Eagle1

Early 90's we ran a 50 defense and sometime around 92-93 we made the switch to a 4-3 type defense I believe, can't remember the exact year. Sometimes they played a 1 gap and sometimes a 2 gap depending on the situation. We just don't have the players we had in the 90's! To answer someone elses question, yes, most defenses work if you have stud d line and lb's. That's what I'm getting at. We just don't have the talent everyone thinks we do. Stars beside a name don't equate to talent. And like it or not, even if they have the physical talent, they don't have the mentality. Times have changed.

Solich had other issues outside of football that cost him his job. To echo what others have said, things are WAY diff. now with schollies, number of players, etc. We had a LOT of players back in the day that wouldn't have been here if it wasn't for the money we could pay them. We were able to get kids to come here and play in the cold because of money. Now we don't have that money or at least aren't allowed to use it and so getting kids to leave those states with nicer weather PLUS the cultures and landscape they're used to is WAY more difficult than it used to be. The rule changes by NCAA are coming full circle and you can see it by watching how many upsets there have been the last couple years. Things are much more even.

The actual 2 gap defense is very effective IF you have the stud D linemen to run it, which we don't. I love the concept of it and is effective in keeping linebackers more freed up to rome. However, based on the effectiveness I've seen from the D line a 1 gap may be what we need to try, I dunno. There are some variations that can be run with a combo of both based on strength calls etc. Unfortunately those can be very difficult to learn and remember which MAY also be a problem we're having. I know some of the linebackers are struggling to learn the defensive schemes and in particular that's why one of them has been moved several times between backer and D end. He's not the only one that's struggled with the schemes. Don't get me wrong, the schemes the Pelinis have put together are very good, I'm just not sure we have the players to run them mentally or physically. But, like I said, I don't know all their schemes so it's hard to point at just one thing or a player or two and decide the problem. The problem with a 4-3 1 gap defense is that the normal alignment we see nowadays with 1 TE presents 7 gaps. You have 7 players to fill those gaps and 1 missed assignment and the play is busted or if players aren't disciplined and try to cover someone elses gap. Good offensive coordinators will find the weak players and scheme to either attack them or overload them so other defenders will have to help them therefore evacuating their gap. It starts in the middle and we just simply lack stud D line right now and that makes the difference.

I remember a couple other teams in NU history that primarily ran, and everyone said they couldn't win the big ones that way but they proved everyone wrong. Stick with whats working, and keep the QB out of bad situations.

I too miss the Big 8. I actually like most of the Big 12 schools, only one I CANT stand is Texas. If Big 10 does expand I'd love to see OU, Okie State for sure come in. Good luck to the Cowboys.

I love the new conference for football first, also the fact I haven't had to buy a single pay per view. The wrestling is an added benefit instead of the Big 5 that was part of the Big12. Again, add the fact it'll be on TV and I love this conference!

This is refreshing!!!!! I AGREE! Times have changed and so has college football. We no longer have some of the advantages of the old days. I'm thankful we can consider ourselves a top tier team again!!!

Man, I LOVE these videos too! I especially love the clips inside the locker room after the game, it shows the emotion. I'm all excited after watching it cuz I missed seeing the game due to prior commitments and am stuck waiting for the replay. Thanks for posting!!!

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