Nebraska Football: Previewing Matchup with the Washington

Nebraska fans were on the edge of their seats last week. Fresno State came into Memorial Stadium and gave the Cornhuskers a tough test. Most predictions for the game had Nebraska winning by at least three touchdowns. Nebraska was just happy to get out of the game with a victory.

This week Nebraska has revenge on their minds. Last year, Nebraska went to Washington and put a beat down on the Huskies in front of their home fans. Nebraska won the game 56-21. The two schools were matched up four months later in the Holiday Bowl. This time Washington embarrassed the Cornhuskers winning the game 19-7.

The series between the two schools has been close. Nebraska has won four, Washington has won four and the two schools tied in 1925. When Nebraska beats Washington, it is usually in a dominating performance. Two of Washington’s worst losses in the last 25 years have come at the hands of the Cornhuskers. In 1998, No. 2 ranked Nebraska crushed No. 9 ranked Washington 55-7. The other came in last year’s first meeting in Washington.

Which Nebraska team will show up this week against Washington? Here is a preview of the game, breaking down each team’s offense, defense and special teams.

Nebraska’s Offense vs. Washington’s Defense

Nebraska’s offense vs. Washington’s defense is the hardest matchup to breakdown for this game. Both units are unpredictable. So far this year, Nebraska has lived and died by the big play. The Cornhuskers have been unable to show any consistency in their offense. The big plays have allowed the Cornhuskers to remain unbeaten, but a more consistent effort will be needed against Washington.

Washington’s defense has also been inconsistent. The Huskies allowed Eastern Washington’s quarterback to throw for 473 yards and three touchdowns. Washington needed their defense to make a play and they did. Eastern Washington was marching the ball down the field to take the lead when defensive back Desmond Trufant intercepted a pass with only 29 seconds left in the game to preserve a 30-27 lead. In their second game, Washington played poor defensively against a powerful Hawaii passing attack. Hawaii shredded the Huskies' defense for 388 total yards. Washington’s defense was able to make just enough plays to earn a 40-32 win over Hawaii.

Edge

I give the edge in this matchup to Nebraska. I think Nebraska will show parts of their offense that have not been revealed this year. Taylor Martinez will make just enough plays to keep the Washington defense off balance. Nebraska wins this matchup but by the slightest of margins.

Nebraska’s Defense vs. Washington’s Offense

Nebraska came into the 2011 season claiming to have the best defense in the country. If that is so, I have one question for the Cornhuskers: Where has it been?

The Blackshirts have not been as dominating this year as they have been in the past. Is it because the team is too young defensively, or can Cornhusker fans blame it on the injury to Alfonzo Dennard? I have a hard time believing the loss of one player can impact the Nebraska defense so much. I think it comes down to a combination of youth and skill. Nebraska just does not have the playmakers on defense that it has had the past two years. This does not mean the players on Nebraska’s defense cannot turn into dominating playmakers, because I think they can. I just think the players do not have enough experience to be the dominating Blackshirts defense of the past.

Some elements of the defense have played well this year. The front four on the defensive line have put pressure on the quarterbacks in the first two games. The problem is that it is not consistent pressure like last year. Linebacker Lavonte David has also played well. He continues to lead the Cornhuskers in tackles and is capable of making big plays.

The Washington offense is lead by a new quarterback this year. Last year’s quarterback, Jake Locker, moved onto the NFL. This year the team is led by sophomore Keith Price. Price is surrounded by playmakers.

Running back Chris Polk is one of the best running backs in the PAC-12. Polk started the season battling a knee injury. Last week’s performance against Hawaii proved that the knee injury is no longer a concern. Polk ran for 107 yards and a touchdown against the Warriors. Last year, Polk ran for 177 yards and a touchdown in the Holiday Bowl victory over the Cornhuskers.

In addition to a power running game, Washington also has playmakers in their passing game. Wide receivers Devin Aguilar and Jermaine Kearse are two of the best in the PAC-12 Conference. Both had over 1,000 yards receiving last year, and Kearse was able to tally 12 touchdowns. Washington was surprised to find another playmaker in freshman tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Last week, Seferian-Jenkins had three catches for 91 yards and a touchdown against Hawaii.

Edge

Once again, this matchup is a close one. I see the Blackshirts as a lot of talk and inconsistent action. I give the edge here to Washington. The Huskies have too many playmakers for the Blackshirts to cover. If Nebraska had a hard time containing Fresno States’ quarterback last week, they will have their hands full this week against Washington.

Special Teams

Both teams have good kickers. Washington has one of the best in the country. Erik Folk is a nominee for the Lou Groza Award (Best kicker in college football). He is the younger brother of the New York Jets kicker Nick Folk. Nebraska’s kicker does not have the experience of Folk bur from what he has shown this year, Brett Maher has a bright future at Nebraska.

Nebraska has a clear advantage in the return game. Nebraska has not had the speed in their returners as they do this year in a long time. Freshman Ameer Abdullah has broken long returns in both of the Cornhuskers' games this year. Look for Washington to use their powerful kicker to try and keep the ball out of Abdullah’s hands on Saturday.

Edge

I think this matchup is even. While Washington has the clear advantage in the kicking game, Nebraska has the advantage in the return game. It will be interesting to see how each of the special teams units fare in Saturday’s contest.

Prediction

Nebraska is seventeen-and-a-half point favorite over Washington on Saturday. Usually, I respect the people in Las Vages in coming up with a good point spread for each game, but they have this game completely wrong. I cannot see the Cornhuskers beating Washington by over 17 points. I think this will be a closer game than the game Nebraska had against Fresno State.

Nebraska will win the game 38-37.