10 wins.... Really?

[zoogs]

Since we are doing a season breakdown...

W- Western Kentucky- 49-10

W- Idaho- 38-17

W- Washington- 56-21

W- South Dakota State- 17-3

Many people were waving red flags after this game, but even more(including me) were still drinking the T-magic koolaid.

W- Kansas State- 48-13

L- Texas- 20-13

Excuse after this game is Texas just owns us.

W- #14 Oklahoma State- 51-41

W- #6 Missouri- 31-17

Our only two quality wins this season are Mizzou and OSU.

W(OT)- Iowa State- 31-30

W-Kansas- 20-3

L- #19 Texas A&M- 9-6

W- Colorado- 45-17

L- #9 Oklahoma- 23-20

South Dakota State was a poor game by the entire staff and players. Everyone looked at it as a scrimmage, and it showed. Taylor had a dreadful day as well and couldn't do anything. Bad all around. Entire team just took a snooze and looked ahead, and that's the kind of thing that will happen.

Texas doesn't own us, that was never the excuse. The 'excuse' was we had Texas by the balls multiple times, but we couldn't hold on to our own balls. That's what she said.

How many years has it been since we've beaten a Top 20 team? We manage 2 in one year, and it's "We only have two quality wins." :/ Rapidly ballooning expectations, what can you say...hold your horses everyone, or we're gonna run Pelini out of town sooner or later for not delivering a NC or two this decade.

Draw a line after the Missouri game, because that's the point where our starting and 2nd string QB are both knocked out; Lee for effectively the year.

We start Cody, and somehow Iowa freaking State puts up 30 points on us. OK, fine, 24 in regulation, with 3 of those coming off of turnover. Not sure where in this Watson gets blamed considering the stud games Roy and Rex both put up that day. Our third string QB, who was lightly concussed in the process, was the only liability with his in-game composure, and at least he didn't turn the ball over and went 7-12 for 79 yards through the air, with one sack. No question which unit was the liability on that day.

From there on out we have a bad situation at QB. We struggle with Taylor, we struggle with Cody. We lose Niles, then put together a solid game against a bad team in CU.

There's not much you can do with a QB situation as unfortunate as we have faced this year. Hopefully Cody makes more strides but regardless I hope this doesn't happen next year. But when you do go down to your 3rd QB and have your starter lose the part of his game that makes him good, there's really just so much to do.

Here's a question though: why do we have so many dang injuries, 2 years running now? Is it something with the training? I have no idea, it's just that we always seem to have a ton of guys banged up. Zac's hand must be made of glass or something. And Roy's NFL career will be very short if his shoulders don't hold up better.

 

[huskerscott]

We beat Missouri and Oklahoma State this year. Id say they are pretty good teams. While I dont agree with some of Watson's calls, a lot of it was just players execution. If the o-line blocked on the pass call to Martinez, its an easy TD. Our offensive line did not play well, what would you have done? Run the ball more? Pass more and lose more yardage on sacks. Its amazing how many fans turn on this team after one game. We lost by 3 points to a very good Oklahoma team. We didnt play our best and we turned the ball over too much. If anything, this loss falls more on the players then the coaches. The coaches were not out there fumbling the ball and throwing interceptions.

i agree with some of your points but how many yards a pop was Rex getting while running the Wild Cat. Hell, OU's secondary was more scared of his passing threat then they were of Taylors! I just don't understand Watson's thinking.....Run something until the other team shuts it down. It was obvious that OU was NOT shutting down Rex in the Wild Cat!!!

Which is precisely why SW ditched it. It wouldn't be "multiple" to stay with something that works.

OK. What makes a good offensive coordinator is knowing what plays to call in certain situations. In that situation, Watson called the perfect play, we just didnt execute it. Who knows how many yards we would have gotten if we would have ran it. Oklahoma stuffed the box, and Martinez was wide open. Our offensive line blocks and its a good snap, we have a touchdown and take the lead. Why run something until the other team shuts it down when you can run something that will get you a TD? If we score on that play, we win the Big 12- OU was not going to score a TD, and everyone is saying how great a call it was. Even during the game at that point, people on here were saying theyd like to see a throw to Martinez, and after it doesnt work, not because of Watsons call, but because of the players fault, everyone hates Watson. Hate Watson all you want, but he did not lose us this game.

