Big 12 Championship: Irresistible Oklahoma Meets Immovable Nebraska?
Tongue firmly in cheek as this headline dates back to the historic "Game of the Century" played between these two college football behemoths dating back to their epic 1971 clash in Norman, OK.
In that contest, the high-flying Oklahoma offense was to meet head on with the stingy Husker defense pitting the No. 1 Huskers and No. 2 Sooners in a game for the ages.
Obviously, the game lived up to the hype, as it is still simply known to this day as the "Game of the Century" and is the measuring stick of all college football games that have been played since that day.
In that historic contest, we saw the dazzling skills of Johnny Rogers and Jack Mildren on full display along with the 22-tackle effort out of Outland Trophy winner Rich Glover. In the end, it was the little-known Jerry Tagge and Jeff Kinney who sealed the deal with a gut-wrenching fourth-quarter drive that led the Huskers to win on that dreary and overcast day.
(In the 1971 bowl season, Nebraska defeated No. 2 Alabama 38-6. Oklahoma defeated Auburn 40-22 and Colorado beat Houston 29-17. The final rankings for that season had Nebraska No.1, Oklahoma No. 2 and Colorado No. 3.)
A mere 39 yeas later, and we have these two schools clashing heads again for all the marbles in the Big 12.
From 1962 to 1988, these two schools won or shared the Big 8 title every single year. Not until the comeuppance of Colorado in 1989 did this stranglehold of the Big 8 title get relinquished to another school.
During the '60s, '70s and '80s, it is arguable that Nebraska versus Oklahoma was "the" game for any season. Must-watch TV for those around the country unable to attend the game and to recover from their annual Thanksgiving feast.
Legendary names such as Devaney, Wilkinson, Fairbanks, Osborne and Switzer roamed the sidelines during this incredible run as well as players named Owens, Tagge, Glover, Pruitt, Selmon, Sims, Bosworth, Casillas, Jackson, Gill, Rozier and Fryar to name a few.
Now?
We will all get treated to another installment of these two titans clashing heads for all the marbles in the Big 12...for one last time? Unlikely, but after this contest, these two proud and storied schools will hold a different conference allegiance for the first time dating back to the 1920s.
One lasting and startling fact is that Nebraska or Oklahoma won or shared 71 of the 89 Big 8 Football Championships during the entire history of the league.
So how do these two teams stack up with one another in 2010?
Oklahoma Defense: Defensive Line
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Pictured here is all-everything Jeremy Beal. Fresh off his third season being named an All-Big 12 first team defensive selection, it is hard to argue with his production.
Recognized as one of the most feared pass-rushers in the country, Beal is second in the league in sacks and first in the league in tackles for loss. Only the pass-rushing demon in Von Miller from Texas A&M does Beal bow down to in his sacks per game total.
There is no doubt that the Huskers will have to keep an eye on Beal off the edge in run and pass blocking support.
However, it has been Beal's mates on the line who haven't quite lived up to early season billing. While this is by no means a hack on OU's defensive front, it is more about the injuries that have plagued them in this all-important position throughout the season.
Injuries have been a big problem with the Sooners front four all year, especially at defensive tackle. Casey Walker has played well when healthy, but has some nagging injuries on the surface entering this game.
Jamarkus McFarland really hasn't been healthy all year, and Adrian Taylor suffered a season-ending injury earlier this month. While Beal and Alexander have been solid on the outside at DE, the Sooners have been scrambling to find DTs who can play full games and have moved players into that position to try and make some things fit.
Stacey McGee is solid, and as mentioned before, Walker has been impressive when healthy, the Sooners just aren't deep at DT when all is said and done.
All of these injuries and movement along the Sooner DL have shown throughout in their defensive statistics over the season. Currently, the Sooners rank 63rd in rushing defense in the country and 62nd against the pass regarding yards per game numbers. Overall, the Sooners defense is giving up over 369 yards per game, which ranks 63rd in the entire country.
