If you can make Oklahoma have to go the length of the field every time, or almost every time, this is a good enough defense where they might get their fair share of stops.
Steven: OK, Baz, I’ll keep it really short. If this happens, I’ll also faint in my chair and come to and write about it. If Cam Taylor-Britt returns a punt for a touchdown, Nebraska will win the game. Because how could they not if that happens, in the 50th anniversary of the Game of the Century.
Chris: Nebraska doesn’t have to play a perfect game to win, but they need to play clean. And it’s the stuff we talk about every week: Don’t turn it over in your own end, don’t set Oklahoma up with short fields, don’t make it any easier for them than it’s already going to be.
Oklahoma is averaging 49 points per game at home since Lincoln Riley took over. They’re going to score. Don’t make it any easier for them than it has to be. And Parker touched on that. Keep your defense in plus situations, avoid the catastrophic punt return fumble, kickoff fumble, whatever it may be.
If you can shorten the game with your running game a little bit, and give Adrian Martinez time to make a couple big plays, that’s probably how you do it.
Photos: Take in all of the sights from Memorial Stadium, where Nebraska hosts Buffalo
The Stars and Stripes are on the field during the national anthem on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Flags are seen at half-staff at the Nebraska football game against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Ryne Olson (left) and Charlie Norris slide down next to the steps at Morrill Hall before Nebraska hosted Buffalo in a football game Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost follows the team off the buses for the Unity Walk on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp (33) signals good, but it wasn’t as he missed his third field goal of the game against Buffalo in the closing seconds on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska linebacker Luke Reimer (28) celebrates his interception in the fourth quarter against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
David Carter of Ashford, Ala. (formerly of Omaha) grabs the front leg of Archie the mammoth elephant before Nebraska hosted Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. “One daughter went to Auburn, another daughter went to Alabama and I went to Troy, but I’m Nebraska through and through,” Carter said.
Nebraska state patrolman Ethan Schroeder has a football toss with the Husker student section prior to the Nebraska-Buffalo game Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Cornhusker Marching Band twirler Steffany Lien performs with the band as they await the arrival of the team before Nebraska played Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Decorated in all things Huskers, Doug Christie’s 1951 Chevy make an appearance in the tailgate area before Nebraska hosted Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska fan Tammy Phelps of Omaha decked out in American colors before the Nebraska football game against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln student Eric Tresemer throws the ball to Brayden Moore (not pictured) in front of flags at half-staff before the Nebraska football game against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A general view of the stadium with flags at half-staff in remembrance of 9/11 before the Nebraska football game against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Becket Mroczek (right) high-fives Marcrae Maschika (left) after sinking a toss during inflatable passing skills test before a Nebraska football game against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Lincoln Arneal (right) and his father Steve walk towards the stadium before the Nebraska football game against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Stars and Stripes are on the field during the national anthem on Saturday before Nebraska hosts Buffalo at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) scores on a 68-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running back Gabe Ervin (22) gets into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) scores on a second-quarter reception against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska linebacker Luke Reimer (28) celebrates a stop against Buffalo with Caleb Tannor (2) in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) rushes the ball down to the Buffalo 2-yard line to help set up the Huskers’ first touchdown in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Adrian Martinez runs for yardage against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez rolls over Buffalo’s Kadofi Wright after a long run down to the 2-yard line in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska tight end Nate Boerkircher (right) gets flipped by Buffalo’s Kadofi Wright in the first half on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska defensive lineman Damion Daniels (93) celebrates a tackle for a loss in the second quarter against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Damian Jackson (38) carries the American flag onto the field before the Huskers’ game against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure scores a touchdown against Buffalo in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen makes a catch while defended by Buffalo linebacker Tim Terry in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen is tackled by Buffalo linebacker Tim Terry in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska receiver Samori Toure runs in for a touchdown reception against Buffalo in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez makes a long run in the second quarter while pursued by Buffalo’s Kadofi Wright on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Luke Reimer (28) celebrates a tackle against Buffalo with teammates Cam Taylor-Britt (5) and Caleb Tannor (2) in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Samori Toure takes off on a touchdown reception against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is pressured by Buffalo linebacker James Patterson (8) and defensive end Max Michel (6) in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Gabe Ervin celebrates his second-quarter touchdown against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Damion Daniels (93) enjoys a second-quarter tackle against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Buffalo quarterback Kyle Vantrease fumbles the snap before recovering it and throwing an incomplete pass in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Sept. 11, at Memorial Stadium.
A balloon floats in the stadium after a Nebraska touchdown on Saturday, Sept. 11, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Deontre Thomas (90) celebrates a Buffalo false-start penalty in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Sept. 11, at Memorial Stadium.
Jets fly over Memorial Stadium before the game against Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 11.
