Fast Jimmy

My only problem with all this national title talk and whether we should settle for a non title Rose Bowl bid is that it's pretty silly. Success for us, realistically, is to beat MSU heads up and drop only one game in November (that isn't MSU). Unfortunately, we are NOT a buried, secret top 5 team. Then, somehow, we need to beat OSU in a conference title game which looks somewhat less likely than beating Wisconsin did before playing last years CCG. As someone else put it quite nicely- going to the Rose Bowl, chalking up a Division and Conference title along the way will be a fantastic success for this team.

I'd guess that 45 degrees with 30 mph steady winds is pretty uncomfortable for people who just sweated through 87 degrees and high humidity on Friday. You may be incredibly tough, and the 80 percent of fans that saw the final seconds along with you, but if you underestimated these conditions by a layer you were going home early. Watched until the game switched to Miami/GT. There was a number of things that concerned me with Illinois' last drive, mainly the fact that everyone looked disinterested. But we were up by 27 with 5 minutes left. It would have been better to play and finish the entire game, but the last 5 minutes shouldn't take away from the first 55. We have a game against a not good Purdue team next week, followed by a bye. Then a game against an alright, leaning towards not good, Minnesota before the meat of the schedule comes up. That's 3 more weeks of learning for the defense against 2 teams with bad offenses and a bye. That's a lot of time for improvement. Yeah, I think we'll be fine until November. I watched Iowa take apart Minnesota and the best I can tell you about those two teams is that I expect the Huskers to handle them comfortably.

I'd guess that 45 degrees with 30 mph steady winds is pretty uncomfortable for people who just sweated through 87 degrees and high humidity on Friday. You may be incredibly tough, and the 80 percent of fans that saw the final seconds along with you, but if you underestimated these conditions by a layer you were going home early.

The question is, how long do the players believe in Pelini and "The Process"? It's gotten them precisely squat, and as the years roll by, the results seem to be getting progressively worse. Nebraska is trending down, and there can be a snowball effect from losses like this. Actually, Nebraska is holding steady not winning conference championships, but playing strong seasons with plenty of wins, and has been doing so for quite a while. You're always singing the same song, especially after a bad loss. It's a long season, we weren't going to challenge for the national title, and our biggest Legends rival just missed losing to the Zips by about 2 feet. I think you live for this bile and angst it's normal to feel after a bad game, but don't have much luck keeping your perspective.

I was definitely a little worried both in the first half and all fourth quarter, but I think we need to keep perspective. We managed to put a W on the board and, while it was silly to coast through the fourth, our team looked very strong on offense and there were bright spots on D. As far as the result, the 2009 Iowa Orange Bowl winning team, which finished #7 in the final rankings, only managed to beat the University of Northern Iowa (an FCS team) by virtue of TWO blocked punts 17-16 in their first game. That team kept building up to its potential in the ensuing season, finding ways to win instead of lose quite often. We should do the same.

If you'll recall, Michigan State was 11-2, 7-1 Big 10, actually had a share of the conference championship but Wisconsin was ranked higher- last season before B1G split into two divisions. Alabama was ranked 16th, had lost three, and pretty much had a disaster of a season based on expectations but were still clearly dangerous. At this point, we're holding on to the top 25 in the polls and face a UGA team that is likely quite a bit stronger than the Alabama of 2010. Personally, I'd prefer that the Huskers were matched up more realistically. To those who yearn for this game, how do you think we're going to avoid a similar result? This is what it ended up looking like: _________________1 2 3 4 T #16 Alabama______7 21 14 7 49 #9 MSU___________0 0 0 7__ 7 http://scores.espn.g...ameId=310010127 From the article: The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner had 59 yards rushing on 12 carries and a 30-yard reception against the team he rooted for as a kid, Greg McElroy threw for 220 yards and one touchdown and the game got so out of hand that the Crimson Tide (10-3) pulled most of their starters early in the third quarter. Ingram also moved past Shaun Alexander's mark (41) with 42 career touchdowns. The margin of victory topped East Texas State's 33-0 victory over Tennessee Tech in the 1953 game, then known as the Tangerine Bowl. The bowl dates back to 1947. "We were outcoached, we were outplayed and we were outphysicaled and that's just the way it is," said Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, who worked under Alabama coach Nick Saban when he was at the helm for the Spartans. "Sometimes, you get an avalanche come on you and that's just what happened."

Anyone scared to play the university of Georgia......Please stand up So, what are you expecting will happen? We'll bookmark this thread for review post-game.

Lot of problems with the BCS when a #23 program that just showed how vulnerable it is in certain areas gets to play the team that barely got edged out for a spot in the national title game. Kudos to the UGA program and it's performance this year. So close to a title game! I love the Huskers but we're not in the same league at this point. Will watch the game with great interest. It'll be a great test for our guys.

