On June 12th, 2010 the Big 12 woke to inevitable news. In weeks leading up to that particular date Nebraska had been rumored to be accepting a bid to join the Big Ten Conference. On June 12th, those rumors were confirmed and Nebraska officially abandoned the Big 12. On that day fans of all Big 12 schools were enraged, and many that were fortunate to have home games against Nebraska circled that day on their schedule. For Kansas State, that day–October 7th—is upon us.
June 12th will always be remembered in the hearts of Kansas State fans, as well as other remaining Big 12 schools’ fans. Nebraska’s departure nearly led to the death of a conference that has been around since the 1920’s. Nebraska showed their true greed by leaving the Big 12. They stabbed their brethren in the back and showed that the University of Nebraska cares more about money than 100-year-old traditions.
Losing Nebraska is quite possibly the worst thing that has ever happened in the Big 12, at least for Kansas State. Nebraska was by far K-State’s biggest rival in football. While they were not hated in the same manner as the University of Kansas, it was more of an adrenaline rush to play a team with a rich tradition like Nebraska’s. Certainly some of it was caused by the fact that Nebraska had owned Kansas State, as well as most of the country, for most of the 1980’s and 90’s. K-State had finally put their name into the rivalry and shown up to compete in the late 1990’s.
During the 1990’s Nebraska and Kansas State owned the Big 8 and Big 12 North. The games between K-State and Nebraska were legendary. In 1998, Michael Bishop led K-State past Nebraska en route to a Big 12 Championship Game appearance. The K-State/Nebraska game is still discussed by both sides, especially considering the controversial no-call on the obvious facemask at the end of the game by K-State star Travis Ochs. Playing through a snow storm in 2000, K-State beat Nebraska again in Manhattan. The next year, Nebraska answered right back in Lincoln.
Even during the dark ages at Nebraska (the Bill Callahan era) Bill Snyder Family Stadium would be packed for the Nebraska game. No other match-up even came close to drawing the excitement that the Nebraska game drew. On October 7th, 2010, Kansas State will face off against bitter rival Nebraska one last time with Big 12 North implications once again on the line.
A look at the Huskers
Last season Nebraska proved that they were well on their way back as one of the premier college football programs in the nation. However, a very weak offense ruined their chances of a Big 12 or national championship. Defensively, however, they proved to have the best defense in the nation, led by Ndomukong Suh. The only defense even remotely close to being as good as Nebraska’s was that of national champion Alabama.
The Huskers were literally one second away from defeating national runner-up Texas in the Big 12 title game. After that heartbreaking loss, the Huskers showed true heart in dominating a tough Arizona team in the Holidy Bowl by a score of 33-0.
This season, the Huskers have looked much improved. Instead of starting senior quarterback Zac Lee, the Huskers have turned to a freshman quarterback in Taylor Martinez. Virtually unknown coming into the season, Martinez has drawn comparisons to former Heisman Trophy quarterback Eric Crouch. He has looked brilliant in the four games the Huskers have played thus far. The Huskers offense looks to be considerably better than it was last year and much of that can probably be attributed to Martinez.
In the first game of the year, the Huskers defeated Western Kentucky 49-10. Obviously Western Kentucky is not a very prestigious school. But the fact that Nebraska scored 49 points showed massive improvement from last season when in their final ten games the most points they scored was 33 (against Arizona).
Martinez led the stat sheet with 127 rushing yards on just seven carries. He also led the stat sheet the next two games when he rushed for 157 against Idaho (38-17 Nebraska win), and 137 against Washington (56-21 Nebraska win). He hasn’t thrown the ball a lot but he hasn’t made many errors either. He struggled last week against Idaho State (17-3 Nebraska win).
Last Season in Lincoln
Last season the Huskers ruined Bill Snyder’s first season back as the Wildcats’ coach. Kansas State traveled to Lincoln, where few gave the Cats much of a chance. If Kansas State had won that game, they would have been playing in the Big 12 title game instead of Nebraska. Unfortunately for K-State, Nebraska won, 17-3 over the error-prone Wildcats.
