NU FOOTBALL - Happy/Sad, Oklahoma

Nebraska @ Oklahoma - 11/01/08, 7:00 p.m. CDT

YOU'LL BE HAPPY IF ...
- SAM BRADFORD IS WATCHING: Oklahoma's offense is really good. (It's not everywhere you can get insight like that!) But Nebraska learned in Lubbock that if the offense is on the sideline, they can't score. NU has become quite proficient in dominating time of possession, and they will have to be successful with that in Norman. If NU has more than 38 minutes of possession, we may have an upset.
- THE 'HUSKERS ARE DUE: Nebraska has forced one turnover in four games. Usually teams will get more turnovers than that even by accident. If Oklahoma hands NU a couple of turnovers and Nebraska can capitalize, the 'Huskers can overcome the talent deficit.
- THERE IS EXECUTION: When a team is outgunned, it is critical that the outgunned team does not help their opponent out. As new 49'ers coach Mike Singletary would say (in a loud voice), "this isn't a charity!" Nebraska has to hold onto the ball and keep the yellow flags in the referee's pockets for NU to be competitive.

YOU'LL BE SAD IF ...
- SPEED KILLS: The Sooners under Bob Stoops love fast players, and they have a bunch of them. Nebraska has been prone to the big play this season, and if the we-can't-call-them-Blackshirts-yet give the Sooners the chance, they will gash NU for a number of home runs.
- NEBRASKA'S OFFENSES SPUTTERS: There's points to be had against the OU defense, but Nebraska has to take them. If NU's offense doesn't click, or if offensive coordinator Shawn Watson tries to get too cute, then Nebraska will struggle to keep up with Oklahoma's scoring explosion.
- RUDY DOESN'T COME THROUGH: Particularly on defense, NU has been savaged with injuries. With middle linebacker Phillip Dillard out for Saturday, NU will be relying on walkons like Matt Holt and Coelton "I got a safety" Koehler to start or play significant minutes against the Sooners. Those kids are great stories, but they're going to have to come up big against one of the best offenses in the country for NU to make this a game into the fourth quarter.

FEARLESS FORECAST: Oklahoma 49, Nebraska 24.

GBR, baby.