However, the Sooners are still ranked as the 36th best defense in the country in points per game, giving up a little more than 22 points per contest, and are playing some of their best defensive football coming into this contest even after giving up 41 to Oklahoma State just last week.
By air or land, the Huskers need to take advantage of some of the Sooners' deficiencies up front in depth and overall ability to get some yards on offense.
Oklahoma Defense: Linebackers
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Pictured here is junior linebacker Travis Lewis. This tackling machine earned All-Big 12 second team honors earlier this week.
An interesting story about Lewis is that he was a big part of a huge recruiting battle between Nebraska and Oklahoma all of three years ago. Obviously he chose the Sooners and has been a productive part of their defense ever since he stepped on campus.
However, it is his mates who haven't quite shined this year. And again, a large part of that has been injuries.
Austin Box is out with injury, which leaves youngens in Ronnell Lewis and Tom Wort. Both look like they will eventually be studs for the Sooners, but they have been thrown into the fire along with the aforementioned injuries up front for Oklahoma.
Tony Jefferson is really the kid to watch in this matchup as he is looking like the next real "great" at OU at the LB position. Moving from safety to linebacker in many sets for the Sooners, Jefferson is a wild card. A wild card who could prove to be a real difference-maker in this contest.
With that said, the Huskers could take advantage of the Sooners depleted front four by running between the tackles and putting pressure on a young, inexperienced and somewhat undersized LB crew from Oklahoma.
OKlahoma Defense: Secondary
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Pictured here is All-Big 12 first team safety Quinton Carter. He is one of the more exciting defensive players in all the Big 12, as he is ready for the big hit along with the big play at crucial times for the Sooners.
However, he is far from being the only play-maker in the back four for the Sooners. CB Jamell Fleming has had a breakout year, and Tony Jefferson is one of the rising stars at the other safety position in the entire Big 12.
While the Sooners have been gashed a bit in coverage this year, it really hasn't been due to poor coverage, but more due to the front seven not getting enough pressure. Which is eerily incredible when you think about Jeremy Beal as such a demon off the edge.
But, as defenses go, your front four are as important, if not more, than your back seven when it comes to pass coverage.
If the Huskers do look to throw, look for it to be underneath or over the top against safeties who are more than willing to take chances in coverage. Then again, it is those safeties who could pose the biggest risk for the Huskers throwing the ball as they are ball-hawks looking to make things happen in the back end for the Sooners.
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Oklahoma Offense: QB
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The sophomore signal-caller for the Sooners has grown up a ton from last year's debacle in Lincoln in which he threw five interceptions, including one that was returned to the one-yard-line, setting up the Huskers only TD in a victory last year.
Earning the status of Honorable Mention All-Big 12 this year, Landry Jones has evolved into one of the best QBs in the Big 12. Suited with a cannon for an arm, and looking almost as good as Bradford ever was, the stoic Jones is looking for some payback against the Huskers for what was easily his worst effort in his collegiate career.
With a plethora of solid receivers to throw to, including Broyles, Stills and Kenney, Jones has become one of the most respected QB's in the league.
In a solid performance last week against Okie State (yes, he threw three picks), Jones made the big plays when OU needed 'em most.
Now for the big question: Can he give a little payback to the best secondary in the entire country?
With a still questionable Murray, Jones may be set to do it all alone even with the special talents that Roy Finch may have.
The outcome of this game may solely lie on the shoulders of Jones. Can the high-octane Sooner offense keep chugging along, or could it wilt under the pressure of the Husker defense designed to stop pocket-passing QBs in a spread offense?
Oklahoma State had success against the Husker "D." There is no doubt that Jones may have similar, or even greater success with an overall better receiving corps.
Oklahoma Offense: Running Back
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Pictured here is one of the most exciting and electric running backs in all of college football.
When healthy, DeMarco Murray is a defensive coordinator's worst nightmare. He can get yards running the football and break the big one. Then again, he is also one of the best pass-catching running backs in the country.
