Nebraska -10 vs Ohio State

[bringonUrban]

This is a hard one to predict. Before the season began, I predicted that NU would be 8-4 regular season --- 4-0 "preseason" and then 4-4 in conference, with a certain loss to Wisconsin, a near certain loss to OSU and then going 4-2 against the grouping of Iowa, Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern, and Minnesota. Now, after 5 games are in, the only modification is that Michigan moves to a certain loss and Ohio State moves into that camp of toss-up (those two teams swapping).

Anyway...

OSU is seriously under achieving. As far as overall talent is concerned, they are likely the most talented team in the conference... though at QB they are really struggling, and they seem to be dealing poorly, as a team, with adversity. They are tough to predict... with that much talent, they will have to emerge sometime...

NU is seriously under achieving too. We are poorly coached, under prepared and play with poor fundamentals (poor tackling, penalties, missed blocking assignments, missed coverage assignments, dropped passes, etc.). We just got destroyed on national TV and were wildly exposed --- the nation now knows what Husker fans with open eyes have known for some time... NU is not a strong football team. What confidence level does this team now have?

Regarding the line.... that will play badly for NU. OSU will have a chip on their shoulders now. For anybody to be a 9pt dog to an NU team that was so beyond pathetic last week (and poor all season... and having ended last season losing 3 of their last 4) is beyond insulting. OSU will come in with nothing but fire-breathing intensity for being so disrespected. Not good for NU. I wish we were the underdogs. I do suspect that the line will go down throughout the week.

I do not think that the game will be as low scoring as some think... but...

I would say that the OSU scores somewhere between 17-30 pts and NU somewhere between 7 - 24 pts. Taking a kind of middle range, I will go with OSU 23 NU 20. That said, while last weeks game with Wisconsin was a no-brainer to predict, this weeks game is really a difficult one to pick. My pick is predicated upon NU's psyche being damaged by the national TV embarrassment coupled with the OSU line that should so infuriate OSU and, at the same time, OSU has nothing to lose... so now they can just play like wild men ( and they are really talented... that talent will surface at some point). A turnover or two... or a special teams play or two (Ameer in particular) can close that gap and make this game tip toward NU... but still I see OSU by 3.

I am not a betting man... but anybody who is should take OSU + 9.5 pts... that should be a 95% likelihood to go your way.

I may modify the prediction I have later this week predicated upon who OSU has (or does not have) back. Also, I'd like to hear what the press conference today says about how the team is holding up. So, I might change later... but, for now, rather than NU by 9.5 pts I see OSU by 3.

Dude... did you watch OSU play last week? I'm guessing no, because they made our 2009 offense look amazing. I know you like to proclaim yourself as the cheerleader for the realist crowd, but get over it. Yes, we sucked, but your reveling in the fact that you were "right" is sickening.

Ya, our offense is bad. The only thing that I would say we have got going for us is a good running game. But that is easy to stop when you can't pass the ball.

 

[robsker]

This is a hard one to predict. Before the season began, I predicted that NU would be 8-4 regular season --- 4-0 "preseason" and then 4-4 in conference, with a certain loss to Wisconsin, a near certain loss to OSU and then going 4-2 against the grouping of Iowa, Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern, and Minnesota. Now, after 5 games are in, the only modification is that Michigan moves to a certain loss and Ohio State moves into that camp of toss-up (those two teams swapping).

Anyway...

OSU is seriously under achieving. As far as overall talent is concerned, they are likely the most talented team in the conference... though at QB they are really struggling, and they seem to be dealing poorly, as a team, with adversity. They are tough to predict... with that much talent, they will have to emerge sometime...

NU is seriously under achieving too. We are poorly coached, under prepared and play with poor fundamentals (poor tackling, penalties, missed blocking assignments, missed coverage assignments, dropped passes, etc.). We just got destroyed on national TV and were wildly exposed --- the nation now knows what Husker fans with open eyes have known for some time... NU is not a strong football team. What confidence level does this team now have?

Regarding the line.... that will play badly for NU. OSU will have a chip on their shoulders now. For anybody to be a 9pt dog to an NU team that was so beyond pathetic last week (and poor all season... and having ended last season losing 3 of their last 4) is beyond insulting. OSU will come in with nothing but fire-breathing intensity for being so disrespected. Not good for NU. I wish we were the underdogs. I do suspect that the line will go down throughout the week.

I do not think that the game will be as low scoring as some think... but...

