Looks like the children of the corn are really good this yr on both sides of the ball. If the beatdown of K St last night is an indication of what's to come for us, it might get real ugly next week in Lincoln. 

But i believe there is still hope.  Nebraska now will be hearing for nearly two weeks how great and awesome they are and on the flip side, we'll be hearing how bad we are etc...  Watching film of us will only probably boost Nebraska's thinking further that we stink and that they will roll us.   Mack and Coach Boom will have had extra time to prepare a gameplan for NU and the team will be rested.  Perfect scenario for an upset, don't you think?

After re-watching the game last night and the Washington highlights, a couple of things were clear on why NU was so successful and what we need to do to beat them. 

1). Texas' D must get penetration and disrupt (as much as possible) the QB/RB handoffs. 

Washington and K St never came close in putting any sort of pressure on Martinez and getting into the backfield. Martinez pretty much had all day to scan the defense with no pressure and decide what decision to make on the zone read.  I'm thinking our D line can do a better job of this than any team that NU has faced thus far. 

2). Linebackers must attack and get off blocks

Time and time again, Washington and K St.'s linebackers just sat back, probably playing containment D, but NU's O line and RB's were able to successfully block them off enough to allow  Martinez to knock off big runs.  We need to blitz (alot) and not allow NU easy angles on our LB's which neutralizes them.  

3).  Force NU to 3rd & Long

Barely ever was NU in 3rd and long in these games.  NU easily got 4-5 yards (if not more) on 1st and 2nd downs. Our D really needs to dial in on 1st and 2nd downs and forcing some plays for losses will be huge. Martinez cannot throw the ball and looks awkward when he does it.  Obviously if Martinez is throwing the ball, he cannot hurt us by running. 

4).  CB's need to cut off the sidelines

Martinez cannot be allowed to turn the corner. Our CB's need to get off their blocks and cut off the edges and force Martinez back into the gut of the D.  Washington and K St blitzed their CB's a few times and more often than not something good happened.  I'm sure coach boom will bring the heat from the corners. I think this is a great game for Vaccaro to play in and let him wreck havoc in the backfield as much as possible. 

5). Texas Offense Must Score Early

The best defense is sometimes a good offense. Did you know that NU has not trailed at ANY point this season? Thus, they have dictated tempo and been allowed to play their game.  If we can get a couple of scores early and actually score first, this will go a long way in making NU uncomfortable and force them to do things out of character (e.g. like passing the ball).  I know this is asking alot from our O but with 2 losses already, hopefully Mack and GD will just open up the playbook and go for it.  We really have nothing to lose at this point. 

6). Limit Turnovers & Penalties 

This is obvious. If we have more than 2 TO's in this game, we will lose. If we have alot of penalties (especially on 3rd downs), we will lose and lose big.

Let me hear your thoughts and opinions.  'Hook Em