Meeting road expectations key for Big Red

By Paul Hilgers  |   Friday, August 04, 2006  |  Comments( 3 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Thursday marks the first day of fall football practice for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the consensus preseason favorite to win the North Division of the Big 12 Conference. For a Nebraska football program seeking to reestablish itself as a national power, the return of division title predictions by those outside the football program and its passionate fan base are a sign of progress. This season marks the first time a Nebraska team led by third-year head coach Bill Callahan has been picked to win the North.

Can the Cornhuskers live up to expectations? The schedule is daunting, as Nebraska plays both USC and Texas, the two national powerhouses that squared off in last year's BCS title game. Wins over these high-profile programs would provide Callahan and his Cornhuskers with the opportunity to make a big splash on the national stage, reminiscent of the numerous big-game victories that were common during the mid-1990s, when Hall of Fame coach Tom Osborne was roaming the sidelines in Lincoln.

However, upsetting USC or Texas is not the key to meeting expectations for the Cornhuskers this year. Don't be mistaken, wins over those two teams would be huge for Nebraska; but first things first, if Nebraska is to win the North, it must become a successful road team in the Big 12, something it has not yet accomplished during Callahan's tenure.

Since Callahan took over as head coach in 2004, Nebraska has a losing record (2-6) in Big 12 road games. This season's Big 12 schedule has Nebraska traveling to face Okalahoma State, Kansas State and Iowa State, opponents who Nebraska last beat on the road in 1995, 1996 and 2000, respectively. There's also a November trip to College Station to face what is expected to be an improved Texas A&M squad.

Success on the road in the Big 12 will be the key to whether or not Nebraska lives up to the preseason expectations of 2006.

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