I would say that the OSU scores somewhere between 17-30 pts and NU somewhere between 7 - 24 pts. Taking a kind of middle range, I will go with OSU 23 NU 20. That said, while last weeks game with Wisconsin was a no-brainer to predict, this weeks game is really a difficult one to pick. My pick is predicated upon NU's psyche being damaged by the national TV embarrassment coupled with the OSU line that should so infuriate OSU and, at the same time, OSU has nothing to lose... so now they can just play like wild men ( and they are really talented... that talent will surface at some point). A turnover or two... or a special teams play or two (Ameer in particular) can close that gap and make this game tip toward NU... but still I see OSU by 3.

I am not a betting man... but anybody who is should take OSU + 9.5 pts... that should be a 95% likelihood to go your way.

I may modify the prediction I have later this week predicated upon who OSU has (or does not have) back. Also, I'd like to hear what the press conference today says about how the team is holding up. So, I might change later... but, for now, rather than NU by 9.5 pts I see OSU by 3.

Dude... did you watch OSU play last week? I'm guessing no, because they made our 2009 offense look amazing. I know you like to proclaim yourself as the cheerleader for the realist crowd, but get over it. Yes, we sucked, but your reveling in the fact that you were "right" is sickening.

I did not see the OSU game last week, no. But earlier, at least at times, they looked pretty good. And they have undeniable talent. And you might be right that OSU is worse than I think they are --- that would be good if they were. Is perhaps MSU in part the reason OSU looked bad? MSU is a pretty solid team.

As for reveling in being right... well I was numbered among many... tons of people predicted a Wisconsin blowout and tons of people were right. I live out of state and where I reside now I hang with a good subset of hard-core college football fans --- some who like NU somewhat, most who are neutral towards NU, and a few who dislike the Big Red. So... listening to their perspectives provides a nice balance because that pool of people are basically neutral --- and of the 10 or so people I asked before the Wisconsin game not one NOT ONE predicted an NU victory and 80% felt that NU would lose by 3 or more touchdowns. And for further reference, most non-Husker diehards nationally predicted a Wisconsin blowout. Finally, if you look back at my prediction posts.... I really was not that correct myself --- I stated that a blowout was possible but then predicted a 17 pt loss only --- so I was not really that close.

For what it is worth, of the neutral pool of people I have talked to (only 3 so far) they all see a close game with OSU... one hedging toward OSU, one toward NU, and one saying dead even. All are shocked at the early spread.

And.... I have never championed myself on this board as anything...

 

[Saunders]

This is a hard one to predict. Before the season began, I predicted that NU would be 8-4 regular season --- 4-0 "preseason" and then 4-4 in conference, with a certain loss to Wisconsin, a near certain loss to OSU and then going 4-2 against the grouping of Iowa, Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern, and Minnesota. Now, after 5 games are in, the only modification is that Michigan moves to a certain loss and Ohio State moves into that camp of toss-up (those two teams swapping).

Anyway...

OSU is seriously under achieving. As far as overall talent is concerned, they are likely the most talented team in the conference... though at QB they are really struggling, and they seem to be dealing poorly, as a team, with adversity. They are tough to predict... with that much talent, they will have to emerge sometime...

NU is seriously under achieving too. We are poorly coached, under prepared and play with poor fundamentals (poor tackling, penalties, missed blocking assignments, missed coverage assignments, dropped passes, etc.). We just got destroyed on national TV and were wildly exposed --- the nation now knows what Husker fans with open eyes have known for some time... NU is not a strong football team. What confidence level does this team now have?

Regarding the line.... that will play badly for NU. OSU will have a chip on their shoulders now. For anybody to be a 9pt dog to an NU team that was so beyond pathetic last week (and poor all season... and having ended last season losing 3 of their last 4) is beyond insulting. OSU will come in with nothing but fire-breathing intensity for being so disrespected. Not good for NU. I wish we were the underdogs. I do suspect that the line will go down throughout the week.

I do not think that the game will be as low scoring as some think... but...

I would say that the OSU scores somewhere between 17-30 pts and NU somewhere between 7 - 24 pts. Taking a kind of middle range, I will go with OSU 23 NU 20. That said, while last weeks game with Wisconsin was a no-brainer to predict, this weeks game is really a difficult one to pick. My pick is predicated upon NU's psyche being damaged by the national TV embarrassment coupled with the OSU line that should so infuriate OSU and, at the same time, OSU has nothing to lose... so now they can just play like wild men ( and they are really talented... that talent will surface at some point). A turnover or two... or a special teams play or two (Ameer in particular) can close that gap and make this game tip toward NU... but still I see OSU by 3.

