No long-developing routes allowed — Nebraska gameweek

I know, I know. The University of Idaho at The University of Nebraska sounds a bit like a sick joke — even after a very unsettling decade for UN's once proud defense. This unit had shriveled quite a bit amid a slew of losses until two years ago, when the Corhuskers rebounded to place second in the Big 12 in total defense just one season after ranking 112th nationally.

Then last year the defense improved even more, holding opponents to a nation-best 10.4 points per game. Paltry.

And UI's bread and butter, the passing game? While the Vandals averaged 287 yards per game through the air in 2009, Nebraska allowed a very, very minimal 179 receiving yards per game.

With Preaseason Big 12 First-Team All-Conference selection Jared Crick helming a talented defensive line, don't expect Princeton McCarty and Deonte' Jackson to gouge the Cornhuskers for big chunks of yardage on the ground. Also, don't expect the inexperienced offensive line to keep UI quarterback upright for the bulk of the day.

Instead, the Vandals need to find a way to get the ball to their best asset — their enormous, speedy receiving corps — quickly. No long-developing routes allowed.

UN has one Preseason Big-12 All-Conference performer in the secondary, but it's also without injured junior cornerback Anthony Blue, who figured to be a key nickel back for the Cornhuskers.

If Enderle can get his targets involved with timely slants and quick dump-offs in the flat, there's a chance UI can build the consistent passing they need to win in Lincoln.

A tiny chance, but a chance indeed.