Breaking down Nebraska vs. Kansas State

Roy Helu Jr. and Nebraska will head on the road to visit Josh Freeman and Kansas State in Manhattan, KS., on Saturday. The Huskers hope to run away from one of the Big 12's worst teams and continue it's fine road form. (Photo illustration, Michael Mason-D'Croz)

This weekend brings with it a very important game for the Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-4, 3-3), but a game that is even more important for the Kansas State Wildcats (4-6, 1-5).

Nebraska heads on the road to play against Kansas State in Manhattan, KS., and goes in as the clear favorite. However, the Cats need a win here to keep their bowl dreams alive, and will give Nebraska all it has.

Kansas State needs to win out to get to six wins and bowl eligibility and gets its final two games at home — this week against Nebraska, next week against Iowa State. However, Nebraska is playing to keep momentum and move forward towards a higher bowl.

At this point in time it looks likely that Nebraska will win their final two games of the season and end with an 8-4 record. With that record the Huskers will be looking at either the Gator Bowl, Sun Bowl or Alamo Bowl — all of which the Huskers would happily accept.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the positional breakdown.

Breaking down: Nebraska vs. Kansas

Nebraska will host Kansas at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2008. The game is set for a 1:30 kickoff and will be available on pay-per-view. (Photo illustration by Michael Mason-D'Croz)

It’s that time of the week, which means it’s time to break down yet another Nebraska football game. This week it’s Nebraska vs. Kansas.

Kansas will visit Nebraska — where the Jayhawks haven’t won since 1968 — and face a much better foe than they did last season in Lawrence. They come into Lincoln holding a 6-3 record overall and is 3-2 in the Big 12.  The Jayhawks possess a very potent offense, but a porous defense — meaning they get into a lot of “shootouts.”

Kansas is well equiped for the “shootout” game, but then again, it seems as though Nebraska is as well. And with that in mind, it’s time to take a look at the positions.

Breaking down the Huskers v. Sooners

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, left, looks for a receiver as Kansas linebacker James Holt (12) moves in during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008. Bradford passed for an Oklahoma record 468 yards and had three touchdowns passes to help the No. 4 Sooners bounce back from their first loss by beating No. 16 Kansas 45-31. (AP)

This Saturday marks the revival of a storied rivalry that has produced two games known as “Game of the Century” and has been the key to multiple national championships. Yes, Saturday finally marks the return of the Nebraska-Oklahoma rivalry. Oklahoma currently holds a 43-37-3 advantage over Nebraska in the team’s storied rivalry.

This year has another sub-plot with two Youngstown, OH., natives coaching the two teams — heck they both went to the same high school.

Bob Stoops has had amazing success at Oklahoma since taking over in 1999 and has led them to national prominence since.

On the other sideline will be Bo Pelini, Nebraska’s first year head coach who served as Stoops’ defensive coordinator in 2004 after Frank Solich was fired at Nebraska.

These two have a history, and are great friends. However, don’t expect Saturday’s game to be friendly — Nebraska-Oklahoma games rarely are. Sure the fans will be respectful before and after the game — both fans are some of the classiest in the nation — but it’s always hotly contested during the game itself.

Oklahoma yet again is one of the nation’s best — coming into the game ranked fourth nationally — and will face a steadily improving Nebraska team. But alas it’s time to break down this game position by position.

Breaking down Nebraska vs. Baylor

Baylor's quarterback Robert Griffin runs for a 58-yard touchdown past Washington State's Mike Graise in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, in Waco, Texas. (AP)

This week brings a match between two improving teams — one is getting back to where it is used to be, the other reaching for new untouched heights. That’s right, it’s week eight, and that means that Baylor is heading to Lincoln to take on the Huskers.

The Huskers must be wary of this Baylor Bears team — especially freshman quarterback Robert Griffin. Some people downplay the Bears, and say it should be a cake walk — and although I think the Huskers will come out on top, it may be closer than people had imagined.

Anyway, on to the breakdown:

Breaking down Huskers vs. Cyclones

Iowa State's Austen Arnaud, right slips past Baylor's Jason Lamb, left in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 in Waco Texas. (AP)

This week Nebraska travel to Ames, Iowa to play the Cyclones of Iowa State. This will be an intriguing game to watch, seeing as Iowa State is a team that is rebuilding just like the Huskers.

The Huskers come off an encouraging, yet heart-breaking loss to Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas last weekend and Iowa State comes off a demoralizing defeat at the hands of Baylor in Waco, Texas last weekend.

So without further ado, here’s a breakdown of positions for tomorrow’s clash.

Breaking down the Huskers vs Tigers

Last week I compared what I thought against that of ESPN/Scouts.com in breaking down position by position the Huskers and the Hokies of Virginia Tech. It was so much fun that I’m back to try it again – this time with the Huskers hosting the Tigers of Missouri. So onward we go.

QB
Starting off with the field leaders of both teams, where Missouri has a large advantage. Chase Daniel has become one of the best quarterbacks in the nation – holding the lead on ESPN’s in season Heisman vote – with just a ridiculous stat line (101-133 1,412 yards; 12 TD; 1 INT; 75.9% Completion). Nebraska’s Joe Ganz isn’t exactly having a bad season (67-104 997 yards; 7 TD; 4 INT; 64.4% completion; Rushing TD) but it’s nowhere near the stratosphere that Daniel is in.

RB
Coming into the season this was something I thought was a strength for the Huskers – and don’t get me wrong they have a good corp – but the running backs haven’t lived up to the hype. Starter Marlon Lucky is having a down year and although Roy Helu has been able to produce when he’s in the lineup, he still isn’t good enough at picking up the blitz to trust being out there the majority of the time.

Breaking down the Huskers vs Hokies

So I just read the ESPN/Scouts.com breakdown of this weekend’s game between Nebraska and Virginia Tech – and I’m somewhat confused by their analysis.

QB Joe Ganz leads the huddle against Western Michigan at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008. (Michael Mason-D'Croz)

First thing that you see on the page – provided you’re an ESPN Insider and have access – is the position breakdowns. It went like this:

QB: VT
RB: VT
WR: VT
OL: VT
DL: NEB
LB: NEB
DB: NEB
ST: NEB
COACH: NEB
OVERALL: NEB

I’m not one to complain about such over-whelming praise, but I think they got that one wrong. First of all, I’d say it’s more of a push when it comes to the QB.