Not long after Nebraska defeated Arkansas State 38-9 Saturday, the point of emphasis became that this Saturday’s trip to Blacksburg, Va. for a tussle with No. 14 Virginia Tech would be a game that could reveal and perhaps define how good Nebraska truly is.
So far, we know the Huskers can beat the teams they are supposed to beat, the way they are supposed to beat them. Despite what strength of schedule pundits say, that too is important. Virginia Tech, however, is a much different animal. The Hokies don’t win with style points but they always pack a punch.
Virginia Tech came into Lincoln, Neb., last season and prevailed for a 35-30 win over the Huskers. So far in 2009, Nebraska has beaten Florida Atlantic (49-3) and Arkansas State (38-9). The Hokies opened the season with a 34-24 loss to No. 4 Alabama at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta and hammered Marshall 52-10 one week later.
Losing to Alabama is no disgrace but the most telling thing is that the Crimson Tide outgained VaTech 498-155 in yards from scrimmage. The Hokies still had a punchers’ chance to win because of Dyrell Roberts’ 98 yard kickoff return. Special teams and defense has been the Hokies’ M.O. under head coach Frank Beamer. In last years in Lincoln, the Hokies special teams scored a safety and the defense set up a touchdown. Nebraska can’t afford such errors this week.
Virginia Tech is likely to enter the game as the favorite. How much? Hard to say, for the moment by about a touchdown. So, after two weeks, do you feel about the same as the Huskers chances of beating the Hokies as you did before the season? Worse? Or better?
From this corner, I’ll say about the same. VaTech should be the favorite because after all, Nebraska has had its share of implosions on the road against good teams. It will be interesting to see how quarterback Zac Lee responds. Lee has looked outstanding in his first two Div. I-A starts but doing so against Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State (at home no less) is one thing, doing so in a hornet’s nest like Blacksburg is another because the Hokies will bring the pressure.
I know it sounds cliché but he can avoid turnovers (well, the team as a whole too) in throwing and handling the ball, the Huskers will be there at the end. Something tells me Lee will be tested but play well. So far, I'm impressed with his accuracy and arm strength and I think he will be up to making a few plays with his feet.
Nebraska’s offensive line won’t draw up memories of the mid-1990s but it is better at this point than it was last season. They move well and there is depth. The run game is solid but not great. I don't expect that it will show up big in this game. Nice if it did but it probably won't (at least not this early in the year). That's why it is critical for Lee to take care of the ball.
Nebraska needs to play the field position game. The Hokies offense is not any better than last year but quarterback Tyrod Taylor will make some plays though as he is fast and will be feeling it with the crowd behind him. I do feel better about the secondary and overall defensive play.
Again, this is not a great offense they will be playing. They may be tested in the running game even without running back Darren Evans, but I think they can bend but not break often.
Special teams are a concern though. Will Nebraska tackle well? Will Alex Henery punt well? Will the Huskers get any sort of return (kind of doubt it as I see that as a big deficiency right now). Again, as cliché as it may sound, but Nebraska must not turn the ball over and make them have long drives, play solid special teams, limit penalties and win the time of possession/field position battle. If Nebraska does that, they have a chance. If not, we are looking at a VaTech win. Something tells me we are better prepared and somewhat sharper at this point this year though.
I am not worried about the pass rush, but I am worried about the pursuit. Again, Taylor will run. He is not going to throw if he doesn't have to and the tackling and pursuit was very poor.
Nebraska looks capable on both sides of the ball. I do not think the Huskers showed everything they can do on offense, nor do I think the defense was completely let loose. I have a good feeling about this team. I do not think Nebraska will win them all, but I think the Huskers will win 9 or 10 of them with next week being a possibility.
The Huskers don’t need a perfect game to win but execution needs to be sharp.
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