How to Beat Oklahoma
27 comments so far
November 2, 2009 by
A win over Oklahoma in Lincoln would do a lot for Nebraska. It would put the Huskers in great position to win the Big 12 North, it would give the team enormous confidence, and it would prevent a three-game home losing streak in Memorial Stadium. But beating the Sooners is easier said than done. Here's how NU can pull it off.
It Starts with Defense
In three losses this year, the Sooners managed less than 21 points each time. Forget about winning a shootout with the Sooners. Even if Nebraska wasn't having offensive problems, you couldn't expect to score 35 against Bob Stoops' defense, which has allowed over 20 points only twice. The front four need to have a field day as they will have the best matchup for Nebraska in the game.
Don't Forget Special Teams
If the game becomes a punting contest, you have to win that contest. The Huskers have been outpunted most of the season. You can't let the Sooners gain field position with each exchange. Alex Henery needs to have the game of his life as a punter as do the cover teams. Another punt block, like we saw against Baylor, blocked kick, or big return would obviously be huge as well.
Don't Be Predictable
With Nebraska's offensive problems, it's got to be tempting to run the ball on first down in hopes of staying on schedule and moving the chains. But the Sooners are the third best run defense nationally. You can't run on them when they see it coming. BYU managed only 28 rushing yards and yet still managed to win the game. Yes, the Longhorns and Hurricanes had more success running the ball, but they also had quarterbacks that made you respect the passing game. If you run into eight or nine-man defensive fronts against OU, you may as well be trying to run through a brick wall. Your best chances to move the ball will likely be with pass plays on first down.
Avoid Negative Plays on Offense
Obviously, you don't want a mess of turnovers (even though the Sooners won the turnover battle in two of their three losses), but you also need to avoid offensive penalties, sacks, and running plays that lose three yards. In the passing game, that means you roll your quarterback outside the hash marks and tell him it will never be the wrong decision to throw it out of bounds. For that matter, it's not a terrible call to run draw plays on third and long rather than hold out hope of a big pass that they'll be waiting for.
Improvise
Since one of Cody Green's strengths is running the ball, encourage him to do it particularly on pass plays where he doesn't see anyone open. If you're Bob Stoops you're probably more concerned about what Green might do running the ball on third down than throwing it. Like a Jammal Lord, Green can be dangerous on seemingly broken plays where he's got some space to operate. While they may not be designed run plays, Green ought to be allowed to run with the ball whenever he wants.
Take Shots
You're not going to score on the Sooners with 12-play eighty yard drives. Rather, you'll get a few opportunities that you've got to capitalize on. Play action on first down, may be your best shot at a touchdown. And while turnovers are possible with deep passes, that can be like a punt if you heave it far enough and don't allow a return. But you don't beat OU with a timid game plan. This is the week for the trick plays.
Get Loud
This last one is for the fans. Be the 12th man out there and make it hard for the Sooners to think. If you want Memorial Stadium to become an intimidating place to play, then fans have to do their part.
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WyHuskerFan Nov 02 09
It would be the most unbelievable turnaround in college football for NU to dig down deep and play a complete and perfect game on Saturday. Yes, it might come on Saturday, but not this Saturday. I have faith that the program is meandering in the right direction. They're obviously wandering aimlessly right now. Offense is inconsistent and listless, defense still gives up big plays and both squads get flagged too often. Too many things are not "fixed" and continue to be a festering thorn. They'll need a tremendous effort just to see post season action IMHO.
OU7times Nov 02 09
You have to be OU-NU 1986 loud.
Jamelle Hollieway couldn't hear himself call plays.
Glenn Baker Nov 02 09
I think the biggest key to NU wining is special teams. If we can block a punt or run back one for a TD it will be the difference. I agree with WyHuskerFan the defense does give up the big play too often. NU needs to to have the exact opposite of the ISU game were everythinig went wrong to everything going our way. We have a chance to win but it will be tough. Maybe instead of Sooner Magic so many times witnessed by NU fans will finally turn into NU magic against them. I will be at the game and hope they win. GBR!
PSW Nov 02 09
WyHF
I agree with your entire post. If we get to a bowl game I'll be pleasantly surprised. If we beat OU 'unbelievable turnaround' will be an understatement. Not to say OU is anything special this year but were a long way from even playing good football right now.
tr Nov 02 09
If ISU can do it to us why can't we do the same to OU.... LOUD FANS a must!
