Nebraska Cornhuskers: Report Card for 2011 Opponents After Week 1

If you are a true Cornhuskers fan you already know about the Cornhuskers game on Saturday. How will the Cornhuskers’ play on Saturday translate to the remaining opponents on the Cornhuskers’ schedule?

Each week I will write an article grading the performance of the remaining teams on the Cornhuskers’ schedule. I will provide the final score, describe who performed well in the game, update any major injuries for the game and discuss how the team looks compared to Nebraska.

I will grade the teams in the order which the Cornhuskers are scheduled to play them. So without any further adieu…I will start with Nebraska’s opponent next Saturday, Fresno State.

Fresno State Bulldogs Grade: C-

Score: Fresno State 21, California 36

Injuries: C Richard Helepiko (Ankle)

While the score of the game looks close the game was dominated by California.

In front of a mostly Fresno State crowd at Candlestick Park in San Fransisco, the Bulldogs were booed by their fans for a poor performance. New starting Quarterback Derek Carr, brother of former NFL No. 1 overall pick David Carr, got off to a rough start in his 2011 season.

The California defense put constant pressure on the young Fresno State quarterback. The Bulldogs star running back Robbie Rouse struggled to get going as well. Fresno State was able to generate only 210 total offensive yards.

Fresno State's best offensive weapon was their defense. The Bulldog defense recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown and intercepted a pass to set up the Fresno State offense on the California 16-yard line. The game would have been a blowout without the turnovers caused by the defense.

Fresno State had better fix their offense if they want to have any shot at upsetting the Cornhuskers. While California has a decent defense, the Bulldogs haven’t seen anything like the Blackshirts.

Most coaches say that the biggest improvement in a team’s play occurs between Week 1 and Week 2. I hope that is the case for the Cornhuskers.

While the Cornhuskers played well at times against Chattanooga, the sloppy play of 2010 reared its ugly head. Nebraska must perform better offensively to prove that they are one of the top teams in college football.

Nebraska should have no problem with Fresno State on Saturday.

Washington Huskies Grade: D-

Score: Washington 30, Eastern Washington 27

Injuries: QB Keith Price (Sprained Knee), WR Jermaine Kearse (Ankle), CB Quinton Richardson (Ankle)

The loss of quarterback Jake Locker to the NFL proved to be a bigger concern for Washington than most people predicted. Washington nearly lost a game to a team from the Big Sky Conference on Saturday.

One of the major concerns about Nebraska’s offense is their passing game. If Taylor Martinez cannot get it going against Washington, he never will! Washington allowed Eastern Washington’s quarterback to shred the Huskies defense. Washington allowed 473-yards passing and three touchdowns.

Washington won the game by intercepting a pass with 35 seconds left in the game. Eastern Washington was already in field goal range to tie the game and send it into overtime.

The narrow escape should be a wake up call for Washington. If the Huskies want to have any shot of repeating last year’s upset over the Cornhuskers in the Holiday Bowl they better shore up a lackluster defense.

Wyoming Cowboys Grade: C-

Score: Wyoming 35,  Weber State 32

Injuries: None reported

Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith tossed a touchdown pass with 22 seconds left in the game to beat Weber State.

While it was impressive to see the true freshman quarterback lead his team on a game-winning drive, the game should have never been that close in the first place. The Cowboys offense moved the ball at will against Weber State but some untimely turnovers made the game close. The Cowboys defense played well at times, but not good enough if they want to hang with the Cornhuskers.

Nebraska should have no problem with Wyoming even though the game is in Laramie. The Cowboys future looks bright with the emergence of Brett Smith at quarterback but it will take him some time to be a good college quarterback. The Blackshirts should have fun in this one!

Wisconsin Badgers Grade: A

Score: Wisconsin 51, UNLV 17

Injuries: None reported

Wisconsin dominated UNLV to kickoff the 2011 college football season.

The only reason Wisconsin did not receive an A+ in my rating is because their defense allowed UNLV to move the ball on them.

The offense was another story. Quarterback Russell Wilson did not miss a beat with his new teammates. In fact, the North Carolina State transfer looked much better with Wisconsin than he did with his former team.

Wilson completed 10 of 13 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 62 yards and another touchdown. The duel threat quarterback is a weapon Wisconsin has not had over the years. With the addition of Wilson to the running back tandem of James White and Monte Ball…The Badgers may be Rose Bowl bound.

Nebraska has a lot of improving to do before their October first game at Camp Randall. Wisconsin was one of the most impressive teams I watched in Week 1. They are scary good!

Ohio State Buckeyes Grade: B+

Score: Ohio State 42 Akron 0

Injuries: None Reported

For the first time ever Ohio State was able to pack over 105,000 fans into the Horseshoe.

Ohio State had one plan on Saturday: Figure out who their quarterback would be and give the new players some experience. Both tasks were accomplished. Buckeyes quarterback Joe Bauserman played well on Saturday, almost assuring him the starting position for the season. Bauserman completed 12 of 16 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 32 yards and another touchdown.

The Buckeyes continue their march for the Ohio State football championship as they play Toledo next week. The games against weaker in-state schools will allow the Buckeyes to come together as a team. They should be ready to play on October 8 in Lincoln.

Nebraska vs. Ohio State is setting up to be a great match-up. Over the next month I will continue to follow the Buckeyes progress and compare it to the Cornhuskers. Right now it looks like a dead heat! 

Minnesota Golden Gophers Grade: B

Score: Minnesota 17, USC 19

Injuries: QB Marquise Gray (Leg)

Usually a team that loses will not receive a B for a grade, but when the losing team is Minnesota and the winning team is USC and the margin of victory is only two points…I have no problem with giving the Golden Gophers a B.