#12 in the BCS, facing a team with a 3rd string QB, rolling with six wins in a row, some against tough teams... Even with these factors, everyone on here knew it would be a tough game and that we would have to play at our best level to bring about the expected (hoped for) 24-17 win, or something on that order. What a terrible way to be exposed. As has been mentioned, WI was on the bad end of some terrible breaks and, against PSU and OSU, may have laid off somewhat because of their certainty of getting into this game. They'll probably make another balls-up of the Rose Bowl, because blowing the big games is what they do, too, albeit by margins that are heartbreaking instead of clinically depressing. The ten wins just make this harder to fix or even comprehend. Nebraska, facing history and expectations, will be remembered for this game, and, I fear, the one to come next if we get a top ten team. Hats off to the realists for seeing this coming. If we can manage to win the bowl game, or even make it a good show, it will temper the bitter embarrassment of the CCG. We'll have all the answers to 2012, if not to the future, at that point.

Absolutely. 12-2 and a BCS game winner = a top 10 team at the end of the season. Yep. That would probably get us at worst 5th.

I remember that. We weren't expected to win the OSU game, yet scored 38 points and I remember a lot of big talkers with their careful analysis of why we needed to bench TM and let someone else lead- oh, and prepare to fire Pelini since he obviously couldn't grasp what was going on.

As a fan of both teams (moved to Lincoln from Clive, Iowa a couple years ago), I've never seen anything like the meltdown on HawkeyeReport going on after this game. They've been obsessed with the game for a week and can't let it go, declaring it a moral victory where they beat themselves but proved our weakness, etc. Kind of sad.

No one is sleeping on the B1G title game. I think we have the tools to take Wisconsin apart without the drama, but we will need to show up and perform well! Our recent victories and cohesion give plenty of evidence for this. Remember Iowa in 09? They squeaked by a bunch of lesser teams, had multiple come-from-behind victories- even had to beat the University of Northern Iowa by blocking two field goals- UNI! That team only settled in at the end to spank Georgia tech for a dominant showing in the Orange bowl and a number 7 final ranking in spite of two losses. I think we're better than that team and was a fan of that team throughout 09, and still am also an Iowa fan. If we can get into the title game, beat Wisconsin, and win a bowl against a UCLA, Oregon, or Stanford, we'll be ranked quite nicely. If we play to our abilities, only the last of these games is a real question mark.

Not sure if serious. Serious, but not freaking out over, and I'm pretty surprised everybody is calling me out on this... remember how great we looked during the non-conference games and compare it to this. Against weak teams we looked great, against any decent team we had to make a come back in a close game. We played great, but I think this is an issue that could hurt us later on. I'm proud of the team this year, its just a concern, and imo a valid one. I'm not going to defend the comment any more. Your point IS valid and here is why: There is no rule that prevents Pelini from putting in the 2nd team in the 4th quarter, or earlier, in a close game against Wisconsin should we make the B1G championship game. Therefore, it could happen and, if it does, I agree that we'll be in real trouble. If only there was a way we could recommend to Pelini that he not make those substitutions under that particular circumstance.

We actually won every game that we finished with a higher score than the other team.

They're here after every win, warning us that another Ohio State game is just around the corner. If that happens, they'll be here telling us how miserably inadequate the Huskers are and how awful it's been to know this all season and not be appreciated. Obviously, it's best to just ignore them.

Hell yes, I'm having fun! It doesn't get any better than screaming with Joy and jumping around with your S.O. high fiving after an improbable crossing pass deep into the end zone to stun MSU! We led for exactly six seconds that game and they seemed like six hours the tension was beyond belief . There are teams that win more and enjoy it less, believe me. These kids have heart and guts like few teams I've ever watched. The sea of red is becoming more iconic than ever. This is good stuff. I'll enjoy it while it lasts and I think the Huskers are primed for good things over at least the next several years.

I am also damn proud of the Huskers. Moved here from Iowa a couple years back and this is my main team, even if they weren't blowing it out relative to the Hawks.

That's BS and you know it. The Olive Garden in Lincoln is unusable on weekends unless you have about an hour and a half to kill waiting in line. It's not credible to assume that Pelini would have the pull to get the wait time reduced.

Clearly. I'm so sick of these wins, the full stadiums of loyal fans, the likely post season opportunities, and the credibility NU has clearly gained through gritty play in the B1G. I'm sick of them because, deep down, I know there are cracks. It's so obvious that everything is built on a house of cards. I spend every day waiting for the inevitable, even during breakfast I wonder when IT will happen.

I walked out of a garage today where people were yelling things like "They won't come back from this one" "I can't wait until this team is good, again!" "stupid ******* just give up *** **** it" and other assorted miserable crap. There was a gleam in their eyes- a couple guys left in the 2nd quarter because it was just hopeless, although they came together and one wasn't feeling well. I drove home, sat down and had a great half of watching football with the GF. Of course we deserve it. What kind of question is that?

