FW: [Husker] Cotton Bowl

[Kenneth McKillip]

I actually see three patterns:

1) Impatience.  The two turnovers that resulted in 14 points for UA should
never have happened.  We were jamming the ball at them effectively.  Then we
force a throw into double coverage.  Shortly thereafter we try a low
reward/high risk fake punt.  Impatience.  Nothing wrong with staying with
what is working.  No need to take chances when you are getting 4-8 yards a
pop on the ground.

2) No adjustments resulting in anemic second halfs.

3) Total meltdown when the bright lights are on.  Taking the ball off the
line of scrimmage twice and taking yourself out of field goal range?  This
seems to be a staff that can look creative and brilliant against lesser
opponents and brain lock under pressure.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Kenneth McKillip [mailto:kmckillip at houston.rr.com] 
Sent: Monday, January 01, 2007 12:24 PM
To: 'Scott Stewart'; 'husker at tssi.com'
Subject: RE: [Husker] Cotton Bowl

Practically clairvoyant analysis - at least for the first half.  I would
have liked to see the Huskers continued to jam the ball at them until they
stopped us.  Lack of patience resulted in the two costly turnovers.  Seems
like a pattern.

Hope we pound the ball in the second half.  Auburn is a typical light weight
SEC team.  Our defensive line is dominating.

-----Original Message-----
From: husker-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:husker-bounces at tssi.com] On Behalf Of
Scott Stewart
Sent: Monday, January 01, 2007 10:24 AM
To: husker at tssi.com
Subject: [Husker] Cotton Bowl

Only a few minutes to go before the Cotton Bowl. I can sympathize with Mike
Nolan when NU played Northwestern a few years ago. I am a Auburn grad and
have a daughter going there now.

I am optimistic regarding NU's chances today. I have watched both teams all
year and think NU matches up well with Auburn.

Here is my take on Auburn.

Auburn can be looked at in two ways. They are a two loss team, with losses
to Arkansas and UGA (both good teams). Or, Auburn is a two loss team that is
very lucky not to be a five loss team. They one a squeeker against LSU with
an offensive interference call at the end of the game, sqeeked past South
Carolina with USC inside the 20 at the end of the game going for a win, and
beat a Florida team on a blocked punt in the 4th quarter after being
dominated most of the game.

Offensively, they run what they consider a "West Coast" offense. It however
relies heavily on the running game. It is more pro-style than west coast.
There best running back is suspended. Kenny Irons is who they think is there
best running back, but I have not seen him to be dominant this year. He is a
big, bruising back. They will try to get him wide on NU. Passing game is
limited by their QB. He is on/off. He has been hurt. He is not very mobile.

Defensively, they are small and quick. Passing and running wide is difficult
on them. Their starting linebacker is suspended for the game. Teams have had
lots of success running right at them, a la Arkansas, Florida, and Wisconsin
last year.

If NU can establish a running game (which I expect them to do), they should
move the ball well. My concern is for this to turn into a NU-OSU game with
NU going up, and then blowing a lead. Auburn can burn our DB's if given the
opportunity. They have good recievers. However, I don't see them as
explosive offensively as OSU.

My prediction NU wins, 31-24.

scott
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