UCLA Game worries

[lo country]

Seriously though, you guys should be worried. If roles were reversed and we lost our most productive offensive rusher and top receiver and had to replace the entire secondary...I'd be worried. If you somehow find a way to get effective people in there and they prove themselves against good competition, I'll be worried. Until that happens, this game doesn't worry me at all.

We have to replace our entire LB corps, most of our defensive line, two of our best TEs in a decade and Rex Burkhead.

We need to somehow find a way to get effective people in these positions (although Ameer has proven more than capable at RB) and we have to see if they can prove themselves against good competition. Until our guys do that, I'm going to be worried.

Yes and that's the best thing in the world. Last year our linebackers AND dline sucked. I doubt we can get worse...seriously.

It can get worse. Inexperience can be a tremendous handicap. We can't count our inexperience as an asset.

Alabama's starting freshmen on defense would like to have a word with you...

Clowney says hello. I know he is a freak, but IMO we can't be worse. Speed and athleticism covers a multitude of mistakes. Our DL and LB's last year were average at best. I would liek t o say that we had some talent that was misused or ill schemed, but bottom line would any of them started at another B1G school or SEC? Martin maybe as a rush specialist, but just as Crick benefited Suh, Stein benefited from Crick. Each one, IMHO, a step down from the one who made them better.

As it relates to UCLA for me. No worries. Game won't be close. Our O will steam roll their D and our D, while learning will be more than serviceable.

<img class="UMSRatingIcon" id="ums_img_tooltip" />

 

[knapplc]

It can get worse. Inexperience can be a tremendous handicap. We can't count our inexperience as an asset.

Alabama's starting freshmen on defense would like to have a word with you...

These are definitely words, and in this order they make a sentence. I'm hoping a random sentence generator was used in the creation of this sentence, because as a reply to what was quoted it has no meaning. Alabama's defense isn't remotely comparable to ours, nor are the players they rebuild around comparable to the players we have. The freshmen they've recruited are better on tape and recruiting stars/ratings than ours. The product they've put on the field, the track record of the coaches and the results of their coaching is far better than ours.

 

[scarletNcream]

UCLA has just as many holes to fill as Nebraska. They need to replace 4 DB's (after booting Tevin McDonald, their starting safety). They need to replace their long snapper, kicker and punter. The Oline looses 1 and the linebacker corp is intact. Franklin is gone but Thigpen returns. I for one , think we setup nicely for the offense to light up the scoreboard. I don't think out Dline will "steamroll" a returning Oline for UCLA. Pelini talked about maybe he should have played some more youth last year and he should have. With the speed of our incoming linebacking group to replace what some have said was the worst group in years, if not ever, I think we win this. Am I worried, yes. Pelini has to prove he can coach defense, again.

 

[skersfan]

Knapplc, I am beginning to worry about you. Everything okay? There is no reason to be reasonable on this site. It condemns you to being a non fan.

Every year it is the same comments from the staff, the one before it and actually the one before it. The only change we really have ever seen is the hiring of Bo as a DC. He made comments, changed the culture and moved the team forward. Not to the level that some remember, but it did improve.

We are hearing from guys that supposedly have inside knowledge that this year is different. I am taking EZE at his word. I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt, that they are better, they will perform better. But I wonder if these same guys would be willing to put money on their statements. Personal, long reaching bets that called for real sacrifices if the out come is not as they say. I know I have not seen anything on the field to make me think we will be a lot better than last year. Potential means nothing unless it turns into reality. I could care less about the first two games, UCLA will be the water mark. I am sure the staff is pointing to that game. If we win it, I assure you, we will move into the outer fringes of NC conversation. That is how much the media thinks of the Bruins it seems.

UCLA is a program that has out recruited us 4 out of the last 5 years. 53 four and 5 star athletes to our 35 four star total. Thinking they do not have talent, is homerism at its highest. That is a whole class of four star athletes ahead of us.

Respect, they deserve. We win this game, it truly means something for this program.

 

[JBru92]

The same argument being applied by you guys to your LB corps can also be applied to our DBs. Yes we lost all four starters, but we had no pass defense to speak of last year (See the Baylor game). The guys replacing them are far more talented but obviously will have much less experience. We could have a strange situation where Nebraska throws all over us and we run the ball all over Nebraska, due to inexperience at those spots.

 

[Treand3]

UCLA has just as many holes to fill as Nebraska. They need to replace 4 DB's (after booting Tevin McDonald, their starting safety). They need to replace their long snapper, kicker and punter. The Oline looses 1 and the linebacker corp is intact. Franklin is gone but Thigpen returns. I for one , think we setup nicely for the offense to light up the scoreboard. I don't think out Dline will "steamroll" a returning Oline for UCLA. Pelini talked about maybe he should have played some more youth last year and he should have. With the speed of our incoming linebacking group to replace what some have said was the worst group in years, if not ever, I think we win this. Am I worried, yes. Pelini has to prove he can coach defense, again.

Thigpen is still rehabbing a torn ACL. May not be ready until late Sept.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

The same argument being applied by you guys to your LB corps can also be applied to our DBs. Yes we lost all four starters, but we had no pass defense to speak of last year (See the Baylor game). The guys replacing them are far more talented but obviously will have much less experience. We could have a strange situation where Nebraska throws all over us and we run the ball all over Nebraska, due to inexperience at those spots.

