Nebraska vs. Virginia Tech - The Big Picture

What does the Virginia Tech game mean to Nebraska?

 

I bet you’ve heard that question hundreds of times this past week or so. It’s a legitimate question to ask, so I’m going to give you my take on an answer.

 

Personally, I believe Saturday’s game in Blacksburg, Va., is one of the bigger games for a Nebraska team in the past 5 or 10 years.

 

Is it the biggest? No, but it’s certainly one that can be a “game changer” cafor Bo’s bunch. If you polled the common, educated, Husker fans today, I think the majority would tell you that their expectations are to win not only the Big 12’s North Division, but at least 9 games this year. Fair enough. But a win over Virginia Tech elevates those expectations to loftier dreams.

                     

The question that comes my way more than any other is: “When will we be back?”

 

I often respond by saying there isn’t any singular moment that you can put your finger on. In other words, beating Virginia Tech doesn’t necessarily mean “we’re back!” You have to define what “being back” actually means. To me, it means contending for conference championships year-in and year-out. That doesn’t get achieved with one big win. Don’t get me wrong. Beating a team like Virginia Tech on the road is a huge part of the process, but an even bigger part is that consistency we always had.

 

Sports Nightly listeners have heard me say that there are two keys to Saturday’s game in Blacksburg:

 

1)     Zac Lee

 

 

2)     Run D

 

 

If Zac Lee plays anywhere near the same level he has in the first two weeks, and if the Blackshirts’ run defense can hold the Hokies under 200 yards rushing, then I really like Nebraska’s chances.

 

Lee will be challenged, and the Hokies will do everything possible to dare Lee to beat them.

 

So tune in early and stay on late.

 

The Husker Sports Network will cover this game from every conceivable angle.

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