HUSKER UP: Virginia Tech

Friends and neighbors, I know that our country is facing one of the most dire financial situations in a few generations. That's stressful. But thankfully, there is a refuge from that stress – college football. The Huskers have a big game with Virginia Tech tomorrow night. NU can't afford to have fans feeling down on their luck or sorry for themselves. Folks, it is time to HUSKER UP.

Okay…Somebody Please Shut This Guy Up
Earlier this week, Rivals.com columnist Tom Dinehart interviewed a coach whose team has already played the Husker this year. The coach – speaking anonymously – had this to say about NU.

"I like the quarterback a lot. He's a heck of a kid. But they can't run the ball. (Marlon) Lucky is good, and he runs good routes. But they really can't run the ball. The line has that mentality of throw, throw, throw (from the old coaching staff). And it's hard to change that mind-set quickly and become a running team overnight. Bo (Pelini) wants to run the ball, but they aren't there yet. It may come after seven or eight games. Or it may not come until the spring. The passing game? They can't just drop back and throw it. Most of their big passing plays come off play-action.

"On defense, I wasn't that impressed. They are big up front, but there isn't much of a pass rush. Bo is trying to scheme them up. He's a big schemer. They came at us with a lot of different blitzes and stunts. I think the DBs are average. I will say the kid they moved from running back to linebacker is a player. He's good. I think this defense will struggle to play in space."

Well gee; some of that has some truth, but you might also get the impression that the Huskers were the weak sisters of the poor or something. This doesn't mean too much coming from a guy whose team LOST to NU, by the way. Oh, and not going on the record with your name is a BS move.

You know what I think when people run their yaps like this? Shut ‘em up. Just shut them the hell up. Nothing does that like results. I hope the Husker come out and play the most complete game of their season, being more physical than a physical Virginia Tech team. Will that impress Mr. Loser coach?

Last Time We Saw the Hokies
You know what? The last time Nebraska faced off against this team, their positions in the college football world were much different. Nebraska ran right over Virginia Tech 41-21 in the 1996 Orange Bowl.

I mean, check out this picture of eventual game MVP Damon Benning knocking down a Hokie defender. And he was NU's third best running back at the time.

Come on people...it's time to finally make strides back to where NU has been before. To borrow a phrase from Prince (the singer, not the coach), “it's time to party like its nineteen ninety six.�

Want to Get Really Huskered Up?
The regular “AV Club� portion of Husker Up is being replaced by an important promotional announcement. Some of the BRN crew will be in Lincoln for the game.

Swing by Brewsky's in the Haymarket to say hi, have some suds and let us thank you for being a loyal reader. There is at least a .005 chance that Erin Andrews could be there, too. High five, stalker guy.

If you can't Husker Up with us in person, consider these alternatives:

• Download and print a pocket guide so that you are the smartest person in your section or at your watch party.


• Choose from one of our fabulous t-shirts, available in the store. You can rock the red with pride. Or you can buy a black shirt so you are ready when those coveted jerseys are finally unveiled.

Care to Make Predictions?
Okay enough with the gratuitous self promotion. To make up for that, I'll do something I normally don't. I'll make a prediction.

After much thought, I believe that Nebraska will with this game. I have the Huskers by 10 points. Why? NU is 7 points better, and Memorial Stadium is worth 3. So I'm going with 24-14, Huskers.

What say you? Offer thoughts in the comments below. Or, if you aren't bold enough to go “on the record�, just play the fight song loud enough to annoy the people around you.

Hit it, band –