Nebraska Cornhusker Football vs. Iowa

[KEVIN KUGLER] Good evening, welcome to "Big Red Wrap-Up," I'm Kevin Kugler. The first half may not have been much to look at, but the end result sure looks nice to Husker fans. The Huskers very much enjoyed the 37-0 demolition of one of their rivals from the State of Texas. And while the A&M series doesn't seem to have the emotion of the Texas series, it's still nice to beat one of those Texas schools. And after A&M's 28-21 victory a year ago in College Station, the Huskers were looking for a bit of revenge. They found it with plenty of help from the Blackshirts. Nebraska's defense displayed its most dominating performance of 1999 and now finally we can turn our attention to the Wildcats because Kansas State week is here and I know we've all been looking forward to that. We have all the highlights of Saturday's win plus a look at the new BCS standings. With Penn State's loss this past weekend and a few other changes, Nebraska may be back in the hunt for a national title as well. And, of course, we'll talk plenty about those Wildcats, probably the Huskers' most anticipated game of the season. Before we get started, I'd like to introduce our guests tonight. First from the "Lincoln Journal Star," Ryly Jane Hambleton. Ryly Jane, great to have you with us. [RYLY JANE HAMBLETON] Nice be to here. [KUGLER] And from the Pinnacle Sports Network, the play-by-play voice of the Huskers, Mr. Warren Swain. [WARREN SWAIN] Good to be back. Can I say hi to all my friends in Worms and Doniphan? [KUGLER] You may. Also it's your chance to tell us what's on your mind. Give us a call at 472-1212 or toll free throughout the whole world including worms and doniphan at 1-800-676-5446. Or contact us through e-mail at sports@unl.edu. Tell us your name and where you are calling from and your question or comment. We will start, of course, with discussion of the Texas A&M game. It was a performance that makes Charlie Mcbride smile. You don't get a smile from him every week but this one you certainly did. [HAMBLETON] This was a really fine performance. As you said, the first half was a little bit of a stutter step for everyone involved. I don't think anyone felt very comfortable. The second half opened up. At halftime we joking they should let the A&M band perform the rest of the day. It was marvelous. [KUGLER] They're well known for their performances. Warren, you had to be nervous. You were in the broadcast booth in the first half and Nebraska is clinging to a small score at halftime. The offense was not able to get anything going. Were you concerned about this one at all? [SWAIN] That was the strangest first half I think I have ever seen. I was concerned at halftime. A person said after the game that was one of the most hotly-contested 37-0 games I have ever seen when you factor in the first half. The second half, Nebraska came out and put it all together. The Blackshirts were tremendous. Texas A&M limped home big time. [KUGLER] There was a revenge factor in this one. Nebraska wanted to get back at them for the loss last year at College Station. [HAMBLETON] Obviously the Blackshirts did really inflict some pain. In talking to the quarterback Randy McCown afterwards, he didn't seem entirely with it. He seemed foggy about what happened probably most of the second half. I don't think he was on top of everything. That affected the team. The Blackshirts came back and back. [KUGLER] Randy McCown took a beating all day. Eight sacks at the hands of the Blackshirts. Warren, you have watched the games all season long and been the play-by-play voice and have seen the Blackshirts all year. Is this as good as they have played all year? [SWAIN] Oh, absolutely. What can you say also about Mike Brown. If he is not a legitimate all amErican, there is something wrong. He played a tremendous game as well as all the Blackshirts. That's as good a defensive game I have seen if not all season but for a long, long time. [KUGLER] Mike and Ralph Brown were known commodities but there were question marks on two positions. Keyuo Craver has had a solid season. Erwin Swiney out this year. [HAMBLETON] Any quarterback worth his salt will try to stay away a little bit from the Browns. You are crazy to try to throw at them right away. You try to exploit what might be the weakness of the defense. If the Browns are a proven commodity, the only weakness can be the other defensive secondary members. They have come through well in that situation given that they have been put under fire quite a few times by quarterbacks trying to test if Keyuo is grown up and matured. He seems to have. He has learned the ropes well. He has done a marvelous job. [KUGLER] Nebraska was so dominant defensively, so can they get better, Warren? It's hard to top a performance like that? Can they repeat it? [SWAIN] I think they can repeat it. I think also they need to step it up another notch against this K-State team. Kansas State is peaking at just the right time. Beware of the Wildcats. I think the Blackshirts need to step it up. The offense is going to have to step it up if the Huskers are to beat the Wildcats on Saturday. [KUGLER] A&M not the team they were last year. Quotes came out of the locker room saying hold on, a lot of people would like to have three losses on their season. [HAMBLETON] I think so. legitimately so. There's such a passion. We're talking about Nebraska's still national title Championship hopes. There is such an emphasis on that and A&M has had good things happen this year. I think that one loss and oh, throw the baby out with the bath water. That's a real hard thing for these young people to deal with. They know when they walk onto a field with athletes who are as good if not better. I think you would have to say the other