, after we spank them this weekend, we can be relieved in that neither they nor OSU Beavs(loss to Cinci 34-3, hahahahahaha!) will be taking up precious cyberspace on Big Red boards for years to come. AMEN!
Grant Sep 07 07
ze bop...EXACTLY!!! I remember quite vividley how "enthused" the Wake fans were some months ago about this game. Don't see the same fans posting this week. Doubt we'll see them next week either. Back alley bookies better decline to take bets on this game.
joe Sep 08 07
You have a multi-million dollar football program and you need ref help to beat one of the smallest schools in the country? That display of "football" is all you got? Some goofball moron that calls himself zebop says they totally outclass Wake. We had our second string QB in! If you take anything away from this pitiful win it will be this: You asses will be hosed by USC. C'mon, win by 3 and have to have ref help on the last play to do it. You corn-eating goofballs were sweating it out. Your program is a SHELL of it's former glory. You will be totally...I mean totally creamed by USC. I'll spot you jackasses 21 off the bat. Any takers? And you better not listen to the total jackass that wrote this piece of crap article, he was wrong on almost EVERY point.
OU7times Sep 08 07
Steve and BRN don't need me to stick up for them but what you don't realize is that you are obviously emotional about a near win for your team. Make your point...fine, but don't call anyone here "jackasses" for stating THEIR opinion on THEIR website. This blog has been pretty much pollution free until your post. Start your own blog if you don't like the opinions stated here. Evidently you think this isn't a great website but I bet you'll check back in to read more. I'm an OU fan and I can see your dead wrong.