Nebraska Football: Previewing the Cornhuskers' Game Against Washington

For Nebraska fans watching their game against Washington (2:30 p.m. Central Time, Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA, ABC)

YOU'LL BE HAPPY IF ...

- NEBRASKA FINISHES: Nebraska's biggest struggle early in the 2010 campaign has been in putting together a sharp, complete game on both sides of the ball. Against Western Kentucky, the defense sputtered, while it was the offense that misfired some against Idaho.

With a step up in competition and a road game, there should be no excuses about a lack of focus preventing NU from doing what was supposed to be the team's off-season focus: to finish.

- T-MART GETS STRETCHY: Suspiciously absent from Nebraska's offense under redshirt freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez has been the vertical passing game. We've only seen one real shot down the field from T-Mart, and on that one he missed an open Mike McNeil pretty badly.

Washington has good enough athletes to give the Cornhuskers' offense trouble if they're able to clog the middle and take away running lanes. Play-action and a vertical game to players like McNeil and Niles "Catch the Damn Ball" Paul would be the perfect antidote.

- THE TOP DOG GETS RUNNING:Washington quarterback Jack Locker has a prototype NFL body and arm. If given the opportunity, he can give NU all kinds of problems running and throwing. If the Blackshirts are able to get pressure on Locker, particularly early in the game, they should be able to neutralize Washington's offense and keep the Huskies in check and off the scoreboard.

YOU'LL BE SAD IF ...

- NU GETS CUT WITH CUTBACKS: Looking back at the success Western Kentucky and Idaho had running the ball at Nebraska, many of the successful plays were on cutbacks where the offensive line was able to get the defensive front moving in one direction and the ball carrier was able to cut back and get around the backside.

If NU's "peso" linebacker-safety hybrid is playing in safety mode, that leaves NU with only two linebackers and the defense even more exposed to such a counter play. Washington's running back duo of Chris Polk and Jesse Callier are more than capable, and if NU leaves the back door open, the dogs could run free.

- SLIPPIN' IN THE RAIN: The Cornhuskers had eight fumbles against Idaho. Eight. That's Iowa State 2009 territory, and we all remember how that worked out. The fact that they only lost three was a good thing in the micro, but an area of real concern in the macro.

There are few things that can swing momentum more than turnovers, particularly on the road in a tough place to play like Husky Stadium. Make no mistake—Washington is good enough to beat Nebraska if NU gives the Huskies enough turnover help.

- STAGE FRIGHT: Everything we know about Martinez suggests he is well suited to handle Husky Stadium as his first road game. But he is still a redshirt freshman, who has not yet been given the full playbook to run—making his first start on the road against a BCS conference opponent.

The fact is that we don't really know how Martinez will react, particularly under adversity if things start out going Washington's way. This is a great opportunity for Martinez, but he's got to seize that opportunity for Nebraska to be successful.

THE BIG PICTURE

Much ink has been spilled (including by yours truly) about Nebraska's less-than-convincing wins over the first two minnows on their schedule.

But it should be remembered that Nebraska really had both games in control early, then let things slip a little when the outcome wasn't really in doubt.

Washington is a different test, and will require a four-quarter effort for Nebraska to leave Seattle with their perfect record intact.

All summer NU's motto was, "FINISH," as a reminder of their last-second loss to Texas in the Big XII championship game. Washington will make this a four-quarter game, but NU's talent superiority should pull them through at the end.

NEBRASKA 31, WASHINGTON 20