URSS

Ameer is still in the run but his chances of winning just went to zero.

I'll also add that Armstrong was definitely rattled by the 2nd quarter. He overthrew some easy passes in the flats that he normally would hit. Had he kept his composure and hit a few of those I have no doubt the game would have been much different. I'm not laying all the blame on him as I found that Beck left him out to dry with some of the playcalling in the first half. This team showed that they are definitely fighters and have heart which leads me to believe that they will definitely improve the rest of the way. This is a good team with heart. That does not change the fact that the O Line is not up Top 10 to 20 standards. Tim Beck has improved but he still continues to make bad calls- followed a losing game plan far too long into the game. Bo should be criticized for not intervening in the play calling. The defense played much better than I expected but still had some coverage mistakes. They have given up too many passing yards in many games this year. The recruiting is better but will it stay better with national game coverage like last night? We don't get high in the polls because we have a weak reputation with the coaches and writers. I think that is a reflection on yearly results since Solich, Callahan and now Pelini. I think Bo is getting better and has the standards that I like. I think he should look seriously at improving some of his assistants. Our offensive line play has been slipping since the late 90's.

From someone in his 60's, Osborne had teams that did not crush everyone in his path. Osborne was heavily criticized many years for not being able to win the big one. We always had a year of beating weak non-conference teams and then the weaker Big8 or Big12 teams. We went into the late season with a good record, tremendous rushing and scoring stats and defense with good stats too. Then we would have trouble when we had to play tough teams late in the season. We also usually had a team that could not execute a passing game that worried good teams. We lost the game to Sparty because our offensive line is not offensive against top 20 teams, a defense that still has trouble with pass defense (either blowing occasional coverages or giving up too many passing yards), and a coaching staff that followed a game plan that was not working far too long into the game.

How does it end the Big 10 hunt for us? MSU is in the East division, we're in the West division. We still have a lot of goals in front of us. The roadmap is out there for all to follow. There are other teams that can match us especially if they stop Ameer.

This loss ends the Big 10 hunt for us. We will probably never get back into the top 20. We are developing the reputation that most announcers think about us- a powder puff team that can't win the tough ones and will never be a top tier team. I worked in PA one year and they thought we beat up small schools and ran up the scores to get great rushing stats but could never take on big teams. We proved right again tonight. If we had won, we would be 6-0 and poised to be in the top 10 with the inside track for the Big 10 Championship game. Somehow we could not muster the motivation and the coaches could not see how Sparty would come at us. Its sad that one more season has been marred.

And the fat lady is singing now!

I think the field goal is something akin to a loss. We need points in a game where we have not done well. A big gamble would have been to go for a TD. If we make it, we get some momentum going. If we don't, we lose like we are now.

I think Armstrong is rattled and is thinking- just three and out and then I can hide on the bench. Tim Beck has not shown much in the way of game plan adjustment. Its like we have just accepted mediocrity for this season from now on out. If this line can't go wide or match their quickness, why not just try to bull rush them up the middle with Cross and throw over the middle?

Our offensive line is not getting it done. Tim Beck planned on a running game and Tommy Armstrong is overwhelmed with the rush coming at him. I think we should have had a pass game planned to loosen up their defense. Now they are just demoralized and shell shocked. They need some leadership and are not getting it. The defense is not doing too bad but they can't carry the load. They will wear down soon if the offense does not make some long drives and put some points on the board. They need to pass first to open up the run.

Tim Beck thought he could run Ameer, run Ameer and win; Good plan if the offensive line was good enough but they are not. The defense cannot hold up if the offense does not put points up when they have good position and turnovers. I think we are one Sparty TD away from a season melt down. Another 9-4 season.

The fat lady is warming up. Sparty defense is tweaked for the run and we cannot run. Armstrong must throw but seems rattled. Sparty is much faster on the line than we are. This game is over unless we can get our pass game going.

MSU is a very good team and I don't expect the Huskers will run over them at will. I think we will have a hard fight in the line play and we will be successful running- probably shorter yardage per play and it will try Tim Beck's patience. MSU expects us to run and will tweak their defense with crowding the box. The temptation for us will be to pass. I expect we will face some 3rd & Longs because our run game will develop slowly. I do hope to see some power running and maybe more option football from Tim Beck. But I think we will have to throw more to make sure MSU does not crowd the box too often to stop Ameer. BTW, I would love to see some power I with Ameer and Imani in the backfield together. Some triple option with Armstrong would be great to see also. We have some great backfield players who can run but also with 'receivers and QB that could make the play action pass devastating. I really think we will win or lose solely based upon how well the Blackshirts play. If the Pinkshirts show up, it will be long day.

I think the team is developing this better than in previous years. I still have reservations about a defense that gives up some 450 total yards (350 rushing) to Miami and had trouble with McNeese State. The defense will have to do much better to run the season. We also must stop the stupid fouls, turnovers, and mistakes that have the effect of turnovers. BTW: Bo has dropped the monotone interviews and talks now instead of virtually being stuck on short sentences saying we have to execute. I like it.

I am not a coach so I can't give specific things. My observation is that the defense gives up too many yards to passing and also lacks tackling fundamentals. We gave up about 350 passing to Miami. We can't get to the championship doing that in future games. Our linebackers don't get much done in pass defense or tackling near the line of scrimmage. Our line and LBs seem to give up too many yards after contact- too many arm tackles at the shoulder level without wrapping up the legs or they overrun the ball. We D line puts pressure on the QB but usually doesn't get to him. Our ends seem to get outflanked too often and don't get it turned back into LBs.