If my aunt had a package she would be my uncle

 

[The King]

The same argument being applied by you guys to your LB corps can also be applied to our DBs. Yes we lost all four starters, but we had no pass defense to speak of last year (See the Baylor game). The guys replacing them are far more talented but obviously will have much less experience. We could have a strange situation where Nebraska throws all over us and we run the ball all over Nebraska, due to inexperience at those spots.

If my aunt had a package she would be my uncle

100% guarantee that this defense will be harder to run the ball against than last years D, especially at the edges.

Some people also forget, last year UCLA was the wake up game for coaches to even make an attempt to get speed on the field - and that is when Bo was pondering whether he should yank peoples redshirts.

 

[lo country]

I am done worrying about any team. That is the whole problem. The thread about getting our edge back speaks to this. We will get our edge back when we (fans and team) stop thinking another team can beat us. You go in thinking we need to bring our A game to have a chance, we have already lost. Screw that. You think Bama looks ahead and is worried they can't beat a team? hell look at UGA. Opening with Clemson and then Carolina. You think they are worried. NO! Losers worry, winners just win. We need to get back to a winning mind set. Reading this thread, some might think we will go 6-6 this year. Please. We are NU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I forgot the thread, but someone said Damon Benning said after the game vs UGA they guys were tapping the seniors on the back as if to say "see you later". We have the speed, with talent Bo has shown his D can work. Now in year 3 with beck and the first time in his tenure with a staff intact for year 2.

 

[HuskerShark]

Watching the games from last year, we very easily could have been 6-6 if not for luck. Wisconsin, Michigan State, Northwestern, and Michigan (depends if you think we still would have won if Denard stayed in, or if Hoke had put in Gardner) all could have been losses very easily.

 

[Saunders]

Watching the games from last year, we very easily could have been 6-6 if not for luck. Wisconsin, Michigan State, Northwestern, and Michigan (depends if you think we still would have won if Denard stayed in, or if Hoke had put in Gardner) all could have been losses very easily.

So could Ohio State, but you don't hear people talk about it.

 

[The King]

Watching the games from last year, we very easily could have been 6-6 if not for luck. Wisconsin, Michigan State, Northwestern, and Michigan (depends if you think we still would have won if Denard stayed in, or if Hoke had put in Gardner) all could have been losses very easily.

Granted, it isn't the best scenario to be in, but maybe it speaks to the coaching staffs ability to make halftime adjustments as well. Yeah luck factors in, but there are a lot of "what ifs" during the season as well.

 

[Count 'Bility]

The same argument being applied by you guys to your LB corps can also be applied to our DBs. Yes we lost all four starters, but we had no pass defense to speak of last year (See the Baylor game). The guys replacing them are far more talented but obviously will have much less experience. We could have a strange situation where Nebraska throws all over us and we run the ball all over Nebraska, due to inexperience at those spots.

If my aunt had a package she would be my uncle

100% guarantee that this defense will be harder to run the ball against than last years D, especially at the edges.

Some people also forget, last year UCLA was the wake up game for coaches to even make an attempt to get speed on the field - and that is when Bo was pondering whether he should yank peoples redshirts.

And he did. And the one that appeared as though he would make the most significant difference wound up with a torn ACL after just one game played. Then at the end of the year, the only real consistent cog on the Dline was put out for the last 2 games..

I know. Excuses, excuses. But there has been some real unfortunate luck to go along as well.

 

[Mavric]

Watching the games from last year, we very easily could have been 6-6 if not for luck. Wisconsin, Michigan State, Northwestern, and Michigan (depends if you think we still would have won if Denard stayed in, or if Hoke had put in Gardner) all could have been losses very easily.

So luck was the only reason? Not skill, heart, determination, .....

If not for really bad luck we could have been 2009 Big XII conference champions at 12-1 and played a beatable TCU or Boise St. in the Fiesta Bowl. And minus some poor luck we would have won the Big XII in 2010 at 12-1 and UConn wouldn't have gotten a first down against us in another possible Fiesta Bowl win. Wouldn't either of those have changed a lot of arguments over the last four years. How far do you want to take it?

 

[caveman99]

The same argument being applied by you guys to your LB corps can also be applied to our DBs. Yes we lost all four starters, but we had no pass defense to speak of last year (See the Baylor game). The guys replacing them are far more talented but obviously will have much less experience. We could have a strange situation where Nebraska throws all over us and we run the ball all over Nebraska, due to inexperience at those spots.

If my aunt had a package she would be my uncle

100% guarantee that this defense will be harder to run the ball against than last years D, especially at the edges.

Some people also forget, last year UCLA was the wake up game for coaches to even make an attempt to get speed on the field - and that is when Bo was pondering whether he should yank peoples redshirts.

And he did. And the one that appeared as though he would make the most significant difference wound up with a torn ACL after just one game played. Then at the end of the year, the only real consistent cog on the Dline was put out for the last 2 games..

I know. Excuses, excuses. But there has been some real unfortunate luck to go along as well.

Rewatching the first game, I forgot how well the Blackshirts stuff the Wisconsin run game. I mean it was near impossible for UW to get anything on the ground, especially in the 2nd half. The first game crystalized for me just how much the injuries on the D-line hurt us. Hopefully they can build better depth with the young bucks and we have a bit better luck with the injury bug.