day they were better than Nebraska athletes. I think that's a hard thing to deal with. They want people to recognize they gave it their all and it was not quite enough. [SWAIN] It's tough on them because there were high expectations before the season. They have all these starters back and now they think they'll be able to take the next step up to challenge for a National Championship and that has gone out the window. That has to be difficult, too. [HAMBLETON] A couple of them talked about how they had high expectations for this year and that becomes real difficult then to refocus and find new goals when the ones you originally set are completely gone. [KUGLER] This is a team that had been up to number five in the nation at one point in the season. That's gone. They can't win the Big 12 South title which is what they're accustomed to doing the last couple of years. Before we continue our discussion of Texas A&M-Nebraska, we have business to clean up for you. Last week we didn't get to our answer on our third trivia question. Let's look at it one more time. What legendary coach led the aggies to their first win and the score. The coach was Paul Bear Bryant and they beat the Huskers 27-0. They could have used Bear Bryant this past weekend. Maybe it would have helped, maybe not. That leads us to the first Big Red trivia question. Be the first correct caller and you will receive one of our ETV beverage mugs. One winner per household this season, please. The Texas A&M game was the 232nd straight sellout of Memorial Stadium. Since Tom Osborne became head coach in 1973, the Huskers have lost just 17 games in Memorial Stadium with Big 12 schools accounting for 12 of those losses. Which Big 12 schools boast a win over Nebraska at Memorial Stadium since 1973? Be the first correct caller and you will receive our ceramic Nebraska ETV mug. Texas A&M didn't get one of those wins at Memorial Stadium. That first half, though, A&M had golden opportunities right away. Nebraska fumbles on the first play of the game. You don't convert an that and that has take the wind out of your sails. [HAMBLETON] It was a juxtaposition of things. Carlos Polk said it was a good thing. They were able to use the adrenalin from the beginning of a game right away. I think A&M players were disappointed at that. I think that got them off to a bad start. If they had gotten anything out of that, the field goal, anything, I think it might have changed the way the game went. I think they reeled from that a little bit. [KUGLER] Two field goals blocked has to take momentum out of your game. That got Nebraska right back into it when it looked like the Huskers were giving them a gift touchdown on the first play of the game. [SWAIN] As far as the Huskers in the first half, they're moving the ball all over the field and yet come up empty. I can recall when Josh Brown finally got that first field goal, we all said that's great, finally. And then after that, things got a lot better. It was good to see Josh Brown bounce back, too, and have the finish he did on the game Saturday. [KUGLER] He had a rough start as well. Jamie in Norfolk on the line. How are you? [JAMIE] Doing good. How are you? [KUGLER] Doing good. What's going on? [JAMIE] I have three questions. What did it mean to Texas A&M to get a goose egg after beating us last year? Kevin, did you and Ryly Jane ever find Matt Hoskinson and tell Warren, not if, ok. [KUGLER] Thanks, Jamie. I have not found Matt. [HAMBLETON] I haven't had a chance to speak to him either, no. That was another thing that really made it that much worse. It would have been 142 games and an 11-year period of time they had not been shut out. That's something that is really kind of-- that's hard on you. When you see the Blackshirts almost get one and it's almost taken away, there's a twinge that goes away. The players were really put out by that. Ja'mar Toombs really felt like he should have been able to do more but the running game was nowhere for them. He was running into brick walls everywhere he went. [KUGLER] We have another guest on our show. Dennis in Omaha. How are you? [DENNIS] Fine. How are you? [KUGLER] Great, thanks. [DENNIS] I have a question for Warren. Hi, Warren. My friends and I were talking wondering why the offense doesn't run the inside reverse so far this year and if you think it would work against K-State's defense? [SWAIN] I wouldn't be surprised if that has been saved for just the right situation. You know, coming up on Saturday, there's a situation that just might be right for that. Good point and don't be surprised if you see that before too much longer. [KUGLER] Dennis, thanks for your call. We have a winner in the first trivia question. We will get to that in a moment. First, some questions. Why don't the teams from the East fall in the polls as much as the teams from the Midwest? That's a good question that's been brought up a lot. Penn State losing to Minnesota falls but stays ahead of Nebraska in the A.P. poll making it look like a loss to Minnesota is not as difficult as a loss on the road to Texas. [HAMBLETON] I can't understand how someone doing ratings can come up with that logic. Penn State at home against an unranked team. Nebraska on the road against a ranked team. They're easy to correlate directly. Some of the others, you know, I tend to believe a win is a win. After week after week after week, you have to think maybe when is this going to slip. I don't understand it. I think it is because in the A.P. there's a lot of people in the East which means there are a lot of papers and a lot of voters. That's just basically what it boils down to. There is few of us out here. [SWAIN] Having been on the East coast and been involved with East coast media, I can tell you this firsthand. There's resentment