Friday Husker pick’em – Kansas State

Rob Zatechka, M.D.

Chad Kelsay and Lisa Runco

Jeff Hill, M.D.

Nebraska’s solid win last week against Kansas has optimism throughout Husker Nation running higher than it has in at least two years.

The win means Nebraska is bowl eligible with two regular season games remaining.

Our panelists all called for a Husker win last week, which means their respective records are now:

• Robert Zatechka, M.D., 9-0
  
• Jeffrey Hill, M.D., 8-1
  
• Lisa Runco and Chad Kelsay, otherwise known as Team Runco/Kelsay, 7-2.

Pundits and experts across the country say NU should win their next two games, including Saturday’s tilt at Kansas State. Let’s see what our panelists think.

Dr. Zatechka says, “KSU is kind of hard for me to figure out right now. They have a talented but inconsistent offense, the standard porous Big 12 defense and a load of internal turmoil surrounding a lame duck coach that could either motivate or discourage the players. Personnel wise, this is still the same team NU hung more than 70 points on last year. If anything, their rushing defense is worse and Nebraska’s ability to run and control the clock is improved over last year. While Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman has great physical tools, the November weather and KSU’s lack of a consistently effective run game will give the newly anointed Blackshirts an edge. The only real issues for NU to overcome for a seventh win are its own mistakes and any potential mental unreadiness.” NU 56, Kansas State 27

Runco and Kelsay say, “We had a nice win last week. As for Kansas State, we’d rather go 1-11 and beat K-State, than go 11-1 and lose to them. Their program is not headed in a good direction. Manhattan has presented NU with challenges over the past several meetings there, though, and the ‘kittens’ seem to always hang their season on trying to beat NU. K-State could still be bowl eligible if they win a few more games, so they have some motivation to do well. They will try and be scrappy, so Nebraska needs to play sharp, crisp, inspired ball while not taking anything for granted. If we continue to control the ball and we have a defensive performance similar to last week, we’re going to enjoy watching NU tear up the ‘kittens.'” NU 34, Kansas State 13

Dr. Hill says, “KSU is in trouble and I see no reason to think that they will turn things around any time soon. This should be an easy one for the Big Red.” NU 42, Kansas State 21