Cornerstone Printing & Imaging BS Poll

LINCOLN (BS) -- Whew. Not that we lacked confidence in our team, but this was as close to a "must win" as a season opener can get. Though it wasn't pretty to watch, the Husker Nation is happy to take it.

It wasn't that we failed to win by the requisite lopsided score, either. This was Oklahoma State. The same team that beat Nebraska last season and Oklahoma the last two.

The same team that features a skill position trio to rival CU's Stewart-Salaam-Westbrook in the 90s and NU's "scoring explosion" of Gill-Rozier-Fryar in the 80s.

Despite a notoriously slow start the last few seasons, Oklahoma State was thought to be the hottest team in the Big XII entering the season. It's easy to say they were overhyped, but they will contend in the South.

A more accurate statement could be that NU's defense was largely underestimated. With nearly the same cast as last year (minus standouts Groce and Kelsay), most expected the Blackshirts to struggle.

That certainly appeared the case when the Cowboys marched 52 yards for a touchdown on their opening drive. After that, the only noise they made was a screeching halt.

Nebraska held OSU to 183 total yards, and only 57 in the 2nd half. It was a performance that had many ready to deify new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, and most ready to declare the Blackshirts as "back."

While it's still too soon for bold claims and predictions, we agree that the performance was very reassuring. The NU offense, on the other hand, created as many questions as it answered with a shaky performance.

So Jammal Lord doesn't throw a great ball. We all know that. However, he did throw well enough (50%) to win the game, and his lone interception came on a tipped pass. If he can do that all season, his legs will carry NU the rest of the way.

Even though they failed to finish several drives, there were some encouraging signs on offense. The line was getting a good push, and they appeared to get stronger as the game wore on.

By controlling the line of scrimmage, NU was able to play ball control after gaining the lead. Despite using only a fraction of the playbook, they won the time of possession battle by nearly 14 minutes (37-ish to 23-ish).

It was a performance that raised expectations and made the Husker Nation anxious for the rest of the season.

For now, we'll take it.