Nebraska vs. Oklahoma Q & A (part 2)

November 5, 10:00 PMNebraska Cornhuskers ExaminerTrent Gierhan

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Cody Green must have a solid game in order
for the Huskers to pull of an upset.
(Photo Courtesy: NU Media Relations)

On the flip side of the Q & A here are the questions I received from Oklahoma Sooners Examiner Bryan Waters and my answers.

1.  What happened last week with DT Ndamukong Suh last week?  Any carryover against Oklahoma?

Obviously Suh didn't have the week many expected him to have. In a press conference this week, Suh admitted that aside from getting double teamed at times Baylor was also throwing some cut blocks. While those blocks are perfectly legal, it prevented Suh from getting his hands up and batting balls down which is a huge part of his game.

Rather than Suh having an off week, I think it was more him being overshadowed by the play of Sophomore Jared Crick. Against Baylor Crick had one of the greatest games by a lineman in Nebraska football history, so much so that he earned himself National Defensive Player of the Week. The entire defensive line will have to perform well if the Huskers have any shot on Saturday, and I think they will.


2.  Nebraska hasn't lost 3 games at home in one season since 1968.  What gives this year?

I know many Husker fans might not agree with me on this, but I really don't think for whatever reason that Memorial Stadium is a major factor anymore. The fans are still as passionate as ever and among the best in the nation, which makes it even tougher to figure out. What I think helps Nebraska on Saturday is that the game is at night. For some reason there just seems to be a different feeling or atmosphere in the stadium when the game is in the evening rather than during the afternoon. Day games just don't seem to bring as much excitement and that appears to be evident in the team's play.

3.  Nebraska ranks fourth nationally in points per game (11.3) and has held five of eight
opponents to 10 points for fewer.  How can their defense get the better of
OU's offense?

The success of the blackshirts depends mainly on the play of the defensive line. The combination of Turner, Suh, Crick and Allen is special because those four have an unique ability to take away both the run and the pass away from the opposing team's offense. In order for the defense to have as much success as they've had so far this season they must stop the run and force Landry Jones into pressure situations. If the front four can apply an immense amount of pressure it'll make the game go a lot smoother for Nebraska's secondary.

As I said in my preview for the game, I think Pelini needs to have a more aggressive attitude in his play calling on Saturday in an attempt to jump some routs and hopefully force some turnovers. However, if the Sooners get a ground game going, it could be a long night for the blackshirts.

4.  OU has eaten freshman QBs this season like a chicken wing.  Can Nebraska's offense score enough against the Sooners with true freshman Cody Green at the
controls?

This is no doubt the biggest question Nebraska fans have about the game. Cody is a raw talent and has the ability to be a play maker but I just don't think having one start under his belt is enough. However, Nebraska is much better off with Green under center than they are Lee.

In order to beat the Sooners, Nebraska is going to have to make some big plays on offense and with Cody being a dual-threat, I think that its much more possible. There's simply no way Nebraska will be able to put 10-12 play drives on the Oklahoma defense so Green is definitely the way to go. The play of the offense will depend greatly on the type of field position the defense gives them.


5.  The 7 PM start seems like it might give Nebraska an extra spark in what is already enemy territory for Oklahoma.  Will that make a difference in the outcome?

Like I said earlier, seeing as the game is at night, I think Memorial Stadium will play more of a role than it has so far this season. The only way I can see the crowd effecting the outcome of the game is if they get in the head of Landry Jones. Since taking over for Bradford, Jones have proved he is a capable quarterback and I think has given Sooner fans something to look forward to in the future. On the other hand Jones hasn't seen a crowd like the Sea of Red yet and if Memorial Stadium is as loud as expected, it could give Jones some trouble which could potentially lead to some turnovers.