Graphic By Kelli Kellogg October 2, 2003 TROJANS, THEN TIGERS Nebraska hopes to tune-up for Mizzou against Troy State By Jim D. Berryman MissingNebraska.com Time for a Trojan tune-up. With no disrespect to the fine folks in Troy, Alabama, the Huskers hope Saturday’s game with the Trojans is an old-fashioned tune-up. A chance to get out the kinks and get fired up for the Big 12 Tigers. It’s a chance for Nebraska’s offense to build on positive things seen in its win over Southern Miss Thursday night. It’s also a chance to make amends. Perhaps give Joe Dailey another shot at improving his status in the “what have you done for me lately” category. If the Huskers get up big, Dailey will more than likely play in the game. However while impressed with the Huskers’ much-improved defense, the offense still needs to be debugged. In the Big Red’s big win over Southern Miss last Thursday, the game was frustrating for Husker fans at times. A 1990’s Husker football team would have destroyed Southern Miss that night in Hattiesburg. In addition, there’s no looking past the little guy any more. Troy St. is 3-2 and comes into Lincoln on an emotional high after defeating Marshall last Saturday, the same team that stormed into Manhattan and shocked Kansas St. two weeks ago. Just the same, Troy St. better not put champagne anywhere near anything even resembling ice just yet. A person gets the feeling that Nebraska is about to explode, and we don’t mean in a bad way. We’ve seen a few flashes here and there, two of which were Jammal Lord’s on-target touchdown passes against Southern Miss. The Bo Pelini-led Blackshirts continue to impress. No-names Josh Davis and Demorrio Williams are now water cooler regulars. Nebraska has the chance to break it wide open and punch in a much longed-for blowout. Again, no disrespect to Troy St., but if Nebraska is to continue to silence critics, a huge victory to go to 5-0 going into Columbia would build on the respect Nebraska is garnering nationwide. The game kicks off at 12:30 central at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln and will not be televised. Husker fans without tickets will have to wait a week to see them again when Nebraska travels to Columbia, Missouri for a showdown with Mizzou. Tune-ups…get your Trojan tune-ups! Feedback The score on the scoreboard is my humble prediction. NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS vs. TROY ST. TROJANS PREVIEW STORIES & LINKS 10-04-03: Troy St. will try to beat NU at its own game More from LJS 10-03-03: 'Blackshirts' waiting More from Birmingham News 10-03-03: Trojans' new QB up for challenge More from LJS 10-02-03: Troy's Betterson a battering type More from OWH 10-01-03: Troy State making most of paydays More from LJS 10-01-03: Preparations for Huskers continues for Trojans More from TroyState.com Husker 2003 Schedule/Results Huskers on ESPN.com Husker Hot Pics Photos from AP Husker Game Watch Locations Nationwide