This weekend's game between Nebraska and Oklahoma isn't being billed as a showdown or even another big-time NU-OU rivalry game for that matter. It certainly isn't getting national praise to be a shootout either.
New Cornhusker starting quarterback Cody Green said he's OK with that.
"It doesn't really change a lot," Green said. "That's really how every game is. We just have to go out there and show everybody that we are going to be the offense that makes the other defense look bad."
Not many teams have done that to the Oklahoma defense this fall. In fact, the Sooners have one of the top defenses in the country, considering the Sooners are ranked third nationally against the run and 37th against the pass. Oklahoma is also ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense, sacks, interceptions and tackles for loss.
The Blackshirts have been up to the challenge this season, too. NU is 10th against the run, 13th against the pass, while being in the top 10 in total defense, including scoring and sacks.
To say the least, many are expecting Saturday night's game to be a low-scoring affair.
"It's a great challenge with two great teams," NU defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. "It's a battle of the bests. We want to go out and prove that we are the best team and continue to prove that. I want to prove that we are a great defense and have a great offense."
The dominating defenses are coming into Saturday after playing two entirely different games. The Sooners led Kansas State 21-0 after just one quarter, but the Wildcats clawed back into it, outscoring Oklahoma 30-21 in the final three quarters.
The Huskers, on the other hand, stayed consistent with their rankings. After taking a 20-0 halftime lead over Baylor into the locker room, the Blackshirts allowed the Bears to cut the 20 point margin in half before the final whistle, which was the seventh time in eight games that NU has held its opponent to 16 points or less.
NU is fourth in the country in scoring defense, allowing a mere 11.25 points per game. OU is close behind, ranked eighth and holding opponents to 12.63 points per game. The top two defenses in the Big 12 Conference will clash Saturday night, and defensive tackle Jared Crick said it's another chance for the Huskers to show their growth defensively.
"We always want to prove ourselves every single game," Crick said. "We want to go out there and prove that we are a great D-line. We pride ourselves on working harder than any other D-line in the nation. (The OU defensive front has) great players, but we can't worry about them, we are worried about ourselves."
After the Sooners hung 62 points on NU last season, a bad taste was left in the mouth of then-first year NU coach Bo Pelini. The Husker coach preaches that every game is just another game and said although it's pretty hard to forget what the Sooners did to NU in Norman, Okla., a year ago, it is still in the past.
"They took it to us," Pelini said. "Anytime that happens to you, is it something to prove? No, what are you going to prove? This is a different year, it's another opportunity, and we need to play better."
The Huskers were out of the game by the end of the first quarter, with the Sooners already leading 35-0. The margin stayed the same by halftime and throughout most of the second half as OU coasted.
NU managed to still put up 28 points on the Sooner defense last year, causing OU coach Bob Stoops to be slightly frustrated after the blowout win. Pelini said his defense is much better than the one he brought to Norman last season, but the concern still remains if the Husker offense can put a dent in the OU defense.
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