towards Nebraska. Jealousy about the Huskers' success they have enjoyed. I think that plays into the equation. I think it really does. [HAMBLETON] You figure it must. [KUGLER] You would think it would have to. Not to sound like I'm the alibi for the East coast writers but a lot of the Nebraska games carried on regional television don't get carried on the East coast. You don't always get to see Nebraska play. You look at the score and maybe the Kansas game, you wonder what happened, you rank them lower and take points off for that. Is Nebraska's defense that good or is Texas A&M's offense that bad? Warren, what do you think? [SWAIN] I think the defense is that good. I really sincerely believe that. I have a feeling it will prove it more so this coming Saturday against Kansas State. [KUGLER] An awfully good defense. Two great defenses on display this weekend at Memorial Stadium. We will talk about that later. First, highlights from the game last Saturday. The Huskers running out on another gorgeous day for football. We have been blessed with gorgeous weather. Bobby Newcombe had it and flat out dropped it. He said it was a good pitch but he dropped the football. A&M gets it. Looks like a golden opportunity. The Blackshirts hold. Kyle Vanden Bosch leaping up here. You don't expect this from a rush end. He gets Terence Kitchens's block. One of two blocks on the day by Vanden Bosch. A Josh Brown field goal. 3-0. Randy McCown from the end zone. One of four picks on the day. Mike Brown, the Big 12 defensive player of the week-- at East co-defensive player. He was terrific on Saturday. Josh Brown sneaks it inside the upright. Halftime 6-0. Nebraska's offense with only six points in the first half. Josh Brown with a 36-yard field goal to start the third quarter. The Husker defense taking over. Steve Warren getting in on Randy McCown. Eight sacks and Warren with three of them. What a day he had. Huskers starting to get it going on a fake reverse. Good fake by Dan Alexander. 20 yards down the field. Alexander with the bulk of the carries with 20 on the afternoon. Eric Crouch going to work on the option as he breaks through. His whole body spun around. A face mask. They called this one. A 15-yard penalty. Moving it half the distance from the goal. Alexander from there as he backs into the end zone for the first touchdown of the day for the Huskers. 135 yards rushing for Alexander. R.C. Slocum wondering what's going on. Another touchdown. Then first and goal Eric Crouch lines up and nobody touches it. Crouch into the end zone for the touchdown. 12 on the year for him rushing. It gives Nebraska the 23-0 lead. Eric Crouch back to work. Fancy footwork. All of a sudden daylight as he bursts free. If Davison can get the block, no. Crouch is gone otherwise. [HAMBLETON] He tried hard. [KUGLER] He did, absolutely. Crouch with 137 yards rushing. Correll Buckhalter capping a seven-play, 98-yard drive. Six carries, 16 yards and the touchdown for Buckhalter on the day. Brian Shaw and Aaron Wills tracking down Randy McCown. Four interceptions with 116 yards passing. Dahrran Diedrick in mop up duty getting the touchdown. Diedrick six carries and 27 yards on the day. Final score as Eric Crouch walks off very content with his day, 37-0 Nebraska with the victory over A&M. You look at the stats and the stats tell the story in this day. 38 carries for A&M. [HAMBLETON] That was just impressive. Randy McCown couldn't believe the pressure he got. He talked about Warren a lot. [KUGLER] I think, Warren, equally as impressive might be the fact that Nebraska racked up 430 yards of offense and 335 on the ground. Looks like the running attack is peaking at the right time. [SWAIN] I think you're right, Kevin. They have it cranked up and juiced up a little bit. They're going to have to get it going more against a very good Kansas State defense come Saturday. If they can keep it going and get better and better, who knows what can happen. [KUGLER] Why do you think Crouch's face mask is always being grabbed during runs? He is inside a bunch of traffic and his face mask gets the attention. [HAMBLETON] I don't think it's any larger. When you look at that particular play from two different directions, he got face masked twice on the same play by two different guys. I don't know. It must look neon yellow to somebody. [KUGLER] Mike in Omaha is looking ahead to next year. He wants to know if Carlos Polk being the only returning lineman, who will help him? [HAMBLETON] There will be a lot of guys. What a place to start. Carlos has taken so much control in the middle and has been such a leader. He is just such a great young man. I think he has a real level attitude about what he is doing. He loves to get out there and hit but I think he also understands how much he needs to enjoy it, too, and gets a lot of enjoyment out of it. [KUGLER] Why are the Huskers fumbling so much this season? This is from Mike in Omaha. That has maybe been the achilles heel for Nebraska. [SWAIN] Adrian made a good point during the game last week. He said, you know, fumbling has sort of become an epidemic with the Huskers. I don't think anybody can really explain why. When you listen to Frank Solich today at the press conference, he said they have tried to be very positive about things. They haven't come out and said don't fumble, don't do that. He said they have tried to be positive. One thing is for sure, when you play a team the caliber of Kansas State like the Huskers will do Saturday, you can't afford to fumble that football. You have to hang onto it. Hopefully the law of averages will come around before too much longer. [KUGLER] As Warren mentioned, Frank Solich did talk about the fumbles today at the press conference. [FRANK SOLICH] Well, you can't hide from turnovers. You