I am not a betting man... but anybody who is should take OSU + 9.5 pts... that should be a 95% likelihood to go your way.

I may modify the prediction I have later this week predicated upon who OSU has (or does not have) back. Also, I'd like to hear what the press conference today says about how the team is holding up. So, I might change later... but, for now, rather than NU by 9.5 pts I see OSU by 3.

Dude... did you watch OSU play last week? I'm guessing no, because they made our 2009 offense look amazing. I know you like to proclaim yourself as the cheerleader for the realist crowd, but get over it. Yes, we sucked, but your reveling in the fact that you were "right" is sickening.

I did not see the OSU game last week, no. But earlier, at least at times, they looked pretty good. And they have undeniable talent. And you might be right that OSU is worse than I think they are --- that would be good if they were. Is perhaps MSU in part the reason OSU looked bad? MSU is a pretty solid team.

As for reveling in being right... well I was numbered among many... tons of people predicted a Wisconsin blowout and tons of people were right. I live out of state and where I reside now I hang with a good subset of hard-core college football fans --- some who like NU somewhat, most who are neutral towards NU, and a few who dislike the Big Red. So... listening to their perspectives provides a nice balance because that pool of people are basically neutral --- and of the 10 or so people I asked before the Wisconsin game not one NOT ONE predicted an NU victory and 80% felt that NU would lose by 3 or more touchdowns. And for further reference, most non-Husker diehards nationally predicted a Wisconsin blowout. Finally, if you look back at my prediction posts.... I really was not that correct myself --- I stated that a blowout was possible but then predicted a 17 pt loss only --- so I was not really that close.

For what it is worth, of the neutral pool of people I have talked to (only 3 so far) they all see a close game with OSU... one hedging toward OSU, one toward NU, and one saying dead even. All are shocked at the early spread.

And.... I have never championed myself on this board as anything...

Considering it's as rare as a unicorn for you to be positive about the team.... yeah.....

Anyway, OSU didn't even crack 100 total yards against Michigan state until a couple minutes left in the 4th quarter. And no, Michigan State is not good. They got murdered by Notre Dame, and Cousins kept throwing dumb pass after dumb pass against OSU. Hell, if OSU wasn't soo bad on offense, they could have won this game easily. It's going to take a similar performance to last week for us to lose this game.

 

[robsker]

This is a hard one to predict. Before the season began, I predicted that NU would be 8-4 regular season --- 4-0 "preseason" and then 4-4 in conference, with a certain loss to Wisconsin, a near certain loss to OSU and then going 4-2 against the grouping of Iowa, Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern, and Minnesota. Now, after 5 games are in, the only modification is that Michigan moves to a certain loss and Ohio State moves into that camp of toss-up (those two teams swapping).

Anyway...

OSU is seriously under achieving. As far as overall talent is concerned, they are likely the most talented team in the conference... though at QB they are really struggling, and they seem to be dealing poorly, as a team, with adversity. They are tough to predict... with that much talent, they will have to emerge sometime...

NU is seriously under achieving too. We are poorly coached, under prepared and play with poor fundamentals (poor tackling, penalties, missed blocking assignments, missed coverage assignments, dropped passes, etc.). We just got destroyed on national TV and were wildly exposed --- the nation now knows what Husker fans with open eyes have known for some time... NU is not a strong football team. What confidence level does this team now have?

Regarding the line.... that will play badly for NU. OSU will have a chip on their shoulders now. For anybody to be a 9pt dog to an NU team that was so beyond pathetic last week (and poor all season... and having ended last season losing 3 of their last 4) is beyond insulting. OSU will come in with nothing but fire-breathing intensity for being so disrespected. Not good for NU. I wish we were the underdogs. I do suspect that the line will go down throughout the week.

I do not think that the game will be as low scoring as some think... but...

I would say that the OSU scores somewhere between 17-30 pts and NU somewhere between 7 - 24 pts. Taking a kind of middle range, I will go with OSU 23 NU 20. That said, while last weeks game with Wisconsin was a no-brainer to predict, this weeks game is really a difficult one to pick. My pick is predicated upon NU's psyche being damaged by the national TV embarrassment coupled with the OSU line that should so infuriate OSU and, at the same time, OSU has nothing to lose... so now they can just play like wild men ( and they are really talented... that talent will surface at some point). A turnover or two... or a special teams play or two (Ameer in particular) can close that gap and make this game tip toward NU... but still I see OSU by 3.

