NCAA Football Preview (Nebraska-Oklahoma St)
Posted: Tues September 29, 1998 at 6:37 p.m. EDT
Nebraska (4-0) vs Oklahoma St (2-1) 7 pm EDT
KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Last weekend, Nebraska
looked like an NFL-caliber team. Now the Cornhuskers get a
chance to play in a pro arena when they battle Big 12 Conference
foe Oklahoma State in Arrowhead Stadium.
This has been one of the most lopsided series in the nation, as
Oklahoma State (2-1, 1-0 Big 12 South) has found it nearly
impossible to beat powerful Nebraska (4-0, 0-0 North), going
winless in 34 straight games in the last 36 years.
The Cowboys are just 2-33-1 against the Cornhuskers and both
victories came in the first two meetings, in 1960 and 1961. The
Cornhuskers' only blemish since then was a 17-17 tie in 1973,
and they have won by an average of over 20 points.
Just to give some historical perspective, the last time Oklahoma
State beat Nebraska, John F. Kennedy was in his first year as
President of the United States and Roger Maris had set the
single-season home run record of 61 less than a month before.
The schools, however, have never played as Big 12 Conference
opponets.
Nebraska's contest with then Washington on
Saturday turned into a 55-7 rout. The Cornhuskers turned six
turnovers into 34 points en route to their 11th straight win
over an opponent with a top-10 ranking in one of the major
polls. It was also their biggest win over a top-10 opponent,
exceeding their 52-7 triumph over Colorado on Halloween in 1992.
This was originally a home game for Oklahoma State, but with the
shift to the home of the Kansas City Chiefs, the crowd will most
likely be pro-Nebraska.
Oklahoma State has played well against the run this season, but
it has seen nothing like Nebraska's vaunted ground game. The
Cornhuskers have four players who have gained over 100 yards on
the ground, led by Correll Buckhalter's 337 yards and three
touchdowns on 54 carries.
The Cowboys' next three opponents -- Nebraska, Texas Tech and
Kansas State -- are a combined 12-0.
Nebraska has won a national-best 18 straight games.
© 1998 Sportsticker Enterprises, LP
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