[Husker] What If

[SteveG]

I only made it to two games this year...VA Tech and TX Tech.  The Hokie game
seems like ages ago...and I ask myself, what has changed and what has not
changed since the season started?  How have the Coaches coached and
adjusted?  What is their mark for continuous improvement?  It was clear to
me, in September, that the Defense was special, the Offense needed attention
and the Special Teams was above average.  Now the regular season has
concluded and we have a CCG and a bowl bid!

So 'what if' the team had an answer for overall Offensive achievement...?

In my opinion, the coaching team did not/does not have an effective solution
for generating the turnaround that was already rearing its face in
Blacksburg.   Another way to look at the turnaround is to compare to last
year.  Defense improved in direct proportion to the offense's demise.

 YEAR_____TOTAL___RUSH___P_EFF___PASS____SCORE

DEFENSE
2008______55______21______82______89______80__=327/5= 65.4
2009______11______15______04______25______03__= 58/5= 11.6

A turnaround of +54 on the defensive side.

OFFENSE
2008______12______37______15______15______17__= 96/5= 19.2
2009______92______64______62______93______72__=383/5= 76.6

A turnaround of -57 on the offensive side. 

Bo hasn't figured out the complexity of the Offense versus the
non-complexity of the Defense.  Just yesterday, Bo said, "This isn't a real
complex game that we play, it's about tackling and execution and doing your
job. I've never quite figured out the whole complexity aspect of it. We're
going to do what we do."

As a fan, I'm more than willing to give his coaching team time to build
their foundation on both sides of the ball, and be happy about another 9-win
season.

Go Big Red!

SteveG

We confide in our strength, without boasting of it; we respect that of
others, without fearing it.  --- Thomas Jefferson


-----Original Message-----
From: husker-bounces at tssi.com On Behalf Of Jerry Meyer
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 3:32 PM
To: Husker List
Subject: [Husker] What If

Just playing the what if game and assuming that all other games go as they
did during the year, what if we hold off Va Tech and manage to put up one
more score against Iowa State?  We're looking at 11-1, winning ugly most of
the way.  Is there still the lack of respect for Nebraska going into the
game on Saturday?  

I kind of compare this to the Nebraska - FSU Orange Bowl in 1994 (after the
1993 season) where NU was a double digit underdog even though undefeated for
the regular season.  Total lack of respect for NU, FSU is going to kill us.
Then lightning strikes and we flat outplay them on the field only to lose in
the last minute or so.  I think this team shows up on both sides of the ball
and takes it to UT this week.  May not win but they'll know they were in a
battle.  Bet on Bo & Co. to find a way to stay in it and have a chance at
the end.

Jerry Meyer
Murfreesboro, TN