Game Time: 10/11/2008 03:00 PM
-
It was noble of first-year Nebraska coach Bo Pelini to take the blame and apologize to the state for the Cornhuskers' miserable showing in a 52-17 loss to Missouri last week. But it's not Pelini's fault. He's a good coach, better than what Nebraska has had. The problem is the Cornhuskers haven't converted to 21st century football yet.
Their defense isn't quick or fast enough to compete with high octane spread offenses such as Missouri and now Texas Tech. The Cornhuskers can have all the motivation and turn in a great effort, but they simply are overmatched here. Now that the point spread has gone down to less than three touchdowns, the time is right to play Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders have the nation's No. 2 offense, averaging 583.3 yards per game, and the No. 1 passing attack. They beat the Cornhuskers, 70-10, when Nebraska last visited Lubbock four years ago. Texas Tech coach Mike Leach isn't the kind of coach to let up either like Missouri actually did last week. He'll run up a score for poll purposes.
Texas Tech buried Kansas State 58-28 last week. Graham Harrell was 38-for-51 with six touchdown passes for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders received good ground support, too, from Shannon Woods and Baron Batch.
Any optimism from Nebraska's narrow loss to Virginia Tech two weeks ago faded with its surrender to Missouri. Now the Cornhuskers go on the road for the first time. They've allowed an average of 52.6 points in their last four road games. The sad fact is Nebraska can't stop Big 12 opponents. They are giving up an average of 47 points in their last eight conference games.
Free Pick: Texas Tech -20½ (-110)