NU FOOTBALL - Happy/Sad, Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech @ Nebraska - 09/26/08, 7:00 p.m. CDT

YOU'LL BE HAPPY IF ...
- Nebraska gets the run going early. The strength of the Hokies is their defense, and Nebraska has shown a tendency to abandon the run if it doesn't start well. This game does not play into Nebraska's strength if Joe Ganz has 50 or more pass attempts.
- Virgina Tech turns the ball over. Memorial Stadium is still a tough place to play, and with a night game the Sea of Red well be well (ahem) lubricated and ready to be loud. Tyrod Taylor, VT's quarterback, is unproven and will be in the most hostile atmosphere he's seen as a starter. If the we-can't-call-them-Blackshirts-yet get an early interception, the crowd becomes an even bigger factor.
- Alex Henery is on target. Both teams are stronger on defense than on offense. As a result, there could be a lot of field goal attempts in this game. Except for one howler, Henery has been deadly accurate this season. NU will likely need his accuracy to be successful.
- Nebraska gets physical. Virginia Tech played a tough road game last week against North Carolina, and had to put on a huge comeback to pull the game out. It's tough to go on the road two weeks in a row, and NU needs to take advantage of that by leaning on the Hokies and wearing them down.

YOU'LL BE SAD IF ...
- The defensive front four get greedy. Taylor is a great athletic talent, and may actually be more dangerous on a broken play than a designed one. Nebraska's defensive line has to be disciplined in order to control the gaps and not give Taylor huge holes to run if a pass play breaks down.
- Ganz doesn't play well. For the "preseason" schedule for Nebraska, Ganz was the straw that stirred the Nebraska offense's drink. If he gets rattled, starts forcing the ball, or (God forbid) gets injured, Nebraska is in a world of trouble.
- Virginia Tech gets substantially ahead early. This year's Nebraska team has come back and been in fights this season, but with lesser competition. If VT gets ahead early by ten points or more, the ghosts of last season will begin haunting both the team and the fans. That's a big hill to climb against a team with the confidence of a road win last week.

FEARLESS PREDICTION: Nebraska 23, Virginia Tech 13

GBR, baby.