just can't ignore them. On the other side of it, when you address your players, I think you address it from a positive way rather than tell them don't fumble the ball. I learned early in my career that doesn't necessarily work. We try to be a little bit more positive. We try to give them things like high and tight. I'm seeing that ball from behind, roll it forward. Just use all kinds of catch phrases for them to put in their mind good ball technique. The problem is one we have faced for most of the year. We probably had about 15 fumbles that have caused us problems throughout the course of the year. That's tied for tops I think in the country on that end of it. So it is an issue for us. It's one we have been addressing and will continue to address. [KUGLER] There are some things that football teams work on all season long. I think fumbles for this Nebraska team might be one of the things they need to continue to work on all season long. Matt Hoskinson is in Iowa working for Pella Windows. [HAMBLETON] I will take his word for it. [KUGLER] Is Nebraska peaking? [HAMBLETON] I would think you have to say it is happening. The defense is becoming more consistent every week. There were wonderful flashes of brilliance early. I think we are seeing more consistency. Offensively, it's harder to see that consistency but I think it is starting to come. Some of the fumbles-- the one that Bobby dropped, ok, he dropped it but a lot of them you can look at and it's a matter of the helmet hitting the ball just right. That's going to happen some. I think since they're so aware of it and they're thinking about it, I think it's going to eventually go away. I think you are seeing more consistency and that is what peaking is. [SWAIN] I think you can see the Husker running game starting to get on track more. That's a good thing. When you see how they turned it around against Texas A&M, they went back to the old Nebraska stuff in the second half and it paid off. I think that's a good sign. I think the Huskers are peaking and I think Kansas State is peaking also which makes this a tremendous football game. [KUGLER] It will be fun on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. We have a winner in the first trivia question. Chris andrews knew the answer to this Big Red trivia question. Who were the five Big 12 schools that boast wins over Nebraska at Memorial Stadium since 1973? Chris knew the answer was Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, Iowa State, and Texas. Noticeably absent was Kansas State and Kansas. [HAMBLETON] That one win was major but that was it. Purple power didn't exist. [KUGLER] Kevin wants to know what you expect, both of you I assume, from the crowd this Saturday? This crowd this past weekend was talked about by a lot of folks saying it was the best crowd of the season, best crowd in a long time. I would think it will be better this weekend. [SWAIN] I can think back to Manhattan last year. I have never forgotten that. I will say this to the Husker fans right now. Memorial Stadium had better be in a frenzy from the opening kickoff to the end of the game. That's the only way it should be on Saturday. A great crowd last week, it really was. It goes back to me remembering what it was like in manhattan last year. Let's step is up a notch and have that frenzy all the way through the football game. [KUGLER] Charlie Mcbride talked about that crowd this past weekend at Memorial Stadium. Near record crowd at Nebraska. Here is what he said earlier today about the crowd. [CHARLE MCBRIBE] I think that, you know, the big plus that we had last week that I could tell was not only we played better but I thought our fan support was unreal. You know, one of the better games I can remember. I think their support was monumental, you know, in our success last week. When you are playing at home, that's your 12th man. They had 11 and a half and we had 12. It was a big plus for us, a big boost for our players that we had a stadium full of people that were really cranking. [KUGLER] Ryly Jane, you were in the A&M locker room, did they say anything? [HAMBLETON] Coach Slocum went out of his way and was getting ready to leave and he sat back down and wanted to make sure that everybody knew what a classy place this was and complimented the fans saying it's what college football should be is what he said. That's true. It was a lot of that. Maybe that military music brings it out in everybody, I don't know. It seemed to do it. You hear that Paton theme a few times and you are ready to march through anything. [KUGLER] The Huskers are going to walk out of the tunnel to "Anchors Away?" Eric Crouch talked about the crowd as well. [ERIC CROUCH] After the game and during the game, I was thinking it was probably the loudest it has been since I have been here. I think that helps us out when we're at home. Coach Mcbride was saying that's like a 12th guy on the field. It definitely helps out. As far as the support from the fans, it's hard on an opposing offense to come down in the end zones when it gets really loud. So it's something that definitely helps us out. I know that it's tough for an offense to get out of an end zone and they end up punting the ball and giving us good field position. That's something to take into consideration is the crowd and being at home and being more comfortable here. The same goes on the away games is you have to stay focused and concentrate on the game and not worry about outside factors. [KUGLER] Victoria in Omaha, why can't Nebraska be motivated for four quarters? Apparently she thinks they should have been able to put more points on the board in the first half. I'm not sure it's a question of motivation but maybe execution in key situations. What would you say? [HAMBLETON] I think