The questions surrounding Murray's health at this moment make this a very intriguing storyline.
With all that said, Roy Finch isn't exactly chopped liver. Problem here is if Murray isn't ready to go, then the Sooners are very much depth-riddled at this all important position. Are Jermie Calhoun or Brennan Clay ready to handle the much-needed extra weight if Murray isn't ready to go?
Outside of Taylor Martinez for the Huskers, the injury to Murray may be the most dynamic story entering this game.
If Murray is ready to go, then the Huskers have the tough problem of not only looking to defend the solid WR crew from Oklahoma, but Murray out of the backfield as well.
Either way, if the Sooners choose to run the ball more than usual, they should have some success against the Husker front six. It's a front six that is undersized and has been susceptible to teams that have a pronounced ability to run the football.
Then again, Oklahoma hangs its hat on chucking it around and Nebraska is more than willing to give up three to five yards a down on first and second down if a team is willing to do so. It is still hard to see Oklahoma willing to grind it out on the ground when they have thrown it all year and have ridden the coattails of Jones all season.
Oklahoma Offense: Wide Receiver
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Pictured here is All-Big 12 WR Ryan Broyles, one of the best pass-catchers in the entire country.
Broyles' specialty is his quickness and ability to create separation in underneath routes and make plays after making the catch. His hands and overall athleticism separate him from many receivers the Huskers have faced all year.
And it doesn't stop there.
Kenny Stills, Cameron Kenney, DeJuan Miller and Brandon Caleb have all shown that they are more than capable of stinging any defense keying on Broyles. One also can't forget about the talented TE tandem of Trent Ratterree and James Hanna. Both have shown they can dent any defense that is unwilling to give them the rightful respect they deserve.
This is the best WR/TE unit the Huskers will face all year. Strength against strength and the winner of this battle could very well position themselves for a victory in this contest.
Oklahoma Offense: Offensive Line
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While it hasn't been the best Oklahoma offensive line, it has been effective. You don't have a 1,000-yard rusher and a QB tossing it around for 3,800 yards if the big uglies up front aren't doing something good.
Senior Erik Mensik earned All-Big 12 honors just this week, and Stephen Good is as good as any in the Big 12 at guard. Donald Stephenson at the other tackle is good, not great, and Ben Habern at center is one of the most underrated offensive lineman in the league.
With all of the respect I just gave the Sooners OL, they aren't one of the league's best. In fact, they are a middling crew more intent on pass protection than plowing the way for their RBs.
Not a bad thing; it is what OU does.
With this crew, however, OU may give away their biggest advantage on offense in running down the Huskers' throats. With some run-plowing OL, they could pave the way for an incredible effort on the ground. But, it is what it is, and the Sooners will look to protect their QB in the pocket, keep sacks at a minimum, and go strength against strength and look for Broyles and company to exploit the Husker secondary just like Oklahoma State did in scoring 41 points earlier this year.
Not a bad idea to go with what got you there. And as they say, if you beat me, you better beat my best against your best.
The best for OU is getting Jones in the pocket with a solid pass-protecting line and chucking it around to what is arguably the best WR crew in the entire Big 12.
Nebraska Defense: Defensive Line
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Pictured here is All-Big 12 defensive lineman Jared Crick.
While Crick had a solid year, it was nothing compared to what Ndamukong Suh did last year.
But hey, Suh was a once in a lifetime type defensive tackle. And Crick, even with his numbers being down, is still the best DT in the entire league.
Alongside him are Pierre Allen (first team All-Big 12), Cameron Meredith (second team All-Big 12) and Baker Steinkuhler (Honorable Mention All-Big 12).
While all this is good and well, the Husker front four is a far cry from last year's dominant force. So much so that they have allowed gashing yards to teams that have a will to run the football.
While the Sooners may not take advantage of this aspect, the Husker front four will have a hard time getting to Landry Jones on many a snap without pressure from LBs, safeties or CBs.
