The Huskers are 3-0 and have a week off before what will be a very significant test that will tell Husker fans just how far their team has come -- and just how far they still have to go to get back among the nation's elite.
Nebraska was a little rugged during their first two games against Western Michigan and San Jose State, but looked more impressive in their 38-7 win over New Mexico State on Saturday night. The effort gives the team a much-needed confidence boost and now they must carry that momentum into a three-game stretch that will go a long way to determining what kind of a turnaround new coach Bo Pelini is doing.
Next on the agenda is a regionally-televised matchup with Virginia Tech on Saturday, Sept. 27. The Hokies are the defending Atlantic Coast Conference champions, but have had to deal with a number of injuries and discipline issues that has left them as something of a question mark. The Hokies fell to East Carolina to start the season, but have since won two straight and have a key conference showdown with North Carolina this weekend. If they can win that game and carry that momentum into next week's matchup in Lincoln, it should be a very interesting game to watch.
The following week will be a real tough one for the Huskers. In past year, having Missouri on homecoming was almost a mortal lock for a win, but this year's Oct. 4 matchup in Memorial Stadium will be anything BUT an easy game for the home team. Missouri is one of the top five teams in the nation and has an outstanding cast of characters, led by Heisman Trophy candidate Chase Daniel at quarterback. The Tigers rolled up almost 700 yards in total offense and 69 points against Nevada last week, and barring an upset against Buffalo this week should be 4-0 when they come to town. The Tigers' spread offense is arguably the best in the nation and they have a load of talent that will test the Huskers' improved defense.
It doesn't get any easier after that. The Huskers go on the road for the first time and will head down to Lubbock, Texas to take on another ranked foe in Texas Tech. The Red Raiders also boast an explosive spread offense that loves to go vertical on each and every play. Graham Harrell directs the Red Raider offense and has some great weapons to shoot for, including All-American wideout Michael Crabtree. Their offense will definitely be tough to stop, especially in the Huskers' first road test of the season.
There are some other tough matchups coming up, including a road game at Oklahoma and a home matchup with Kansas, but these next three games will go a long way to determining the direction this team will take in 2008.
Don't forget, you can get your tickets to see Husker football -- both home and away -- at Ticket Express, where no Husker game is ever sold out.
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