WyHuskerFan Nov 02 09
An LJS reporter wrote an article to the effect that KSU's loss gives NU hope. I would agree with that assessment if we had the O line and running game KSU has. Right now we don't and to me that's the achilles heel of this team. We have no credible run threat. I thought that's why they gave Green a shot against Baylor, but then one has to wonder why they tried to make him a pocket passer instead of a consistent run threat. Would someone help me understand why we have a fullback and tight ends that never see the ball. You would think if they wanted to shake things up they would get those position players involved. BYU beat OU with stout defense and quick passes to different players all over the field. They forced OU to defend everyone so TE and backs were matched up with linebackers BYU exploited. McNeil and Legate both are good receivers, so what gives?
Scott Nov 02 09
I think trying to get the "12th man" (fans) to help out alot this Saturday is pretty futile. It's bad enough that our fans aren't overly loud these days, but when it's a night game, they're all worn out from tailgating and getting up so early. And when half the crowd is over 50, it's tough to light a fire under them. I bleed Husker red, but I'm a realist. I think Lee and Green should BOTH be used at QB and be told that ahead of time. Assign each QB a role in what plays he'll be running..get everyone on offense on the same page. AND PLEASE, somebody tell WATSON to use his tight ends for once and throw some passes down the middle of the field. And stop telegraphing every hand-off by the QB from the shotgun position.. everybody see's what's coming when they do that, DUH. Go Huskers- NU 31- OU 20
Scott Nov 02 09
Good Lord.. I really apologize for the 4 duplicate posts.. yikes. I know your server may be slow, but I only hit the comment button twice 'cuz it wouldn't load. Huge apologies!!
Dwayne Nov 02 09
http://my.journalstar.com/post/Husker_Extra_Group/Husker_Extra/blog/the_big_12_north_crawl.html
I have searched the world wide web thoroughly for the conference standings and this is a very good compiled source of info... The North is a crap-shoot.
WyHuskerFan Nov 02 09
BRN's server would have to speedup to be considered slow. It's kinda like our team, you have to be patient.
Matt Nov 02 09
While there is a sense of gloom and doom about our offense, I would like to remind the gallery that a few scant weeks ago, we had Virgina Tech on the ropes in their own home. That doesn't happen very often, even in V. Tech down years.
Oklahoma is very pedestrian on offense, and their offensive line is only slightly more effective than ours currently. This is an offense that our defense can stop if they play at a V. Tech level (last two minutes of the game withstanding).
As for our offense...well, we're starting over. With the exception of the O-Line and Tight Ends, we pretty much suited up our second string Offense against Baylor's 1st string, and we still came away with a win. As long as Green plays within his current ability and doesn't try to shoulder the load (read: give up the ball), this game will be a lot closer to a Nebraska win than many folks think.
The only wildcard is our coaching staff. We know our defensive coaching has been superb this year, but our offensive playcalling is lackluster at best.
Plus, Watson seems to forget one of the most basic tenants in running an offense--get the D*** ball to your playmakers! That would be Paul, our RB (depending on health), and the Tight End corps. Forget running a delay with our Tight End--mess with OU and have our best TE go into a receiver slot via motion, and send him downfield. Run reverses, sweeps, and straight ahead to play to the strengths of this O-Line.
We all know the gameplan last week in Waco was very pedestrian--that was mostly because we were starting from square one again. But I'm sure part of the reason too is that we don't want to show a Cody Green suite of plays on film for OU to look over--let's save some face cards for the big boys and hope they don't draw an Ace.
Good Guys: 24
Ruiners of a Good Thing: 20
WyHuskerFan Nov 02 09
Matt, we had VT on the ropes with a very healthy Helu. He could be a game breaker if he's healthy, but sadly, he may not be again until he gets adaquate timeoff to heal. If we get a bowl berth, hopefully he'll be allowed to heal 100% for that.
Ryanoudoak Nov 02 09
Can't wait for NU to be back to National Prominence. I hate that the whole North has fallen the way it has. Must be the way ya'll felt in the '90s. I feel pretty confident this week. NU is strong up front, but I don't think that the D has the playmakers in the secondary to handle our quick outs and slants to our playmakers. Our D showed they are vulnerable to K-State, but Venable's D has always been suspect against a big athletic quarterback (basically what their tailback is). Hoping for a competitive game on a National stage and also hoping for the best team from the North to knock of the Whorns in Dallas.
