The Duke

I have this funny feeling that Jamal Turner is going to have a good day today.

I couldn't believe that game today. You would think after three missed kicks that they would give someone else a try. They are going to have a long season.

Anyone notice how far off our corners are playing from their receivers? Geez!

Our front four on defense is really struggling at applying pressure by themselves so far this season....very disappointing.

This has been mentioned in previous threads before, but it really isn't so much that our schemes are complicated, it just goes back to the scheme in general that we are running on defense. Defensive Coordinators can generally use one of two different schemes: either a One-Gap Defense or a Two-Gap Defense. Under Bo Pelini Nebraska is a 2-Gap defense. There was a great interview recently by HailVarsity.com with former Nebraska Defensive Coordinator Charlie McBride where he talks about the differences between the One-Gap and Two-Gap Defense. Here is a small quote explaining the role of a two gap defender: "The two-gap system asks a defender to stand his blocker up, read where the play is going, and handle one of two spots, the A-gap or the guard-tackle gap (B-gap)." Another great quote from Charlie McBride towards the end of the article was: "If you don't have a defensive line, you can go home." It's a fantastic read that really does a nice job of explaining what Nebraska's general defensive scheme is, and I would highly encourage any Husker fan or football fan for that matter to check it out: http://hailvarsity.com/2012/08/mcbride-talks-two-gap/ Another great blog post brophyfootball.blogspot.com or "Cripes! Get back to fundamentals" has some very in-depth X's & O's information on Bo Pelini's defense from the last few years. This is another great read for those that enjoy this type of thing: http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/search/label/Bo%20Pelini My personal opinion is that I am not a big fan of the 2-gap defense. I think it causes our defensive lineman to be too passive. When the ball is snapped they have to think too much instead of just playing and plowing off the ball. Asking a defensive lineman to be in charge of two-gaps is a lot of responsibility to put on one player. If it were my choice we would go back to running an aggressive 1-gap Cover 1 defense with Robber Coverages like we did under Charlie McBride. That way the defense is dictating to the offense what it can and cannot do, and not the other way around. It should be noted that this type of defensive scheme is also heavily used by Nick Saban at Alabama. (Pictured below is a sample of a 4-3 Cover 1 Robber Defense)

Taylor is currently in the lead with 37%. In second place is Andre Ellington, RB from Clemson with 33%.

I agree. I have been wanting Nebraska to bring back the white shoes for years. In my opinion it just gives us a much cleaner and classier look. But at the end of the day it really isn't about the shoes we're wearing, it's about the Win-Loss column.But if you're going to win, you might as well look good doing it. So I give major props to whoever in the Athletic Department that made the decision to bring this look back.

Well so far my first impressions is that Taylor Martinez looks like a totally different quarterback. Get him running the ball more, and dare I say he will be a true dual threat. Other observations: Good mix of play calling from Tim Beck. Using some new formations that are very similar to Oregon. Defensive line needs serious work. Secondary tackling is below average so far. What the heck is wrong with Maher???!!!???

This thing is going to trap some serious noise... hearing aids on the fritz all over I tell ya. BEAT IT, Blue Hairs! I don't want to start an argument here, and I am not one of those "blue hairs," I am actually in my 30's, but if it wasn't for those "blue hairs" and their tremendous dedication and support throughout the past decades, that stadium would not be as big as it is today. Our fan base wouldn't be recognized nationwide as the loyal group that we are if it wasn't for those "blue hairs." Do they get on my nerves at games sometimes? Yes...sometimes. But they have every right to sit in that stadium and cheer for our Huskers as the rest of us. Have some class, show some respect, and enjoy the game. *cue the violin music* please. we all know we wouldn't be where we are without boosters. do they have every right to be at the stadium? yes. do they have every right to tell people to sit the hell down and be quiet? no. plus you're getting offended and grouping the term "blue hairs" with people who give money to nebraska. thats age-ist. I respect your opinion, but you accusing me of being an ageist is something that I will completely disagree with. Do they have every right to tell people to sit down and be quiet? I would argue that yes they do. However, you also have the right to ignore them, keep standing, cheering, and being as loud as you want to be for our Huskers, and they will just have to deal with it. My problem was with the previous poster telling them to "beat it" entirely, and I was just trying to say to them to have a little more class. As far as I am concerned I have said my peace on the issue, and I respect your opinion as well. Let's move on.

This thing is going to trap some serious noise... hearing aids on the fritz all over I tell ya. BEAT IT, Blue Hairs! I don't want to start an argument here, and I am not one of those "blue hairs," I am actually in my 30's, but if it wasn't for those "blue hairs" and their tremendous dedication and support throughout the past decades, that stadium would not be as big as it is today. Our fan base wouldn't be recognized nationwide as the loyal group that we are if it wasn't for those "blue hairs." Do they get on my nerves at games sometimes? Yes...sometimes. But they have every right to sit in that stadium and cheer for our Huskers as the rest of us. Have some class, show some respect, and enjoy the game.

