a few thoughts...

[3yrlurker]

i absolutely think nebraska will win this game. no question. apart from the fact that nebraska is playing really well right now, The coaches have really shown the capability to get the team ready for whoever they're playing, as long as they have the time to prepare. but what keeps nagging at me about this game is texas's bye week. even if they didn't have this bye week, and were coming into town with a 10 game losing streak, we would still get a very motivated texas team, much like colorado. and in that case, the blackshirts would still destroy them. but with this bye week that they've had, i'm not really sure what to expect from them, especially on offense.

For those who know a bit more about football and game preparation, is two weeks actually enough to change the direction and tendencies of an offense this soon into the season after doing the same thing all summer and fall? how was Nebraska when they were put in a similar position say, last year or 2008? I know this... if the week off is not enough to show a significant change, their offense will get stomped on, for sure.

[NIdahohusker]

I think Bo is prepared to see Texas 2009 and will game plan accordingly. The plan is as always, shut down the run, and force them to pass. Texas may start mixing it up early knowing how dismal their run game has been. Chris Whaley was suppoed to be the next coming of Earl Campbell, but he is at H-back now. They have some quick backs, but that plays into the hands of lining up Gomes, David, and Hagg at linebacker. Gilbert is going to have to win this game for them if they are to win.

[Roscoe Pound]

Texas would have to totally retool to make a difference on offense. Since Texas is not a multi tasker and just a "tool" collectively NU has to suffer from mistakes to lose this game man on man.  So unless they come up with some Craftsman wonder tool revelation, I'd remain confident.

[opBlackshirt]

We will prepare for Texas 2010 version. Technically though there is always a mixture of seasons. Texas won't completely throw out the 2009 playbook. While Gilbert was a backup he had to know the offense that they ran for Colt.

However Texas knew they had weaknesses within the offense once Colt and the WRs left. Particularly the run game need to be beefed up to take pressure off a new QB with no goto WR. So like any other team would do, Texas slightly adjusted the offense to make due to the talent they have. Yes Texas has had two weeks to prepare and retool the offense so to speak, but they won't deviate much. They've spent 6 weeks so far running the offense they've built during the summer and fall. In this time frame, players become familiar with the plays. They start to gel with one another in the scope of these plays. Timing start to become critical with these plays. For them to drastically revamp their offense in two weeks will only put them and this QB at square one again. Texas will not do this or risk this. There is no way they can believe that they can completely retool in two weeks and beat this year's Nebraska.

If anything, it will be a process and the NU/UT game will be the first step in this process of retooling during the season in hopes that in the end, by mid conference, they would have hit full stride in the right direction they perceive to be their new identity.

[SCVHusker]

When Nebraska retooled last season it was done by "dumbing" down the offense.  That type of retooling can take place.  But the kind of retooling Texas needs can't take place mid-season imo.  They will not retool rather they will work harder and getting this offense to work.  That said, if Texas' talented players master their offense they will be very difficult to contain.  But don't be alarmed.  They won't.

[lpbaby]

This will be the true test for our OL...How much have they improved from last year.

[Lothar69]

Heard an interesting stat last night.  Taylor Martinez had more rushing yards against K-State than the leading rusher for Texas has for the year.

I'm no football guru but it seems to me that Texas problems on offense seem to be more on execution and playing as a unit than on a problem with the offensive scheme.  They lack the big-play threat and the experience that they had last year.  A complete "re-tooling" is not necessary and would in fact, be a step backwards.  I could see them simplifying the offense and focusing on a handful of plays that they can consistently execute and try to let the defense win some ball games for them (as Nebraska did last year).  

I just think the Texas game is going to come down to turnovers.  If Nebraska makes some mistakes and gives Texas a short field a few times, that will keep Texas in the game.  I don't think Nebraska needs to score a ton to win this game unless they turn the ball over.  I firmly believe that Nebraska's offense is good enough to move the ball on the Texas D if they play their game and hang onto the ball.  I don't think that the Texas offense is good enough to move the ball consistently against the Nebraska D.

[SUHnami]

The only way Texas beats Nebraska is if NU shoots themselves in the foot via turnovers or penalty killing drives.  Otherwise Texas isn't good enough this year to beat us man on man.  No way.  Their QB isn't fleet of foot.  Can he get them 5 yards to secure a 1st down?  Yeah but he's not going to rip off chunks of 20,30, or 40 yards.  Can he throw?  Heck yeas but going against arguably the bet secondary in the nation he's not going to fare well.  Locker can attest to that.  If neither team turns it over or gives up punt or KO yardage (which is dang near impossible) NU wins by 2 TDs easily.