Game Preview: '95 Huskers vs '90 Buffs

Nebraska survived a 37-34 first round shootout with a very talented Penn State 94 team to advance to the quarter-finals while Colorado pulled off a 17-11 upset win over Notre Dame 88. While Colorado is certainly tougher defensively than Penn State, the Buffs don't have near the firepower the Nittany Lions threw at the 95 Cornhuskers.

Colorado should move the ball on the ground against the Nebraska defense with tailback Eric Bienemy (35 carries, 185 yards, 1 touchdown against Notre Dame) leading the way but can the Buffs control the ball and keep it out of the hands of Nebraska's offense and it's power running game?

Against Penn State, Nebraska's running game was relentless, powering for 384 yards, led by I-backs Lawrence Phillips (235 yards, 2 touchdowns vs. Penn State) and Ahman Green (131 yards, 1 touchdown). In a game of Big Eight powers that like to hammer away between the tackles, this game could be decided by whichever team can establish enough of a passing game to keep the defense from stacking eight in the box.

Darian Hagan was very effective throwing the ball against Notre Dame, hitting on 14 of his 19 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. He found a wide open target in Mike Pritchard, who hauled in eight passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Frazier was below 50 percent (10-22) against Penn State and he will have to step up those numbers for Nebraska to keep the Colorado defense honest.

SECOND ROUND EDGE: Colorado has the ability to spring an upset here but much too much has to go perfect for the Buffs to advance to the semifinals. Nebraska has too many weapons on offense and just enough defense to move on. Figure that Frazier will run for more than the 18 yards he had against Penn State and he will have a more efficient passing game. The key number in for Frazier is 50 --- if he runs for more than 50 yards and hits more than 50 percent of his passes, Nebraska should advance.

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