Phil Steele says Nebraska will be #17 heading into the season

[walksalone]

UCLA also stuffed a run for I think a two yard loss on that drive and stuffed Marrow on a 3rd and 1 that put an end to the drive. And by the middle of the 4th quarter their defense was blowing through the offensive line no matter what we were doing. It isn't simply, "If Beck would have ran the ball we would have won"

So they stop one running play for a two yard loss, we abandon the run? That UCLA game reminded me of the Big XII title game against OU, when we were pounding the rock, and Watson all of a sudden decided, this is working too well, we'd better stop, and lost the game...

 

[clyde40]

UCLA also stuffed a run for I think a two yard loss on that drive and stuffed Marrow on a 3rd and 1 that put an end to the drive. And by the middle of the 4th quarter their defense was blowing through the offensive line no matter what we were doing. It isn't simply, "If Beck would have ran the ball we would have won"

So they stop one running play for a two yard loss, we abandon the run? That UCLA game reminded me of the Big XII title game against OU, when we were pounding the rock, and Watson all of a sudden decided, this is working too well, we'd better stop, and lost the game...

I watched it again and I was wrong on 2nd and 3 Heard gained one yard then on 3rd down Marrow got stuffed and then on the next play UCLA got a safety when we tried to run the ball. That's three straight plays that weren't very effective. Yes Beck probably did panic a little after that but I can see why.

 

[walksalone]

I watched it again and I was wrong on 2nd and 3 Heard gained one yard then on 3rd down Marrow got stuffed and then on the next play UCLA got a safety when we tried to run the ball. That's three straight plays that weren't very effective. Yes Beck probably did panic a little after that but I can see why.

Fair enough, but that doesn't explain why he felt the need to start gunning the ball all over, when they were down by less than a touchdown with a few minutes left to go in the 3rd...

 

[HuskerNationNick]

I understand the heat of the moment, but still if it's working why go away from it?

This is exactly why we didn't steer away from the toss play against Penn St. I think Beck learned to keep doing what he is doing, until they stop us, after that UCLA game.

 

[walksalone]

I understand the heat of the moment, but still if it's working why go away from it?

This is exactly why we didn't steer away from the toss play against Penn St. I think Beck learned to keep doing what he is doing, until they stop us, after that UCLA game.

Well, I hope that's stuck in his head, because if he does that again this year, I might have a stroke...

 

[Chaddyboxer]

Back to the topic at hand, Steele is the best in the business. Last year in his mag, he had us in a 3 way tie with UM and MSU, with NU holding the tie breaker. Half way through the season (after OSU), he had us running the table. He also had us losing to UW in the CCG.

Guy rates #1 in the Stassen preseason breakdown because he knows his stuff. I always look at Steele'mas (day the magazine arrives) as the unofficial start to the season (followed up by NCAA release and media days).

I always look forward to reading Steele's predictions....he's usually on the money with the Huskers. I honestly can't wait to hear his predictions for the team this year.

 

[Chaddyboxer]

Here's another good one...regarding 2012...

IF EVERYTHING FALLS INTO PLACE meaning the team plays better overall and we get a few lucky breaks, etc. (which happens to every team).....BEST CASE: 11-1. No way the best case is 9-3....no way.

The team I am most worried about honestly....is Ohio St. NOW, they will not be a 12-0 team this year, but they will be a force. I see 2-3 losses in Urban's first year, after that....I am a bit worried that they may become a solid powerhouse with Braxton becoming a junior/senior. At Ohio St doesn't bode well for the Huskers. I am really glad we were able to beat them in our first year in the BIG10. They remind me and portray the Texas of the BIG10....a must beat team even if they were having a down year.

http://www.huskerboa...__1#entry990551

In his defense, nobody thought the Big Ten was going to suck so much a$$ last year. OSU won 6 games by a TD or less, and had two OT wins.

Exaaaaaaaaaactly. Nobody saw it coming.....esp. after the close calls OSU had early in the season. I thought they were going to at least drop a few after the Cal game.

 

[Chaddyboxer]

I remember distinctly in that UCLA game where NEB ran the toss sweep on a specific drive....to pretty much the right side...to a tune of about 4-6 times...almost in a row!!! It was ridiculous....and Ameer and Braylon were getting huge chunks of yards. If I have that puppy still DVR'd...I may have to go back and watch that badassery. It still sucks that NEB started to go away from it. I believe Beck after the game admitted he wished he would've called the game better and placed some blame on himself.

