The Case For and Against a UCLA Upset
The predictions for Nebraska's visit to UCLA this week tend to have the Huskers winning somewhere between a few points and two touchdowns. You even see a few bold souls, predicting an upset by the Bruins. Given how bad UCLA was a year ago and how well NU as fared in nonconference games with Taylor Martinez at quarterback, are the Bruins getting too much credit?
The Bruins Have Got to Like...
...that Nebraska has to travel two time zones to play the game.
...that Rex Burkhead is hurt and Tim Marlowe is too.
...that their offense looked so good last week both running and passing.
...that NU has given up a lot of rushing yards both last season and last week.
...that they got an extra two days to prepare for the game.
...that the Huskers have struggled against dual threat quarterbacks.
...that they get to play in their home stadium.
The Huskers Have Got to Like...
...that it's only the second start for UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley.
...that the Bruins start three freshman on their offensive line.
...that UCLA gave up 24 points in one half of football to Rice!
...the UCLA defense was terrible a year ago.
...that UCLA is still learning to play for a new coaching staff.
...that NU had no trouble in a similar matchup two years ago at Washington, in a much louder stadium.
...the game kicks off at 4:30 Pacific time, which isn't too different from playing a night game for a Midwestern team.
...that UCLA is not known for a passionate fan base that creates a hostile road environment for visiting teams.
...that Husker fans travel so well.
...that Taylor Martinez and his receivers were on fire last week.
...that the Californians on the NU roster will have a lot to play for.
...the Husker pass defense was outstanding in week 1 against a team that was better than UCLA a year ago.
...that Nebraska hasn't committed a single turnover and has committed very few penalties.
Sure this game could be competitive. If Nebraska doesn't play well, they could lose. But there are good reasons for NU to be the favorite. In the end, there are just more reasons to like the Huskers here. Still, this could be a four-quarter shootout that we won't soon forget.
9/7/2012
All good points! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Nebraska play so well for their first game of the season. Yes, the defense needs some work and the offense left some plays on the field, but what a start for the season! I just hope the improvement continue through out the year. No turn overs, very few penalties and an offense line that clicked. I think this game will be a blow out, 42 to 17 Nebraska. GBR!
9/7/2012
Don’t forget the last time a NU team came into LA and played a Bruin team that sucked the year before.
Austin, TX
9/7/2012
Too many seniors on this team for a week 2 letdown. I see Nebraska coming in with a lot of motivation to play hard and coming out with a 45-21 win.
9/7/2012
If Devaney would have started Steve Runty at QB rather than Dave Humm that game we would have beaten Mark Harmon and UCLA. Runty was the most underappreciated player and Humm was the most overratred player on Devaney’s last team and on Osborne’s first team as well. Runty could run circles around Humm. All Humm could do was throw and at times he didn’t even do that very well. Both Devaney and Osborne did themselves a huge disservice by not giving Runty a real shot at the starting QB role. That miscalculation alone probably cost them both a National Championship (can you say four-peat?).
9/8/2012
Our run defense is not good, which you pointed out above. Hopefully, UCLA won’t run the ball 60 times between Franklin and Hundley, or it will be a long day for our defense.
And, our pass defense was only outstanding based on the gameplan Southern Miss had…run, rotate quarterbacks, miss on touchdowns to open receivers being covered by Whaley.
Offense was terrific. Hope they can maintain the consistency from week 1 to 2, especially with no Rex.
This will be a tough game. Look at the history of NU playing UCLA in their backyard. I don’t believe it favors NU.
9/8/2012
I just don’t see this game being close. NU 41, UCLA 17.
Ankeny, IA
9/8/2012
I hope our O keeps clicking like last week. And I hope our D stiffens the run defense a bit.
If memory services, I think UCLA scored 3 TDs on their first 5 plays last week. Wow. We better come to play… and I think we will.
9/8/2012
We’re going to stomp their little liberal buts right into the SoCal turf! Are you kidding me? They’re starting 3 freshmen on the O line. They have no defense. Rice is ranked #113th in the country and they put up points in the first half at least on pace to score 48 on this UCLA defense. This Nebraska team is on fire and are playing with attitude…and with a definate chip on their shoulder from last year. The endings of the last 2 years is serving us well right now. Lets hope that continues. I think it will. And I think Taylor Martinez continues to improve and has not only a great passing day today, but a great running day as well. Man if he can do that, both of those at a high level in all games, he would be a HUGE dual threat for us.
It’s gonna be a big year for us!
Kansas City, MO
9/8/2012
When I see the Vegas lines and ESPN Gameday and all the pundits talk about this game, it makes me wonder if I don’t know much about college football. I re-watched both UCLA and the Husker games this past week and I just don’t see these teams being in the same class. Are these other guys overvaluing the loss of Rex Burkhead and undervaluing just what the rest of the offense can do? Are they thinking that UCLA’s offensive prowess last week against the very-terrible Rice can be duplicated against the somewhat mediocre Huskers defense?
I just don’t understand.
9/9/2012
Yea,
I really didn’t see it either.
That’s why they play the games, I guess.
Kansas City, MO
9/9/2012
I have pretty much given up on trying to figure out college football. The predictably of 18-23 year old makes figuring out what will happen nearly impossible.
9/12/2012
I have just one word for “PE” up above: “BOO!!!!!”