What a game. Many positives, many negatives, but a win is a win.

The Wichita Eagle looks at the way things were one year ago.

Fans delirious with a rare victory over Nebraska were pouring out of the stands at Kansas, goal posts were being torn down. Even the scoreboard seemed to be taunting the Huskers. Were the lights always that bright? Or did it just seem that way because of the final score: KU 40, Nebraska 15?

“I thought the world was coming to an end,” recalled Husker cornerback Zackary Bowman. “That was the longest bus ride back home.”

That was a year ago. The world didn’t end, but the Huskers’ 36-game winning streak over KU did.

I’m confident a new winning streak over the Jayhawks will be established this evening.

Since a 56-0 blowout doesn’t leave us a whole lot to talk about, let’s move our focus to another football story. Michael Lewis, author of The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, put together a feature on Ole Miss left tackle, Michael Oher, that every football fan and every humanitarian will want to read. It’s in today’s New York Times Magazine. The story nearly had me in tears. It had also me laughing out loud in places.

The article rests on the fact that left tackle is the NFL’s second highest paid position after quarterback, for the left tackle protects the quarterback’s blindside (if he’s a right-hander). Then it zooms in on the development of one Orlando Pace-like prospect–Michael Oher in Memphis, Tenn. Big Mike, as he is known, was a hard luck case, having lost his father to murder and his mother to drugs. When Big Mike, at 16, was finally taken in by the good people of Briarcrest Christian School, he was homeless, had one pair of clothes and no social nor academic skills to speak of.

Sean and Leigh Anne Tuoh are at the center of this human drama. Sean Tuoh played point guard at Ole Miss, then built an fast-food empire in and around Memphis. What started with Sean taking care of Big Mike’s lunch money at the Briarcrest cafeteria quickly evolved into the Tuoh’s adopting Mike and having him move in to their stately home. It’s a story of compassion, character, family and football. And there’s an interesting side note about an online program from BYU that can help rehab one’s poor high school record, something Big Mike needed, despite his complete (but late) awakening and academic turnaround. Clearly, it’s also a story about second chances.

[UPDATE] Jason Kottke, one of the nation’s most prominent bloggers, sees a lot going on between the lines in this story. Namely, racism, self-interest and unchecked Christian zeal. I know where Jason’s coming from, and I can see his point, but I don’t know…what is clear is Big Mike would have never experienced the transformation he did if he wasn’t a gigantic and gifted athlete.

An impressive offensive performance tonight by the Huskers and an outstanding showing by the Blackshirts. Troy was shut down and beat up the whole night.

What’s up with Cody Glenn riding the bench?

According to Lincoln Journal Star, Callahan is commited to establishing the run. The evidence was in last Saturday’s game plan at USC. Evidence can also be found in sophmore wide reciver Nate Swift’s numbers. Last season he caught 45 passes for 641 yards, setting a new team record for a frosh. Last week in Los Angeles he didn’t have a catch. If you believe his comments to the Lincoln press, Swift is a patient and understanding team player.

“Coaches are really trying to just set up the run and get the run game going, so we can work off that.” said Swift.

“I think we still have a lot of things to work on,” Swift said. “There a lot of guys still missing some blocks. That just comes with more experience in the game. We didn’t run a lot last year, so we didn’t get a lot of experience trying to block, get in there and grind.”

Wide recivers who block, later get thrown the ball. I’m looking for a big game from Swift tomorrow and next week against Kansas. Who knows, he just might get it started with some devestating blocks.

Nebraska fell 4 spots in the AP Poll to #23 while falling 5 spots in the USA Today Coaches Poll to #24. USC was #3 in the AP Poll behind Auburn and the teams were flip-flopped in the USA Today Poll.

But hey, we’re ranked ahead of Miami, which fell out of the polls for the first time since 1999 – breaking the longest current streak of weeks ranked.

Nebraska’s next game, against Troy State, will be broadcast on Fox Sports Pay-Per-View for $29.95. Check your local provider for purchase information.

In Omaha, Cox is recommending purchase by Thursday, September 21 to ensure your purchase transaction is completed.

The times for the remaining Husker games continues to be in flux pending TV broadcast rights (which I believe must be set 8 days prior). We will update the schedule as soon as we have definitive times.

I’m not sure of how to take the game at this point. Our corners showed their inexperience throughout the game, but it looked like Callahan made some changes at the half that showed results through the 3rd quarter (at least with the small screen from the tornado warning coverage).

We had a HuskerZone contributor on site at the game and we should have pictures from the game in the next 48 hours.

Even the Nebraska media have thrown in the towel and are handing USC the victory. Huskers Illustrated’s Sean Callahan was the closest to throwing the Homer towel by giving USC I believe a 10 point Trojan win (to the best of my recollection from 1620 The zone’s show Tuesday night).

Should Husker fans be optimistic?

1) Yes. The same lopsided predictions from media have preceded Callahan-era victories before. Last season, prior to the Colorado game and the Michigan game.

2) Yes. The Husker offense has been rock-solid on rather bland play calling thus far this season. Confidence breeds success.

3) Yes. Fresno State pushed USC to wire last season with a game-plan that mixed up power rushing with quick pass plays. The Trojans won that game when the Bulldog’s defense imploded from fatigue.

4) Yes. USC has had two weeks to plan for this game. Two weeks of hearing from everyone, including the ‘real’ Nebraska media, that this will be a cakewalk for the Trojans. Two weeks of talking about a cakewalk? If I was in that position, I imagine I’d find that talk tedious and the boredom factor would likely set in.

5) Yes. Picking up Sam Keller from ASU – and his experience of playing USC – brought some valuable experience. Not to mention a QB of Keller’s skill & experience running the scout team offense – that alone could be just what Nebraska needs to pull out the win.

My take? I’m a Husker fan so I’m going with Nebraska getting the win. For the way the game plays out, I see the Huskers surprising the Trojans and jumping out to an early lead and the Blackshirts frustrating USC through the first half. I’m not 100% confident in Callahan’s ability to make halftime adjustments, but I know Pete Carroll can. The second half goes in favor of USC, but Nebraska holds on for a 30-28 victory.

Orange County Register takes a look at the Blackshirts and the threat they pose to USC’s green QB.

Nebraska led the nation in sacks in 2005, and they would love to make USC quarterback John David Booty a tad uncomfortable in his second career start Saturday.

They might have the right man for the job. Defensive end Adam Carriker is an All-America candidate who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 295 pounds. He had 9.5 sacks in 2005.

“That big fellow is really a load,” USC coach Pete Carroll said.

“If you can rush a team with four guys, that makes everything difficult,” Carroll said. “They don’t have to show anything. They can disguise their coverages and all that.”

Booty had a solid first game against Arkansas, but he could get a stiffer test against Nebraska’s defense, which returns seven starters on a unit that finished in the top 30 nationally.