Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 3, 2002
1. RUN, RUN, RUN: Everyone knows Nebraska is a rushing-oriented team. So what; give the 'Canes heavy doses of what they are expecting. When the ball is in quarterback Eric Crouch's hands and Nebraska is executing a running play, all is well. Win the battle at the line of scrimmage and eventually good things will happen.
2. RUN SOME MORE: Yes, this is redundant, but it can't be emphasized enough. The Huskers need to open the playbook and vary their running game but emphasize those plays that directly attack Miami's defense because Nebraska is stronger on the interior line. The Huskers must stay the course no matter what, even if they are down two or three touchdowns.
3. NO GIMMES: Make Miami earn its points with long drives. It's okay if Hurricanes running back Clinton Portis rattles off a few 6- to 10-yard gains, or if tight end Jeremy Shockey catches eight passes for 60 yards. Twenty-plus-yard runs and long passes from Ken Dorsey to Andre Johnson, Kevin Beard, et al, must be minimized. The Huskers secondary must think pass first and not get burned deep.
4. PLAY CLEAN: Interceptions, fumbles, special-teams big plays; don't let Miami have them. The 'Canes secondary is fabulous at baiting quarterbacks into trying to make plays that aren't there (ask Florida State's Chris Rix). It is essential that Nebraska execute a handful of play-action passes, but when unsure, Crouch must throw it away rather than risk an interception. Clean operation of the option and solid special teams also are critical. A big special-teams play (Nebraska averages 13.1 yards a punt return) could make the difference.
5. DID WE MENTION RUNNING THE FOOTBALL?: Nebraska's running attack (315 yards a game, 5.6 a carry) has been better than UM's rushing defense all season. FSU's Nick Maddox and Greg Jones combined for 142 yards on 23 carries, and the 'Canes defense was vulnerable in the fourth quarter against Boston College and Virginia Tech. Tech running back Kevin Jones turned the corner with an option pitch several times and gained 160 yards on 24 carries. If this one stays close, and Nebraska sticks to its guns, it can wear Miami out as it did to win the 1995 Orange Bowl.