The Husker Locker staff will be presented a number of questions addressing various aspects of each week in the world of college football all season long.
This week:
How big of an impact will a win or a loss in the Capital One Bowl have for Nebraska?
Erin: A win is extremely important. I believe the impact would be great and would really get momentum going before signing day. Morale has been a bit low as of late, so a win would aid that. It would keep the excitement high for 2012.
It would also help erase the painful memory of the last bowl game.
Greg: You're looking at a game against a quality SEC opponent. Win and you take a big leap forward. Lose and welcome to the No. 20-30 ranking.
James: I think the biggest impact will be on the message boards in the off-season. Another loss would put a Husker Nation in a sour mood as the Huskers would finish with another late-season collapse losing three of their last five games. A win would help show Nebraska's trajectory is at least near stable, and would be a nice finish over a good SEC school.
Regardless, the most important things this month for the staff to be working on isn't this game, it's recruiting to fill the voids and build depth on this thin roster. The recruiting class is going to be small, and other schools seem to be picking off the best talent.
Brandon: This is a huge game in terms of momentum for both the remainder of the recruiting cycle and heading into prep for 2012. Last year, Nebraska fizzled at the end of last season and went 2-2 in November this year. A win gives the Cornhuskers 10 victories with one over a top ten SEC team during a time of confusion among the Big Red program.
There’s no defensive coordinator named, Bo’s busy on the recruiting trail so communication’s been minimal and honestly the Twitter ban’s probably the best thing that could’ve happened. Nebraska needs to stay focused or they will lose to South Carolina just as they did to Washington last year.
What one player do you feel will make the game for Nebraska against South Carolina?
Erin: I'd say it will be a combination of Rex Burkhead and Taylor Martinez. With South Carolina's secondary being so strong, the running game will have to be just as efficient. Taylor will have to play very smart and stay calm. I also hope Rex has gotten a lot of rest because his legs will be put to heavy use. To win, the ball can't go in the air much.
Greg: In all three phases, I think it will be the same playmakers we have relied on all season, Rex Burkhead, Lavonte David, and Brett Maher. Many will say Dennard, but I think David has the ability to disrupt the quarterback and cause an errant throw.
James: On one hand, I'm tempted to say Lavonte David in containing the Gamecocks' running game. I ultimately have to go with Mike Caputo, who may be sitting out the game due to an arrest for an alleged DUI.
Nebraska clearly doesn't have another center. Perhaps the only weakness of the South Carolina defense is their middle/interior run defense. Nebraska was probably relying on pounding the rock with a fresh Rex Burkhead. Without Caputo, the offense is going to greatly struggle.
Brandon: The easy answer here is Burkhead and he’ll get his carries, but I’ll go with Brett Maher. You’ve got two teams that are pretty evenly matched and in that situation it comes down to turnovers and special teams. Maher’s money with kicking duties and fortunately Nebraska hasn’t given the ball away unless it was via Martinez. Maher may be the guy with the winning points.
Do you see a similar postseason letdown as last year's Holiday Bowl or will the team be more focused?
Erin: No. Not at all. I don't even want to think or talk about last year. This team knows what is at stake so it won't happen.
That's that.
Greg: I think that despite the off-the-field issues and continued rumors about Bo's interest in coaching elsewhere, that this team will be focused and ready for the game. If they aren't focused, it will get ugly in a hurry.
James: The team will CERTAINLY be more focused. The change in bowl locale (hello Florida!), the prestige of the bowl, the fact that it's against a fast and tough SEC opponent, how could this team not be jacked to play in this game?
If there is any issue with motivation, the coaching staff only has itself to blame. Husker fans should be furious if Nebraska comes out flat in this contest. Outside of the BCS, it doesn't get any bigger than the Capital One Bowl.
Brandon: The potential’s there. With Mike Caputo, Eric Martin and Colin McDermott all in the paper, plus players clearly not taking the initial Twitter ban warning seriously, it makes me think this ship is floating wherever the tide takes it.
Fortunately, the big names will continue to make plays because, to quote Herm Edwards, "they play to win the game." Burkhead will show up and likely won’t stop playing unless he takes a bullet to the buttocks Gump-style. Even that’s might not slow him down.
The game’s going to speak loudly about the amount of respect the current staff is getting and how much control they have over the team as a whole. Carl’s departure isn’t going to affect much, but 60 minutes of extremely focused football is necessary to prevent another SEC Capital One Bowl win.
What bowl game are you looking forward to the most besides the Capital One Bowl?
Erin: Stanford vs. Oklahoma State, honestly. I think the match-up is interesting and the Cowboys will win. I'm not going to start the whole "Okie State should be in the title game" debate again, but I think this game will be telling in a lot of ways.
Greg: Wisconsin-Oregon
James: Impossible to pick just one - I think the Orange Bowl will actually be fun this year with Clemson and West Virginia. The BCS Title game will hopefully feature some offense this time around, and maybe even a touchdown (gasp).
The Kraft Fight Hunger bowl should be a fascinating match up of coachless 6-6 Illinois versus 6-7 UCLA. Really stoked about the Fiesta Bowl showdown between Weeden and Luck, as well as the Rose Bowl matchup of the Badgers and Ducks. Finally, the TicketCity Bowl should be fun in seeing Houston's offense against Penn State's defense.
It's bowl season, I lovingly consume each of the 35 games, knowing it will be a long nine-month college football hibernation before the 2012 season.
Brandon: The Beef O’Brady’s Bowl between Florida International and Marshall. I’ve be touting this game for a long time and get plenty of crazy looks as a result. Ever since I started watching, it’s been a very entertaining game regardless of the participants. Florida International plays hard-nosed ball under Mario Cristobal and Marshall’s as schizophrenic as any football team in America year in and year out.
Follow the panel on Twitter:
Brandon: @eightlaces
Greg: @thehooch36
Erin: @helloerinmarie
James: @JamesStevenson
Follow Husker Locker on Twitter: @huskerlocker
Like us on Facebook: The Official Husker Locker Facebook Page
Permanent Link to this Blog Post
