NU-OSU storylines

Published: October 28, 2006

This is the best defense the Cowboys have faced all season. Nebraska ranks 14th nationally, allowing only 14.5 points a game.

But the Cornhuskers are vulnerable, especially against the pass, which is OSU's strength. Nebraska is allowing 218.2 passing yards a game. The Cowboys are averaging an almost identical 218.4 yards passing.

One key will be how OSU's offensive line and quarterback Bobby Reid handle Nebraska's pressure. The Cornhuskers blitz. Blitz a lot.

Reid must provide big plays with both his arm and legs. Reid has blossomed as a runner. Reid has thrown for 1,387 yards and 17 touchdowns. But he's also rushed for 250 yards and has had 11 runs of 10 or more yards.

Wide receivers Adarius Bowman and D'Juan Woods can make the Huskers pay if they blitz too often. Bowman is second in the nation in both receiving yards per game (113.0) and yards per catch (22.0). Woods is due for a big game.

It's unrealistic to think the Cowboys can reach their season average (37.4 points). There will be negative plays, an occasional sack or Reid being forced to get rid of the ball. But if the Cowboys counter with some big plays, the offense should score enough points to be in position to win.

Despite all the talk about Bill Callahan installing the West Coast offense, Nebraska's offense is predicated on running the ball. The Cornhuskers are running the ball 61 percent of the time.

Similar to OSU, the Cornhuskers rotate three running backs, all with 300 or more yards rushing. Marlon Lucky leads the team (481 yards). It appears Lucky is now the lead guy but Brandon Jackson and Cody Glenn will get their share of carries.

Nebraska also will go to the air. Quarterback Zac Taylor, from Norman, has thrown for 1,824 yards and 16 touchdowns. Taylor, though, isn't a running threat, which is an advantage for OSU. Opposing quarterbacks' ability to scramble for big gains has been a factor in all three losses.

Houston's Kevin Kolb, Kansas State's Josh Freeman and Texas A&M's Stephen McGee combined for 172 rushing yards against OSU. Taylor has rushed for minus 37 yards this season. On the flip side, 16 of Maurice Purify's receptions have gone for first downs.

OSU has allowed 97 points in three conference games. The glaring stat is a large majority of those points — 40 — have come in the fourth quarter or overtime.

One noticeable difference between this year's team and last year's team is strength and conditioning coach Rob Glass has instilled mental toughness.

Glass spent seven years at Florida. Throughout the off-season, Glass scolded players: "I've never been part of a 4-7 team before," essentially challenging players to set the bar high.

Players are frustrated, knowing they could easily be 6-1 instead of 4-3. There won't be an emotional letdown. In fact, the Cowboys actually gained confidence in the loss to Texas A&M.

OSU needs to get off to a good start, something that hasn't happened in three conference games. Inexplicably, the Cowboys have scored 96 points after halftime in league games, only nine points the first half.

Nebraska will get the Cowboys' best shot. But the Cornhuskers are the best team OSU has faced. An upset is possible, but the Pokes will need to play their best game of the season and play four full quarters.

By Mike Baldwin