There’s no national title game berth on the line this season, but a Fiesta Bowl big and bragging rights for the last postseason of the intact Big 12 are on the line this Saturday night, as No. 10 Oklahoma meets No. 13 Nebraska in the Jerrydome for the conference title game.
The Huskers’ story of 2010 (apart from bizarro on-field meltdowns that lead to even bizarro-er media rumor rigamaroles) is the firepower of an offense that really is as potent as advertised, when it works, and as essential to the new Nebraska as the ballyhooed Blackshirts defense:
Big 12 Championship Game 2010 Preview: Oklahoma And Nebraska Face Off In Conference’s Last Hurrah
Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez is the first Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in the school's history, as he has thrown for 1,435 yards and nine TDs, while rushing for 974 yards and 12 scores. That latter figure ranks him sixth in the conference in rushing. When the ball is not in the rookie phenom's hands, it is typically found with RB Roy Helu Jr., who has rushed for 1,120 yards and 10 TDs, or with Rex Burkhead, who has 822 yards and seven scores. Brandon Kinnie and Niles Paul sit atop the NU receiving chart with a combined 79 catches, 971 yards and six TDs. Kyler Reed has six TD catches himself, and he averages a team-best 19 yards per reception.
You might remember Helu from this monstrous statement game, and Martinez from this enchanting ditty. The young quarterback has been battling a right ankle injury for a few weeks now, but he practiced Wednesday and the Sooners are prepping for him.
Unfortunately for the Huskers’ last Big 12 title aspirations, Oklahoma’s fielding an equally dangerous and balanced outfit:
The Oklahoma offense was honored earlier this week with three All-Big 12 First Team selections, among them RB DeMarco Murray and WR Ryan Broyles. Murray has rushed for 1,053 yards and 14 TDs, while Broyles has an eye-popping 115 receptions for 1,391 yards and 13 scores. QB Landry Jones earned honorable mention accolades after throwing for nearly 4,000 yards (328.9 ypg), 34 TDs and 10 INTs. With an abundance of firepower on offense, it’s no wonder the Sooners average 37.5 points and 480.1 total ypg.
A note for the gamblers: Murray is also injured (but also practicing).
With identical records and solid units on both sides of the ball, it’s difficult to call this game definitively for either team. A look at common conference opponents doesn’t provide much insight. The Sooners beat Texas by eight while Nebraska lost by seven. OU mauled an Iowa State team that Nebraska needed overtime to get past. Both won shootouts against Oklahoma State; both wrecked Colorado. The Huskers beat Mizzou, one of OU’s two losses. And they both lost to Texas A&M, conspicuously absent from this contest.
Oklahoma’s 6-1 in their seven appearances in Big 12 title games, including four of five from ‘04 to ‘08. But the thought of Nebraska winning it all and bolting to the Big Ten appeals to our chaotic sensibilities, so they get the Jeff-Goldblum-in-Jurassic-Park vote.
The Sooners and Huskers kick off at 8 p.m. EST Saturday. Connect with Oklahoma and Nebraska fans at SB Nation’s Crimson and Cream Machine and Corn Nation.
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