Sharpe Words - Kansas State Game Preview

By Greg Sharpe
Husker Sports Network
Voice of the Huskers

 

Last Saturday, the Cornhuskers ? for the first time in a decade ? won their fourth straight Big 12 road game, and the win over Kansas sets up a game with Kansas State to decide the champion of the Big 12 North. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

The Huskers rediscovered their offense against the Jayhawks, piling up 410 yards and putting 31 points on the board ... a welcome sight to Husker fans who have watched that unit struggle in recent weeks.

 

It was no accident the offense came alive at the same time Roy Helu Jr. became healthy. The talented junior running back has now posted back-to-back 100-yard rushing games against Oklahoma and Kansas.

 

Nebraska, of course, was the media’s pick to win the North. Kansas State wasn’t expected to be even close, so there’s no question that Bill Snyder’s Wildcats are the surprise team of the league this season.

 

Who would have thought that the ?Cats, winners of four conference games already, would be in position to win the division crown with a win over the Huskers?

 

K-State has used a strong rushing attack and a solid defense to post six wins this year, but they’re still one win short of bowl eligibility because they can only count one of their two wins over Division I-AA opponents.

 

Make no mistake. The ?Cats have weapons, including the league’s top rusher in junior back Daniel Thomas, a former quarterback. They also feature an explosive kick returner in Brandon Banks. Even if the offense lacks spark, Banks can turn the game around. He’s returned four kickoffs for touchdowns this season. If his name sounds familiar, you probably remember the 98-yard kickoff he returned last year for a touchdown against the Huskers in Manhattan.

 

Fortunately, Nebraska scored two straight touchdowns after Banks’ TD and shut out the ?Cats the rest of the way to win, 56-28, last season.

 

Like most, I see this year’s game being dramatically different than that fireworks display. In fact, I believe fairly strongly that Nebraska will have to take care of the ball and continue to play solid defense in order to win and earn a spot in the Big 12 title game. 

 

The Huskers are the better team, but they’re expecting K-State’s best shot. We know how much K-State wants to spoil Senior Day to advance to the title game and earn a bowl trip. Remember how motivated the Huskers were last weekend to spoil KU’s Senior Day?

 

A penalty here or a fumble there can be the difference when emotions run high, and I’m expecting Memorial Stadium to be rocking just like it was two weekends ago when OU went down and turned this season completely around.

 

Bo Pelini-coached teams have a habit of peaking in November, and Saturday night should be no exception.