“Holy Moly! Man, woman and child, did that put ‘em in the aisles!” The famous play-by-play call when future Heisman winner Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers took a punt return to the house. For Husker fans, this is a play that lives on in memory and still draws fame given the height of the game.
Let’s set the stage, it’s 1971 and the Huskers are on the road in Norman, Oklahoma, for a match-up between the two top-ranked teams in the country, which was later dubbed as the “Game of the Century”. The game drew 55 million viewers. For reference, the Alabama vs Auburn game in 2013, which was the “Kick Six” game drew 13.8 million viewers, and the 2006 National Championship game between Texas and USC had 35.6 million viewers.
The last 50 years have been a roller coaster for both programs. Nebraska dominated college football in the ’90s producing three national titles while Oklahoma was a bottom feeder during that stretch. It wasn’t until Bob Stoops took over in 1999 that the program started to turn, which was around the time Nebraska’s program turned for the worst.
Fast forward 50 years and Nebraska is now scraping to get six wins to become bowl eligible year after year while being on their fifth head coach since Tom Osborne while OU has dominated the Big12 and become a perennial staple within the College Football Playoff while only having two head coaches since 1999. What a turn of events for two historic programs that were at the mountain top in 1971.
Let’s shift our focus to the game on Saturday where the 2-1 Cornhuskers travel to Norman to face off against the 2-0, #3 ranked Sooners. My favorite crew in Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt are on the call for the game alongside our All-American girl, Jenny Taft. If the game turns south, I’ll at least be serenaded by the best crew in football on the mic. Oklahoma is a loaded team with QB Spencer Rattler as the face of the program. He was a Heisman front-runner this year and for all the right reasons. But if we’re in the trust tree, this guy is an absolute wild card and is always looking to make the big play. He can make the big touchdown throw or make an errant pass that results in an interception.
Rattler has three main receivers that he uses in Marvin Mims, Mario Williams, and Jadon Haselwood. Defensively the Sooners are led by Isaiah Thomas (DL), Nik Bonitto (OLB), and Perrion Winfrey (DL). Oklahoma brought in Alex Grinch to be their Defensive Coordinator at the beginning of the 2019 season to run the so-called “Speed D”, which is a hybrid 3-4 scheme. They use a nickel similar to Nebraska with an undersized guy that they can use in pass coverage. This defense is fast and is going to look to fly around all day.
Nebraska enters the game as a 22.5 point underdog according to Vegas. The game no doubt is going to be an absolute uphill climb from the moment that first kick-off takes place. If I’m Scott Frost, I make this game so much less about the “rivalry” and so much more about going into Norman and beating the #3 team in the country. I think in order for Nebraska to win, they will need to slow down the game and muck it up. Something I truly don’t think this Nebraska team is capable of.
Last week, Adrian Martinez had a pair of 68 yard touchdown passes, which was the first time Nebraska had thrown for two or more touchdowns since 2019 when Nebraska played Maryland. Let me repeat myself there, the first game a Nebraska QB had two or more TD passes since 2019. What an embarrassing stat for a team to have.
While Martinez played well last week, the rest of the offense continued to sputter. Nebraska’s offensive line is sub-par and is still struggling to make any sort of push upfront. I wouldn’t be totally shocked if Nebraska rotates at the guard position given the struggles that have happened over the last three games. The offense from a skill position has also had its ups and downs this year. No one has taken charge at the running back position and snaps continue to be distributed. At the wideout position, Samori Toure seems to be the only viable threat. The Nebraska receiving group struggles to create separation and I don’t anticipate that to get any easier against a talented Oklahoma defense.
Shockingly, the Nebraska front seven on defense has been the bright spot of the team. Erik Chinander runs a bend don’t break defense where he’s okay allowing yards as long as those yards don’t result in points. Oklahoma is going to be the best offense this Nebraska team may see all year. The defense will have to keep Rattler in check by forcing him into uncomfortable positions by bringing the heat from all over the field and disguising these blitzes.
Special teams for Nebraska is a completely different discussion. Connor “2020 Big10 Kicker of the Year” Culp has struggled all year. We don’t want to say the “Y” word but the man has the yips. Through three games he’s missed two PATs (both at Illinois) and three field goals (all against Buffalo). In games like these, you can’t afford to settle for field goals especially with a kicker who is spiraling right now. Then you have Cam Taylor-Britt still returning punts, which for the third game in a row, he hasn’t done his job back there. I have no doubts that CTB is a great athlete and someone that this team needs to rely on but his returning game has impacted his play at corner as well. He’s trying to jump too many routes to force an interception and big play instead of just playing his technique. What concerns me more is not knowing who else Frost trusts in the return game.
We’re going to change up the format for this preview and focus on how, in my opinion, Nebraska wins this game. First and foremost it is once again going to be the Adrian Martinez show. Now more than ever, 2AM needs to control every phase of the offense. Find receivers downfield while also not scared to take off and pick up five yards if no one is open downfield.
Offensively, the offensive line needs to create a push and holes upfront to allow the running backs to find the crease and get four yards. Nebraska cannot get into a shootout with Oklahoma and instead needs to control the clock and time of possession. I also would throw the entire playbook at OU. Trick plays, option offense, you name it, we need it.
Defensively, the key will be not allowing the big play. Oklahoma is going to get theirs and that’s to be expected. But if this defense can keep them from that big play and swinging momentum then they have a slight chance. I would also look for some creativity on defense to allow them to confuse Rattler early and force a turnover. This could get ugly early, folks. I recommend the case of 24 Busch Lights this week as opposed to the traditional 18, just in case it goes south quick.