Joel Buchsbaum's key college games

Husker-Sooner rivalry returns to the big stage

By Joel Buchsbaum, Contributing editor
As published in print Oct. 23, 2000

The last time these two teams played a game that had national championship implications was when Tom Osborne was coaching Nebraska, and Barry Switzer was at Oklahoma. At that time, Nebraska was a "Power I" option team with a tremendous run-blocking offensive line, quality receivers and enough passing to keep defenses honest. Oklahoma was a pure wishbone team with great runners and run blockers that regarded the pass as a last resort. The Sooners also had great defenses and tremendous team speed and were just more talented and physical than other teams. While Nebraska has not changed much over the years — though it did get a little smaller and faster on defense — Oklahoma has come full circle. Now, the Sooners are overachievers who win by brilliantly executing a ball-control passing offense that spreads the field and playing over their heads on defense. They don’t have a Billy Sims, the Selmon brothers or countless All-Americans dotting their roster, but they are a more disciplined team that prepares very well. On paper, Nebraska should beat Oklahoma. But on paper, the Sooners should have lost to Texas and Kansas State, and they destroyed Texas and clearly were better than Kansas State. Regardless of who wins this game, these teams will probably face each other in the Big 12 championship game in December, and if either team sweeps the other, it probably will get a chance to play for the national championship.

Quarterbacks — Nebraska’s Eric Crouch is a great option quarterback who makes plays when the Cornhuskers need them most. He is an excellent runner, clutch passer and TD maker. Oklahoma southpaw Josh Heupel is not a strong-armed, down-the-field passer in the Troy Aikman mold, but he makes great reads, gets the ball to the open man and played his best games vs. Texas and Kansas State with the most at stake. With another big game vs. Nebraska, he will be a very serious Heisman candidate. Edge: Even

Running backs — Nebraska has lots of good to very good backs but no great one. Dan Alexander has a unique combination of power and speed but is not a creative runner. Correll Buckhalter has good size and speed and more running skills and creativity, but he is not special. Willie Miller is an underrated fullback who will surprise people with his inside running if they don’t take him seriously. Oklahoma’s best back is Quenton Griffin, a quick 5-6 fireplug who scored six touchdowns vs. Texas. He is a good fit in this one-back, H-back-type offense but is not a special runner. Edge: Nebraska

Receivers — Oklahoma has three outstanding sophomore wide receivers who can run after the catch — Antwone Savage, Andre Woolfolk and Damien Mackey — and lots of useful role players. Nebraska has the best tight end in the conference in Tracey Wistrom, a talented wingback who really has not exploded yet this year in former QB Bobby Newcombe and a clutch catcher in split end Matt Davison. Edge: Even

Offensive linemen — Nebraska has the best run-blocking offensive line in the country and three potential All-Americans in C Dominic Raiola and OGs Toniu Fonoti and Russ Hochstein. Oklahoma has a retooled line that does not look very good on paper but generally gives Heupel enough time. After the way the unit blocked the Longhorns’ defensive line, you have to be impressed. Edge: Nebraska

Defense — The Sooners do not have a starting defensive player over 6-2, but they do have some talent. Rocky Calmus is a very good linebacker, and Torrance Marshall is a very talented linebacker with excellent size and movement skills. In the secondary, converted WR-RB J.T. Thatcher has come up with some big interceptions from his FS spot but still does not know how to tackle. Freshman CBs Michael Thompson and Derrick Strait and sophomore S Roy Williams are potential stars of the future. Both safeties weigh at least 215 pounds, and the corners also have nice size, which is a big plus against an option team. Nebaska’s All-America MLB Carlos Polk almost could be negated because pass coverage is the weakest part of his game. However, the Cornhuskers are deep and talented in the secondary, where Keyuo Craver could be one of the best cornerbacks in school history. Edge: Nebraska

Special teams — Oklahoma does a great job of returning kickoffs, and Thatcher has had a great year. Nebraska has an excellent placekicker in Josh Brown, a top punter who can kick off in Dan Hadenfeldt and dangerous return men. However, the real key for the Huskers is going to be how well they cover kicks. Edge: Nebraska

Prediction: Nebraska 38, Oklahoma 24

Both clubs started the year with great expectations, stumbled early but seem to have righted their ships since then. Now, the winner of this game will still have a chance to win the Southeastern Conference and compete for the national championship if it can run the table. This is the most talented Georgia team in recent memory, with talent everywhere you turn. However, QB Quincy Carter, who was supposed to make a run at the Heisman, has been a huge disappointment. At times, like in the South Carolina game, Carter pulled the team down instead of lifting it up despite playing with the best supporting cast he has ever had. Then he missed the Kentucky game with a left shoulder injury, and his replacement, Cory Phillips, threw for 400 yards and four scores.

On defense, the front seven, led by DTs Richard Seymour and Marcus Stroud and LB Kendrell Bell, can be tremendous, but the Bulldogs’ defense has gone back to underachieving like last year.

Florida is a young but very athletic team that also has received inconsistent QB play for much of the year. Redshirt freshman Rex Grossman appears to have beaten out Jesse Palmer for now, and Grossman was superb vs. Auburn. He is not a great talent, but he makes good decisions and gets the ball to the open man.

Defensively, the key for the Gators will be how their two most gifted defensive linemen — DE Alex Brown and DT Gerard Warren — play. Warren has really come on and been dominating, while Brown, who was supposed to be the next Jevon Kearse, has looked uninspired and lacked instincts for most of the year.

Prediction: Georgia 20, Florida 19

Also see: PFW's College Top 10

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