Nebraska prepared to see plays and formations Colorado hadn't shown all season heading into its game with the Buffaloes Friday.
Instead, it was the Cornhuskers who flipped the script.
For the first time this year, NU showcased its "diesel defense," which consists of five down defensive linemen. The formation is designed to give the NU playmakers on the defensive line a chance to go one-on-one with their opposing offensive lineman.
Although the Blackshirts were successful in pressuring Colorado quarterback Tyler Hansen, the CU signal-caller found more holes in the Nebraska secondary than any other quarterback this season.
"I don't think we played good football from start to finish," NU coach Bo Pelini said after the Cornhuskers' 28-20 win over Colorado. "I don't like the way we played; I don't like the execution. We have got to get better as a football team."
And quick.
Colorado threw the ball around for 269 yards last Friday, which is the most Nebraska has allowed all year. The number is even more impressive considering the Huskers were giving up an average of 182 yards passing per game coming into Friday.
Nebraska is now preparing for Texas. The Longhorns have the best scoring offense in the Big 12 Conference. UT also ranks third in the conference in passing offense, averaging 286.2 yards per game.
Nebraska, on the other hand, has the best scoring defense in the Big 12. The Cornhuskers also claim the best pass defense in the conference.
Something will have to give this weekend, and recently, that has been the Nebraska defense. With the offense still struggling to maintain drives and put points on the board, the spotlight on the defense has been getting brighter.
Safety Matt O'Hanlon said the NU performance against Colorado was far from perfect, but it showed the Huskers what they need to correct.
"We didn't play our best football," O'Hanlon said. "We have a lot of stuff to improve on, but we got some time. We let too many wide receivers go wide-open, so we have a great challenge coming up against Colt McCoy."
McCoy is not only a candidate for the Heisman Trophy, but if he leads Texas over Nebraska on Saturday, the Longhorn quarterback will get his shot at a national championship.
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