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Jeff Hill, M.D.
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Rob Zatechka, M.D.
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Chad Kelsay and Lisa Runco
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Our panel members are all 3-0. So are the Cornhuskers. But now it starts to get tricky.
Husker victories have been easy to pick as NU rolled over three overmatched opponents. This weekend, however, Virginia Tech should make things a little tougher on the Big Red. And maybe our panel, too.
Below, our panel members — NU superfan Lisa Runco of the internal medicine department (with her teammate, former Husker football star Chad Kelsay), Jeffrey Hill, M.D., associate dean for admissions and student affairs (an NU split end in the 1970s), and anesthesiology professor Rob Zatechka, M.D. (an offensive lineman for the Huskers in the 1990s) — weigh on this week’s match up with the Hoakies.
Dr. Hill says: “It will be a close game. Virginia Tech is off a click so far this season. But there are no more cream puffs for the Huskers. Home field advantage will prevail in this one.” NU 24, Virginia Tech 21
Dr. Zatechka says: “Virginia Tech has had a relatively rough start to their season with marginal offensive production. Much of this is likely due to their rotating between two quarterbacks through the first four games. They’ve now settled on the young but explosive Tyrod Taylor, who has drawn comparisons to the likes of Tommie Frazier. Their defense has given up over 300 yards a game but keeps people out of the end zone. With two weeks to prepare, Nebraska should be better on their defensive schemes and hopefully continue to show improvement like they did against New Mexico State. I’m going out on a limb and predicting a ‘statement game’ performance for NU Coach Bo Pelini.” NU 38, Virginia Tech 17
What is a Hokie anyway?
Panelist Lisa Runco helped dig up this little nugget of information about the Huskers’ opponent this weekend:
“The answer to the question ‘What is a Hokie?’ leads all the way back to 1896 when Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College changed its name to Virginia Polytechnic Institute. With the change came the necessity for writing a new cheer and a contest for such a purpose was held by the student body.
Senior O.M. Stull won first prize for his ‘Old Hokie’ yell which still is used today. Later, when asked if ‘Hokie’ had any special meaning, Stull explained the words he used had no hidden or symbolic meaning, but had been thought up in an effort to get attention. Hokie soon became a nickname for all Virginia Tech teams and for those people loyal to Virginia Tech athletics.”
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Runco and Kelsay say: “Even though this is the Hokies’ first ever visit to Lincoln, the Pelini brothers have experience playing against Virginia Tech. The Husker defense should be very well prepared. It will be important for NU to stop the rush – especially sophomore quarterback Tyrod Taylor — as VA Tech is 149-29-2 when outrushing their opponents. And we definitely can’t rest on any sort of perceived comfortable lead as just last week, a Frank Beamer coached team had it’s second biggest comeback win ever, after trailing 17-3 in the third quarter, they went on to beat North Carolina 20-17. This will be NU’s biggest challenge so far this season and we think they are up for it!”
NU 24, Virginia Tech 17