you're right. It's funny, after the game was over, we were standing around saying people will be upset with a 37-0 win. They'll find something to be upset about. Nebraska's motivation is what she is upset with. I don't think it's a problem with motivation. I think there is chemistry involved in these things and it takes a while to work that out. I don't think you can fault Nebraska for coming in and being lackadaisical in their approach of the games. I don't think that's the case at all. [KUGLER] Time for our second trivia question of the night. Be the first correct caller and you will receive the 16-month Big Red year 2000 calendar. As you all know, you can only win once this season. What Nebraska opponent holds the record for the loWest rushing yards produced against the Blackshirts, what year, and what was the rushing total? Be the first correct caller and you will win the Big Red calendar. Because Mike Brown is a rover back is he instructed to go to specific places? [SWAIN] He roves all around. Mike Brown this year has done a terrific job of getting to the football even if he is out of position or something like that. He can still recover in time when out of position and get to the football and make the play. There is a reason, he is playing the rover back and he roves on the field. [KUGLER] The season he has had, he overshadowed Ralph Brown to some extent. Ralph may have been more highly hyped but Mike has played well. [HAMBLETON] Some of it may be a matter of people are trying to stay away from Ralph so they end up putting Mike in positions where he can rise to the occasion. That's hard sometimes when you are the one coming in that's supposed to be the cornerstone to the secondary. I'm not going to throw against shin. I don't think there will be many teams that will try it. Mike has responded well. [KUGLER] Very solid all season long. Let's look at the polls, first the coaches' and then the A.P. poll. Tennessee closing in on Virginia Tech in the poll pointswise. Florida, Kansas State, Nebraska at six. Penn State down to eight. Texas rounds out the top 10. In the second 10 in the coaches' poll, marshall at 9-0 doesn't have much of a chance for the BCS because they don't play a very good schedule. Georgia at 16. Miami at 19 with a big game looming against Virginia Tech in the next couple of weeks. Minnesota in the poll. Glen mason turning another program around. East Carolina at 24. Boston college at 25. Virginia Tech and Tennessee behind them in the associate the press poll. Florida State at number one. Penn State ahead of Nebraska despite losing at home to Minnesota. Nebraska's only loss on the road to Texas. Texas number 10. Minnesota not ranked. Go figure. Alabama leads off the second 10 in the A.P. poll. B.y.u. with a solid season. 8-1 on the year. Minnesota at number 20 in the A.P. poll. Southern miss at 21. There's ohio State clinging to life at number 25 at 6-4 on the season. John cooper not enjoying his year this year. BCS has Nebraska at six. They could make a leap this weekend as they play Kansas State, the team in front of them. Tennessee at number two in the BCS. This may surprise people, especially those around the Virginia Tech campus. Warren, you have been in Virginia. What do the folks think of this team? This is all new to them. [SWAIN] I think they'll be mystified as to why this is going on. It's simple to explain. They're playing in the Big East. You know, their schedule has not been the greatest either. They have beaten James Madison. That's one of their wins this season. You know, I think Virginia Tech people will be disappointed because I think the strength of schedule is really going to hurt them and playing in the Big East conference, that's not going to help them either. I just think they're in trouble. They have a big game Saturday night. Very to play Miami. It's there but it will not be an easy one. [KUGLER] Miami may be one of the few teams that they play that has the athletes to stay with the Virginia Tech team. A lot of time they outathlete other teams. Ryly Jane, is the BCS doing their job? Tennessee at number two. It's a convoluted system. Is Tennessee in the right spot? [HAMBLETON] It's hard to say they belong there with the loss that they have and also with the assurance that they don't have to go to a conference Championship. They're in the cat bird seat because they have lost in their conference and can't go to their Conference Championship. There should be something else. I don't know what it is. You're right, it's so convoluted. They're trying to bring in human factor, the computer factor. There are so many things. Maybe they tried to factor too many things and there needs to be some common sense. That's hard to come by though. [KUGLER] Steve Spurrier has to wonder what he needs to do. Let's see how Nebraska can get to the National Championship game. Remember, I have to say these are not necessarily picks. This is for entertainment purposes only. This is just one possible scenario that could happen. Nebraska has to win the rest of their games otherwise this is a mute point. Kansas State loses to Nebraska. Florida loses to Florida State. Could happen. Virginia Tech loses to Miami. We touched on that one. Tennessee, this is a shaky one. Losing to Arkansas. I don't know if that will happen. Only one team can stay unbeaten. Florida State plays all the way through and they play in the Sugar Bowl against Nebraska. Nebraska needs a lot of help if they want to get to the Sugar Bowl. [SWAIN] But there's still a lot of football to be played and still some interesting things that can happen down the road. [KUGLER] Maybe Florida State gets beaten by Florida and they fall out and Florida loses in the SCC Championship. That's yet another road. [HAMBLETON] And there sits