The score of that game was in fact a little misleading. It wasn’t decided until the final whistle blew. Kansas State’s defense stood toe to toe with the Huskers, and its offense effectively ran on the Nebraska defense. However, penalties and red-zone turnovers cost Kansas State any chance at beating the Huskers.
Huskers Offense in 2010
As mentioned above, Nebraska is led by freshman sensation Taylor Martinez (6’1″ 205 lb redshirt freshman quarterback). Martinez was listed as a three-star recruit by most recruiting services. They knew he could run, but they didn’t trust his arm. While he has shown to have some inaccuracies with his arm, he is still a freshman. Even Josh Freeman looked wild as a freshman for K-State. Through four games, Martinez has led the Huskers in rushing yards (496 yards on 53 carries for an average of 9.4 yards per carry), rushing touchdowns (eight), and has completed a respectable 34 of 57 passes for 532 yards. He has thrown two touchdown passes against three interceptions. The Husker offense relies heavily on Martinez to make plays.
The running game, when the ball is not being run by Martinez, is led by Roy Helu, Jr. (6’0″ 200 lb senior running back). Helu, Jr. showed his talent during his sophomore season when he ran for 803 yards (6.4 yards per carry). He is an explosive back who will easily be the best the Cats have faced this season. Last year, Helu, Jr. ran for 1,147 yards and nine touchdowns. Through four games this season, Helu, Jr. already has 305 yards rushing on just 43 carries. He set a career long this year against Washington when he ran 65 yards for a touchdown. He has garnered two 100-yard rushing games already this season but what is more impressive is that in both of those games he had 10 or less rushing attempts. The Huskers also have a dangerous runner in Rex Burkhead, who has yet to break out this season.
The Nebraska receivers haven’t put up big numbers this season, but that is mostly due to the fact that the Huskers have primarily been a run-first team this season. Nevertheless, they feature two big threat receivers in Niles Paul (6’1″ 220 lb senior) and Brandon Kinnie (6’3″ 220 lb junior). Paul had a breakout season last year as a receiver and the starting return man for the Huskers. He led the Huskers in receiving last year with 40 receptions for 796 yards and four touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown and a kick return for a touchdown. Paul was also the kick returner his sophomore year when he returned 41 kicks for 969 yards and an 85 yard touchdown. So far this year Paul only has 10 catches for 144 yards and one touchdown. Kinnie has led the Huskers in receiving so far this season with 17 catches and 205 yards. His breakout game this season (five catches for 105 yards) was against Washington. These two receivers will be potential threats when the Huskers aren’t running the football.
The Huskers’ offensive line is a big and impressive unit. They start in line like this: LT Jeremiah Sirles (6’6″ 310 lb RS freshman), LG Keith Williams (6’5″ 310 lb senior), C Mike Caputo (6’1″ 275 lb junior), RG Ricky Henry (6’4″ 305 lb senior), and RT Marcel Jones (6’7″ 315 lb junior). Williams and Henry were both honorable mention all-Big 12 last year. The Huskers’ offensive line is a big unit that opens big holes for their potent rushing attack.
This feels strange to say, especially with how bad the Huskers were on offense last year, but the Huskers feature the best offense that Kansas State has faced this season. Though their passing game is not as strong as other elite teams in the country, they are by far the best rushing team up to this point. The Huskers are currently ranked fourth in the country in rushing yards per game, and if they wouldn’t have performed so poorly against South Dakota State, they would probably be leading the nation in rushing. K-State’s defense has struggled against the run a little this year, but this game will show their true deficiencies in rush defense. The secondary should play well as they have all season. If Kansas State can shut the run down, they can stall the Huskers’ offense.
