TheSker

I would say those kinds of posts are no biggie. What we saw the beginnings of yesterday was a defense that can start coming together. Pelini has shown that he can mold a defense when he has the talent to do so. This young talent on defense is something to be excited about. For a team this young, a bowl game is a long way away.......I'm excited to see if our defense can keep coming together as a unit to execute against Michigan on the road.

At the defensive end position, I am as excited about our future with Moss and Gregory as any ends in a long long time at Nebraska.

Agreed. We talked about this at our watch party last week and again this week. There were opportunities all over the place to stop Minnesota last week.....we had someone there and couldn't get the tackle made......at times it would have been a TFL. Northwestern looked like it was going to be the same thing.....clear missed tackles that would have been for loss or little gain. Then, I have no idea what happened either, but something started working. And I agree, when a Pelini defense starts working....it's a special thing to see.

One more quick prop from today as evidence of progress on improved recruiting. We now have two DEs that have a pick 6 on the season......Gregory and Moss. We have better size on the interior line and better athleticism with these ends.

The thing I will give the offense credit for is moving the chains a bit, even when it didn't lead to scoring. The offense moved the ball enough for the defense to not have a short field all the time. And I think it's fun to watch when Armstrong does that fake pitch to get the defender to bite or freeze. Youre right. 400 yards prior to the hail mary drive. We moved the ball but couldnt finish drives. But also, we had some bullsh#t nitpicky blocking fouls called on us in the 4th quarter that killed a couple drives, all while NW was holding our edge all damned day. I just dont understand why the relevant holding penalties cant be called. Then of course, Tommy just needs to get settled and manage. Oh but is he ever a thing of beauty on that option. I still dont know how we can go back to Taylor. Tommy, regardless of the mistakes, and RK3 as well, just seem to be in such control of everything out there. Pelini was asked in the post game presser. I don't remember exactly how he said it, but indicated we'll stay how we are now. Those penalties were frustrating because they kept putting us just out of FG range, but still forced Northwestern to drive a longer field (unlike 3Q UCLA). Sustaining drives is of great help to the defense and if we can manage to start converting a few more into points, we'll be fine. And I couldn't be more excited for what I think this DL is going to be capable of in the very near future. The effort of Gregory, Moss and Valentine is going to continue to develop into production.

The thing I will give the offense credit for is moving the chains a bit, even when it didn't lead to scoring. The offense moved the ball enough for the defense to not have a short field all the time. And I think it's fun to watch when Armstrong does that fake pitch to get the defender to bite or freeze.

The defense had been playing well in the second half, but something about that last defensive stand and the last offensive series was special. This team ended up looking like they trusted who they were on the field with and had each others' backs. Something clicked today.

I think he was choking up. Very emotional win for him. I think so too. These are the kind of things that can bond a team. It took both sides of the ball stepping up after a turnover. We didn't fold. It was huge.

All turned out well in the end, but the defensive pressure on Armstrong's last pick was Abdullah whiffing on a block.

Funny......yet apparently true.

Agreed.......we absolutely responded on both sides of the ball to end the game.

I'll defer to you on that. You may be right.

I guess the weaker competition rebuttal can always be thrown in to suit one's agenda when Pelini hasn't had anything below a 9 win season or missed a bowl. I don't even care about the Cosgrove comparisons.....I really truly don't.

Clemson has a good coaching staff. I think they've won three division titles in his time there.....similar to Pelini. Clemson has played in a BCS Bowl in Dabo's time there.......they were blown out 70-30 something. That sounds about right for what Bama pays their assistants collectively. I have no idea about the 50 plus personnel on the recruiting side. I agree and have never disagreed this program has money. As I've stated, if Pelini is let go, we'll get to see what Nebraska's market value is in the coaching ranks......that's what will matter at the end of the day.

I'm fine with the blank check concept.....not my money, right? And it might need to be closer to $6 million when you add in another $1 million per coordinator. I'm all for getting into a bidding war for another coach.....it will tell us what the market value of our program is. If Pelini is let go, then he is. I'm just saying if he is, my expectation would be the program jumps immediately.....not in year 2 or year 3 of a new coaches tenure. And saying we shouldn't have fired Solich......which I'm not going to either agree nor disagree with at this point......proves exactly the point I was making when I ask the question "did we learn nothing from 2003?".

Kirby Smart is up there pretty high.....I'm not sure he's the top though. Two seasons ago, Monte Kiffin held the distinction along with the DC from Tennessee up there too. Both those turned out pretty well. Or maybe not. Clemson pays both their coordinators very well.....one of which is Venables who was under Stoops for so many years. I'm sure Clemson doesn't want to talk about a blowout on national tv. In prime time. At home. I mean with coordinators that well paid, a blowout shouldn't happen, right?

We do need to continue upgrading our talent. As has been mentioned (once or twice) recruiting has become a heavy focus the past couple of seasons and remains that way. When you combine Pelini's defense with good talent, you get in the record books......Bullocks for INTs, David and Ruud for tackles.....and of course the things Suh did.

I think it's unfortunate anyone would compare Pelini to Callahan......but it's certainly your right to do so.

Obama

TA and RK3 have yet to play a bowl eligible team, and might not do so until Michigan State. Until then, you can't honestly say it's been the same level of competition. At this point, if TA and RK3 can move the chains, I don't give a rip if we're playing Alabama or an NAIA school. You're missing the forest for the trees. They only moved the chains because of the level of competition they have faced so far. Don't care about the forest or the trees.....if they move the chains against the remainder of our opponents, I'm good with it.

TA and RK3 have yet to play a bowl eligible team, and might not do so until Michigan State. Until then, you can't honestly say it's been the same level of competition. At this point, if TA and RK3 can move the chains, I don't give a rip if we're playing Alabama or an NAIA school.

I think this thread shows in part two things.....1) how much damage was done in 2003, and 2) we still might not have learned from it.

Of course I'm not happy about the season thus far. I figured the defense might struggle.....it's the lack of offensive production that has been more surprising. Based on how giddy we are about Armstrong starting now, I think that sentiment may be pretty common. I am well past being concerned about the Wyoming game.......because as I've continually believed.....the offense (yes, Martinez) doesn't turn the ball over twice and we're not even talking how close it was. And no, I didn't predict Minny would beat us. It happened. As I've stated, my goal is not to berate Pelini or our program. And yes, I believe we are close to taking the next step. Quarterback and MLB are key positions on the field. Let's let Pelini try to get that solved and quit this revolving door head coach crap.

As a comparison to our division, let's not pretend the Big 8 was a tough schedule most years. And there were a couple of years in the 70's under Osborne that OU blew us out. Even OU had their struggles toward the end of that conference and K-State didn't emerge until toward the end.

Add in a LB who can emerge with their tackling and I'm right there with you.