I am not a betting man... but anybody who is should take OSU + 9.5 pts... that should be a 95% likelihood to go your way.

I may modify the prediction I have later this week predicated upon who OSU has (or does not have) back. Also, I'd like to hear what the press conference today says about how the team is holding up. So, I might change later... but, for now, rather than NU by 9.5 pts I see OSU by 3.

Dude... did you watch OSU play last week? I'm guessing no, because they made our 2009 offense look amazing. I know you like to proclaim yourself as the cheerleader for the realist crowd, but get over it. Yes, we sucked, but your reveling in the fact that you were "right" is sickening.

Ya, our offense is bad. The only thing that I would say we have got going for us is a good running game. But that is easy to stop when you can't pass the ball.

Bringonurban:

Sounds like you are down on your team.... many of us here are down on our team as well.

Have you watched much NU football this year? if so, I'd love your overall assessment of what you see, and, in particular, what you see as the problems with our defense and what is your take on the play of our QB. I enjoy hearing what non-NU football fans in the know think of NU.

 

[Badger_HB]

OSU sans Posey and Herron (which now looks to be the case) is not nearly as daunting.

 

[robsker]

This is a hard one to predict. Before the season began, I predicted that NU would be 8-4 regular season --- 4-0 "preseason" and then 4-4 in conference, with a certain loss to Wisconsin, a near certain loss to OSU and then going 4-2 against the grouping of Iowa, Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern, and Minnesota. Now, after 5 games are in, the only modification is that Michigan moves to a certain loss and Ohio State moves into that camp of toss-up (those two teams swapping).

Anyway...

OSU is seriously under achieving. As far as overall talent is concerned, they are likely the most talented team in the conference... though at QB they are really struggling, and they seem to be dealing poorly, as a team, with adversity. They are tough to predict... with that much talent, they will have to emerge sometime...

NU is seriously under achieving too. We are poorly coached, under prepared and play with poor fundamentals (poor tackling, penalties, missed blocking assignments, missed coverage assignments, dropped passes, etc.). We just got destroyed on national TV and were wildly exposed --- the nation now knows what Husker fans with open eyes have known for some time... NU is not a strong football team. What confidence level does this team now have?

Regarding the line.... that will play badly for NU. OSU will have a chip on their shoulders now. For anybody to be a 9pt dog to an NU team that was so beyond pathetic last week (and poor all season... and having ended last season losing 3 of their last 4) is beyond insulting. OSU will come in with nothing but fire-breathing intensity for being so disrespected. Not good for NU. I wish we were the underdogs. I do suspect that the line will go down throughout the week.

I do not think that the game will be as low scoring as some think... but...

I would say that the OSU scores somewhere between 17-30 pts and NU somewhere between 7 - 24 pts. Taking a kind of middle range, I will go with OSU 23 NU 20. That said, while last weeks game with Wisconsin was a no-brainer to predict, this weeks game is really a difficult one to pick. My pick is predicated upon NU's psyche being damaged by the national TV embarrassment coupled with the OSU line that should so infuriate OSU and, at the same time, OSU has nothing to lose... so now they can just play like wild men ( and they are really talented... that talent will surface at some point). A turnover or two... or a special teams play or two (Ameer in particular) can close that gap and make this game tip toward NU... but still I see OSU by 3.

I am not a betting man... but anybody who is should take OSU + 9.5 pts... that should be a 95% likelihood to go your way.

I may modify the prediction I have later this week predicated upon who OSU has (or does not have) back. Also, I'd like to hear what the press conference today says about how the team is holding up. So, I might change later... but, for now, rather than NU by 9.5 pts I see OSU by 3.

Dude... did you watch OSU play last week? I'm guessing no, because they made our 2009 offense look amazing. I know you like to proclaim yourself as the cheerleader for the realist crowd, but get over it. Yes, we sucked, but your reveling in the fact that you were "right" is sickening.

I did not see the OSU game last week, no. But earlier, at least at times, they looked pretty good. And they have undeniable talent. And you might be right that OSU is worse than I think they are --- that would be good if they were. Is perhaps MSU in part the reason OSU looked bad? MSU is a pretty solid team.