Go Big Red.
kw Nov 02 09
Scott...I couldn't agree with you more on the the whole 12th Man at Memorial Stadium. The once intimidating 'Sea of Red' now more resembles the 'Sea of Dead'. Our ticket holders as a whole are old, sit the entire game, and just aren't loud. I love T.O. just as much as the next person, but the biggest blunder he's made since taking over as A.D. is moving the student section away from the field. Our loudest fans, are now the furthest from the field. Sorry, but that was a bone head move. I think it's obvious from the last two home games, that Memorial Stadium isn't the intimidating place to play that it used to be. Granted, it wasn't the fans that caused 8 turnovers against Iowa St., but it's just not loud for the entire game anymore.
Austin Nov 02 09
We don't need to play a perfect game to win. We just need to play within ourselves, limit mistakes, and make a few big plays.
Our D will hold OU's offense. OU's offense has been stopped several times this year, and our D is good.
The problem is with our offense going against OU's D. They have a good D, like ours, but our O can't do anything. Think the VT game, but without Helu... QB under constant pressure, WRs dropping balls.. it's going to be a massacre. But, if we can force some TOs on D, not give up any on offense, and take some long shots down the field, then we can win.
As for special teams, OU will have the advantage in the return game, but we have the better kickers.
Doug Nov 02 09
Before we start knocking OU's D against K State, if you watched the game you might have realized that OU D was playing lackluster at best. They were in that mode you see great teams get in when they feel like they will win by just showing up. The entire game, the defense seemed like they were distracted and the OU offense was picking up the slack. Then, when the defense really wanted to put a stop to K State toward the end of the game, they kicked into a whole other gear and just bowled over the K State O line and blew them backwards for several plays in a row. Personally, I don't think the defense was up for the game, for what ever reason.
I believe they will be up for Nebraska. We will need to have our best game of the year against OU, and OU will need one of their worst for us to have a chance. It could happen.
Orthodox Nov 02 09
This game will be won or lost at the line of scrimmage.
Defensively I think Nebraska can handle Oklahoma's offense. Despite their pro-style offense their running game is based upon a comparability simple zone blocking scheme, something that the talented Husker D-Line should be able to handle, if that's the case, that should free up an extra linebacker or nickelback to handle Oklahoma's passing game. Shutting down Ryan Broyles is a must and somebody has to step up and do so.
Offensively- Like everyone else the O-line concerns me, and unfortunately their performance determines who wins this game. Scoring less than 20 points is not an option if the Huskers plan to walk away with a W.
What upsets me now is why did Cody Green not get a start till last week? I know hindsight is 20/20 but if the coaches were going to go this way, he should have started against Iowa St. his inexperience is a huge concern. Talent wise Cody Green has the skills to win, but not sure if he has the maturity and knowledge to pull it off.
The play calling has got to get better, the running game, while reliable enough to gain a few yards here or there, won't be enough to carry the offense. The Huskers can't call those screen passes and dump passes every single passing play. The Wide outs need to be sent downfield, and if OU sends their LB's to attack the weak O-line (that's what I would be doing) use the tight ends for those quick slant routes for those drive sustaining 5 or 6 yard gaines. Sure there is a much higher risk relying so much on Cody Green to win, but as Steve mentioned, risk taking needs to happen if the Huskers want to even think about winning.
Giveaways and penalties cannot happen. This is a tough enough game, don't make it harder on yourselves.
Dion Nov 02 09
OU 42 Neb 17
James Moore Nov 02 09
Kw,
Amen on everything you said about the crowd. It seems like a wax museum with a pulse sometimes. We need to get LOUD because this place is NOT the intimidating enviornment it was. Anyone remember the crowd for 92 Colorado? That's just one example of countless others when The Sea of Red was just downright oppressive for visitors. . .
Dave Nov 02 09
OH MY GAWD. I am so sick of hearing ignorant husker fans spout their lack of knowledge.
First off, to WyHuskerFan & PSW, what Defense are you watching? Our D line is one of the best in the country, but one additional edge they have is the GREAT coverage our back 7 are giving. There are these things called COVERAGE SACKS that happen when the DB's cover receivers so well the QB doesnt have anyone to throw to. There isnt a defense in the history of the game that hasn't occasionally given up a big play here or there (the other guys are on scholarship too).