Nebraska’s William Przystup takes the snap to place it for a kick attempt on Saturday, Sept. 11, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Quinton Newsome gets water during a timeout Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Connor Culp attempts a field goal against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running back Gabe Ervin (22) celebrates his fourth-quarter touchdown with teammates Brant Banks (left), Matt Sichterman and Teddy Prochazka (right) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Buffalo quarterback Kyle Vantrease is hit by Nebraska linebacker Nick Henrich as he releases the ball in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (left) runs for a touchdown in the second half while Buffalo safety Marcus Fuqua pursues him on Saturday, Sept. 11, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is hit by Buffalo’s C. J. Bazile (53) as he throws in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska inside linebacker Luke Reimer runs with the ball after an interception against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska inside linebacker Luke Reimer runs down the sideline after intercepting a pass against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska wide receiver Will Nixon (12) rushes to the end zone, but the touchdown was negated due to what officials deemed an illegal forward pass against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) questions the call of an illegal forward pass, which negated an NU touchdown in the fourth quarter against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska linebacker Nick Henrich pressures Buffalo quarterback Kyle Vantrease in the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football head coach Scott Frost looks on from the sideline during the second half against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) catches a pass from Adrian Martinez before scoring in the fourth quarter against Buffalo’s Marcus Fuqua on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (right) celebrates his fourth-quarter touchdown with teammate Chancellor Brewington against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) signals “two” before scoring his second touchdown in the fourth quarter against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp (center) with punter William Przystup after Culp missed a field goal in the second half against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska outside linebacker JoJo Domann (center) celebrates with John Bullock (35), who stopped a Buffalo punt at 2-yard line in the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (center) carries the ball as he is tackled by Buffalo cornerback Logic Hudgens (from left), safety Marcus Fuqua and safety Cory Gross Jr. in the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson tackles Buffalo running back Kevin Marks Jr. in the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Buffalo running back Kevin Marks Jr. carries the ball as Nebraska defensive lineman Damion Daniels moves forward without a helmet in the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) embarks on a 71-yard run in the second quarter next to Buffalo linebacker Kadofi Wright on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) shields off Buffalo defensive tackle George Wolo during the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running back Gabe Ervin (22) celebrates after a first-down run against Buffalo in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football head coach Scott Frost talks with UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green after the Huskers defeated Buffalo 28-3 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez commands the line of scrimmage in the third quarter against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez runs for yardage in the first half against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Myles Farmer (4) and JoJo Domann (bottom) combine on a third-quarter tackle of Buffalo receiver Jovany Ruiz-Navarro (87) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
LINCOLN, NEB. – 09/11/2021 – Nebraska linebacker Caleb Tannor (2) went down injured after a third-quarter play against Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
LINCOLN, NEB. – 09/11/2021 – Nebraska linebacker Caleb Tannor (2) pressures the throw of Buffalo quarterback Kyle Vantrease (7) in the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska’s Chris Hickman runs after a pass reception against Buffalo’s E. J. Brown (7) in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost questions an illegal forward pass penalty that was called against the Huskers late in the game against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost greets his Buffalo counterpart Maurice Linguist after the Huskers’ 28-3 win Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running back Sevion Morrison (left) and linebacker Nick Henrich enjoy the Huskers’ 28-3 victory over Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska linebacker Garrett Snodgrass pushes Buffalo quarterback Kyle Vantrease to the sidelines during the second half Saturday, at Memorial Stadium.
Buffalo quarterback Kyle Vantrease (7) is hit by Nebraska linebacker Nick Henrich (top) as he releases the ball in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska linebacker Luke Reimer (28) celebrates his fourth-quarter interception against Buffalo as teammate Nick Henrichs looks on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Unlike fans at Memorial Stadium, Nebraska football players get some shade by the sidelines during the game against Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 11.
F-16 pilots and brothers Bobby (left) and Tony Sullivan are honored during the Nebraska game against Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 11, at Memorial Stadium. Tony Sullivan is a former Husker football player.
Carrie Herrera (center), wife of slain Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera, stands alongside her family, including her son, LPD Officer Carlos Herrera, as they are honored during the game between Nebraska and Buffalo at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 11.
Carrie Herrera (center), wife of slain Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera, stand alongside her family, including her son, LPD Officer Carlos Herrera, as they are honored during the game between Nebraska and Buffalo at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 11.
Military planes fly over Memorial Stadium before the Nebraska game against Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 11.
Nebraska offensive lineman Matt Sichterman (70) hugs running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) after his fourth-quarter touchdown against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) laterals the ball to running back Markese Stepp (not shown) in the second quarter against Buffalo on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
LINCOLN, NEB. – 09/11/2021 – Nebraska linebacker Pheldarius Payne runs into Buffalo quarterback Kyle Vantrease after he through the ball in the first half on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
LINCOLN, NEB. – 09/11/2021 – Nebraska kicker Connor Culp (33) watches as his third field goal misses in the closing seconds of the game as holder William Przystup looks on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
LINCOLN, NEB. – 09/11/2021 – Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) catches a pass against Buffalo as Husker head coach Scott Frost (right) looks on in the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) rushes past Buffalo’s James Patterson (8) in the first half on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
LINCOLN, NEB. – 09/11/2021 – Nebraska line backer Luke Reimer (28) celebrates his fourth quarter interception against Buffalo as teammate Nick Henrich looks on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
LINCOLN, NEB. – 09/11/2021 – Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) reaches out for a Adrian Martinez pass as he’s defended by Buffalo’s Marcus Fuqua in the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Contact the writer at cbasnett@journalstar.com or 402-473-7436. On Twitter @HuskerExtraCB.
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