The season sucks because we're 1-1 in the big ten after losing on the road to a team 10 ranks higher than us and in the other division? Was hoping to see some perspective and the realization that we're not in a bad position Big 10 wise, except for a relatively tough schedule. Ohio State also beat MSU, making our job easier. We showed we have strength, talent, and can make big plays as well as big mistakes, but this was not a must win game nor were we favored. I suggest we come back down from the edge, stop acting like Iowa fans- who actually have something to really complain about, and just breathe into a paper bag for 2 weeks. I'm sorry you apparently missed the game and the press conference afterwards. In your conveniently coy Football-For-Dummies version of what actually happened last night, you forgot to mention that our quarterback 'improved' from bad to miserable, our defense was Cosgrovian in the non-hyperbole sense of the word, and afterwards our coach looked like a guy who just came out of the trenches in World War 1. Forget winning the division. There's no logical reason to think it will happen. Forget the title. That won't happen either. What did happen (or is happening, I should say), is Nebraska has been completely exposed. Every minor fault and crack many decided to ignore in favor of fantasies of a psychologically matured, disciplined football team split into canyons. We have massive systemic issues within the program and no amount of excuse-peddling or sunshine-pumping is going to alter that fact. It will continue to prove itself over. . .and over. . .and over. . .until the issue is addressed. It's Groundhog Day at Nebraska as long as self-delusion is the modus operandi. My feeling is, this staff as it stands is completely incapable of addressing its problems. Pelini is largely responsible for this. Now, finally, after last night, I think he's beginning the process of coming to terms with it. We're not on the ledge. We've fallen off it. Recognize it. Admit it. If you don't, I hope Bo does, else I fully believe we are sunk. You're sunk. Gone! I suggest you follow Alabama this year since they're the only team that won't lose a big game under pressure. Any of the other top 10 can and likely will. OSU is a better team, and Braxton Miller is a better QB. There was no way we were coming out of that stadium with a win unless those two factors didn't bother showing up. Since they did, our turnover problems only made a loss into an embarrassing one. Who the hell cares? I suggest you let go of your personal, posterior pain and sandy nether-region affliction and realize that we're 1-1 in our division, it's early, and the worst game is probably over. I'll admit that our program has its challenges but there is no reason to expect, even hope for out of spite, the same kind of result in any of our remaining games. This is borderline pathetic. Pelini was hired for the sole purpose of fixing the defense. In the fifth year of his tenure with eight seniors in the unit he had 60+ points hung on him by a completely mediocre team in a pitiful, laughably weak conference. On national TV. A national embarrassment--one in a string, by the way, long enough to wear them like a necklace. What's Jimmy's insight? Ladies and gentlemen, I kid you not: "Who the hell cares?" Not you, obviously. Fortunately you're completely beside the point. The question is about Bo. Not whether he cares, but how much. Does he care enough to look inside at his core and see the nepotism that has brought us to this point? Will anyone not named Taylor Martinez be given a legitimate shot to lead this team? Is he capable of examining his defensive scheme and realizing that it's failed? And more importantly than any of those three, if he does find his flaws, is he willing to look for help, and will be the money be there to bring in the people who are actually capable of helping him put this program back on the map? God I hope so. I repeat: Who the hell cares that we lost to Ohio State, which you called mediocre. There was no reason to expect us to get blown out by any of the remaining teams on our schedule and there still isn't. Your comment: We're not on the ledge. We've fallen off it. Recognize it. Admit it. If you don't, I hope Bo does, else I fully believe we are sunk. Also seems particularly silly at this point. Admit it, you lost your own bearings, drank the kool-aide and went on a petulant tirade because we lost a football game we weren't expected to win. We were 1-1 in the big ten, what horror! I think your own idea of 'let's replace Taylor Martinez' is worthy of hall of fame status in the category of 'football for dummies' comments. This isn't just obvious in retrospect- it was pretty lame at the time. It's been an exciting season. There has been plenty of negative to deal with but no real reason to belittle the team or lose faith. I hope like hell this momentum can continue. None of the next three games are easy- except maybe for Iowa and the moment you expect to beat them easily, bad things happen.

I expect that we will play sound defense. Their QB isn't terribly mobile so our pass defense will be tested. I expect they'll be up to the task of limiting damage to something our offense can top.

Its called an opinion. Martinez really? 3 INT's and almost a costly fumble, card could be played the same way. Martinez constituted nearly ALL of our offense. His gains offset his mistakes and we simply don't score 28 points without moving the ball and we weren't doing it without him.

Great post! I couldn't agree more. This is a gritty, nasty conference and isn't terribly pretty right now. Our guys showed real guts and determination to pull this one out on the road. OSU is great this year, but we're getting a lot of notice lately as the 'other' good team. My only comment to that is that I hope it continues!