Tennessee. [KUGLER] There they are. Speaking of the Southeast, curt in Hilton Head, South Carolina, why does Nebraska constantly run to the short end of the field with no success? I assume the option to the short side of the field is what he is talking about. I can tell you why they have no success or limited success. It's hard to run the option to the short side of the field. [HAMBLETON] Traditionally they have run their option to the short side of the field. They may be having difficulty with it at times this year. Over the years that's where the success with the option has been to the short side. It is another defender but it also-- you are able to block on that side and get it all going. Going to the wide side is more difficult. [KUGLER] Shirley wants to know what happens if Kansas State and Nebraska are tied at the end of the regular season? Nebraska would go. For them to be tied, Nebraska has to beat Kansas State. No possible way unless Nebraska beats Kansas State. Nebraska would go to the Big 12 Championship game via the head to head rule. What do you mean by the defense having to pick it up against Kansas State? What does Nebraska have to do in order to pick it up against Kansas State? [SWAIN] I just think that when you play a game like this-- I think Charlie Mcbride would be the first person to say this. Your happy with the way the team played last week. You don't want them to take a half step back. You want them to take the next step forward. The Huskers played a great game last week but I think they need to take that one little step forward against a team like Kansas State in a game such as this. [KUGLER] We have a winner in the second trivia question. We will get to that in a moment. Let's look at the scores from around the Big 12 last week. Kansas State with their first real test of the season against Colorado. They had several tests. They had to come behind from 21 twice. Kansas State has to hang on against Colorado 20-14. Baylor continues to struggle. Kansas has really turned it up late in the season. They have a chance to finish at 500 with two games left. Chance to finish 6-6. Maybe a bowl would take them. [SWAIN] It's a possibility. [KUGLER] Six wins. Oklahoma shutting out Missouri 37-0. Texas with the win over Oklahoma State 34-21. A disappointing year at Oklahoma State. Texas Tech with the win over Iowa State. Nebraska with a shutout over A&M. How about Texas Tech and Spike Dykes. Early in the season, a guy they're about ready to ride out of the town on a rail. [SWAIN] If they win the last two games, they're the Big 12 South Champions. As we talked before we went on the air, I said, you know wouldn't that be something if it happened. Ryly Jane, you had a good response, too. [HAMBLETON] Certainly that won't help Nebraska. Nebraska needs to play Texas in the Big 12 Championship game so they can atone for the one loss. Then the loss doesn't happen as it were. [KUGLER] Let's look at the standings in the Big 12. We will try to sort this out. Warren said there's a lot of football to be played but it's crunch time. I think it is fortunate Nebraska has a week off to collect themselves before Colorado. The Buffs are playing better lately than earlier in the season. Iowa State, Missouri, and Kansas at the bottom of the North division. Texas at the top of the South. They need to beat Texas Tech and they will go to the Big 12 Championship game. All Tech has to do is beat Texas and win the last game and they are in the Big 12 Championship game. That's with a 7-3 record which as Ryly Jane said it would not help the Huskers very much. Oklahoma still has an outside shot but they need a lot of help. They need people to lose on their way to the Championship game. I'm still pulling for that. I know it wouldn't help Nebraska but it would be fun to see them hook up. [SWAIN] I think one of the more interesting questions posed around the league is how many offensive assistant coaches will be back at missouri next year? [KUGLER] I'm not sure. Their offense has been dismal. [SWAIN] Really bad. [KUGLER] Another shutout this past weekend. [SWAIN] Larry Smith is not a happy camper. [KUGLER] I can imagine he is not. As we turn our attention to the Kansas State game, dow think Nebraska should kick the ball to David Allen? He holds the NCAA record along with Johnny Rodgers with most career punt returns at seven. [SWAIN] Frank Solich was asked this today. Would there be a time that you would consider kicking the ball to david allen in any given situation and Frank Solich said no. No, there wouldn't be any situation where we would kick the football to david allen. He said a lot of teams are kicking it away from him. Some kicked it to him and they learned the hard way. They learned a really hard lesson. They're not going to kick the ball to David Allen in any circumstances. [KUGLER] A dangerous weapon out there. Larry in Council Bluffs. Welcome to the "Wrap-Up." [LARRY] At times the offense has looked lethargic especially in the first half. It seems we don't have the speed at back to run the option as well as we need to. When Dahrran Diedrick gets in, he shows a lot of speed. Why haven't we given him a chance for-- more often and especially in the first half? [KUGLER] Maybe he looks quicker because everybody else is tired on the field. He looks like a kid that has a bright future at Nebraska. [HAMBLETON] I think he really does. He had a lot of learning to do about running. When he first got here, he ran in a very upright kind of position. You can get in trouble with that. So he has worked real hard on that Technique. I think that he will certainly have his opportunities in the future but I'm not sure they think he is quite ready for that now. At the beginning of the game when everybody ask fresh, it might not look