[Husker] NU-Ok

[BRADALAN at aol.com]

This crap with spotting the other team 21 points has got to stop.  The  team 
has gotten down by 21 in all three losses and managed to claw back in all  
three; to lead TT, to draw even with MU, and to within 7 of OU.  Why is it  
Cosgrove can't seem to get a game plan that works for the first 20 minutes of  each 
game?
 
That said, this one isn't all on the D.  3 and out on the first 5  
possessions is absolutely unsatisfactory, even against OU, and especially at  home.  And 
13 yards rushing in two games?  I don't  even know what to say about that, 
particularly given the size of some of our  linemen.  I realize that there is a 
big difference between pass blocking  and run blocking...but are they just not 
practicing it?
 
Here's a really disturbing thought ... when was the last time Nebraska  
failed to rush for 1,000 yards in a season...as a team?   
 
I'm not going jump on the "fire Cosgrove" bandwagon yet, but from what I  
have seen this season, the Husker defensive players have not been outmatched by  
anyone in terms of talent/ability.  Some of it may be motivation, but it  just 
seems to me to have more to do with Cosgrove calling a crappy game for the  
first 15-20 minutes so as to not "show his hand too early."  
 
Three games left, need 1 for a bowl, at least 2 for an "acceptable"  season.  
Probably time to show your hand Cos.
 
I'm just a fan, so whether I feel the season is acceptable isn't important  
to the team.  I'm certainly not criticizing the players for lack of effort  or 
heart, but they are being let down by the defensive coordinator.  The  offense 
is nothing for Coach Callahan to be proud of at the moment either, but  poor 
pass protection and dropped passes have contributed to that as much as play  
calling.  
 
Right now it's gut-check time for the Huskers.  Both Kansas games are  
toss-ups as far as I can tell.  If the defense shows up at kickoff instead  of the 
2nd quarter, both should be W's for Nebraska.  The hated buffs have  the 
advantage over the Huskers right now, especially in Boulder, but that could  change 
if the team comes together some more through the next two games.
 
All that said...GO BIG RED!
 
Brad Bredenkamp