I think your assessment is good. I also think Bo has surrounded hinmself with assistants that had more aptitude than experience. Bo also was not an experienced head coach. They are still learning against some coaching staffs that are more seasoned. Experience is not always the best predictor- remember Callahan's Defensive Coordiantor- but smarts and experience will eventually make a great coach if he also has people skills. I hope last year was the hump year for our staff. Bo needs to have a break out season this year for the team, recruiting, and himself.

QB Scott Frost 2 RB Rozier 5 RB Burkhead 2 FB Schlesinger 4 WR Enumwa 2 TE Wistrom 2 17

I gave up my season tickets some years ago. I did not to pay the extra $500 per ticket as a "donation" in order to have the right to buy the actual tickets. I expect the 600 will be sold out quickly when the extra money is not required. The single tickets would sell quickly if not bought in mass by boosters and corporations.

I read the posts- most of them were arguments about Berringer- and few were about the topic. From the names listed, I would guess the posts were made by realtively young people. I think the oldest football player mentioned was Jerry Tagge. Its like Nebraska had no players prior to 1971. We have had a number of pretty good I-backs like Rozier, Craig, etc. Remember Irving Fryar or Johnny Rodgers? Some people think Wier, Novak, Tinglehoff, McDole, Bob Brown, Dave Rimington, etc were pretty good too.

Effects of unionization over many years: 1) Unions will demand work place environments standards- short practices, no outdoor practices when the temperature is 80 and above, no games when the temperature is below 35, travel in first class travel only, etc. 2) Players can file grievances if the coaches swear or demean the player based upon the player's preceptions only. 3) Players can file grievances and demand players be removed for harassment or creating a hostile environment. 4) Refuse to play other teams if they are not union. 5) Right to organize on school property and time with open ballots only. 6) Require all players to belong to the union and to pay dues. 7) Union teams are entitled to percentage of the ticket and concession sales. Players keep all endorsement earnings and have the right to wear specific advertisement logos on their uniforms. 8) Right to free agency- be able to move to another school if they can get a better deal and more money (stipends and endorsements) without eligibility penalties. 9) Right to file grievances for being ejected from a game or other bad calls effecting a preceived decrease in marketability or draft potential. 10) Players can negotiate special benefits based upon their performance statistics- such as personal massueses, drinks and food before and after the game, limousine service between their home and practice/game location, personal assistants, agents, etc. 11) Free medical and dental treatments for life to cover injuries sustained directly or indirectly from play. 12) Coaches must coordinate their practice plans and schedule with the players or their agents in advance and obtain approval if the workplace environment is changed. 13) Coaches cannot change the players position without the player's consent. If agreed to by the player, the coach must negotiate a new player contract before the change can be made. 14) Coaches must have exclusive contracts with the star players and the remaining non-star players may be convered under a group contract.

I am opposed to the unionization of college sports. However, the athletes should have some form of a complaint system with the AD to resolve issues. Player council? Union- NO! I do think the athletes should get a stipend to cover expenses if they are barred from other income by the NCAA. It should be regulated so boosters don't furnish $5,000/month for lunch or laundry money. Student athletes should not get paid in the sense they are employees or be allowed to bank money from autographs or endorsements. I think the NCAA should reviewed by a panel and its policies revised. Some things I think should be looked at: 1) The NCAA should not be a money cash cow or profit taking. If they retain the money made from sales, endorsements, etc., all of that money should be shared by the schools to provide more scholarships, tutors, more sports teams for male and female athletes. etc. 2) All athletes should get a scholarship to finish school if they are injured and cannot continue to play. 3) More scholarships should be allowed even if entirely funded by boosters or alumni organizations. The NCAA should promote fairness with this program for the bottom half of the division schools. 4) The NCAA should require and enforce tutor and education policies that will generate higher graduation rates with legitimate degree programs.

BTW- has anyone seen an emphasis or improvement on our ball position kicking and coverage game?

I am expecting a team similar to last year's in player ability. The defense seemed to me to be more dependent upon the coach's defensive game plan than the player's performance. The offense needs to stay on the field longer- score and keep their offense off of the field. I don't know if Tim Beck's play calling will get a lot better but I think everything revolves on the QB play. We really need Armstrong to take over and do some amzaing things to move the chains.

I would like to see more I Formation sets with Cross and Abdullah in the backfield.

If we have an offensive line that can run block and pass block AND a defensive line that can hold the line and pressure the opposiing QB; we will do good and contest Wisconsion and Ohio State. If we don't have good line play, we will have another 4 loss season, more disappointments and most likely a new coach.

There is also a high crime, gang, and drug area in Columbia. I think its in the Bull Street area east of the downtown area. I remember the SC Law Enforcement guys making a big raid when I was visiting. I was in a Waffle House in the northeast part of town after a high school football game when two gangs got into it- a beat down on one boy and some shots were fired. The Sheriffs stated it was happening a lot. I reently heard that Clowney was living in a very high priced condo next to the foot ball stadium. I don't think he could afford it on his own. Perhaps Spurrier should take care of his own business.