Minnesota allowed USC to move the ball at will, playing a bend-but-don't break defense. Whenever USC would get into the red zone, Minnesota would stop the drive. This allowed for a close game.

New head coach Jerry Kill has Minnesota heading in the right direction. Coming over from Northern Illinois, Kill had his team motivated and believing they could win at USC, and they almost did!

After struggling on offense in the first half, the Golden Gophers came out in the second half ready to play. When quarterback Marquise Gray went down with a leg injury, freshman quarterback Max Shortell came into the game and marched the Golden Gophers down the field on a touchdown drive. This might have stirred a bit of a quarterback controversy in Minnesota.

Most Nebraska fans have already chalked up the Minnesota game as a victory. As Lee Corso always says…“Not so fast my friend!” Minnesota proved Saturday that they can play with the big boys. Nebraska better not overlook the Golden Gophers.

Michigan State Spartans Grade: C

Score: Michigan State 28, Youngstown State 6

Injuries: LB Lawrence Thomas (Shoulder) C Travis Jackson (Foot)

Michigan State won by 22 points last week but the game was closer than the scoreboard indicated. At halftime the score was 14-6 in the Spartans favor.

Michigan State committed too many penalties, missed a chip-shot field goal and turned the ball over, allowing Youngstown State to hang around in the game. A team that wins 11 games the previous year should have no problems with Youngstown State. Look for the Spartans to regroup and play much better next week.

The bright spot for Michigan State was wide receiver B.J. Cunningham. Cunningham made quite the debut, tying the school record for career receptions. Michigan State is a school rich with tradition at the wide receiver spot (Andre Rison, Plaxico Burress, Courtney Hawkins and Charles Rodgers).

Currently it looks like the Cornhuskers are ahead of where the Spartans are with their program. If the two teams were to play next week, Nebraska would be a touchdown favorite. I think as the game draws near, the teams will be closer, with hopefully the Cornhuskers coming out on top!

Northwestern Wildcats Grade: A

Score: Northwestern 24, Boston College 17

Injuries: QB Dan Persa (Foot)

Northwestern played in one of the best games over the weekend.

Northwestern was forced to play this game with their backup quarterback Kain Colter. Colter was able to pass for 197 yards while rushing for another 71 with one touchdown.

Most people thought Northwestern would be unable to go to Boston College and beat a good ACC team. Northwestern had not won a game since their quarterback Dan Persa injured his foot last November. Northwestern came into the game with a great game plan and executed it to perfection.

Northwestern could be a sleeper team in the Big Ten, just like last season. The Cornhuskers host the Wildcats in Lincoln this year so I still don’t believe Nebraska will have a problem in this game.

Penn State Nittany Lions Grade: B+

Score: Penn State 41, Indiana State 7

Injuries: None reported

Penn State opened their 2011 season with an exclamation point by returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.

Penn State came into this game with more questions than answers. The Nittany Lions needed to figure out who their starting quarterback and running backs would be before they host Alabama next week. Silas Redd penciled his name into the starting running back role. Redd ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns in limited action.

The quarterback controversy between Rob Bolden and Matthew McGloin was a good one to watch. Each quarterback took turns leading the team. Bolden started the game and was 6 for 12 for 37 yards. McGloin completed six of eight passes for 77 yards. The offense looked much better under McGloin and he should be the starter next week.

Penn State is a tough team to play at home. The game next week against Alabama should give the Cornhusker fans an idea of how Nebraska will matchup against Penn State.

Michigan Wolverines Grade: Incomplete

Score: Michigan 34, Western Michigan 10

Injuries: None Reported

It is hard to grade a team when the game was not completed. The weather was terrible in Ann Arbor on Saturday, causing the game to be called after only three quarters. I do not recall any games being called because of weather. This is not baseball! For that reason I must give the Wolverines an incomplete grade.

Michigan looked marginally better on defense Saturday. Western Michigan has a prolific offense and Michigan was able to slow them down. Offensively Michigan played well. Quarterback Denard Robinson did not run as much as in the past but the offense was still effective.

I look for Michigan to be one of the more improved teams in the Big Ten this year. They brought in a defensive minded coach to focus on the defense. If Michigan can slow teams down they will be a tough team to play.

The game against the Cornhuskers will be fun to watch. How will the Blackshirts fair against Denard Robinson? They probably can’t stop him; they can only hope to contain him!

Iowa Hawkeyes Grade: C+

Score: Iowa 34, Tennessee Tech 7

Injuries: RB Mika’il McCall (Broken Ankle)

Iowa played sloppy on Saturday in a rain storm. Iowa running back Marcus Cocker fumbled on back-to-back series, forcing him to the bench. Freshman running back Mika’il McCall entered the game and sparked the Hawkeye offense. McCall rushed for 61 yards in the first half before breaking his ankle. He is now out for the year, and yet another year of running back problems has begun for the Hawkeyes.

The bright spot for Iowa was wide receiver Marvin McNutt. He looked like a man against boys, shredding the Tennessee Tech defense all day long. The Iowa defense also looked good, as they should against a team like Tech.

Iowa plays Iowa State and then Pittsburgh. Those two games will provide a clearer picture of where the Hawkeyes program stands. I still think Nebraska matches up well with Iowa and should be able to win the first ever “Heroes Game.”

Nebraska Cornhuskers Grade: C+

I loved the concept of Nebraska's new rushing attack, but the Cornhuskers have a lot of work to do before the tough teams appear on their schedule. It is early in the season and many tests will be graded, allowing Nebraska time to raise this grade to an A.

Please feel free to post your own grade under the comments section!