09.14.2011 / It is test time for the Huskers as the Huskies come to Lincoln. Posting by Greg Sharpe, The Voice of the Huskers.
After talking to and hearing from Husker fans I had to check the morning paper again to see that Nebraska is 2 and 0. The standards are set high for the Huskers as it relates to football. But the reality is that the Cornhuskers have won their first two games of the season.
Last Saturday wasn’t the type of game that we had anticipated with Fresno State scoring 29 points but in the end Nebraska’s offense and special teams tilted the scoreboard in our favor with 42.
Now comes another matchup with the Washington Huskies. These two teams played twice a year ago. NU routed UW up in Seattle 56-21 only to have the Huskies turn the tables in San Diego at the bowl game 19-7. The Blackshirts graduated almost the entire secondary while Washington’s quarterback Jake Locker is now in the NFL.
The Huskies have won their first two games of the season. They held off Eastern Washington in the opener and then turned back Hawaii last week 40-32. It’s the first time since 2007 that UW has started the year off 2-0. Replacing Locker at quarterback is Keith Price. The sophomore quarterback has already tossed seven touchdown passes on the year and has only been picked off once.
It helps Price that running back Chris Polk is back. Polk was a huge factor in the Holiday Bowl game last year rushing for over 175 yards and being named the game’s MVP.
Defensively the Huskies have been gouged by the pass in their first two games. They have the worst pass defense in the country allowing over 400 yards per game through the air. The Huskers though can’t fall into that trap. NU needs to do what they do well and that’s get Taylor Martinez involved in the run game.
We have seen in the first two games that Martinez has his speed back from last season and has once again become a threat on every play.
There aren’t any secrets between these two teams so it comes down to execution. After getting roughed up last week I’d look for the Blackshirts to play at a high level this week and for the offense to continue to produce big plays. This should be a Husker victory improving to 3-0 on the season. Go Big Red!!
Go Big Red!
Do you think the Huskers can handle Washington? What’s your prediction on the score? Come on Huskers fans, let us know what you think.
