Friday Husker pick’em – Oklahoma

Rob Zatechka, M.D.

Jeff Hill, M.D.

Chad Kelsay and Lisa Runco

Well, the Cornhuskers are on a bit of a winning streak having won their last two games and they have some momentum heading into Saturday’s game with their old rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners.

By all rights, the fourth-ranked Sooners should win this one going away.

But stranger things have happened than Nebraska going into Norman, Okla., and beating a high-powered Oklahoma team. I mean, the Philadelphia Fightin’ Phillies just won the World Series did they not? (EDITOR’S NOTE: Yeah, I’m a Phillies fan and, yes, that was a gratuitous Phillies shout out. What’s it to you? Or for those of you familiar with Philly slang, “What’s it to yous guys?”)

Ok, back to football. All three of our panel members correctly called for NU wins last week, which leaves their respective records as such:

• Robert Zatechka, M.D., 7-0
  
• Jeffrey Hill, M.D., 6-1
  
• Lisa Runco and Chad Kelsay, otherwise known as Team Runco/Kelsay, 6-1.

Do any of our panel members think the Huskers have a shot this weekend in Norman? Or do they all think Nebraska will have to find that all-important, bowl-qualifying sixth victory somewhere further down the line?

Dr. Zatechka says, “Oklahoma is one of those teams with an apparently unstoppable offense, much like Texas Tech a few weeks ago. If Nebraska can keep its current trend of ball control going, it may have a solid chance of slowing down OU considerably merely by keeping the Sooner offense on the sideline. Since losing their all-American middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds to injury in the Texas game, OU’s defense has been giving up an average of over 30 points per game. Defensively, NU will have its hands full, much as other opponents of OU have this season. If the NU defense maintains good fundamental technique and everyone takes care of their individual assignments — in other words, doesn’t make any mistakes, whatsoever — they should have a good shot at keeping this one close. OU, however, still wins handily.” Oklahoma 38, NU 17

Will this adorable display of Husker spirit by Ally Min and Alex Rose Linsky, the twin granddaughters of Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., and his wife, Beverly, be enough to carry Nebraska to an upset of Oklahoma on Saturday? The 17-month old twins are the daughters of Mark and Wendy Linsky of Tampa, Fla.

Dr. Hill says, “OU has too much firepower and will outscore us. Yes, we have improved in all phases of the game, but truth be known, we are a year or two away from a potential BCS bowl game. I hope that I am wrong but I think Oklahoma wins this one.” Oklahoma 45, NU 21

Runco and Kelsay say, “The Kelsay/Runco team is torn this week. We want to say that the OU/NU rivalry will bring out something from our team that we haven’t quite seen yet. On the other end, OU’s offense is extremely good. We believe we can score plenty on their defense, but we’re not sure if we can outscore them. Logic says OU 41 and NU 24, but … we’re going with our hearts this time!” NU 31, Oklahoma 30