husker0072

If the d-line comes out and plays with a controlled rush, we can automatically mark this down as an "L". Sorry, but the controlled rush thing is the dumbest thing I have seen. It looks like the d-linemen are just standing around and not even trying. I mean, what's the point? So the QB has all day to sit back there and pick apart our D? The d-line has enough problems pressuring QBs and then you ask them for a controlled rush? Forget about it. Controlled rush equates to ZERO pressure and ALL day for WRs to get open and the QB to get them the ball. Get after Denard with blitzes and let our d-linemen loose. That's the only way we have a chance to win this game. Yup. That's why I sometimes wish I could get a press pass, fly up to Lincoln and ask Bo point blank if that's the premise of his defense and WHY he runs that silly scheme? Again, if there is proof that we run this "patty cake DL" scheme by design, then Bo is simply not a very good DC. To me it just looks like we have no talent on the DL and that equates to guys not being able to shed blocks. We got after the QB in the Mich St game. He was pressured all day long, but it was because we actually went after him. Obviously the QBs are entirely different players, but I can guarantee we will lose if Denard is not pressured. When he is pressured, he makes alot of mistakes. Will he scamper from time to time? Yes, but it's better than being picked apart in the passing game. And I understand he isn't a good passer, but when you have more than five seconds for the WRs to get open and for the QB to make a decision, it's pretty simple pitch and catch. If we put pressure on him, we win this game. That's what MSU did. They harassed the bejesus out of him. The question is - can NU generate that same pass rush without giving up huge runs? MI has found a RB now (Toussant) and he's very good. We'll have to keep the rush lanes in check. This is where great DE play comes in - and which we have ZERO talent. MSU had great DE play in that game. I sure am surprised we have any wins, Imean we are constantly being told how little talent our team has. It is simply moronic to say that!

IDK.... I'm starting to wonder whether it's just bad talent. Think about it: We suck at holding on to the ball with Gilmore and now it's the same with Fisher (with a minuscule improvement). It's sad when it's 3rd and 8 and you know you almost have no chance bec. a WR won't make a play. Sure we had a couple of big completions but if Kinnie and Bell make a couple of average plays any D1 WR should make, we win this game by 14 points. Kinnie's boo boo's are the worst. The ball hits him square in the hands and he drops it. Bell's was a little more difficult but still very catchable ....... IDK..... looks like we have a talent issue. I have to disagree on the talent issue, I think we actually have more talented WR's than in recent years with the exception of players like Swift, and Peterson. As a whole I think this group has more potential and talent than in recent years. Kinnie on the other hand has far too many drops. Eeven good NFL players with talent occasionally drop sure passes but Kinnie does this way to often to be excusable.

I figured we were done at that point and I still think we are. Michigan State has a really easy schedule down the stretch and when we lost that game I knew we were done. It will take a miracle for Northwestern or Indiana to beat Michigan State. The only thing we have going for us is Michigan State has to play at Northwestern, and they are usually worse on the road. But we still have to beat Michigan at Ann Arbor and that's the toughest game any of us have remaining. Many thought it would take a miracle for Northwestern to beat NU at home, but anything can happen. It is definitely a possibility. Probably won't happen, but could!

1. Problem is what NU defense will show up!

Some of the QB runs that have hurt us is due to being in man to man coverage where the DB's and LB's have their backs to the line running with a reciever or TE and the QB breaks contain and picks up big yardage. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Maybe you use Jamal Turner on scout team to simulate him. He is probably the closest in speed and shiftyness on offense right now.

I have been mentioning Touissant for a couple days on all the Robinson related threads. That dude is shift and quick. We definitely need to stop the run first. If I am a betting man I would risk the pass over the abilitie for Robinson or Touissant's abilities to hurt us on the ground. That running back is a gamer for sure.

Hey Shawn I noticed Louisville isnt among those ranked teams, how is this possible??????? Lets be honest you took the gig to get free Papa Johns pizza(who wouldnt) because you guys play in the stadium named after the delicious yet extremely unhealthy pizza. Good Luck I hope you guys make it to a bowl this year. Is there such a thing as extremely HEALTHY pizza?

We're discussing competitiveness, and speaking of homerism, I think your assertion that Nebraska wasn't competitive regardless of the Taylor Martinez interception extravaganza is wrong. They were competitive for 25 minutes, and in your house, too. The question for me is in a rematch could they be competitive for four quarters. I think probably yes. It doesn't mean Nebraska wins, because I do think Wisconsin is the better team, but to assert that Wisconsin would just blow them off the field again in a rematch, I don't find that very objective. I openly admited that I am not objective on this game, so I don't see your point, but watching the highlights I don't see Martinez throwing interceptions to Badgers sitting there alone in 10 yard bubbles, our guys made plays and forced Martinez to make bad throws. We play good defense as is evidenced by our stats. The fact that we were able to turn every one of those interceptions into points is a testament to the superiority of our offense over NU's defense. Assuming Martinez didn't throw the interceptions the Badgers still win 27-17 and we held Rex to under 100 yards rushing. We would win this game a second time. It would not be close. That's my opinion rested firmly on both facts and my own homerism, not a knock against NU, that's just what I think. It is what it is. My saying that "You guys are homers" was not meant to discount your opinions, I was simply trying to say...so am I, I get where you're coming from, we're not going to agree on this...I guess it came out wrong. To assume that if the Interceptions didn't accur how can you assume the score would be the same, maybe those inteceptions turn magically into TD's then we have a 21 point swing in favor of NU. By your own logic NU wins 38-27. I know that's also an assumption I am just trying to point out the absurdity of "what ifs". Oh and for the record our D has been making alot of teams look all world this year you guys are not that special!

