[Husker] A closer look at Shawn Watson

[aroundomaha]

I've given these stats some thought and looked back on the respective
records of CU and their opponents in those years. My opinion is that the
most representative years out of these are 2001 and 2009 (possibly also
2002). I think the 2004 CU team has less talent than this year's Huskers.

My reasoning is in comparing the talent at QB & RB, plus my personal
judgment is that our 2010 defense has a leg up on CU in those years.

So to me the long and short of it is that if NU can establish the run,
execute well (no silly, unforced errors) and match up well on defense then
this should be  wonderful chess match. Both coaches like and respect each
other and I'm betting they will be going the extra mile for this week's
game. Bragging rights might be a huge intangible factor with regard to
motivation (IMO).

The things I worry about going into this:
Special teams: No not the kicking game but our coverage units. They've been
very average at times in covering kick-offs and punts in my opinion
Run defense: Who will force the other to play out of their gameplan? Will
Burkhead and Roy Helu get some productive mileage. Either can be a game
breaker.
Passing offense: Will we have an effective passing game that keeps OU from
cheating on defense?
Injuries & fatigue: Is it just me or does it seem that the season has
weighed heavily on the team?

One thing I trust is this, I think Bo & Carl Pellini are better as a
collective defensive brain trust than Brett Venables for OU. If we can
execute a solid ground game and not shoot ourselves in the foot then I
believe NU can deliver. If OU stones the run game and we have to scramble
play outside our strengths then this could be a long game for the Huskers.

The odds and "popular sentiment" seem to be slightly against the Huskers,
but somehow I think that's exactly how Bo Pellini and the team like it.

I look for NU coaches and player to be amped for this one: NU 24 - OU 13.

2010/11/30 Skylar Dodds <sklarbodds at cox.net>

> This is not meant to be an attack on Shawn, but in 'bigtime' college sports
> you are often judged by how you do in big games and a segment on 1620's
> Unsportsmanlike Conduct got me curious....
>
> Shawn has been the OC in 5 Big XII Championships, here's how the stats
> shake out (draw your own conclusions, these are only stats):
>
> 2001 Colorado 39 - Texas 27
> Rushing: 53 attempts for 223 yards, 4.21 average
> Passing: 19 attempts for 111 yards, 5.84 average
> Total: 72 plays, 334 yards, 4.64 yards per play
>
> 2002 Oklahoma 29 - Colorado 7
> Rushing: 32 attempts for 126 yards, 3.94 average
> Passing: 15 attempts for 67 yards, 4.47 average
> Total: 47 plays, 193 yards, 4.11 yards per play
> Note: Touchdown was on a punt return
>
> 2004 Oklahoma 42 - Colorado 3
> Rushing: 16 attempts for -4 yards, -0.25 average
> Passing: 28 attempts for 50 yards, 1.79 average
> Total: 44 plays, 46 yards, 1.05 yards per play
>
> 2005 Texas 70 - Colorado 3
> Rushing: 26 attempts for 82 yards, 3.15 average
> Passing: 32 attempts for 109 yards, 3.41 average
> Total: 58 plays, 191 yards, 3.29 yards per play
>
> 2009 Texas 13(10) - Nebraska 12
> Rushing: 35 attempts for 67 yards, 1.91 average
> Passing: 20 attempts for 39 yards, 1.95 average
> Total: 55 plays, 106 yards, 1.93 yards per play
>
>
> Totals
> Rushing: 162 attempts for 494 yards, 3.05 average
> Passing: 114 attempts for 376 yards, 3.30 average
> Total: 276 plays for 870 yards, 3.15 average
>
> Averages per game
> Rushing: 32 attempts for 99 yards
> Passing: 23 attempts for 75 yards
> Total: 55 plays for 174 yards
> Scoring: 12.80 points (Includes special teams)
>
> Notes
> 1] In 4 of the 5 games the offense failed to score a TD
> 2] In 4 of the 5 games the offense didn't gain more than 200 total yards
> 3] In 3 of the 5 games the team scored single digit points
> 4] It definitely should be pointed out that in 4 out of the 5 games his
> team was a big underdog
>
> It's a bit humbling....
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>


-- 
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David Elfering
aroundomaha at gmail.com