The WAC is Back in Lincoln

For the first time in nearly two years Nebraska fans will get the chance to welcome a team not from the Sun Belt Conference to Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Before last September the Huskers had never faced a team from the SBC. Since then, that's all they've faced on the home turf outside the Big 12.

But now the WAC is back in what will be the Huskers' 21st game against the conference. And, in case you didn't notice, it's a conference that's coming off an uncharacteristically high profile opening week to the season.

If the Big East was the big loser over the weekend then the WAC may have just been the winner. First there was Hawaii, forced to use three different quarterbacks, putting up 588 yards of total offense in a 13-point loss to USC that felt much closer than that. Then there was Utah State, a team that edged Idaho 52-49 at the end of last season, going into Norman and playing the Sooners within a touchdown. At nearly the same time, Fresno State was putting an end to Cincinnati's 18-game regular season win streak. Then, in the game everyone saw last night, Boise State slugged out a gutty win against Virginia Tech.

Idaho opened their season last Thursday with a 45-0 win over North Dakota, rolling up 547 yards of offense behind two touchdown passes and 311 yards passing from North Platte native Nathan Enderle. (Not to mention a tricky and successful on-side kick to open the second half.)

While opening games are not the stuff trends are made of, rest assured that by association alone the WAC can offer a stiffer challenge than the SBC. There are good teams in this conference and they've been there a while. That generally makes the middle of the conference, Idaho included, better as well.

As noted in our Vandals preview, Idaho can move the football displaying a good bit of balance in the process. Last year Idaho topped 170 yards rushing in seven games while throwing for more than 300 yards in six others.

It may be just the challenge Nebraska needs after a defensive performance that left Bo Pelini "absolutely embarrassed" on Saturday. With a full week to prepare the ad hoc linebacking committe should be better prepared but the battle to watch should be up front.

Idaho brings the biggest offensive line in the FBS (334 lb. average) to Lincoln but it's an inexperienced bunch featuring four new starters. It'll be interesting to see what the vaunted Huskers defensive line will be able to do against that bunch after tallying only one sack and one tackle for a loss against Western Kentucky.

All eyes will be on the run game as the Hilltoppers found some room to run against Nebraska but despite the occasionally impressive ground numbers from the Vandals last year, they're still a throwing team. Will they try to pound it out and manage the clock behind their big guys or go with what got them there, namely Enderle?

This will be the best defensive backfield the quarterback has seen since his first start as a freshman at USC. Enderle is nothing if not poised and he performed admirably enough in that game for a freshman, throwing for 155 yards but avoiding any interceptions.

What Idaho hasn't been able to do is keep teams out of the end zone. From 2007 to 2009 the Vandals gave up an average of 38.48 points per game. They do return 10 starters from last year's defense, highlighted by NFL prospect Shiloh Keo at free safety, so at least they're experienced at giving up a lot of points.

The Huskers will almost assuredly see a tougher challenge this week than they did versus WKU. All eyes, or at least those not star struck by the speed of Taylor Martinez, will be on the defense and I fully expect the Vandals to have some success offensively.

This game will be closer than most fans would like at halftime but ultimately I'm guessing the Idaho defense will be their undoing.

NU 42 Idaho 17