 

[carlfense]

Given that we have virtually no proven talent returning at DT (Randle is average, at best) and that nearly everyone else is a freshman or sophomore . . . I think that it's fair to assume that the defensive line will struggle.

It's going to be another long season on defense. I know a lot of fans say "how could it be worse than last year?" Well . . . stay tuned. Luckily the schedule will cover some deficiencies and at least give the defense some time to learn.

What does them being a RS Freshman or Sophomore have to do with athleticism and size? Are we not bigger than we were last year? How much experience do you REALLY need to be good at DT? Its really not that of a difficult position. Its not like they have to learn coverage routes, or cover receivers. Their job is simple... Contain, pressure and/or Blitz. Thad Randle is "average at best"? What do you base this off of? Last year's assessment You do realize he was, literally, playing on one good leg right? 50% at most.

Is HuskerNationNick still here? Any thoughts on the defensive line play and Thad Randle?

 

[The Maudfather]

Given that we have virtually no proven talent returning at DT (Randle is average, at best) and that nearly everyone else is a freshman or sophomore . . . I think that it's fair to assume that the defensive line will struggle.

It's going to be another long season on defense. I know a lot of fans say "how could it be worse than last year?" Well . . . stay tuned. Luckily the schedule will cover some deficiencies and at least give the defense some time to learn.

What does them being a RS Freshman or Sophomore have to do with athleticism and size? Are we not bigger than we were last year? How much experience do you REALLY need to be good at DT? Its really not that of a difficult position. Its not like they have to learn coverage routes, or cover receivers. Their job is simple... Contain, pressure and/or Blitz. Thad Randle is "average at best"? What do you base this off of? Last year's assessment You do realize he was, literally, playing on one good leg right? 50% at most.

Is HuskerNationNick still here? Any thoughts on the defensive line play and Thad Randle?

I'm afraid the "average at best" assessment was giving Thad Randle a little too much credit. I legitimately think that he might be the worst defensive lineman to ever play for Pelini.

 

[knapplc]

Randle's asterisk is his injury. "Worst" is a label that may be fair based solely on his play, but he has a more than legitimate excuse for that play. He's been Martinez circa the latter half of 2010 for pretty much his whole career.

Guys like that, from whom we want more production but aren't getting it because of injury, should get a pass in the court of public opinion.

 

[kchusker_chris]

Is HuskerNationNick still here? Any thoughts on the defensive line play and Thad Randle?

I'm afraid the "average at best" assessment was giving Thad Randle a little too much credit. I legitimately think that he might be the worst defensive lineman to ever play for Pelini.

Which unfortunately says a lot about the guys around him he's somehow playing over. Sounds a little like last year.

 

[carlfense]

Randle's asterisk is his injury. "Worst" is a label that may be fair based solely on his play, but he has a more than legitimate excuse for that play. He's been Martinez circa the latter half of 2010 for pretty much his whole career.

Guys like that, from whom we want more production but aren't getting it because of injury, should get a pass in the court of public opinion.

Yeah. It's not his fault that we have probably never seen him play at 100%.

 

[It'sNotAFakeID]

Randle's asterisk is his injury. "Worst" is a label that may be fair based solely on his play, but he has a more than legitimate excuse for that play. He's been Martinez circa the latter half of 2010 for pretty much his whole career.

Guys like that, from whom we want more production but aren't getting it because of injury, should get a pass in the court of public opinion.

But...but knapp, he's still starting so what does that say about the people behind them? SURELY it must be that they are awful...that HAS to be the only reason.

 

[kchusker_chris]

Randle's asterisk is his injury. "Worst" is a label that may be fair based solely on his play, but he has a more than legitimate excuse for that play. He's been Martinez circa the latter half of 2010 for pretty much his whole career.

Guys like that, from whom we want more production but aren't getting it because of injury, should get a pass in the court of public opinion.

But...but knapp, he's still starting so what does that say about the people behind them? SURELY it must be that they are awful...that HAS to be the only reason.

Not sure the reasoning behind the sarcasm. What other reasons would there be?