When the the Washington Huskies and the Nebraska Cornhuskers play in the Holiday Bowl tonight it will be the second out three meetings in a 12- month span.
The two teams created an intense rivalry during the 90's as they met four times from 1991 to 1999 with both teams winning twice. However, a Nebraska 56-21 win on September 18th has given the Cornhuskers a three game winning streak over the Huskies.
I posted my preview of the mid September showdown a few weeks ago but will do it again here.
Same thing for my game recap. You can view it here.
The game turned out to be a disaster in many ways. The Huskies played bad defensively, offensively and on Special teams. More importantly at the time Heisman candidate Jake Locker had the worse game of his college career as he only accumulated 71 passing yards.
If the Huskies are going to upset the Cornhuskers tonight the Huskies will have to play better on all three phases of the ball. In Huskies wins this year Jake Locker has thrown 13 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions. In contrast, in Huskies loses the Locker has thrown four touchdown passes and five interceptions.
The Huskies have accomplished a lot of things this year. A road win for the first time since 2007, a three game wining streak for the first time since 2006 and lastly a bowl bid for the first time since 2002. Regardless on tonight's outcome the Huskies should be proud of the way the Huskies season has gone. For Huskies fans its realizing how far this team has come in just under two years. Not many football programs would be able to go from a o-12 season in 2008 to a bowl bid in 2010.
For Nebraska, the Cornhuskers are coming into the game feeling a bit down emotionally. Nebraska had high hopes for the season. The team picked by many experts including me, to win the Big 12 title and advance to the Fiesta Bowl or even the BCS National Title game. With the Cornhuskers under achieving this year and to end up in the Holiday, the Cornhuskers might not be in the game mentally which is good news if your a Husky fan.
Nebraska hasn't showed signs of a let down after a emotional games this year but anything is possible. Tonight's game also marks the last game for Nebraska in the Big 12. Next year Nebraska will move to the Big 10 where the Big 10 will become the New Big 12.
Coach Steve Sarkisian has talked all year about expecting to win. Well can you actually expect to win after Nebraska beat you by 35 points at Husky Stadium. Tonight the slogan should be "Expect to Compete" I expect for the Huskies to compete tonight. Nebraska is by far the more superior team and if QB Taylor Martinez plays like he did in Seattle in September the Huskies have no shot. My prediction will be the Huskies will play hard but will come but will come up short losing 41-28.
The game will start at 7pm and will be on ESPN
No comments:
Post a Comment