We might not have the talent that MSU has on the DL but Bo needs to put his ego aside, call up Dantonio and ask him for the blue print on how MSU harassed UM all day long and beat up Robinson. Anything less and you might see an UGLY game with NU on the wrong side of a wood shed beating. Considering whats at stake, do you think Dantonio would want to even help Bo in this situation?

Although I agree tha D Rob is going to be a huge factor lets not discount their RB Toussaint who is shifty and fast as heck. I am not so worried about them throwing the ball on us. I too agree that their D has improved, but we have been able to move the ball against better defenses than theirs. How bad do the Huskers want to win is the question? I am sure that Bo has been considering what type of scheme to run on D for a couple weeks even if he won't admit it. We might see something quite a bit different this week. One thing is our DE's need to play disciplined footbal and keep contain or we will get abused.

Agree, pass pro looks good but if you can't run block well you're not going to win big games I would say yesterdays game was pretty big, and although not always pretty we won, and had 180+ rushing yards on a D that was rated pretty highly against the run. We have injuries and youth and I know you don't like that as an excuse it is what it is.

Alot of this has to do with depleted depth on the D Line with injuries. I don't understand what the issues are with the DB's (Dennard excluded he's pretty relieable) There is speed and talent (Some will disagree) I know that against Michigan State they played a hell of a game, how do they regress? Let's get prepping for Michigan, this could be a nightmare for our defense playing like they are and everyone feels it whether they want to admit it or not. Hopefully the gameplan will put the D in a good position to succeed.

I believe Cotton was hurt and that is why Reed was in as a blocker. Not sure though.

The O line is beat up and they played against arguably the best D-line in the B1G. The run D in the first half looked pretty good, but gave up way to much later in the game. The DB's, minus Dennard who played a great game, should have had interceptions on at least two occasions but didn't. For the life of me I can't understand why when Taylor finally finds some efficiency passing our reciever just can't be consistant catching, maybe they just aren't expecting it to hit them in the hands or something. Burkhead bounced back nicely from last week and fought for some tough yardage. I think David gets the game ball for the critical 4th down stop at the end of the game.

I know one thing is we need to use our fullbacks more often just handing to rex makes us too predictable. I know and its unfortunate the only attempted handoff to the fullback in this game resulted in a fumble, which by the way if was reviewed Should have went back to the Huskers.

Although it may appear sporadic and like there is no thought process, I am sure that there is some rhyme and reason behind what is going on, I just haven't figured it out yet. We have been able to run the ball pretty well against two highly rated defensive fronts in MSU and PSU, but we laid an egg against a very poorly rated Northwestern team. Anything can happen I guess.

That is some pretty good company to find yourself in. Rex by all accounts is an integral part of our team and seems to be able to do it all, but there are some better pure backs on this list. Still wouldn't trade Rex for any of them though.

Probably that our arrogance as a fan base incited the incident. What a joke!

Could go either way,; however whatever happens i do not envy the position this NU football team is in this weekend. Win and it's bcuz there was too much distraction, lose and things might get ugly. It has to be hard for the team to maintain perspective considering this information is everywhere you look lately. I will root for NU and hope for the win. It will be nice to just get past this game and everything that is being associated with it.

Actually thats how you win any game.

I am sick and tired of this line from Bo and company. How many years in a row will they overlook an opponent and lose (ISU or TxTech 2009) or almost lose (SDSU last year)? Enough is enough. Once or twice in a coach's early career is understandable, but after that it should be a wake up call. You can't take a week off, there are no "gimme" games in college football. Anyone can beat anyone on any given Saturday. Winners don't make excuses, they make plays. Exactly! And why the media and a large contingent of fans continue to give Bo a pass for such egregious performance year after year (over looking unranked teams) is beyond me. It's like we're scared to piss Bo off.....scared we're going to lose him. It's no wonder he treats the fans and media like horse dung. Seriously - "over looking a team" is right up there with "quitting" as the ultimate insult in football, and Bo's teams are making a habit of it. If TO can't have a serious conversation with Bo on this and put him on notice, then get prepared for worse. Yes, I'm sick and tired of this crap. Bo's teams are a reflection of him: Immature, hot/cold and inconsistent. No disrespect, but could you please just stop. We get it already...you don't like Bo. Just ignore Austin as long as I have read his posts they are always the same.

I would think a gameplan similar to Michigan State would be good except I am not sure if Rex can handle another 30+ carry game. We are going to need him healthy. A good way to get the edge on an overly aggressive D is misdirection and speed. I am sure the coaches have a plan in place, and my thought is if we come to play we should go away winners of this one.

I think we can win this one if we play a good game, nothing I have seen from PSU makes me believe we have to play our best game to win. If we play at a minimum of the level we had for Michigan State we win by 2 touchdowns or more.

Well said. Make this about the next game and not the tragic events that have been unfortunately attached to every aspect of it.

Yeah because everything the government does is highly moral and never concerned with money!