So the next time either of you get the urge to say "defense still gives up big plays and ... Too many things are not "fixed" and continue to be a festering thorn" shut your pie hole. NU has one of the best defenses in the country right now. When you say otherwise it just makes you look stupid.
NUMBER 2. If I hear one more husker fan complain about "why arent we using the tight end" im going to loose it. If any of you have the game on Tivo, watch it again and watch the tight ends during the play. Defenses are covering our tight ends like white on rice. Actually defenses are covering up the middle of the field to take away the short passes that have been NU's bread a butter the last few years.
The coaches want the tight ends to play a bigger role, but quarterbacks are trained to NOT throw to a covered receiver.
Finally can everyone stop bunching up their panties about the run game. As someone who knows Coach Watson, I can assure you he likes to run the ball. Problem is our running backs are beat down and wats didnt want to put a ton of Cody running on film for OU to prep for. I know everyone is excited to see NU with a running QB. Patience! It is coming.
I know in this day and age its common to second, 3rd & 4th guess the coaches. But come on guys. I read posts that make me think the author ACTUALLY thinks the coaches went dumb over night. We have a great staff, but still have some personnel holes to fill.
They didnt want to throw Cody out there waaay too early and have him loose confidence. They know what they are doing (and from what ive read here - they know a hell of a lot more than most husker fans). Remember they want to win more than we do. So criticizing them is more about letting the fans vent than supporting the team. If you REALLY love the Big Red, show em you have their backs in the tough times. Its easy to be a fan when the team is on top. But you show your class when your there when the times are tough.
Cindy Nov 02 09
The most important thing to watch for in the entire game is good sportsmanship for both teams. I have major respect for both teams and hope and pray that the outcome of this game is because of the talent and skills of the coaches and the players.
paul Nov 03 09
Watson has to take that 40-yard pass across the field for 2 yards when it's 3rd and 9 and throw it in the trash. It resulted in 2 or 3 TD's the other way last year and has already killed us in games like TTech and Baylor.
Shawn Watson's offense can be summed up in one word "cute". It doesn't work against athletes. If his offense can't put 21 on the board, he needs to clear out.
John Nov 03 09
I expect NU to be sky-high for this game and focused like you were vs. Va Tech. I expect us to struggle as well. OU under Stoops has not been very consistent away from Norman. The key will be our OL. If we can keep Suh and Crick off Landry then we should torch your secondary, especially now that we have found four receivers who catch the ball. I also don't expect us to run the ball terribly well. If we do decide to establish a run game, I hope it's with Murray as he gets YAC and Chris Brown doesn't. Anyway, I look for it to be closer than many of my OU brethren think. Bo will coach up your guys and playing at home will help. Have faith Huskers. I know you have your problems -- us too -- but you have tradition. It'll be a good game.
OU!
Sam Nov 03 09
Paul, Man what a great assessment. Watson's "Cute" offense really doesnt work against athletes. Well unless they are in the NFL where most teams use the "Cute" west coast offense.
Guess those NFL guys are "cute" to you too.
PSW Nov 03 09
Dave,
I have stated we have an excellent defense in prior posts in prior threads. I still believe that. There are still breakdowns in the secondary on occasion ie. VaTech and ISU or were those plays mirages? No matter how you slice it those plays have cost us.
Our offense is pedestrian at best and incompetent at worst. You can spin all you want about what you and the coaches see that is so much clearer than us the fans but I do know poorly played football when I see it and NU has played some poor football this year in its own house or was ISU and TTech just a mirage. I'll shut my pie hole when I da*n well please. Say hello to Wats for me.
Andrew Nov 03 09
Didn't Watson direct Colorado's offense in 2001? What was the score of that Nebraska, Colorado game, I forget? I think Watson knows how to game plan otherwise Dr. Tom would not like him so much.
Freebird198 Nov 04 09
I have watched what everyone has write here, I must say I agree with some. But let be real here, who has Neb really played that has a offence? and as far as defence, go talk to Colt Mccoy and TX, he hit the turf 18 times in that game. I don't think it will be as bad as last yrs meeting. Lets just say 42-14 OU