That could be devastating if the Huskers have to bring pressure from anybody but the front four as the Sooners have a WR crew, including Broyles, who are masterful in running underneath routes.
If the front four from the Huskers can't get to Landry, and if the Sooners run the ball more than anybody thinks, they could give the star-studded front four from Nebraska fits all game—even with a renewed and refreshed depth they now enjoy.
Simply put, the front four from Nebraska need to somewhat control this game upfront if they have any chance of beating the Sooners.
Nebraska Defense: Linebacker
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Pictured here is All-Big 12 selection Lavonte David. Having one the better seasons of any linebacker in recent Husker past, David has been susceptible to straight-on blunt force.
With the Huskers now running a "Peso" defense, David is often inserted as the only LB on the field for the Huskers.
While he is more than solid in coverage and able to catch plays from behind, he has a weakness in getting manhandled against a power-running game.
However, Oklahoma doesn't have a road-grading offensive line that could put his DTs at his feet, thus Lavonte should be in full stride the entire game.
If Murray is healthy, David will be locked in with Murray on many a down. This could be one of the most exciting and intriguing matchups to watch if it is to unfold.
The Huskers will also trot Will Compton and Alonzo Whaley onto the field in certain situations. They bring more beef and are much more stout in stopping the run game. Outside of those two, the Huskers are very thin at LB, and if the Sooners gain any success running the football, it could be a disaster for the Husker back seven trying to mop up the back end.
Nebraska Defense: Secondary
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Simply put, it is an inarguable fact that the Huskers defense this year has hung its hat on the prolific secondary.
Pictured here is All-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Prince Amukamara. He isn't the only guy gaining accolades from fellow Big 12 coaches either, as Eric Hagg was first team All-Big 12, Alfonzo Dennard was second team All-Big 12 and DeJon Gomes was Honorable Mention All-Big 12.
This is easily the strength and absolute core of the entire Husker football team.
However, they will be facing their sternest test of the year in defending one of the best QBs in the conference along with what I feel is the best WR unit in the entire league.
Ryan Broyles is a special talent who can get open in any type of route the Sooners choose to throw him into. While he specializes in underneath routes, he can also sneak in some deep stuff as well if the Huskers aren't giving him the special attention he deserves.
This very well could be the matchup that decides this contest. Can Oklahoma burn the best secondary in the Big 12, or will Pelini throw in some wrinkles in schemes, coverage and even blitzes to counteract the Sooners WRs and prolific passing attack?
Nebraska Offense: QB
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Here we go.
Undoubtedly, the most important factor in this contest comes down to the health and abilities of Taylor Martinez.
Rumors are running abound in Lincoln, NE about not only his status for this Saturday's championship contest, but will he even be a Husker after this season is over?
If Martinez is to play, he provides the ultimate game-changer that the Huskers may need to trump the Sooners.
If he doesn't play or isn't able to perform effectively, then the Husker playbook is almost cut in half.
While this isn't a jab at Cody Green, Zac Lee or even Ron Kellog, Martinez absolutely provides the Huskers with their best offensive game plan and player that is needed to beat Oklahoma.
If healthy, Martinez is as dynamic a QB that Oklahoma will have faced all year. At even 80 percent, Husker backups will see the field. The Husker offense has shown more than a couple of signs of struggling when Martinez is not the QB behind center, and have even struggled when he has been the signal-caller.
The status on this position, and this position alone, makes the forecast for this game extremely tough to predict.
Nebraska Offense: Running Back
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Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead have provided the Huskers with as solid a one-two punch at running back as any team in the entire Big 12.
Pictured here is the multi-talented Burkhead. The hard-charging sophomore has shown a tremendous amount of talent and ability this season in not only running the football or catching it out the backfield, but as a Wildcat type option for the Husker coaches to utilize when need be.
Helu was named second team All-Big 12 for the second season in a row and Burkhead received honorable mention honors.
Undoubtedly, the Sooners will be keying on this dynamic Husker rushing tandem in trying to limit their yards as much as possible.
