Nebraska will somehow beat OSU

Nebraska is in trouble this week as the Cornhuskers host the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

The homecoming game is set for an 11:30 a.m. kickoff and will be televised on a pay-per-view basis. The Huskers are 4-2, including 1-1 in the conference. The Cowboys are 3-3, including 0-1 in league play. A balanced attack that averages 238 yards passing and 235 yards rushing per contest will certainly test the Nebraska defense.

Oklahoma State is coached by former Cowboy quarterback Mike Gundy. He is known for developing offensive talent.

The Cowboys trail the all-time series, with the Big Red having a 36-4-1 edge. The Huskers only loss in Lincoln to Okie State was in the 1960 contest.

The Cowboys have a well balanced offense. Zac Robinson (6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Soph.) has become a solid quarterback for Oklahoma State. Last week, Robinson suffered a concussion, but he is expected to start against Nebraska.

Robinson's backup is Bobby Reid (6-3, 235, Jr.), who led OSU to a big win over the Huskers last year in Stillwater. Robinson is 78 of 135 (57.8 percent) throwing the ball with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. He averages over 182 yards passing and 45 yards per game on the ground to lead a balanced offense. Reid also can be a factor with his solid skills both running and throwing the ball.

The big-play man in the Cowboy passing game is Adarius Bowman (6-4, 220, Sr.). The former junior college transfer has all the skills to be a future star in the NFL.

Bowman leads the team with 38 receptions for 621 yards and six scores this season. He is very physical and can jump over the top of shorter defensive backs. He also is dangerous running the slant, a play he can score on at any time.

Tight end Brandon Pettigrew (6-6, 260, Jr.) has the size to be an imposing target through the air. Pettigrew has 16 catches for 266 yards and a pair of scores. He leads the team averaging 17.3 yards per reception.

The running game for the Cowboys also is well balanced. Robinson is blessed to have two quality running backs in the backfield. Senior Dantrell Savage (5-9, 195) averages 102 yards per game on the ground. His running mate, Kendall Hunter (5-8, 180, Fr.), is averaging over 88 yards per contest rushing. This pair of smaller running backs may be a difficult matchup for the Husker linebackers.

The Cowboys offensive line has allowed only seven sacks in six games this season. This may be one of the smallest offensive lines the Big Red will see all year. No Cowboy starter weighs more than 295 pounds. From tackle to tackle, the OSU line averages 6-5 and 293 pounds.

The leader up front is left guard David Koenig (6-5, 295). He is the only senior starter on the offensive line. A pair of sophomore tackles in Russell Okung (6-6, 290) and Brady Bond (6-6, 290) may be the weak link that will give the Nebraska defense some confidence to put some heat on the OSU quarterbacks.

Defensively, Oklahoma State gives up a lot of yards through the air. On the season, the Cowboys allow 324 yards passing per game. Cornerback Jacob Lacey (5-11, 175, Jr.) leads the team with 30.5 total tackles.

The Cowboy secondary can be shredded by the Nebraska passing game. Through six games, Oklahoma State has only four interceptions. Sam Keller can make it a long day for the Cowboys' secondary.

The best group of the Cowboys 4-3 defense in the front four. Oklahoma State only gives up 108 yards per game on the ground. Even a solid Texas A&M running attack had problems against the Cowboys.

The big-play man up front is defensive end Nathan Peterson (6-2, 240, Sr.). Peterson leads Oklahoma State with seven tackles for loss, including two sacks. Nose tackle Tonga Tea (6-0, 310, Jr.) has to be big in stopping the Nebraska running game if Oklahoma State is going to win this contest.

The linebackers are led by a former Cowboy quarterback. Donovan Woods (6-2, 230, Sr.) spent a couple of seasons as a starter at quarterback for OSU. His ability to read offenses can be a dramatic edge for the Oklahoma State defense.

Middle linebacker Chris Collins (6-2, 235, So.) needs to be a factor for the Cowboy defense to be good Saturday. The other outside linebacker, Patrick Lavine (6-3, 225, So.), is second on the team with 30 tackles this season.

Special teams are experienced for Oklahoma State. Kicker Jason Ricks (6-2, 200, Jr.) is only 5 of 8 (62.5 percent) on field goals with a long of 32 yards. Ricks has been a starter before, but 2007 has been subpar for him so far. Punter Matt Fodge (6-1, 195, Jr.) has 26 punts averaging 43.1 yards on the year. He also is the Cowboys kickoff man.

Perrish Cox (6-1, 190, So.) is a quality return man averaging 22 yards per kick return and 13.5 yards per punt return. Cox has a punt return for a score this year and his long return is 67 yards.

Nebraska has been playing poorly since the opening victory over Nevada. Oklahoma State also has been inconsistent in 2007. The Cowboys have several things going against them. They have been very unimpressive away from home. They also do not force many turnovers. Those two factors, plus a soft pass defense, may give Nebraska all the advantage they need.

The Huskers have to look deep inside and pull out a good effort or it will be a long rest of the season. The Big Red comes home and plays a much better game in defeating Oklahoma State 31-21.

Jim Dolezal is a local Husker football fanatic as well as a part-time sports writer for the Telegram. He will analyze the Huskers' opposition from a hometown perspective every Thursday throughout the season.