This should be music to every Husker fans ears! Pelini's two-gap defense worked very well in the Big 12 with all of the spread offenses. In that conference your d-line had to be a read and react kind of defense with disguised coverages in your back seven. However, switching to a more attacking defensive line fits Nebraska better in how they want to attack Big 10 offenses, but also it fits just our overall culture as a whole. I think most Nebraska fans would agree that we want a defense that is dictating what the offense can and cannot do, not the other way around. What I would really like to see in 2012 and hopefully going forward is more use of the Cover 1 Robber defensive scheme. Charlie McBride's defenses of the 1990's used to thrive in this set. Watch some old videos of the defense from those years. The defense would crowd the line of scrimmage, almost always showing a blitz look so that the opposing quarterback never knew who or how many defenders were coming on the blitz...if at all. This would in turn do two things to the quarterback and the offensive line: 1) It obviously pressures them physically post-snap, but 2) It pressures them mentally pre-snap, which very often lead to bad decision making either back the quarterback in who he chooses to throw to, or the offensive line in how they choose their protection. Nick Saban's Alabama defenses also use this same Robber scheme that Charlie McBride used. Here is a picture to better illustrate this defensive look: And finally to get us all pumped up for the season to get started, let's all take a trip down memory lane with the 1990's defenses: (Side note I did not make this video. Credit goes to bledcp08 from YouTube)

Knapp, you sir deserve a nice cold 6 pack from every member of HuskerBoard for all the work and great pictures you have shared with us over the last year on this project. From this Husker fan I will just simply say thank you. Your efforts to giving all of us these wonderful updated pictures every week is very much appreciated.

Simply awesome! Can you imagine what the noise level is going to be like on gameday when they finally get this all complete?!

Man when I saw the pictures of them taking the old carpet out I was really hoping they were going to bring the memorial bricks from the old tunnel walk over to the north side where the new tunnel walk takes place. Oh well...the new carpet looks nice though.

Thanks tschu!

I think the players understand that tradition. Tradition doesn't live in the jerseys, pants, cleats, or helmets. Tradition lives in the name of the university. When players are coming to Nebraska, they understand that they are following in the footsteps of greats like Johnny Rodgers, Mike Rozier, Tommy Frazier, Cory Schlesinger, Scott Frost, Barrett Ruud, Lawrence Phillips, Dean Steinkuhler, Will Shields, Turner Gill, Grant Wistrom, Eric Crouch, Ahman Green, and more recently, Ndamukong Suh. When players are coming to Nebraska, they understand they are coming to the #4 school all-time in wins. Home to 5 national championships and two legendary coaches, one of whom is the current athletic director. When players come to Nebraska, they understand that they are going to be playing 6-7 games a season in front of a sold out crowd, which has sold out for the past 318 games. They understand that they'll be playing for a school who has traditions with the Big 8, the Big XII, and who is currently building traditions with the tradition-rich schools of the Big Ten. That is our tradition--tradition isn't embodied in a uniform. The players don't need something as petty as the same uniform for 50 years to remind them of tradition. They already know what Nebraska is really about. I agree with you to a point, and I also disagree to a certain extent. I agree with you that tradition is in the name of the university. I agree that the players understand the tradition here at Nebraska. I agree that the players know about the other great players and coaches who have come before them here at The University of Nebraska. I agree they know about being #4 in all time wins, the 5 National Championships, and the 3 Heisman Trophy Winners. I also agree that for the most part that tradition doesn't live in the jerseys, pants, and cleats. Heck Nebraska is always tweaking the look of their jerseys each season. But I would argue that the basic look of Nebraska's football team has stayed consistently the same. I do disagree about the helmets. Over the decades for the most part the essence of college football comes down to a few key areas. They would be; Wins & losses, a teams style of play, iconic universities and or iconic coaches. But college football is also about imagery, and this is where the helmets come into the discussion. Teams that have won at a high level and on a consistent basis over the decades that have also stayed consistent with their on field look is a part of college football tradition, which in turn makes it a part of that university's tradition. Universities as an example would include: NEBRASKA, MICHIGAN, NOTRE DAME, USC, and Oklahoma. These helmets have mostly stayed the same with the exception being Notre Dame and Michigan who had alternate helmets last season. So I will concede that jerseys for the most part are not a major factor when it comes to a university's tradition, but I stand by my opinion that for certain universities the helmet and it's design absolutely are a part of that school's tradition. Is Nebraska's new alternate uniforms my personal favorite? No, but it's only for one game, and if the players are happy with them fine. And as long as Nebraska comes away with a win against Wisconsin that is all that should matter. So I'm ok with the alternate uniform thing. I'd be ok if the jerseys and or pants were black, but I truly believe they should have left the helmet untouched. I appreciate your comments, your opinion, and the friendly discussion. I'm not saying my opinion on this subject is right or that your's or someone else's is wrong. Honestly, at the end of the day I think this forum is very beneficial to the whole Husker fan base to really get a solid read on what other Nebraska fans opinions truly are on the whole uniform topic. Mods please feel free to delete this duplicate post. I tried to edit my original post, and instead it added a whole new post. So feel free to delete this second one. Thanks.

