The term “measuring stick” often gets overused but for the 2009 Nebraska Cornhuskers, their September 19 road game at Virginia Tech could provide a tell-tale sign of what type of season the team will have.
Nebraska’s non-conference clash against Virginia Tech on Sept. 19 has been selected for a regional telecast on ABC. The announcement was made on Thursday by ESPN and the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The game is set for a 2:30 p.m. CT (3:30 p.m. ET) kickoff from Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. In addition to the ABC coverage, the contest will be carried on ESPN2 in markets that receive a different regional contest on their ABC affiliates.
OK, I know that goes against the clichéd, “One game at a time” theory. Then again, I take it one Husker fan blog at a time too. Yes, Nebraska has home games against Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State before visiting VaTech. Yes, every game is important. That’s why they are on the schedule but not every game is created equal. Come on; are you going to tell me that beating Iowa State is just as impressive as say beating Texas or Oklahoma? Get real.
The last three seasons, Nebraska’s first high profile game provided a clue of what type of season the team had.
In 2006, the 19th ranked Huskers visited No. 4 USC and lost 28-10. You were disappointed but not discouraged. Keep in mind, when Zac Taylor scored a rushing touchdown with 12:44 left in the game, the Trojan lead was cut to 21-10. USC was never in danger of losing the game necessarily and while the Trojans were the superior club, it’s not like they outclassed Nebraska. Granted, Bill Callahan’s neo-conservative game plan (36 runs, 17 passes) left a lot to be desired. At which point I ask, “If he called 36 passes, 17 runs and the Huskers lost 41-24 would you have felt any different?” The Huskers went on to a 9-5 season and should have gone no worse than 11-3 but they did win their first Big 12 North crown in seven years and played in their first New Years Day caliber bowl game in five years.
In 2007, the 14th rated Huskers hosted top-ranked USC and lost 49-31. Yes, it was an 18-point loss just like the year before but let’s face it, of Nebraska’s four touchdowns only one came when the game mattered. The other three were in garbage time. The Trojans ran through the Husker defenders, who were at the game in body but other than that I could not quantify their presence at the game. Nebraska went on to a 5-7 season, lost confidence and thus the Callahan experiment ended.
In 2008, Nebraska and Virginia Tech entered their matchup in Lincoln as unranked. Nonetheless, that game was going to be a telling sign where the Huskers stood under then first year head coach Bo Pelini. Nebraska lost 35-30 but trailed 28-10 midway through the third quarter. The game seemed like a lost cause but the Huskers kept battling instead of assuming the fetal position like the previous year. Nebraska lost its next two games to fall to 3-3 but won six of their last seven games to finish 9-4. The reason the game against Virginia Tech was significant is that it was the first sign that while Nebraska was a flawed club, it would never quit.
Both clubs are ranked in every preseason Top 25 poll. Then again, we should know exactly how formidable the Hokies are when they host Alabama in their season opener on Sept. 5.
The Hokies have been a pretty consistent program the last decade or so under head coach Frank Beamer. Virginia Tech has developed a reputation for being strong defensively and on special teams. The Hokies also pride themselves on being more physical than their opponents – something the Huskers prided themselves on for years too. VaTech will also have seven returning starters.
So how much will Nebraska’s game in Blacksburg, VA tell us? The feeling here is quite a bit.
If Nebraska wins, I think a 10-2 season is likely. A respectable loss (say 7-14 points), I think 9-3 becomes a realistic expectation. A blowout loss, which I don’t believe will happen, then I think matching last year’s 8-4 regular season becomes a battle.
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