Sigh....I'd love to hear your explanation of why with 3rd and 8 on the OU 39 with Alex kicking 60+ yard bombs we put taylor in the shotgun to get sacked for the...wait for it....7th time! Writing on the wall...

Yes this is what really put me over the top.... the whole drive Im thinkin just give alex a chance. Considering how awesome :sarcasm Taylor was taking care of the ball and scrambling. This is the crap that pisses me off, we ran the wildcat that whole drive pretty much then we put taylor back in the gun on an obvoius passing situation, even though we are in the FG range to TIE the game.

Watson needs to go,

Taylor has not improved from game 1 to game 14, you can blame injuries all you want. But the guy couldnt figure out how to the throw the ball away.

 

[Redman]

Fumbles cost us dearly, but I have not heard many talk about sacks. OU sent everything but the kitchen sink on about every play. They dared us to throw the ball, Watson had no answers for it beyond Burkhead. The D needs to be supported by at least an mediocre offense, in which Watson failed to provide AGAIN. How long will Bo let this continue?

 

[zoogs]

Taylor has not improved from game 1 to game 14, you can blame injuries all you want. But the guy couldnt figure out how to the throw the ball away.

Good point to bring up here, but he has improved in ways.

In ways he hasn't, but that could be put on Taylor for being Taylor.

And the issue from the start that limits the potential progress is that once you get into a live season, the areas Taylor needs to improve on, can't really be worked on. It's the type of stuff - playing the position and all that - that you really have to sit down and take an offseason (or redshirt year) to address, for the player to make significant leaps and bounds. When you are preparing for games and opponents, it's hard to also have the time to make leaps in Taylor's pre-snap reads and understanding of the offense.

Still, it looked like he was making plenty of strides prior to injury. Even the Kansas, I thought he showed up fairly sharp at first, as well as A&M before being knocked out. He hasn't been the same since. I think that could have something to do with the suspension he served following TAM.

 

[jayhawk]

Everyone always has things they can do better. I would say the Huskers had a good season. The team was very good, all losses were close and there were not that many of them. I know they could have done better, but Bo has the Huskers consistently playing well. I wish if anything could change, his meltdown at A&M could have been a little more controlled, as that sort of thing can be more defining than the game. I know this team could have done better, but it won some big games too. You guys beat Okie State and Mizzou as good wins and got 8 more besides. I am not going to say always look to next year, but this was at least a good year, where Nebraska establishes that it competes for National titles every year.

 

[macroboy]

Staying with something that works = betting the defense won't stop it once they know you are staying with it.

That's why you change things up...

I remember when people were calling for no more zone read, they were stopping it. A short while later, it was "Zone read with Rex was working beautifully. And we go away from it again, great."

Most play callers wait for it to be stopped before switching. Wats apparently waits for one bad snap and throws the wildcat out the window.

I thought most play callers on both O and D would try to stay one step in front of the other - but that could just be me.

I feel if he did do what you suggested, he might be criticized for continuing to do something even when it was obviously not working.

Zoogies, you are never gonna win this. People don't want reason, they want blame. I watched the game w/ 2 friends on the fire Wats bandwagon. At any given point they were screaming

"Why the F@^% are you passing, we should be running the ball!! Stupid Watson!"

......2 plays later......."Why do you keep running the ball, throw it!!Stupid Watson!"

.....on the GREAT 4th down call......."I'll never criticize you again Shawn Watson"

......2 minutes later........"Stupid Watson!I hate you Shawn Wastson!!"

...when Martinez is melting down......."Get him out of there. Run the wildcat!!Stupid Watson!"

...when Burkhead fumbles a bad snap....."Why do you keep running that play! Stupid Watson!"

One of them even called for Pelini to be fired.

Disappointing loss but we got manhandled in the 2nd half. Oline got destroyed and freshman QB came apart. I do have some concerns about play calling. I have more concerns about the fumbles, penalties, and just over-all lack of execution. It has been happening for too long and I think that has to go back to coaching.

