The last two seasons have not been the kindest to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska just has not been the same since they went to Boulder Colorado in late 2001 and got their hands handed to them by the Buffs. Ever since that point, Nebraska has not been their dominant selves and many are calling for the option attack to go into the trash. Few can argue with the facts, Nebraska´s offensive production has fallen off each of the last three years while 2002 saw them have their worst defensive year in quite some time. It´s hard to deny that Nebraska is on their way down and I have not been able to identify a plan in which they are ready to turn that around. They do bring back 13 starters from a year ago but I don´t think they have made enough changes to improve their position. Their position last year vs. Oklahoma St. was the losing position and I see little reason why that won´t happen again. Nebraska will breaking in a new I-back, two new wide receivers, a new center and a new guard. They will fare a little better on defense with seven returning starters but I can´t help but think that the line on this game is built more on Nebraska´s reputation and less on recent history.
Recent history has been nice to the Oklahoma St. Cowboys. They closed out their 2001 season with a stunning win over the Oklahoma Sooners and parlayed that into a 8-5 2002 campaign which culminated in a bowl game victory. 2003 looks even brighter as they bring back eight starters on offense including their two best players, quarterback Josh Fields and wideout Rashaun Woods. Expect these two to make their fair share of plays and when the Cornhuskers overload, the Cowboys have an exprienced back in Tatum Bell to run behind three returning starters on the offensive line. The Cowboys also return six starters on defense so they look to be in good shape. I love this ascending program getting eight points from a Nebraska team that I think will have their fair share of problems in 2003.
OKLAHOMA STATE +7.5 (1 UNIT)
Recent history has been nice to the Oklahoma St. Cowboys. They closed out their 2001 season with a stunning win over the Oklahoma Sooners and parlayed that into a 8-5 2002 campaign which culminated in a bowl game victory. 2003 looks even brighter as they bring back eight starters on offense including their two best players, quarterback Josh Fields and wideout Rashaun Woods. Expect these two to make their fair share of plays and when the Cornhuskers overload, the Cowboys have an exprienced back in Tatum Bell to run behind three returning starters on the offensive line. The Cowboys also return six starters on defense so they look to be in good shape. I love this ascending program getting eight points from a Nebraska team that I think will have their fair share of problems in 2003.
OKLAHOMA STATE +7.5 (1 UNIT)