I think the players understand that tradition. Tradition doesn't live in the jerseys, pants, cleats, or helmets. Tradition lives in the name of the university. When players are coming to Nebraska, they understand that they are following in the footsteps of greats like Johnny Rodgers, Mike Rozier, Tommy Frazier, Cory Schlesinger, Scott Frost, Barrett Ruud, Lawrence Phillips, Dean Steinkuhler, Will Shields, Turner Gill, Grant Wistrom, Eric Crouch, Ahman Green, and more recently, Ndamukong Suh. When players are coming to Nebraska, they understand they are coming to the #4 school all-time in wins. Home to 5 national championships and two legendary coaches, one of whom is the current athletic director. When players come to Nebraska, they understand that they are going to be playing 6-7 games a season in front of a sold out crowd, which has sold out for the past 318 games. They understand that they'll be playing for a school who has traditions with the Big 8, the Big XII, and who is currently building traditions with the tradition-rich schools of the Big Ten. That is our tradition--tradition isn't embodied in a uniform. The players don't need something as petty as the same uniform for 50 years to remind them of tradition. They already know what Nebraska is really about. I agree with you to a point, and I also disagree to a certain extent. I agree with you that tradition is in the name of the university. I agree that the players understand the tradition here at Nebraska. I agree that the players know about the other great players and coaches who have come before them here at The University of Nebraska. I agree they know about being #4 in all time wins, the 5 National Championships, and the 3 Heisman Trophy Winners. I also agree that for the most part that tradition doesn't live in the jerseys, pants, and cleats. Heck Nebraska is always tweaking the look of their jerseys each season. But I would argue that the basic look of Nebraska's football team has stayed consistently the same. I do disagree about the helmets. Over the decades for the most part the essence of college football comes down to a few key areas. They would be; Wins & losses, a teams style of play, iconic universities and or iconic coaches. But college football is also about imagery, and this is where the helmets come into the discussion. Teams that have won at a high level and on a consistent basis over the decades that have also stayed consistent with their on field look is a part of college football tradition, which in turn makes it a part of that university's tradition. Universities as an example would include: NEBRASKA, MICHIGAN, NOTRE DAME, USC, and Oklahoma. These helmets have mostly stayed the same with the exception being Notre Dame and Michigan who had alternate helmets last season. So I will concede that jerseys for the most part are not a major factor when it comes to a university's tradition, but I stand by my opinion that for certain universities the helmet and it's design absolutely are a part of that school's tradition. Is Nebraska's new alternate uniforms my personal favorite? No, but it's only for one game, and if the players are happy with them fine. And as long as Nebraska comes away with a win against Wisconsin that is all that should matter. So I'm ok with the alternate uniform thing. I'd be ok if the jerseys and or pants were black, but I truly believe they should have left the helmet untouched. I appreciate your comments, your opinion, and the friendly discussion. I'm not saying my opinion on this subject is right or that your's or someone else's is wrong. Honestly, at the end of the day I think this forum is very beneficial to the whole Husker fan base to really get a solid read on what other Nebraska fans opinions truly are on the whole uniform topic.

Good catch ZRod. I forgot about Alabama.