Having Martinez hurt for much of the year means you have to get another QB ready and is time taken away from his development. The kid is worse than Jamal Lord at getting rid of the ball (unless he is fumbling it). He also takes RIDICULOUS hits. He will never make it four years as a QB if he doesn't learn to protect himself better.

 

[macroboy]

And to the OP- I'm cool with a 10 win season and an appearance in the CCG. I wanted more but I don't live in fantasy land. Most of Osborne's tenure was running over a weak Big 8 and then losing to a talented OU team and in a bowl game against real competition. Maybe I've come to expect late season heartbreak.

Lots of ups and downs this season but I had a blast and even though it is a weak bowl we do still have one more game.

 

[jayhawk]

This quote is both high quality and very true (not just about Nebraska fans, but fans in general)

Staying with something that works = betting the defense won't stop it once they know you are staying with it.

That's why you change things up...

I remember when people were calling for no more zone read, they were stopping it. A short while later, it was "Zone read with Rex was working beautifully. And we go away from it again, great."

Most play callers wait for it to be stopped before switching. Wats apparently waits for one bad snap and throws the wildcat out the window.

I thought most play callers on both O and D would try to stay one step in front of the other - but that could just be me.

I feel if he did do what you suggested, he might be criticized for continuing to do something even when it was obviously not working.

Zoogies, you are never gonna win this. People don't want reason, they want blame. I watched the game w/ 2 friends on the fire Wats bandwagon. At any given point they were screaming

"Why the F@^% are you passing, we should be running the ball!! Stupid Watson!"

......2 plays later......."Why do you keep running the ball, throw it!!Stupid Watson!"

.....on the GREAT 4th down call......."I'll never criticize you again Shawn Watson"

......2 minutes later........"Stupid Watson!I hate you Shawn Wastson!!"

...when Martinez is melting down......."Get him out of there. Run the wildcat!!Stupid Watson!"

...when Burkhead fumbles a bad snap....."Why do you keep running that play! Stupid Watson!"

One of them even called for Pelini to be fired.

Disappointing loss but we got manhandled in the 2nd half. Oline got destroyed and freshman QB came apart. I do have some concerns about play calling. I have more concerns about the fumbles, penalties, and just over-all lack of execution. It has been happening for too long and I think that has to go back to coaching.

Having Martinez hurt for much of the year means you have to get another QB ready and is time taken away from his development. The kid is worse than Jamal Lord at getting rid of the ball (unless he is fumbling it). He also takes RIDICULOUS hits. He will never make it four years as a QB if he doesn't learn to protect himself better.

 

[GMoose]

The "there's always next year" mentality is what's holding this team back. They can't stay hungry, and I think it comes from the staff. We build a 17 point lead and the coaching staff changes the way they coach, why wouldn't the players change the way they play?

It's why we lost to TTU last year, Texas this year, why we should have lost to ISU this year, and why we coughed up a 17 point lead.

 

[schuhbdoo]

Good lord.... Some of you people really piss me off. 10 win season, boys play their hearts out in the Big 12 Championship and come out a little short, and you're all over Tmagic, coaches, and others about the loss? Do you not think every player in that locker room feels 100 times as bad as we all do right now?

I can see some blame on Watson. On a few aspects of the coaching. But 10 wins... Give them some credit. A 10 win season is something millions of fans dream about their teams achieving. We get it, and oh look, we're not content. Okay, get rid of Watson. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me. But don't let a few bad performances outline what this team has accomplished.

We will likely have 11 wins this season. 11. And we're not happy? Okayyy. Cool.

Be disgruntled all you want, be pissed at the coaches, but for the love of God at least get off of Taylor's back. He gave it his all, after all of you accused him of quitting the team, and not having his heart set on playing at Nebraska. You all tossed him under the bus. He had no support coming in. But he tried. He tried damn hard. Did that look like an athlete who wasn't interested in his team? I don't think so.

Calm down husker nation. There's always next year.

You're right about coming down too hard on the team, but the coaches deserver it. Let's take a look at our marvelous ten wins:

W- Western Kentucky- 49-10

W- Idaho- 38-17

W- Washington- 56-21

W- South Dakota State- 17-3

Many people were waving red flags after this game, but even more(including me) were still drinking the T-magic koolaid.

