September 19, 2010

#8 Nebraska def. Washington 56-21

The best thing I can say about this game is that the weather in Seattle looked fantastic. Even in low definition! Other than that, it was a bit of a sleeper. Despite an absolutely raucous home crowd, UDub QB Jake Locker played perhaps the worst game of his career and Nebraska's Taylor Martinez pretty much showed him how it was done with nearly 300 total yards and FOUR touchdowns. During the rare moments when Martinez wasn't holding the ball, tailbacks Roy Helu Jr. and Rex Burkhead ably stepped in. Nebraska's power running game shredded the Huskies defense to the point that Martinez only attempted 11 passes. The only misstep they had was when, up 21-7 and rolling, they inexplicably switched to Cody Green, who promptly fumbled and was removed.

The commentary this week is about 10% Taylor Martinez' coming out party and 90% Locker's draft status. I really don't understand how Locker's draft position could have changed at all. Before this game, what did we have? A stand-up kid from Ferndale, WA with off-the-charts athletic ability and a 98mph fastball who was labeled as a #1 pick not because of his polish, but because of his potential. I think we're in exactly the same position now. If you thought he was worth the project after three losing seasons, I don't see why you would change your mind now.

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