[Husker] No Warm Fuzzy Here

[Scott R Lawson]

It seemed to me that with the exception of the misdirection plays (which probably made up 75% of Wake's offense last weekend) NU looked much more stout on defense than WF, but they just could not stop the run off the misdirection. USC will not do the same plays, and you can bet this was also addressed in practice all week (who know how well I guess). They would've been better off making the Wake QB beat them, because I don't believe he could've. 9-10 in the box and staying home in responsibilities may have made the Wake QB's day quite longer, but NU seemed to be giving up huge chunks of ground off the misdirection. I'm not sure the Wake player(s) who would loop around the QB ever got the ball until late in the game anyway (the MIS in the misdirection), although I believe they picked up a decent run off it.

USC presents an entirely different challenge than Wake Forest did, in my opinion Wake is nowhere near the level of Nebraska, they just benefited form some silly road mistakes by the Huskers. Take the turnovers away and Wake doesn't have the luxury of running 35 misdirection runs because they would've been down 24-3 (or similar).

That said, USC is on another level over the past several years, and teams have to play essentially perfect mistake-free football to even compete with them for 3 quarters. Nebraska must limit (or eliminate) the turnovers or this will be another 28-10 game like last year. Obviously playing at home makes a big difference here, but if USC is able to control the ball early and get a 10-14 point lead or so, it will be tough for Nebraska to counter that, even at home.

Keller will basically have to play lights out and the defense will have to force Booty into some uncomfortable 3rd and long situations to keep this game within reach. I know those are clichés, but it's very apparent to me that USC has to make some key errors and Nebraska must play almost a perfect game to win.

If the game is relatively close at half (aren't all Callahan-coached games?) I like the Huskers' chances here, but if USC jumps up big early forget it. I see this game being something like 27-24 Nebraska (or 42-14 USC). How's that for sitting on the fence? And I think there is a HUGE difference in coaching styles/ability at many levels as was discussed in an earlier thread- for example, Callahan is a well known X's and O's guy, but not so much a "rah rah" type (think Cowher, Shottenheimer, Gruden, etc.) while Pete Carroll is a great example of both, and is a near perfectionist with his defensive game planning. Coaches who are able to motivate players AND develop superb game plans and strategies usually last a long time, and most people know Carroll is one of those guys. This is why, even after a not-so-great NFL track record, owners are looking up his number on the rolodex every January.

USC IS beatable, but the Huskers will have to be on the top of their game to accomplish it. This game could be a defining moment for Callahan- if he is able to get the win here, Nebraska would probably be ranked in the top 5-8 or so, and the national perception would be that they are "back". It would also give the Huskers that much needed 'swagger' back, something they haven't enjoyed since the mid/late 90's. If, on the other hand Nebraska gets taken to the shed this Saturday, it will continue the trend of falling short against quality opponents in the last several seasons, and many "experts" will say I told you so. Let's avoid that!

Scott in NY

-----Original Message-----
From: husker-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:husker-bounces at tssi.com]On Behalf
Of richards todd
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 9:32 AM
To: husker at tssi.com
Subject: [Husker] No Warm Fuzzy Here


Thanks to all of you who are ending your posts with
positive thoughts and expectations for Saturday's big
game with USC.

I for one am not feeling particularly confident that
we can stay with USC.  I guess I really don't have any
idea how good, or how average Nebraska really is this
year.  Hopefully they will continue to improve
throughout the year as good teams do.

Another Lister stated earlier this week that Nebraska
and Wake Forest looked exactly even when he attended
the game in Winston Salem last week.  I must admit
that I share his assessment watching from my living
room.

Go Big Red.  Please prove to me that me ill feelings
about this game are incorrect and unfounded.

Todd in Tennessee


       
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