As for reveling in being right... well I was numbered among many... tons of people predicted a Wisconsin blowout and tons of people were right. I live out of state and where I reside now I hang with a good subset of hard-core college football fans --- some who like NU somewhat, most who are neutral towards NU, and a few who dislike the Big Red. So... listening to their perspectives provides a nice balance because that pool of people are basically neutral --- and of the 10 or so people I asked before the Wisconsin game not one NOT ONE predicted an NU victory and 80% felt that NU would lose by 3 or more touchdowns. And for further reference, most non-Husker diehards nationally predicted a Wisconsin blowout. Finally, if you look back at my prediction posts.... I really was not that correct myself --- I stated that a blowout was possible but then predicted a 17 pt loss only --- so I was not really that close.

For what it is worth, of the neutral pool of people I have talked to (only 3 so far) they all see a close game with OSU... one hedging toward OSU, one toward NU, and one saying dead even. All are shocked at the early spread.

And.... I have never championed myself on this board as anything...

Considering it's as rare as a unicorn for you to be positive about the team.... yeah.....

Anyway, OSU didn't even crack 100 total yards against Michigan state until a couple minutes left in the 4th quarter. And no, Michigan State is not good. They got murdered by Notre Dame, and Cousins kept throwing dumb pass after dumb pass against OSU. Hell, if OSU wasn't soo bad on offense, they could have won this game easily. It's going to take a similar performance to last week for us to lose this game.

Now Saunders, you definitely have me on this one... though maybe you are exaggerating a wee bit (but maybe not much). You are quite correct in that I am not often overly positive about the state of NU football these day --- or the past oh... decade or so. But I am at times somewhat positive about elements of the team (and I do not ridicule players as some here do... and I am not impugning you here at all). I do love NU football and it is fun to follow and cheer for the team and I love NU football as much as any other crazy person on this board. I am really though not so much a "wins and losses guy" as I am a "I'm happy so long as we play clean, hard, peddle-to-the-metal intense football." If you look at my posts, generally, you will see that. I am down on this team not because they lose (when the lose) but because the intense, focused, football that I like to think characterizes NU football has been missing for quite some time. Because we have been flat and, at the same time, oddly tight (seemingly ready to implode at any time) I am hard pressed to see us doing very well. Maybe we beat OSU... I think it will be quite close... but even if OSU is as bad as you say they are (and they may be), NU is well... pretty bad too.

 

[bringonUrban]

This is a hard one to predict. Before the season began, I predicted that NU would be 8-4 regular season --- 4-0 "preseason" and then 4-4 in conference, with a certain loss to Wisconsin, a near certain loss to OSU and then going 4-2 against the grouping of Iowa, Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern, and Minnesota. Now, after 5 games are in, the only modification is that Michigan moves to a certain loss and Ohio State moves into that camp of toss-up (those two teams swapping).

Anyway...

OSU is seriously under achieving. As far as overall talent is concerned, they are likely the most talented team in the conference... though at QB they are really struggling, and they seem to be dealing poorly, as a team, with adversity. They are tough to predict... with that much talent, they will have to emerge sometime...

NU is seriously under achieving too. We are poorly coached, under prepared and play with poor fundamentals (poor tackling, penalties, missed blocking assignments, missed coverage assignments, dropped passes, etc.). We just got destroyed on national TV and were wildly exposed --- the nation now knows what Husker fans with open eyes have known for some time... NU is not a strong football team. What confidence level does this team now have?

Regarding the line.... that will play badly for NU. OSU will have a chip on their shoulders now. For anybody to be a 9pt dog to an NU team that was so beyond pathetic last week (and poor all season... and having ended last season losing 3 of their last 4) is beyond insulting. OSU will come in with nothing but fire-breathing intensity for being so disrespected. Not good for NU. I wish we were the underdogs. I do suspect that the line will go down throughout the week.

I do not think that the game will be as low scoring as some think... but...

I would say that the OSU scores somewhere between 17-30 pts and NU somewhere between 7 - 24 pts. Taking a kind of middle range, I will go with OSU 23 NU 20. That said, while last weeks game with Wisconsin was a no-brainer to predict, this weeks game is really a difficult one to pick. My pick is predicated upon NU's psyche being damaged by the national TV embarrassment coupled with the OSU line that should so infuriate OSU and, at the same time, OSU has nothing to lose... so now they can just play like wild men ( and they are really talented... that talent will surface at some point). A turnover or two... or a special teams play or two (Ameer in particular) can close that gap and make this game tip toward NU... but still I see OSU by 3.

I am not a betting man... but anybody who is should take OSU + 9.5 pts... that should be a 95% likelihood to go your way.

I may modify the prediction I have later this week predicated upon who OSU has (or does not have) back. Also, I'd like to hear what the press conference today says about how the team is holding up. So, I might change later... but, for now, rather than NU by 9.5 pts I see OSU by 3.

