Great Game The First Time, Maybe Again?

The last time the Huskers played Virginia Tech was in the December 31, 1996 Orange Bowl.  In this game, the Huskers were led by Scott Frost and coming off an 11-2 season that included an early season upset loss to Arizona State and another upset in the inaugural Big 12 Championship to Texas.  Virginia Tech came into the game behind Jim Drunkenmiller with a #10 ranking and a 10-1 record. 

Virginia Tech scored the initial points of the game and led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.  Nebraska got it rolling in the second quarter with a defensive touchdown, yet gave up a late TD to only lead by 3 at the half.  The second half was close until Nebraska went on a 17-0 run to end the game.

At that time Nebraska was the most dominant program in the United States.  Virginia Tech was beginning to emerge as a program of dominance in the Big East.  They had won the Sugar Bowl the year before and used the experience and exposure from the good showing against the Huskers in order to help them springboard into the national spotlight that would culminate in a 1999 run to the National Championship Game. 

This Virginia Tech team was built around a stellar defense and special teams performances that made big plays that changed the direction of the game.  The offense focused on moving the chains and not turning the ball over.  This simple strategy is the key to building the long term success of a program. 

Under Bill Callahan the Nebraska football program lost sight of this strategy. 

Coach Pelini seems to understand that it doesn't matter how many points that you score, but rather, making sure that you score more than the other team.  On the other hand, The Virginia Tech Hokies are coming off of a conference championship from the under performing ACC.

Except for the Alamo Bowl win over Michigan, Coach Callahan coached not to lose big games instead of coaching to win.  On September 27, 2008 the Hokies come to Lincoln and Bo Pelini will get a chance to prove that his team can show up for a big game. 

My personal opinion is that the Huskers will come out firing and get a big jump on the Hokies.  However, they will make mistakes and the Hokies will capitalize, make a big play on special teams, and silence the Lincoln crowd.  From there, the pressure will be on, and I am afraid that these Huskers won't be mentally tough enough to minimize mistakes and control the clock to close out the game. 

I hope I am wrong, but I wouldn't bet on the Huskers in this one,,,, it'll be a push.

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