Predictions: Nebraska at Washington
Posted on | September 18, 2010 | No Comments
I have been pretty excited for today’s game, especially since it represents the opportunity to get through our non-conference schedule undefeated (assuming we can handle South Dakota State next week) for the first time since 2005. Although I have heard a lot of Husker fans expressing concerns, I am pretty confident with the game only hours away.
Crowd Noise
Many have expressed concerns about the crowd noise that Husky Stadium uniquely produces because of its rain awnings and lake location. Crowd noise can be a problem for the first road game for a team, as well as for a redshirt freshman quarterback making his first road start.
But I’m not worried at all about crowd noise.
First, Bo Pelini teams play their best football on the road. He knows how to maximize the “us against the world” mentality, and his teams come together and focus exceedingly well on the task at hand on the road. I don’t see why this should be any different.
Second, I have heard predictions of 20-25,000 Husker fans in Husky Stadium, which only has a seating capacity of 72,500. My dad, who is in Seattle for the game, confirmed a suspicion I had: we might control half of the stadium or more. In this sense, the game today could be a repeat of the 2000 Nebraska-Notre Dame game, where there was “more red than green.”
Special Teams
I wasn’t aware of this until I listened to some sports radio yesterday, but Washington is 99th in the country in net punting, 107th at punt returns, and 117th at kick returns. We match up very well here. Also, with Niles Paul returning to his punt returning duties, we have a good chance of returning a punt or a kick for a score.
Our Defense
Jake Locker is good, but we have faced a lot of very good QBs. I am more concerned about a team’s running game, but they are 72nd in the country in rushing. A passing quarterback plays into our strengths. I will be interested to see Washington’s game plan, especially if it might be to let Locker become a bit more mobile, but I genuinely think that we will stymie their offense.
Our Offense
With Taylor Martinez, the Cornhuskers finally bring a big play threat into their games this year. Furthermore, with Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead in the backfield, coupled with a zone read option playbook that our team already runs to perfection, I think that we are going to have a physical, run-dominated game. Although our coaches have mentioned that Martinez has a long ball throwing ability, I will wait to be surprised on that one. Still, Martinez should be able to pass well enough to keep the Huskies on their toes.
But will they be consistent? Last week, we put eight fumbles on the ground, and Martinez threw a very bad interception. Will this week be more of the same, with a more hostile crowd and against a more opportunistic defense?
Nope. We play our best football on the road, and today will be no exception. I see us running our game to perfection here. Martinez might make a couple of freshman mistakes, but I don’t think that will hamper our ability to get the job done.
Final Score
Nebraska 33, Washington 6. We will begin a three game stretch of keeping our opponents out of the end zone.
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