Nebraska Football: Should Dennard Play on Saturday?

The Nebraska Cornhuskers take their show on the road this week to face Wyoming, but most Cornhusker fans have their attention geared towards the Cornhuskers’ second road game against Wisconsin.

After two weeks of implementing their new offensive system Nebraska was able to get their offense rolling last week against Washington. Nebraska generated 464 total yards in a 51-38 slugfest with the Huskies.

Now that the Cornhuskers have fine-tuned their offense, it is time to work on the defense. Nebraska is No. 67 in total defense. That is the worst rating for the Cornhuskers under coach Bo Pelini. Nebraska has allowed an average of 24.6 points per game this season. Nebraska came into the season with three All-Americans on defense and in the discussion as one of the best defensive units in college football. So far, Nebraska has a long way to go to enter that conversation.

One of the reasons Nebraska has played so poorly this year defensively is because of an injury to one of their All-Americans, defensive back Alfonzo Dennard. Bo Pelini reported on Monday in his press conference that Dennard is 99 percent healthy. Dennard practiced this week and looks like he will make his 2011 debut against Wyoming.

My question is: Should Dennard play Saturday against a team Nebraska can beat without him, or should Dennard sit out this week to ensure he is 100 percent healthy against Wisconsin?

I have heard many Nebraska football fans debating this topic this week. Some fans think Nebraska should play it safe and sit Dennard this week. I believe Dennard needs to get on the field Saturday, but he does not need to play an extended period of time. If Nebraska is blowing out Wyoming at halftime, I think it would be best to sit Dennard the rest of the game.

Alfonzo Dennard is a veteran player. He has not forgotten how to play football. What he does need though is to get into game shape so he is prepared for a tough matchup the following week against Wisconsin’s dynamic receiver, Nick Toon. Nebraska can ill afford for Dennard to be shaking off the dust in the Wisconsin game.

While the Cornhusker defense has looked poor at times this year, one thing I am not worried about with the Cornhuskers is their defense. Nebraska has one of the best defensive minds in college football running the show. I trust Bo Pelini will be able to turn around the No. 67-ranked defense, and soon they, will be back towards the top.

Dennard’s return to the defense will be a welcome addition. He brings a swagger to the Blackshirts that has been missing. If Dennard were to re-injure his leg against Wyoming, Nebraska would find themselves in a difficult position the following week against Wisconsin. Coach Pelini must balance the task of getting Dennard some much-needed playing time and ensuring his star player does not overdo it and re-injure himself.

Last week, Cornhuskers fans were happy to see a much-improved offense. This week, Cornhuskers fans will be happy to see the fierce Blackshirts making plays defensively. The addition of Alfonzo Dennard to the Nebraska defense is just what the Cornhuskers have needed early in the season.

One thing you can bet on: Nebraska will be running on all cylinders when they arrive at Camp Randall for a date October first with Wisconsin!