Dude... did you watch OSU play last week? I'm guessing no, because they made our 2009 offense look amazing. I know you like to proclaim yourself as the cheerleader for the realist crowd, but get over it. Yes, we sucked, but your reveling in the fact that you were "right" is sickening.

Ya, our offense is bad. The only thing that I would say we have got going for us is a good running game. But that is easy to stop when you can't pass the ball.

Bringonurban:

Sounds like you are down on your team.... many of us here are down on our team as well.

Have you watched much NU football this year? if so, I'd love your overall assessment of what you see, and, in particular, what you see as the problems with our defense and what is your take on the play of our QB. I enjoy hearing what non-NU football fans in the know think of NU.

I am very down on the Bucks.. but I think every tOSU fan is. Its hard going from watching an offense that seemed to always get done what needed to get done to not being able even get 100 yards. If you haven't watched one of our games.. its just woeful. Our offensive line is a mess, the QB situation is bad because the O-line cant protect and every single one of our receivers are fresh off the boat. They are young, small and unable to get seperation. Most are so young they haven't even been in the weight room enough to make any kind of difference and what you see happening is they are unable to get off the jams at the line of scrimmage. IF, and this is up in the air now according to ESPN, we get Posey back, it will help but not enough. I think Crick is going to have a field day with Braxton.

I have watched a few NU games (thanks to the big ten network)

Defense: To me it looks like you guys are still young there (much like us) and possibly a tad undersized for the Big Ten. The difference between the SEC and the Big Ten is not skill positions.. it is offense and defensive lines. Those guys have the perfect balance of speed and power. Just keep in mind that Wisconsin's offensive line is a beast... SEC good. I think the most telling stat duing that game was when they compared the Wisconsin line to the Green Bay line and Wisconsin line on average was an inch taller and 10lbs heavier. They absolutely destroyed our defensive line last year.. and we had a good defensive line last year. I think against most of the teams you will play in the Legends you will be ok from here on out but you will have issues with Michigan if Denard stays healthy, just because he is so fast and elusive.

Offense: I think your problem is quite simply the QB and some undersized linemen. I have seen a couple of his interviews including the post game of Wisconsin on the Husker Extra site and quite frankly I do not like his attitude at all. He seems pompus and indifferent.. not really leadership material. You guys have a new offensive coordinator this year.. just keep in mind it will take time to develop. As far as Bo, he is a great coach and I know he will get you guys where you need to be. Ultimately, you guys were set up to fail from day one with the schedule you pulled. If tattoo gate was non-existent you guys would had a rough time with us this year, but honestly I think you guys will beat us.

 

[robsker]

This is a hard one to predict. Before the season began, I predicted that NU would be 8-4 regular season --- 4-0 "preseason" and then 4-4 in conference, with a certain loss to Wisconsin, a near certain loss to OSU and then going 4-2 against the grouping of Iowa, Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern, and Minnesota. Now, after 5 games are in, the only modification is that Michigan moves to a certain loss and Ohio State moves into that camp of toss-up (those two teams swapping).

Anyway...

OSU is seriously under achieving. As far as overall talent is concerned, they are likely the most talented team in the conference... though at QB they are really struggling, and they seem to be dealing poorly, as a team, with adversity. They are tough to predict... with that much talent, they will have to emerge sometime...

NU is seriously under achieving too. We are poorly coached, under prepared and play with poor fundamentals (poor tackling, penalties, missed blocking assignments, missed coverage assignments, dropped passes, etc.). We just got destroyed on national TV and were wildly exposed --- the nation now knows what Husker fans with open eyes have known for some time... NU is not a strong football team. What confidence level does this team now have?

Regarding the line.... that will play badly for NU. OSU will have a chip on their shoulders now. For anybody to be a 9pt dog to an NU team that was so beyond pathetic last week (and poor all season... and having ended last season losing 3 of their last 4) is beyond insulting. OSU will come in with nothing but fire-breathing intensity for being so disrespected. Not good for NU. I wish we were the underdogs. I do suspect that the line will go down throughout the week.

I do not think that the game will be as low scoring as some think... but...