quite the same. [KUGLER] I think there was question in the early stages about his hands. At the I-back position, you have to do so many different things. It's not just getting it in the belly and running. You have to learn to do a lot of things. [SWAIN] It takes quite a while to learn the system. He came from Canada. I think things are different up there than down here. When you talk to him a little bit, he talks about how some of the differences in playing up there and coming down here to Nebraska. He has had a lot of adjusting to do. I think he has a great deal of talent, a lot of potential but getting back to what was asked, you know, I don't get to practice every day and coaches see things every day in practice where, you know, I don't, you don't and I think all that factors in as to why who plays when. [KUGLER] Another phone caller standing by. Mike from Wayne. Welcome. [WAYNE] Thanks for having me. [KUGER] What's your question? [WAYNE] I'm from Hartington. Everybody around there is excited about Russ Hochstein. What do you think of his future? [KUGLER] I think his future is quite bright at Nebraska. [HAMBLETON] I don't think there's a question about that. Several people who are quite knowledgeable about that sort of thing, how offensive linemen will do have-- they see him playing on Sundays as you might say. [KUGLER] Thanks for the call. Why does everyone think Kansas State is so good since they play such a weak schedule? That's what kept them down in the polls this season. They are unbeaten but would maybe be higher up if they had not played teams like Temple. [SWAIN] You visit to around the league to teams who have played them and they will tell you the defense is really, really tough. Any time you have a tough defense like Kansas State possesses and it's gotten better and better, they're going to be a good foe. Now the offense maybe has not been quite up to standards to a Bill Snyder offense but at the same time, they I think have gotten better and better. This is still an awfully good K-State team. [KUGLER] No question about it. Defensively it will be probably Nebraska's toughest test. Their defense is awfully good this year. If Nebraska continues to use Bobby Newcombe as much as they are or will they work back towards Matt Davison and Tracey Wistrom? [HAMBLETON] That's a tough one. You have wonderful athletes you are trying to work in. I think Nebraska probably has a diverse enough offense and they probably have enough confidence in hanging onto the ball and marching with the ball that I think they will be able to accommodate all three of them. Certainly Bobby Newcombe is an explosive kind of player and can do some surprising things. That maybe is-- you always wonder what's around the corner with Bobby. We know what Matt Davison can do. He has done it since his freshman year. Wistrom is a favorite this year. A good target for Eric Crouch. Then he has performed well once he got the ball. He has taken care of it and gone down the field. I think there's room for all of them. I don't think that Nebraska's offense is so staged that they can't find room for all of them. [KUGLER] Larry in Norfolk, why is Nebraska favored by 10 points-- for Entertainment purposes only---- when Kansas State has not lost? [SWAIN] I think they look at the fact that Kansas State has not won in Lincoln since 1968 or something like that? I think that's right. I think they factor in all these things and that's why they make Nebraska the favorite. [KUGLER] I think history has a lot to do with it. Ed Stewart said Nebraska is still Nebraska and Kansas State is still Kansas State. That's not maybe the case this year and has not been the last couple of years. You wonder why Nebraska is such a big favorite. [HAMBLETON] The people who bet aren't the people who vote. [KUGLER] That's as simple as it gets. [HAMBLETON] If we put the bettors in charge, Nebraska would be rated high. [KUGLER] Steve in Lincoln, do you think Nebraska can win the game without the option since Kansas State's defense is so fast? I think Nebraska will try to use the option but can they win without it? Will they junk it completely? [HAMBLETON] I don't think you will ever see Nebraska junk the option. We are seeing variations. Two wingbacks in there last week. You will see variations. People will have to do that in order to play against Nebraska because the option has been around long enough that people are learning how to defend it. That's what happened with the wishbone is that people figured how to defend it. There are a lot of variations for the option I think. [KUGLER] We have a winner in the second trivia question. Mike of Norfolk, Nebraska knew the answer to this question. What Nebraska opponent holds the record for the lowest rushing yards produced against the Blackshirts, what year, and what was the rushing total? The answer to that is Kansas State, negative 45 yards rushing. That's the answer to that question. Kansas State with negative 45 yards. Congratulations to Mike of Norfolk, Nebraska. We move to our third trivia question. Be the first correct caller and you will win a VHS copy of "Coach Osborne: More Than Winning" produced here at Nebraska Public Television. One winner per household this season. Kansas State enters Saturday's game with Nebraska on an impressive 21-game winning streak in Big 12 regular season games. Who was the last team to beat Kansas State in a Big 12 regular season game, where was that game played, and what was the final score? Be the first correct caller and you will receive a VHS copy of "Coach Osborne: More Than Winning." E.J. in Lincoln wants to know how high could Nebraska be in the polls after winning against Kansas State? It would depend on the voters. [HAMBLETON] Can Miami beat Virginia Tech? That's going to have