Nebraska vs Houston Christian: The Profizer's Pigskin Preview

Each week, the Profizer sits down to read the tarot cards. Dip his toes into the Sea of Red. And put his fingers on the pulse of college football. Though his glasses may be dangerously rose colored and he continues to drive with an open container of Rhule-aid, he can see clearly what must be done each week. This is the Profizer’s Pigskin Preview: Nebraska vs. Houston Christian.

Herbie Husker in the bright lights

68-0 leaves a pretty good taste in your mouth. Offense was seemingly humming. Defense pitched a shutout. 108 players saw playing time (Sorry Archie’s family – no punts necessary). It was a celebration of Husker football. It’s something that we can’t remember seeing around these parts for over a decade. The last time that many points were scored by a Nebraska football team was way back in 2012, when the Cornhuskers put up 73 on Idaho State. The best part about it…this team doesn’t seem satisfied. Just watch Matt Rhule’s halftime speech. Rhule year three is demanding dominance. A return to Blackshirt football. A return to Nebraska’s place at the top. No more reflecting on past accomplishments. It is time for this team to write their own history. And the history for this next game has already been written, this is what needs to be seen. This is the Profizer’s Pigskin Preview: Nebraska vs Houston Christian.

1.      Bring the Juice Boxes – 11am game. An opponent that is, and I am sorry to say this, inferior. I look forward to every Husker football game, even Nebraska vs

Houston Christian, but to say that I am not looking ahead to the Week 4 matchup with Michigan would be an outright lie. And you better believe this fanbase is doing the same. Players will have to avoid falling into that trap and are going to have to bring their own juice to the game Saturday. It is a perfect game to continue to build on the confidence that the Akron game provided. Prove to the nation that this isn’t just the same old Huskers that they have seen the past decade plus. That this is a team that has the killer instinct. That puts bad teams down with authority. Don’t worry about the poor HCU Huskies though. I’ll make sure to pack a cooler full of Rhule-aid for them after the game.

2.      Bring the Heat – There is no denying that the Blackshirt pass defense has been stout. And it has been stout without much of a pass-rush. That will have to change as the Huskers get into B1G conference play. If the Blackshirts struggle to turn up the heat on Jake Weir, then Houston, we have a problem. Let Williams Nwaneri loose around the edge. Keona Davis right up the gut. Give me a sprinkle of Vincent Shavers from the second level. Wreak havoc. Build confidence. On to the next dish. A strong pass rush can only amplify the stout pass defense. I need sacks like mashed potatoes need gravy. Gotta have ‘em.

3.      Strong Foundations – Build the bench, stack the deck. It shapes up to be the perfect game to continue to build and strengthen depth. There was a time around these parts when backups entering game was a regular occurrence. Games like we saw last weekend allowed guys on the depth chart to show what they have against live bullets. Allowed them to sharpen their skills so that when their number was eventually called, they were ready to go. If TJ Lateef doesn’t increase his total passing yardage edge over Iowa’s legendary Mark Gronowski’s, it will be a disappointing day. This team has talented young guys chomping at the bit to play. I for one am excited about what else they can show us after last Saturday night.

2-0. Oh, how sweet it sounds! But week three is upon us, and these Huskers are coming for that ass. When toe meets leather at 11am in Lincoln, Nebraska on Saturday morning, it’s time for the Big Red Machine to do what it is supposed to do. Put away an inferior Houston Christian team early. Punish them, take their will, and then wave goodbye as they leave. Get out of the game as unscathed as possible and set up a clash of blue bloods for Week 4. A chance for this team to truly show us all how far they have come and what their true potential may be.

Show these pups how big dogs hunt. Then send them back to the kennel. The cards don’t lie. The Big Red rolls. Nebraska 55, HCU 10.