I would say that the OSU scores somewhere between 17-30 pts and NU somewhere between 7 - 24 pts. Taking a kind of middle range, I will go with OSU 23 NU 20. That said, while last weeks game with Wisconsin was a no-brainer to predict, this weeks game is really a difficult one to pick. My pick is predicated upon NU's psyche being damaged by the national TV embarrassment coupled with the OSU line that should so infuriate OSU and, at the same time, OSU has nothing to lose... so now they can just play like wild men ( and they are really talented... that talent will surface at some point). A turnover or two... or a special teams play or two (Ameer in particular) can close that gap and make this game tip toward NU... but still I see OSU by 3.

I am not a betting man... but anybody who is should take OSU + 9.5 pts... that should be a 95% likelihood to go your way.

I may modify the prediction I have later this week predicated upon who OSU has (or does not have) back. Also, I'd like to hear what the press conference today says about how the team is holding up. So, I might change later... but, for now, rather than NU by 9.5 pts I see OSU by 3.

Dude... did you watch OSU play last week? I'm guessing no, because they made our 2009 offense look amazing. I know you like to proclaim yourself as the cheerleader for the realist crowd, but get over it. Yes, we sucked, but your reveling in the fact that you were "right" is sickening.

Ya, our offense is bad. The only thing that I would say we have got going for us is a good running game. But that is easy to stop when you can't pass the ball.

Bringonurban:

Sounds like you are down on your team.... many of us here are down on our team as well.

Have you watched much NU football this year? if so, I'd love your overall assessment of what you see, and, in particular, what you see as the problems with our defense and what is your take on the play of our QB. I enjoy hearing what non-NU football fans in the know think of NU.

I am very down on the Bucks.. but I think every tOSU fan is. Its hard going from watching an offense that seemed to always get done what needed to get done to not being able even get 100 yards. If you haven't watched one of our games.. its just woeful. Our offensive line is a mess, the QB situation is bad because the O-line cant protect and every single one of our receivers are fresh off the boat. They are young, small and unable to get seperation. Most are so young they haven't even been in the weight room enough to make any kind of difference and what you see happening is they are unable to get off the jams at the line of scrimmage. IF, and this is up in the air now according to ESPN, we get Posey back, it will help but not enough. I think Crick is going to have a field day with Braxton.

I have watched a few NU games (thanks to the big ten network)

Defense: To me it looks like you guys are still young there (much like us) and possibly a tad undersized for the Big Ten. The difference between the SEC and the Big Ten is not skill positions.. it is offense and defensive lines. Those guys have the perfect balance of speed and power. Just keep in mind that Wisconsin's offensive line is a beast... SEC good. I think the most telling stat duing that game was when they compared the Wisconsin line to the Green Bay line and Wisconsin line on average was an inch taller and 10lbs heavier. They absolutely destroyed our defensive line last year.. and we had a good defensive line last year. I think against most of the teams you will play in the Legends you will be ok from here on out but you will have issues with Michigan if Denard stays healthy, just because he is so fast and elusive.

Offense: I think your problem is quite simply the QB and some undersized linemen. I have seen a couple of his interviews including the post game of Wisconsin on the Husker Extra site and quite frankly I do not like his attitude at all. He seems pompus and indifferent.. not really leadership material. You guys have a new offensive coordinator this year.. just keep in mind it will take time to develop. As far as Bo, he is a great coach and I know he will get you guys where you need to be. Ultimately, you guys were set up to fail from day one with the schedule you pulled. If tattoo gate was non-existent you guys would had a rough time with us this year, but honestly I think you guys will beat us.

Thanks for the assessment. Interesting take form an outsider on our QB's attitude.

Not that I can speak for the whole board here by any means, but you sure seem to be a level-headed knowledgeable football fan and --- at least for my part --- I welcome you here and hope you provide for us insights on the B10 throughout the season --- even after the team you love and are bummed about (OSU) plays the team I love and am bummed about (NU).

This game should be a close one. And, one way to look at it is this... someone has got to win.

 

[Badger_HB]

Ultimately, you guys were set up to fail from day one with the schedule you pulled. If tattoo gate was non-existent you guys would had a rough time with us this year, but honestly I think you guys will beat us.

This x1000. Unfortunately, Nebraska just ran into a perfect storm with what transpired this offseason at Wisconsin. Add in playing at Camp Randall, at night, and it's tough sledding. But they really caught a break with Ohio State's troubles.

 

[akita]

Here is the solution. We run the table. Wisconsin runs the table. Wisconsin is found with major recruiting violations and 2 other schools in the leaders division. Purdue gets into the Championship game. We win. I win my bet on the Huskers winning the big ten. All is happy then.

 

[knapplc]

Ultimately, you guys were set up to fail from day one with the schedule you pulled. If tattoo gate was non-existent you guys would had a rough time with us this year, but honestly I think you guys will beat us.

