[Husker] Good News

[Steve Reichenbach]

I would have liked to see a little more passing, but I like to see
NU run the ball.  However, I also didn't understand some of the
called running plays, e.g., it seemed a couple of times that NU
ran wide on 3rd and 2.  That might yield a big play if NU catches
USC too far inside, but USC has great speed to the outside so
it is difficult to beat them there.  If NU was intent on "pounding
the rock", I would have rather seen Cody Glenn with power up the
middle.  If the coaches think the offensive line can't get two
yards in the power game, then why is NU's game plan to run the
ball?

Yes, the game wasn't out-of-hand until USC's fourth TD.  Yes, the
game could have been different if NU had had the advantage on
turnovers.  (I doubted NU could lose the turnover advantage and
win the game).  Yes, NU wasn't embarrassed, just comfortably beaten.
Still, with all of that, I don't see how this game is evidence for
NU easily winning the Big 12 North.  Look at the stats:  First downs
26-10, Total yards 399-211, Rushing yards 142-68, Yards per carry
4.6 to 1.9.  What is so great about any of that?  Yes, NU is better
than they have been during Callahan's first two years, but this
team didn't really accomplish much against USC.

The Big 12 North is not strong, but I think expectations expressed
by other posters that NU doesn't have to be very good to win the
North because the other teams aren't any good, are too optimistic.
Four of the eight teams on NU's conference schedule are undefeated,
and that doesn't include Texas.  I didn't see anything in the USC
game that gives me confidence that NU will dispose of Texas even
in Lincoln.  I think NU's games @KSU and @AM (both of which are
undefeated, as is OSU, which NU also plays on the road) will be
tougher than some expect.  If NU drops one (or more) road game,
the home games, including CU and undefeated Missouri, look like
must wins.

Don't get me wrong --- NU is improved, but I think they are a
better team than they showed against USC --- I was hoping for the
sort of breakout game Devaney's team had against Michigan.  Instead,
NU was beaten in almost every respect (except special teams).  I
was disappointed by the USC game and certainly don't see it as a
basis for raised expectations --- my expectations, for coaches as
well as players, were higher before the game than after.


> Hello Husker Fans,
> 
>   For those of you looking for good news in a dark situation, Frank
>   Solich has completed his alcohol rehabilitation and is calling plays
>   again for the Huskers.
> 
>   All joking aside, that was one of the top 10 worst offensive schemes
>   I've seen.  I can only figure out 5 possible reasons:
> 
>   1) Bill owes Pete money and worked out another deal instead.
>   2) Bill had money on the game and thought if he ran the ball
>   constantly we could keep it under the spread.
>   3) Part of Solich's 'settlement' included playcalling a game of his
>   choice.
>   4) Bill wanted to shorten the game and keep their offense off the
>   field.
>   5) Bill assumed that Pete had never seen a 4 tight end set, and
>   therefore decided it was the only set we would run.
> 
>   WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?  I'd be much happier with the game if we
>   threw 10 interceptions and lost by 60 than what I saw tonight.
>   Gutless and coward are the two words I use to describe the coaches
>   tonight.  No blitzes, no passes, no nothing.  The team didn't suck,
>   the coaches did.
> 
>   I might not be this mad in the morning, but I still think I'm right.
> 
>   How tragic.  They were probably the better team, but that doesn't
>   give the coaches the right to give up before we play.
> 
> -- 
> Go Skers,
>  Skylar                            mailto:Sklarbodds at cox.net
> 
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