Every week, the Husker Locker staff will be presented both questions addressing various aspects of that week's game.
This week:
What does Nebraska have to do to both win the game against OSU and head into the bye week confident?
Brian: Winning the game is paramount, but at the same time, there has to be some sort of confidence in the abilities of both sides of the ball to make people feel a little easier. The patience level of many fans is thinning. I’ve said it before - winning is a great deodorant, and with the way some things stink right now...
Erin:
The defense needs to find its identity. They need to come out swinging this week and set the record straight from the get-go. They've been an area of concern for so many, but not due to lack of talent.
It's time for these guys to show what they're made of. That will take an immense amount of confidence and leadership. If they can come together and be a dominant force this week, that will speak volumes about the team and ultimately take them into the bye week on a good note.
Tim Beck also needs to run the ball. A lot. Let's not do any more of these 15 pass calls in a row. Play to Taylor's strengths, and this game could be exactly what is needed to rebuild confidence all around.
Greg: Simply put, win the GAME. Not just the final score, but the turnover battle. Our offense has to out-perform their offense and our defense had better play with a chip on their shoulder. They better play angry. They were exposed last week. Time to prove they are the unit they need to be.
Ryan: Limit turnovers and run the ball effectively. A conservative offensive gameplan should be them a grind-it-out close win. Not sure, even with a win, that they will have a lot of confidence. OSU is pretty down and should be easy pickings at home.
Brandon:
I think that the two go hand in hand. First and foremost, Nebraska simply needs to win. Just like last week, there’s a lot of hype surrounding the game. They’re in the same timeslot and plenty of people are going to be watching to see if Nebraska breaks down twice on the national stage.
Offensively, Tim Beck would do well to keep mostly conservative, but Taylor Martinez needs to have throw about seven to ten accurate passes. It seems like a given to just run the ball with Burkhead, but despite their offensive woes, Ohio State has the No. 23 rushing defense in the FBS. They also have the No. 20 pass defense and while Martinez is no Kirk Cousins, he doesn’t have to be. Simple five to ten-yard routes with the occasional long shot should suffice.
Defensively, this looks to be a game where Nebraska can get their secondary some confidence. OSU’s passing game is ranked No. 111 out of 120 in the FBS. If the defensive backs can play an above average game, the Cornhusker defensive line should rack up a few sacks even if Ohio State decides to go with Braxton Miller. If they decide to go with Bauserman, there’s no excuse for the defense to walk off the field without five-plus sacks and an interception for good measure.
What three things do you personally want to see out of Nebraska this week?
Brian:
1. Win the turnover battle, for once
2. Get playmakers the ball. The ones we are begging to let loose.
3. Get a little of that swag back. Act like a champion, play like a champion.
Erin:
1. Dominant defense (with the secondary really stepping up)
2. More plays with Rex Burkhead
3. No fumbles
Greg:
1. Defense
2. Taylor making better decisions
3. V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!
Ryan:
1. Fewer turnovers
2. More of the three-headed freshman rushing attack
3. A capable starter across from Dennard
Brandon:
1. If the Cornhuskers’ offensive line can make holes in the front seven of OSU, this game’s over. I expect the same eight to rotate, though we’ll likely see more of Choi due to the rushing attack. A dominant line will lead to good things down the road.
2. There needs to be tightened coverage by the defensive backs. No taking plays off, no stopping short because a play seems dead. The defensive backs may be young, but they’re talented and there’s no reason for them to get seared every week, especially not by this Buckeye passing attack.
3. Consistent play-calling by Tim Beck. If things are going well and Beck decides to switch things up to the point of panicking Martinez again, that bodes horribly for the future. This game doesn’t need to be a blowout. It simply needs to be a victory.
Can the Nebraska defense rebound?
Brian: I don’t know if they can rebound fully, but they can at least figure out what’s going on and who should be on the field. Ohio State’s offense can either shock Nebraska or do what's expected, and even with a dominant performance, people will still wonder about the Wisconsin game. Don’t take too much stock in a good defensive performance, but realize that it wouldn’t hurt the confidence of this defense for a big game, especially the secondary.
Erin:
Yes, they can. They are incredibly talented guys. Play as a team and it will take care of itself.
Greg: Plain and simple: they sure as hell need to. Kid gloves are off. Maybe the Adidas gloves will be on. Make the plays.
Ryan: Sure. There is so much talent and a win - even if it's ugly - will get this defense some confidence back.
Brandon: Absolutely, they can. The front four is fine overall, but they’ve lacked necessary backup from the linebackers sans David thus far. BUCK and MIKE need to be figured out, though. Compton plays well enough against the run, but he’s been a liability when receivers come over the middle.
The secondary is obviously a work in progress. It’s hard to say whether or not there will be a group that will be able to perform as well as last year, though that’s not likely. They don’t need to be All-World, though. This group simply needs to be competent and that’s not asking for more than they can deliver.
Is OSU Taylor's "Make or Break" game?
Brian: It could be, but at the same time, who really knows? I’m trying to give the kid a break, because he is a good player, but at the same time, Tim Beck didn’t help him at all last week. Taylor just can’t throw the ball 10-15 times a game, we have too many receivers that need to help us.
I do think that this game, combined with the bye week coming up and the catcalls for Brion getting louder, is going to be a big part of Taylor’s legacy at Nebraska. It’s up to him, Tim Beck, and Bo to determine how it ends.
Erin: I'm a big Martinez fan and I think he'll be fine. I'm choosing to rather support him going into OSU versus criticizing him too much. I believe he has what it takes. He just needs to find that confidence and believe in himself. He doesn't need fans or the media building him up. He clearly has the support of his team, and coaches. This game is for Martinez. Will it make or break him? Only if he lets it.
Greg: No. That was Wisconsin. Bo has faith in the kid. If Bo sticks with Taylor, we ALL stick with Taylor.
Ryan: No. A poor performance will still not get him pulled. Perhaps Michigan State will be the make or break game, or perhaps Bo will not bench him no matter what.
Brandon: I wouldn’t call it Taylor’s MoB game as much as I would call it Nebraska’s. This game could really set the tone for the remainder of the year. Based on the outcome of this game, I can honestly see the 2011 squad taking any of three paths: A complete rebound, a ho-hum season or a complete collapse.
As it stands, Nebraska is in control of its own destiny. They can still make it to the Big Ten Championship Game and they can still make a BCS bowl. It begins, and can end, with Ohio State.
Score Predictions:
Brian: 37-17 Nebraska. A pissed off offense, a crowd pumped up for Homecoming plus an Ohio State offense that not much is expected out of, even from Buckeye fans. However, even with a win, don’t think that the waters will calm down, folks.
Greg: 30-20 Nebraska
Brandon: Nebraska 20 Ohio State 16 – The Cornhuskers keep it on the ground for most of the game. A few big plays allow Nebraska to convert some key third downs and put enough points on the board to send Big Red fans home happy.
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Brandon: @HuskerLocker
Brian: @btbowling
Erin: @helloerinmarie
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