This x1000. Unfortunately, Nebraska just ran into a perfect storm with what transpired this offseason at Wisconsin. Add in playing at Camp Randall, at night, and it's tough sledding. But they really caught a break with Ohio State's troubles.

Once that schedule came out I was thinking we'd do all right to go 1-1 in these two games. I'm still OK with that - I just don't like that we didn't compete for 60 minutes last weekend. We're still on target for our goals. We can win out with the talent we have, we just have a LOT of work to do to get our "stuff" straight.

If we can do that, I'll take a rematch against Wisconsin in Indy, no problem.

 

[irafreak]

We'll see how we come out in this game. Mad or dejected. I don't know. If Taylor really is as frustrated as his presser suggested then I hope to heaven that Beck puts the ball in Rex's hands...(he should anyway...)

 

[bringonUrban]

Ultimately, you guys were set up to fail from day one with the schedule you pulled. If tattoo gate was non-existent you guys would had a rough time with us this year, but honestly I think you guys will beat us.

This x1000. Unfortunately, Nebraska just ran into a perfect storm with what transpired this offseason at Wisconsin. Add in playing at Camp Randall, at night, and it's tough sledding. But they really caught a break with Ohio State's troubles.

Once that schedule came out I was thinking we'd do all right to go 1-1 in these two games. I'm still OK with that - I just don't like that we didn't compete for 60 minutes last weekend. We're still on target for our goals. We can win out with the talent we have, we just have a LOT of work to do to get our "stuff" straight.

If we can do that, I'll take a rematch against Wisconsin in Indy, no problem.

@ your sig picture... Pretty crazy how similar The Shoe and NU stadium look a lot alike.

 

[JJ Husker]

There’s a rumor spreading that we may not be getting those players back for another week or two now. There’s a press conference scheduled for today at 3:30 pm EST to discuss this issue.

If this was the Ohio State team from last year I would pick them in a heartbeat to win this game. Now I don’t even know if we’ll be able to get the ball across midfield. This offense of ours is the most pathetic thing I’ve ever seen. MSU blitzed the hell out of us and our inept OC couldn’t make adjustments to save his life. I expect you guys to blitz Miller and take advantage of our poor OL as well. The buckeye O-line was patting the MSU D-line on the back as they went by. The coaching staff has no clue what’s going on. Our defense is good and is what will keep us in this game but our inability to move the ball will cost us a win in Lincoln.

I wouldn't worry too much about your pathetic offense in this contest as it is a match made in heaven for our pathetic defense. I watched both OSU-MSU & Neb-Wis games this past week. Your QB Bauserman looked just about as bad our QB Martinez throwing the ball. I don't think either of them could hit the broad side of a barn at 15 yards. Neb is not going to throw the ball unless they have to. Hate to give ya pointers but if I was the DC at OSU, I would put 8 to 9 in the box and force NU to throw. And if I was OC for you guys, I would air it out deep on offense. If you threw a hail mary every play you would burn our secondary 30-40% of the time. Unless things change drastically for one of these teams, this could be a very ugly war of futility. Would not surprise me if neither team scores double digits.

 

[Saunders]

Now Saunders, you definitely have me on this one... though maybe you are exaggerating a wee bit (but maybe not much). You are quite correct in that I am not often overly positive about the state of NU football these day --- or the past oh... decade or so. But I am at times somewhat positive about elements of the team (and I do not ridicule players as some here do... and I am not impugning you here at all). I do love NU football and it is fun to follow and cheer for the team and I love NU football as much as any other crazy person on this board. I am really though not so much a "wins and losses guy" as I am a "I'm happy so long as we play clean, hard, peddle-to-the-metal intense football." If you look at my posts, generally, you will see that. I am down on this team not because they lose (when the lose) but because the intense, focused, football that I like to think characterizes NU football has been missing for quite some time. Because we have been flat and, at the same time, oddly tight (seemingly ready to implode at any time) I am hard pressed to see us doing very well. Maybe we beat OSU... I think it will be quite close... but even if OSU is as bad as you say they are (and they may be), NU is well... pretty bad too.

Fair enough... I'm quick on the trigger today (I waited out Sunday) and some fans are just pissing me off. Watch a little bit of the OSU game on ESPN3 if you can. They are not good. Miller makes Martinez look good, but he is a true frosh. Like the Buckeye said, we could literally blitz and send guys 6 every time, and win this handily.

GBR