Welcome to OSI Heat Index, a look at local teams and assignment of a “temperature reading” based on the past week’s performance.
This week, college football takes center stage following Week 1 action.
Nebraska Football
Heat Index: 7
Trending: Even
So far, so good for the Huskers in 2016. There were plenty of positives from Nebraska's win against Fresno State, but still enough for the coaches to chew on heading into this week's game against Wyoming.
The Huskers were able to run the ball plenty effectively against the Bulldogs, but the passing game struggled to develop any kind of consistency when called upon. Perhaps the biggest positive was in the turnover category - a big, fat ZERO for Nebraska.
Defensively, the Blackshirts did plenty to slow down Fresno State, holding the run game in check, and getting pressure on the quarterback when they blitzed. The front four didn't get much of a push when asked to do so without assistance, but in a game like this, it wasn't a problem. Expect a better offensive attack from Wyoming in week two.
Iowa Football
Heat Index: 8
Trending: Even
Much like Nebraska, there were both plenty of positives and negatives to take from Iowa's win over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday. Iowa's defense forced two early turnovers that essentially put the game out of reach by late in the first quarter, but the unit on the whole was "leaky" at times against a fairly average offense.
The Hawkeyes offense did plenty on the ground, rolling up five rushing TD's, and CJ Beathard had an efficient day passing the ball, going 13-20 with a TD. Iowa had a few blunders that could have cost them in a close game, but Miami wasn't in a spot to take advantage.
Iowa State visits Kinnick this weekend for the annual CyHawk showdown, and while the Cyclones didn't look impressive in week one, expect a much tougher contest this week. This one always ends up a better game than it looks on paper.
Iowa State Football
Heat Index: 2
Trending: Down
It's hard to dream up much of a worse start for Matt Campbell as Iowa State's head coach. The Cyclones lost to FCS opponent Northern Iowa in a game that was a comedy of errors.
Iowa State's defense gave up 232 yards rushing (to an FCS team), while managing just 51 of their own. Mike Warren carried the ball just 12 times for 30 yards total - far too few carries for a player of his caliber. The Cyclone front seven will be tested even further this weekend by an Iowa team that can really run it.
Joel Lanning had a great first half throwing the football, netting three TD's on the day, but two INT's and a safety following a grounding penalty in the end zone were killers for Iowa State.
The Cyclones would do well to stop scheduling UNI. There's nothing to be gained from playing this game any more, especially when Iowa State gets beat, which has happened a lot recently.
UNO Men's Soccer
Heat Index: 7
Trending: Up
It was an eventful last week for UNO Men's Soccer. After a tough 0-2 loss on the road to #16 UConn, the Mavs returned home to beat Drake 3-0, and tied #8 Creighton last night on the Jay's home field. Goalkeeper Joseph Ghitis had a key save on a penalty kick Monday night to help preserve the 1-1 tie.
The Mavs have two home games this weekend against DePaul and Penn, and top-25 matches on the road against Cal and Stanford looming this month.
Omaha Burke HS Football
Heat Index: 9
Trending: Up
The dream start to the 2016 season continues for the Burke Bulldogs, who held on for a one point win over Creighton Prep on Friday night. Although Burke looked just about spent at the end of the game, they managed to hold off Prep's fake extra point try to secure the 38-37 victory. Why Creighton Prep faked the PAT and threw the ball is a topic of much debate, but Burke will take the win.
A tough Norfolk team visits Burke on Friday night as the Bulldogs look to make it 3-0 on the season.
