Hilltoppers could hold surprises for Huskers

If you feel like you don't know very much about Nebraska's opponent this weekend, you're not alone.

Several members of the NU coaching staff said even they aren't entirely sure what to expect when the Huskers take the field against Western Kentucky on Saturday. The two teams have never played before, and the Hilltoppers have a brand new coaching staff this year.

Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said the unfamiliarity places more emphasis on the game plan the coaches put together this week.

"I think, in a typical week, when you're very familiar with an opponent and you know exactly what you're going to get, after the initial game planning the pressure moves to the players to really understand the game plan," Pelini said. "In a week like this one, it's very divergent and you're not sure exactly what you're going to see.

"I think the pressure is on the coaches to prepare for any contingency. I feel that pressure and I'm sure everyone on our staff does."

Here's what we do know about the Hilltoppers:

- The Sun Belt bottom-dwellers have lost their last 20 games, with their last victory coming in September 2008.

- They're far from stellar defensively. Western Kentucky gave up an average of 39.6 points per game last season, good for 119th in the nation.

- Running back Bobby Rainey is their most dangerous offensive weapon. The junior averaged more than 6.5 yards per carry during his first two seasons.

What makes the Hilltoppers' portrait murky is new head coach Willie Taggert, who was hired last November. To try and get a grip on his tendencies, the NU staff has been examining tapes from his time as running backs coach at Stanford.

"You're trying to develop a picture, the parameters of which that offense is going to operate and the schemes of all the different guys," Pelini said. "At the same time, you're looking at Western Kentucky tape to get an idea of personnel. There's going to be adjustment to that scheme based on who's playing for them."

Pelini understands Western Kentucky may show things that Nebraska didn't prepare for this week. At that point, it's up to the Huskers to adjust on the fly.

"You're putting a lot of trust in your players to understand that this is what they might see, and then have the ability on Saturday to say, ‘OK, this is what they are,' and move into that area," Pelini said. "And hopefully you've covered it, or at least introduced it at some point."

The uncertainly doesn't seem to bother brother Bo, who said this isn't the first time the team has been in this position.

"We're playing a team that we don't have much of an idea of what they're going to do and how they're going to do it," the NU coach said. "It's just kind of an unusual opener. It's hard to nail down how to really prepare for this football team, but we've been there before so it's not really a big issue."

Wide receiver Brandon Kinnie offered up one thing the team has noticed on video: WKU has small cornerbacks.

And for a team that lines up two receivers over 6 feet tall and 200 pounds (Kinnie and Niles Paul) and another who's a converted tight end (Mike McNeill), that is very good news.

When asked how the Huskers could use their size advantage, Kinnie laughed and said, "In a bad way, man."

"It's about being physical, being big and going up and getting the ball," Kinnie added.

During Tuesday's press conference, another reporter asked Carl Pelini if the unfamiliarity was stressing his brother out.

"Yeah, because he's always been very relaxed. Not a whole lot of stress going on," Carl said with a laugh. "We operate in that culture where it's always high stress. All I'm worried about is how we're going to practice this afternoon.

"I think as long as you keep that attitude, it keeps all the pressure and stress in check."

danhoppen@

dailynebraskan.com