a lot to do with it. How anybody does bouncing back from either a tough win or anything like that. I think probably the biggest one and that one will continue to be a major one for Nebraska. I guess I have to refer to everybody talking about Kansas State's soft schedule and I guess they're afraid to talk about that quite so much or bluntly about Virginia Tech. Some of that is leftover catch phrase for Kansas State I think. They went through that for a few years where it was really, really a bad non-conference schedule. Some of that is leftover because it is easy to say. [KUGLER] Let's look at highlights of Kansas State in action and see what you think of the way they have looked this season. This is against Oklahoma State earlier in the year. Jonathan beasley handing off to Joe Hall. 290 odd pounds for joe hall. The biggest running back they think in college football. A big guy to bring down. Jonathan Beasley has had his ups and downs this season. This is an up. A 52-yard pass to George Williams. Jonathan Beasley has thrown for over 1,500 yards this year. 12 touchdowns passing. He was benched in the Colorado game last week for the inability to move the ball. He came back in and they won the game 21-14. This is the top scoring offense in the Big 12. Jonathan Beasley has had his problems at times this year. [HAMBLETON] He has. That's always hard to try and figure out is how can a quarterback go from the top to the bottom so quickly. It's a difficult little thing that confidence in passing. One pass can make the difference. It can derail your thoughts for a while. [KUGLER] Warren, as we look at the highlights, their rushing attack is something they consistently keep up. He tried Frank Murphy. He is third on the depth chart. They have gone to Joe Hall. The rushing attack is something Nebraska always keys on stopping. Kansas State has not had a lot of success getting the running game going to begin with. [SWAIN] This is not a Bill Snyder caliber offense. It's off a little bit from what that normally is. You got to be aware of their passing attack and their talented receivers. It will be interesting to see how Joe Hall fares against the Blackshirts. [KUGLER] This Kansas State defense is as good as you will see in Memorial Stadium to the Blackshirts. Seconds in the nation in total defense. Number one in pass efficiency defense. They're 12th in the nation against the run. Second in the Big 12 to Nebraska. You will see two of the top defenses in the nation on display this week. How does Nebraska move the football against this defense? That's going to be the question everybody at South stadium will try to figure out. [HAMBLETON] We may see how many overtimes. You have two really wonderful defenses here. It may be a broken play, a fluke play. That may be what turns this game as much as anything because I don't think the defenses will give up much. [KUGLER] A look there at mark simoneau. Maybe the best linebacker in the country. One of the top five or six at East. A butkus semifinalist. Utah State as one of their foes. Oklahoma State, Baylor, Colorado. They close the season with missouri in the final week of the year. If Nebraska beats them, Nebraska has a shot at controlling their own destiny. They win at Colorado and they go to the Big 12 Championship game. Beating Kansas State is not going to be easy. [SWAIN] I still say if the Huskers hold onto the football and if they don't make penalties in key situations, they're going to be ok against Kansas State. They can't afford to do those two things. [KUGLER] A winner in our third trivia question. We also have Brian from Norfolk. How are you? [BRIAN] Pretty good. [KUGLER] What's your question? [BRIAN] This is for Warren. I listen to you a lot on the radio and I was wondering how often - you mention a lot-- I hear you all the time on the radio that you Come to West Point quite a bit and I go there almost every day for work and I was wanting to know what do you think about-- I don't know if you follow high school football but high school football in Northeast Nebraska. I was wanting to talk to you since you are at West Point quite a bit. I kind of wanted to know what you thought about high school football in Northeast Nebraska? [SWAIN] I don't get to West Point as often as you think I do. I have a good friend in West Point, Steve Paus. It's going to be difficult for me to tell you what I think about football in Northeast Nebraska. It's all I can do to keep up on football here in Lincoln and in the University of Nebraska and in the Big 12. [KUGLER] Speaking of answers to our questions, we have a winner to our third trivia question. Let's get that in. Lou of Lincoln, Nebraska is our winner of our third trivia question. The last team to beat Kansas State in a Big 12 regular season game and where the game was played and the final score. It was Nebraska in Lincoln beating Kansas State 56-26. They'll be trying to do that one more time this week yen. Does the BCS take into strength of schedule? Yes, they do. There is also 25% of the BCS that is strength of schedule. One more question. A hypothetical one. Will college football ever use instant replay to reverse calls? I hope not. [HAMBLETON] I hope not. The delays and all. Everyone needs to take a deep breath about officiating and, you know, maybe less pressure might produce better officiating. [KUGLER] We will see if the officiating is up to par this weekend at Memorial Stadium for the big game against Kansas State. Now we're about out of time. I want to thank Ryly Jane Hambleton and Warren Swain for stopping by. Glad to have you with us. Hopefully we will see you down the road. We hope so. That will do it for us on the "Wrap-Up" and for the entire ETV sports crew, I'm Kevin Kugler, good night. Enjoy the game this weekend.