[Husker] USC fallout

[DAVID L MCGEE]

Scott,
  You couldn't have said it better!!  I don't care how well players have been coached or prepared, some times the other team is just stronger.  It is ridiculous to try to blame someone.  Just hope the coaches and players learn from this game.  These players are still kids (in men's bodies) but still kids.  I give them credit for not giving up and accepting some of the blame.  Sam Keller admitted the interceptions were his fault and caused the game to get out of hand.  Bo Ruud said the defense played terrible!  I still love my Huskers and think they still have a good chance for a successful season.
  Still would like to hear how Bowman and Green are.
  Jean

Scott R Lawson <SLawson at uamail.albany.edu> wrote:
  After reading through almost 100 emails about this game, it occurred to me that many members of the list are simply unwilling to accept the fact that sometimes one team is a lot better than the other, especially in college football. Why is it so difficult to give credit where credit is due here and realize that the sun did in fact come up Sunday in Lincoln (at least I think it did, but I am 1000 miles away so I will have to assume it did)?

Yes, Nebraska was out manned in just about every aspect of the game Saturday night, unless you count broken larynx's (sorry I couldn't resist the jab). Yes, Nebraska was out coached and believe it or not may be out coached a few more times this season, who knows maybe even by lowly Ball State. Yes, fans left before the game ended. Yes, Brent Musberger got ANOTHER open container ticket in downtown Lincoln on the way to the game (well no he didn't but that would be really funny wouldn't it?)

Folks, USC would've rolled over any team in America Saturday night, perhaps even the Falcons in Atlanta, it's as simple as that. Now obviously there are glaring weaknesses that need to be addressed both in the players AND the coaches, and who knows if these weaknesses will be addressed in time to salvage a 9-10 win season or not, but believe me, USC is head and shoulders above most if not all the teams in CFB today (with perhaps the exception of LSU, Florida and maybe OU).

We seem to have short memories- remember when Florida looked like a high school team against Frazier et al in 1996? Well, now that we see a game where the tables are turned, no one can believe their eyes. Yes, I was surprised at the way USC handled Nebraska, particularly up front on both sides of the ball, but how come it was easy to understand when the manhandled Florida but everyone is in disbelief over USC doing the same? Simply put, sometimes the guy lining up over you is A LOT better at football than you, period. Watching the game for a second time on tape you will notice that several of the USC players were considerably stronger than their Nebraska counterparts, and when you have such a strength advantage up front (on both sides of the ball) you are likely to be in for a long night. Did anyone notice how easily #49 on USC was pushing the Husker center around? Good grief. All the coaching in the world sometimes will not change that fact like it or not. Now, there are
 certainly concerns about this coaching staff's ability to adjust, particularly on defense, and those questions will need to be addressed if Nebraska is to have a successful conference run. Sometimes the other team is just better in too many facets of the game, and there isn't a whole heck of a lot you can do about it. We all knew if these two teams played well that USC would walk, so I'm not sure why so many folks are in disbelief after this game. Yes play calling on both sides of the ball needs to improve, there is no doubt about that, but I'm not sure anything would've mattered in this game regarding adjustments/play calling unless Callahan called Tomlinson and Favre out of the locker room at halftime.

Some posts mentioned Nebraska's last couple scores and how they may be seen as cheapies, but I for one think it was good to see the players finishing this game regardless of who was in for USC at that point. What were they supposed to do, put in a freshman QB who never played before and give up 30 MORE points (ala Texas Tech)? Despite the huge gap in talent and lopsided score, I like this outcome a bit better, thank you. Plus, there were probably more than a few voters who didn't see this game (because they were still celebrating Notre Dame's whacking) who saw 49-31 and thought maybe it was closer than it was (although we all know the truth).

Now, if Nebraska tanks against Missouri, good grief the sky may fall. No one in the conference looks especially strong to this point with the exception of OU (Texas is far less scary than I imagined after 3 games) so I am not worried about this team just yet. The USC game, while exposing some major weaknesses in the defense and overall play calling will simply serve as a springboard to a Big 12 north title and - gasp- a shot at the Sooners when they are peaking in December. And you all thought this was a nightmare...

Scott in NY




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