[Husker] Kansas State Preview

[Steve Reichenbach]

Wow, do NU some fans love to be negative or what?

In his second year, taking over a team that had a losing record,
Pelini has a team that has one of the best defenses in the country,
likely will win its division in the Big 12 Conference, and despite
breaking in a new QB is about two plays from being 9-1 and in the
top ten.

There isn't a team in the country that doesn't have untimely penalties,
turnovers, and inconsistencies, which one can choose to label
"un-disciplined, penaty-ridden, and lacking in consistency" if one so
chooses.  It is a fact that NU ranks about #100 in fewest penalties,
but it isn't a very indicative statistic.  Texas ranks #89, Florida
ranks #42, and Alabama ranks #29.  Nebraska is +1 on turnovers and
ranks #59 in turnover margin, but about half the turnovers were in one
game and NU still almost won the game.  Texas has as lost as many
turnovers.

NU became bowl-eligible with three games to play, has won four
consecutive conference road games, and is favored to win the Big12
North next week at home.

Yet, it is a season in which many fans seemed ready to give up on
the season, team, and coaches.  It is a bad thing that a team that
will likely win the Big 12 Division Championship and is a couple
of plays from being 9-1 has fans who are ready to fire some of the
coaches.  That is exactly what happened when smart-guy Steve
Pederson listened to too many of these fans and fired a bunch of
coaches, plunging NU into years of turmoil and struggles.

NU is having a very nice season for a coach in Year 2, breaking in
a new QB, and only now getting his own recruits and program in place.
Yes, NU will continue to have penalties, turnovers, and inconsistencies.
No team is perfect and even most of Osborne's teams lost games.  In
summary, I'd say: "Get real."  Perfection should be a goal, not an
expectation.

> Not necessarily written to be funny.  
> 
> Was your reference to A&M and ND based on the Head Coach or the Defensive
> Coordinator?  It seems like A&M has a respectable offensive team this year
> while their defense is terrible.  ND's defense is well-below average and
> their offense is barely respectable.  So, if you're talking about Defensive
> Coordinators than Pelini is up near the top!
> 
> Regardless, I'll submit that the any team is ultimately a reflection of its
> coach.  I am ok with those who would want to agree to disagree on this
> point.
> 
> It's a fact that Pelini himself has talked in the past about his team making
> too many "bonehead" mistakes.  
> 
> In my opinion, the team is un-disciplined, penalty-ridden, and lacking in
> consistency.  Tripping, blatant late-hits, penalties in general and
> turnovers come to mind.  Why is it that this "better coach" isn't getting
> improvement from week-to-week?
> 
> I am not sure that his sense of purpose is so aligned to the Defense that
> the Offense isn't guided similarly.  However, last time I checked, Bo Pelini
> is the Head Coach.
> 
> ...but these are just my opinions...