Nebraska during the past two weeks proceeded in workmanlike fashion — a rough-hewn outfit bullying division rivals into various states of disarray.
Perhaps it’s time to ratchet up the fun in North Stadium. Time to shed the soiled coveralls and work boots in favor of a tuxedo and shiny dancing shoes. After all, one still can be a tough guy in dancing shoes.
It’s time to play Texas, speed burners in burnt orange.
Time for Nebraska to open up its offense, if only a tad, if only out of necessity.
Time for the Huskers (6-1, 3-0 Big 12) to make noise on the national scene. As it stands, NU is merely a song playing in the distance. Skepticism persists. Hook the Horns, and a Springsteen concert breaks out on Stadium Drive.
Following two straight rock-solid road triumphs against out-manned Big 12 North Division foes, Nebraska gets another shot in the national spotlight, another chance to make a splash.
In its first such opportunity this season, a month ago against Southern California, Nebraska caused barely a ripple. Big and bad Big Red managed only 68 rushing yards (1.9 per carry) and 10 first downs against the Trojans while using a game plan as imaginative as a cup of ice.
However, since that 28-10 loss, the Huskers have accumulated confidence steadily and given Husker Nation at least a few reasons to believe Texas can be had come Saturday morning.
Foremost among reasons:
1. An improving rushing attack. After sputtering to 116 yards (3.6) Sept. 30 against Kansas, Nebraska pummeled Iowa State (251/5.6) and Kansas State (190/4.4). Pounding the pillowy-soft Cyclones was one thing. But racking up rushing yards against a Big 12-worthy Wildcats defense indicated the Huskers might be better prepared for prime time than they were in Los Angeles.
Bear in mind Texas (6-1, 3-0) allows only 47.7 rushing yards per game to rank second nationally, which means Nebraska will have to expand on the close-to-the-vest game plans that worked so well on the road.
2. The surging Blackshirts. Their inexplicable collapse on defense against Kansas looks more and more like an aberration. Nebraska limited Iowa State and K-State to a combined 42 rushes for 75 yards (1.8 per carry). But is NU stout enough to slow Texas?
“Their front seven is significant,” Wildcats coach Ron Prince said of the Huskers.
Of course, that’s what most of us felt before Kansas made everyone wonder otherwise. Now it appears Adam Carriker and Co. have gotten their groove back. And it’s not as if Texas always overwhelms offensively.
3. Zac Taylor vs. Colt McCoy. I’ll always prefer a poised and polished senior playing at home over a rookie on the road, though it’s difficult to ignore McCoy’s No. 5 national ranking in pass efficiency (Taylor is ninth).
Granted, Taylor is still feeling pressure in the pocket. But Nebraska’s rushing attack relieves his burden considerably. Indeed, it was interesting to see Kansas State abandon its usual cover-two scheme and move one of the safeties toward the line of scrimmage Saturday — a significant show of respect for the Huskers’ rushing prowess.
“Sometimes they had nine, 10 players in the box,” Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said of the Wildcats. “We used a physical style of running. We kind of locked up the box and just tried to punch them in the mouth.”
Callahan said he likes his players’ attention to detail this season. Coaches and players are on the same page.
Nebraska practices at a tempo that approaches game speed, players say.
The Huskers have progressed at a steady rate, becoming neither too high nor too low, a tribute to savvy coaching and veteran player leadership on both sides of the ball.
Nebraska seems to genuinely feel it can compete with Texas. That’s a crucial first step.
Taylor said he derives confidence from the loss at Southern California.
“We all feel like we hung right there with them,” Taylor said. “We had our chances to win.”
Nebraska received a feel for big-time speed in Los Angeles.
“We’re not going to be intimidated by anybody,” Taylor said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. We’re more confident in ourselves. We’re moving the ball earlier in the game. Our defense is playing lights out right now.”
To be sure, Nebraska played the role of intimidator against Iowa State and Kansas State. Texas, though, will punch back much harder.
“I thought we had an excellent design in terms of sacking the quarterback,” Callahan said after Nebraska sacked Freeman four times. “We came at him with a lot of different stuff.”
Nebraska ought to throw everything in its arsenal at Texas.
It’s time for Big Red to make a big splash.