Nebraska’s Defense and Special Teams
The Huskers have already shown that their defense is not a one-hit wonder from last season. It does, however, sport some weaknesses as it is impossible to replace a talent like Ndamukong Suh. The Black Shirts currently rank seventh in scoring defense and have completely shut down every opponent they have faced including Heisman Trophy candidate Jake Locker.
The defensive line returns star Jared Crick (6’6″ 285 lb junior defensive tackle) and rising star Baker Steinkuhler (6’6″ 290 lb sophomore defensive tackle). Pierre Allen (6’5 265 lb senior) also returns. The Huskers were led last season by this defensive line, and this year’s line has shown to be fairly consistent. Crick and Steinkuhler already have a combined six sacks and nine tackles for loss.
The linebacking corps is led by David Lavonte (6’1″ 210 lb junior). Lavonte leads the team in tackles, racking up 44 through just four games. He was a two-time All Jayhawk Conference selection for Fort Scott Community College and was ranked as the #7 JUCO player in the country last year. The Huskers also have senior Eric Hagg (6’1″ 210 lb senior). The other linebacker, Alonzo Whaley (6’1″ 225 lb sophomore) is the most inexperienced of the group.
The best player on the defense for the Huskers is in the secondary. Prince Amukamara (6’1″ 205 lb senior cornerback) is a projected first round NFL draft pick. He already has four pass breakups this year which is second only to Lavonte. The Huskers secondary is as good as any in the country. They feature three senior starters (Amukarmara, Dejon Gomes, and Rickey Thenarse). The other starter is two-time letterman Alfonzo Dennard (5’10″ 195 lb junior). It is very difficult to pass on this group, especially when they have such a solid defensive line.
Alex Henery returns to kick field goals as well as punts for the Huskers. He is on the Lou Groza and Ray Guy award watch list this season. So far he is a perfect 2-2 on field goals and has averaged an impressive 43.8 yards per punt.
The defense for the Huskers is just as impressive as last year’s unit, but unlike last year they have some holes in the line and linebacking corps. They have allowed far more rushing yards than last year and they will be facing a team that ran the ball very well against them last year. The Kansas State offensive line matches up well against the Huskers and the ball movement for K-State will be based upon the offensive lineman in the trenches.
3 keys to a Wildcat Victory
- Fill The Bill
Although the crowd cannot put up points on the board, the fans are going to be very vital for K-State’s success against Nebraska. Watching K-State this season, it is clear that the defense plays harder when the crowd is in the game. When The Bill was roaring against UCF, the Knights were unable to move the ball. When it was quiet, the Knights seemed to run the ball at will. The crowd atmosphere absolutely must be electric for the Wildcats to have a chance against the Huskers. - Don’t Buy Into the Hype
Do I believe Nebraska is overrated? No. Do I believe they are over-the-top better than Kansas State? No. This Nebraska team does have more talent, but the players can’t buy into that. They need to believe in themselves. They have gotten themselves to 4-0 against quality competition and they should be treating Nebraska as just another team on the schedule. They have all of the tools to win the game. - Stop Taylor Martinez
Kansas State has struggled against mobile QB’s in the past couple of games. Martinez is far better than any QB that the Wildcats have faced thus far. The only good thing I see out of Martinez is that he has never been to an opposing stadium as loud as Bill Snyder Family Stadium (don’t tell me Washington is as loud, because it’s not) and he is a freshman. If the Wildcats can frustrate Martinez, they have a good shot at winning.
The Prediction
This is why I am not a true journalist. Looking at talent alone, Nebraska is a much better team. They have already performed well on the road against a BCS school and have had a week to prepare for Kansas State. However, I just can’t make myself pick against K-State on this one. The environment in Manhattan has been anti-Nebraska for the past couple of weeks and I believe it is going to translate well onto the field. This game will feature one of the loudest and craziest crowds to ever attend a game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. This will be Nebraska’s hiccup before they play their “true” rival, Texas. KSU wins 27-23.