I think the players understand that tradition. Tradition doesn't live in the jerseys, pants, cleats, or helmets. Tradition lives in the name of the university. When players are coming to Nebraska, they understand that they are following in the footsteps of greats like Johnny Rodgers, Mike Rozier, Tommy Frazier, Cory Schlesinger, Scott Frost, Barrett Ruud, Lawrence Phillips, Dean Steinkuhler, Will Shields, Turner Gill, Grant Wistrom, Eric Crouch, Ahman Green, and more recently, Ndamukong Suh. When players are coming to Nebraska, they understand they are coming to the #4 school all-time in wins. Home to 5 national championships and two legendary coaches, one of whom is the current athletic director. When players come to Nebraska, they understand that they are going to be playing 6-7 games a season in front of a sold out crowd, which has sold out for the past 318 games. They understand that they'll be playing for a school who has traditions with the Big 8, the Big XII, and who is currently building traditions with the tradition-rich schools of the Big Ten. That is our tradition--tradition isn't embodied in a uniform. The players don't need something as petty as the same uniform for 50 years to remind them of tradition. They already know what Nebraska is really about. I agree with you to a point, and I also disagree to a certain extent. I agree with you that tradition is in the name of the university. I agree that the players understand the tradition here at Nebraska. I agree that the players know about the other great players and coaches who have come before them here at The University of Nebraska. I agree they know about being #4 in all time wins, the 5 National Championships, and the 3 Heisman Trophy Winners. I also agree that for the most part that tradition doesn't live in the jerseys, pants, and cleats. Heck Nebraska is always tweaking the look of their jerseys each season. But I would argue that the basic look of Nebraska's football team has stayed consistently the same. I do disagree about the helmets. Over the decades for the most part the essence of college football comes down to a few key areas. They would be; Wins & losses, a teams style of play, iconic universities and or iconic coaches. But college football is also about imagery, and this is where the helmets come into the discussion. Teams that have won at a high level and on a consistent basis over the decades that have also stayed consistent with their on field look is a part of college football tradition, which in turn makes it a part of that university's tradition. Universities as an example would include: NEBRASKA, MICHIGAN, NOTRE DAME, USC, and Oklahoma. These helmets have mostly stayed the same with the exception being Notre Dame and Michigan who had alternate helmets last season. So I will concede that jerseys for the most part are not a major factor when it comes to a university's tradition, but I stand by my opinion that for certain universities the helmet and it's design absolutely are a part of that school's tradition. Is Nebraska's new alternate uniforms my personal favorite? No, but it's only for one game, and if the players are happy with them fine. And as long as Nebraska comes away with a win against Wisconsin that is all that should matter. So I'm ok with the alternate uniform thing. I'd be ok if the jerseys and or pants were black, but I truly believe they should have left the helmet untouched. I appreciate your comments, your opinion, and the friendly discussion. I'm not saying my opinion on this subject is right or that your's or someone else's is wrong. Honestly, at the end of the day I think this forum is very beneficial to the whole Husker fan base to really get a read on what other Nebraska fans opinions truly are on the whole uniform topic.

Yeah-Those would be sweet! This is Sick!! I love it!!!!!! This is the best option yet. I'm a traditionalist, but these look great!!! So much better looking than the all red. If you want to honor the Blackshirts than wear a black jersey. It's not too late, someone get this edited design to the athletic department and Adidas ASAP.

this is what im sayin... take out the black piping and you have a classic. red facemask also. no, how is that any different than what we have besides the big N in the center? can you try to leave everything and color the pants black and post a pic. Here is THAT picture the way it is with black pants... Here is the original untouched except the pants That actually looks pretty decent with the black pants. The only way I would like having the red pants and red jersey is if they use our original helmet and the scarlet and cream color scheme like what you have above, otherwise I could live with the uniforms if they looked like your last two. Thanks for taking the time to give us those different looks.

If we had to do an alternate uniform then I would take your rendition. Nice job! I think if we kept our normal white helmet, used your edited jersey, and then incorporated the black pants to make those who want black on the uniform happy, then I think this would be the best compromise. Any chance you could change the pants to black for all of us to see what those would look like? As a side note, all of you with PhotoShop talent amaze me!

Look on the bright side everyone, I think with the very mixed to slightly negative leaning reaction to these alternate uniforms, I think it is fair to say that it will be a VERY LONG TIME before Nebraska ventures down this road again. Nebraska doesn't need gimmicks like this. When did "tradition" become a bad thing? Oregon did their whole uniform craze because their program needed an identity. Other programs needing an identity followed Oregon's lead, and it has just snowballed over the last 5 years with some outlandish looking uniforms. Nebraska doesn't need a new identity. We've had one for over 50 years. Need a reminder...see below. THIS IS NEBRASKA:

I am all for our traditional uniforms. These are ok, I would have liked them better if they had black pants. However, I will be really ticked off if Wisconsin's alternate uniforms for that game use only a red and white color scheme and look better than ours. If that happens I will forever wonder why we couldn't make an alternate uniform with just our typical scarlet and cream colors? Oh well.....they are only for one game.....and as long as we win the game that's all that matters to me in the long run.

link/quote? It was in his morning chat yesterday, there is some interesting stuff he talked about. As far as the jerseys, he just said he has a good idea of what they are going to look like, and that they are swag. http://www.omaha.com...alk-live-replay He had some good blurbs that made me feel good and bad. For instance, he sees Sean Fischer holding a starting role. Cringe. Did anyone else catch in that chat about the alternate uniforms that the poster asking the question to Sam said he saw "the alternate helmets." ?????? I thought they said that they were not going to touch the helmets? It should be pretty interesting to see what the whole uniform looks like when it is revealed.