W- Kansas State- 48-13

L- Texas- 20-13

Excuse after this game is Texas just owns us.

W- #14 Oklahoma State- 51-41

W- #6 Missouri- 31-17

Our only two quality wins this season are Mizzou and OSU.

W(OT)- Iowa State- 31-30

W-Kansas- 20-3

L- #19 Texas A&M- 9-6

W- Colorado- 45-17

L- #9 Oklahoma- 23-20

Judging from those impressive wins, what exactly looks promising next year?

W- Fresno State

W- Washington

W- Wyoming

L- Wisconsin

L- Ohio State

W- Minnesota

L- Michigan State

W- Northwestern

W- Penn State

L- Michigan

L- Iowa

We'll be thrilled for the insight bowl this time next year. This was a cupcake schedule, and if we had an offense we'd be top 5 and in ncg discussions. Unfortunately I think the problems on offense go deeper than Watson.

I know it's too early to predict our schedule, and do to the fact that I am drunk and pissed....I don't see us beating NW or PSU next year. Watson will get outcoached by both of those coaches. Hell, at this rate Fresno State may not be a give me next year either!

I was being optimistic. Also, I forgot to highlight the EFFING OVERTIME WITH IOWA EFFING STATE. Where'd my drink go?

:rollin :rollin

Good to laugh a little. But your right, it will be tough to win 10 games again next year, not impossible but tough.

GBR!!!

I see 10 or 11 wins and a Big 10 conference championship for next year and then a BCS bowl. Rose Bowl!!! I live in So Cal, so I will be able to go to all the Rose Bowl games. Who is really that tough in the schedule. OSU and Wisc. Every other team is a walk over. If NU plays well we can beat OSU and Wisc next year. We have a great D year in and year out. OSU and Wisc beat up on weak Big 10 teams. I am not that impressed. We have to deal with OU and Texas every year and Missou too and not OKIE State. We may be leaving a tougher conference for a weaker one.

 

[Ringer02]

Staying with something that works = betting the defense won't stop it once they know you are staying with it.

That's why you change things up...

I remember when people were calling for no more zone read, they were stopping it. A short while later, it was "Zone read with Rex was working beautifully. And we go away from it again, great."

Most play callers wait for it to be stopped before switching. Wats apparently waits for one bad snap and throws the wildcat out the window.

I thought most play callers on both O and D would try to stay one step in front of the other - but that could just be me.

I feel if he did do what you suggested, he might be criticized for continuing to do something even when it was obviously not working.

Zoogies, you are never gonna win this. People don't want reason, they want blame. I watched the game w/ 2 friends on the fire Wats bandwagon. At any given point they were screaming

"Why the F@^% are you passing, we should be running the ball!! Stupid Watson!"

......2 plays later......."Why do you keep running the ball, throw it!!Stupid Watson!"

.....on the GREAT 4th down call......."I'll never criticize you again Shawn Watson"

......2 minutes later........"Stupid Watson!I hate you Shawn Wastson!!"

...when Martinez is melting down......."Get him out of there. Run the wildcat!!Stupid Watson!"

...when Burkhead fumbles a bad snap....."Why do you keep running that play! Stupid Watson!"

One of them even called for Pelini to be fired.

Disappointing loss but we got manhandled in the 2nd half. Oline got destroyed and freshman QB came apart. I do have some concerns about play calling. I have more concerns about the fumbles, penalties, and just over-all lack of execution. It has been happening for too long and I think that has to go back to coaching.

Having Martinez hurt for much of the year means you have to get another QB ready and is time taken away from his development. The kid is worse than Jamal Lord at getting rid of the ball (unless he is fumbling it). He also takes RIDICULOUS hits. He will never make it four years as a QB if he doesn't learn to protect himself better.

just because they don't know what they're talking about doesn't mean the 2nd half play calling wasn't terrible. I don't know if I could ever forgive him for switching out of the wild cat for 3rd down when everyone and their mother knew martinez was going to get sacked and take us out of field goal range. Those are the kind of calls that define a career.

 

[Haspula]

We will go 9-4 next year with that 2011 inaugural schedule