If the Huskers are to obtain a victory, one or both of these guys need to have some success against the Sooners be it from the Wildcat, I-formation or spread offensive sets. Anything less than a combined 170 yards of offense out of these two could spell doom for the Huskers' upset chances.
Nebrask Offense: Wide Receiver
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Pictured here is second team All-Big 12 WR/Return man Niles Paul.
Unfortunately for Husker fans, Paul sustained a possible season-ending injury and will not be playing for the Huskers on Saturday.
Some will say "good riddance," but will be largely uninformed about Paul's ability to stretch the field against any defense the Huskers face.
Without a true game-breaker out of this position, the Huskers will be faced with a WR crew that will merely be utilized for chain-moving passes and extraordinary blocking down-field.
Brandon Kinnie is capable of a huge effort, but without his counterpart in Paul, he'll be keyed on by the Sooner secondary.
With all that said, their are some wild cards that the Huskers have that could step up and be an integral part of a Husker victory. Mike McNeill is a solid option, and Kyler Reed is about due for a huge breakout game. Joe Broekemeier looked solid last week as Paul's replacement and we haven't seen enough of some other Husker WR's that could be undervalued by the Sooners.
Either way, the Huskers have to be somewhat effective in the passing game in order to take a huge amount of pressure off of the running game in order to be successful.
Nebraska Offense: Offensive Line
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One of the biggest reasons for the Huskers success this year can be accoladed towards the Huskers rejuvenation on the offensive line.
During the 2009 season, the Huskers big uglies suffered so many injuries and were lacking a ton of quality depth, so much that they could barely patch together an offensive line on many a weekend.
2010 has been a bit of a breakout year for the Husker's offensive line, mostly due to health, but also due to much-needed depth.
Ricky Henry earned All-Big 12 at guard, and his counterparts in Mike Caputo (center) and Keith Williams (guard) were also recognized. What that means is the Huskers have one of the best interior lines in the league.
With these three lineman, the Huskers have the ability to exploit the Sooner defensive front seven with a pronounced run game
—a run game the Sooners haven't seen since their clash with Air Force and a run game that truly can be physical.
Watch the early events in this contest between the Husker offensive line and Sooner defensive line to see which one holds the advantage. A solid Husker push upfront could very well pave the way to a Husker victory.
Special Teams
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Pictured here is Alex Henery, the most accurate kicker in the entire history of college football. But somehow he has failed to be named as the first team All-Big 12, much less an All-American.
Fair enough, but anything inside 45 yards is pretty much automatic for Henery and it could pay off handsomely in a contest that may well be lower scoring than many would think.
On the flip side, the Sooners have been one of the best punt coverage teams in the nation, and with the loss of Niles Paul in the punt return game, it could prove to be significant in field position.
Neither team has been all that great in kickoff or kickoff return yardage, and the Huskers have been abysmal this year in the latter.
This is a category that even with the great talents of Henery, could very well end up a large factor for the Sooners.
In a game that could be extremely tight throughout, a poor coverage on kickoff returns or punt returns could decide the contest. This perspective definitely leans in favor of Oklahoma.
Summary
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This is about as even a contest as one would like in a championship game—a championship game that could well be the last for the Big 12.
Both teams match up very well on both sides of the ball for what each team likes to do offensively and defensively.
The match up of Youngstown, OH natives Bob Stoops and Bo Pelini should also not be overlooked. Bragging rights for these two that are now entrenched at a 1-1 mark against each other are at stake this time as well.
These are two very solid football teams. While neither may be "great," they both have greatness within them.
Can the Huskers run the ball effectively?
Can the Sooners gain a decent amount of yardage through the air?
Is Taylor Martinez healthy and ready to go?
All interesting questions, and all vital to the final outcome of this contest.
In the end, I'm going to lean towards the healthier and maybe more overall athletically talented Sooners as they take the Big 12 trophy home to Norman. (And every bone in my body hopes I'm wrong.)
OKLAHOMA 23, NEBRASKA 20
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