Nebhawk

I noticed something throughout Bo's tenure that contributed to the defense looking slow, every snap our LB's nearly stop moving until the backfield exchange, fake, etc is executed. Then, at that point we are flat footed and behind. They are taught to play this way, we have good athletes, and pretty good speed at multiple positions. In no way is our speed that inferior, just isn't I do agree for the most part, but we could use an upgrade in speed and types of athletes we are recruiting. Like I said, I think the scheme is 75% of our issues on D. 25% talent, but that is debatable as well until we see a new system in place. 3 yards and a cloud of dust days are over. I think Nebraska can do what we did in the Big 12 days or even Big 8 days, and thats dominate the game with its own style of play and staying with it. Lets get an identity once again, what ever it is, but lets get one back.Winning would be a great identity to start with!!!

Recruit, recruit and recruit. Thats where this happens at now. We have to recruit. This is where the last 3 HC's failed on many levels. Callahan got decent talent, but still not up to title talent types. I really feel that if Riley can recruit some elite level athletes, he has the ability to coach up players, QB's being a big part of that. I think Riley will do well here. He looked awfully good in his Husker gear tonight. With his west coast recruiting ability, I think he is the man to turn things around and at least get us on the board when big games are on the horizon. Looking forward to this new and improved ERA! Can't wait for next season!

Linebackers are just one issue on defense. Speed is another issue. Well, actually overall team speed is an issue, but defense is extremely slow and once our first line of defenders misses a tackle, there in the house for 6. Some is scheme, some is talent. I would say it's 75/25. Scheme is totally a scam. Papu sure didn't do himself any justice, but are we being to hard on him. We saw it tonight, our linebackers can't tackle, and sure the hell can't catch anyone from behind once beaten. I think the talent is not there, and if you simply don't have talent its hard to make some plays. Like i have pointed too, Big 10 football is one thing, but other conferences are light years ahead on offense, and it will show thru out bowl season. Lights years ahead on talent and speed. Seen anybody on any of the Big 10 teams we played this year other than Gordon, who had speed and athletes like USC had? They lost 4 games this year, 3 in conference! Says a lot to me.

Good fans will question things, and good fans will expect better no matter who is coaching or playing. If anybody who watched this game doesn't understand actually the level in which we have fallen behind, watch two plays and they sum up the game. Yes, this team never quit. Thats great to see. The players never quit, and that does make me a proudd fan of this team and its players. Riley era has work to do. First thing that needs done is mentally prepare players to play the game without making so many dumb plays, self inflicted non-sense plays. Second thing, recruiting better types of players/athletes. This is the most important part going forward. Third thing, someone to coach QB's. Armstrong has some great qualities, but they are more do to his atheletism, not coaching. Again, Ameer played hard and looked close to normal. Kenny Bell looked ok, but I think he is part of the problem with this team and its Bo mentality. Frankly, the only player that I will miss off this team is Ameer. The rest need to go and graduate.

Yeah but USC' weakest part is defense. And they really don't have anything to play for at this point

DPE is good, but USC has 3 of those Freshmen.

Really, Beck just called USC plays once again. Great deal, wow. I bet Armstrong throws an interception on this next try.

Riley would have taken this current roster, and I guarantee that he would have played a much different game. He is known for beating USC. I wish we could play this team next season, just to prove how bad Pelini and his staff really were.

Like I said, USC does'nt have to play defense. This is all over, we can't stop them, they know that. They will or could put up 70, even if we put up 50, we can't stop them, and they have the 2 score lead. Why don't we slow the game more and give them more chances. I hope if USC scores again, we run the ball, and run the clock down. They will at least stay under 60 that way.

Prays answered, Westerkamp's guy tripped on his own feet

Body language says" F^ck this, its time to go home" Now the stupid, composure plays.........

Can't coach talent and SPEED. But the right coach can recruit it.......I hope.

I concur, get this season in the books. Riley ERA!!! Can't get here soon enough.

Who team shows lack of coaching and preparation. Cotton needs to go to Vegas, along with the rest. Pawn Stars need some help with stocking shelves. They heard that some big strong guys were looking for employment and change in careers.

Does he out think himself?? I don't know about outthinking himself, but USC left the barn door open by calling plays like Beck does on there last possession. Why do teams pass the ball, when clearly you can run over teams?

Oh sh%t, Beck called there plays that possession. If Beck keeps calling plays for both teams, we have a chance yet.

We almost made Gordon a Trophy winner, lets face it, if you can make one guy miss, your scoring. Good thing the Big 10 lacks in speed all together, or I think we would have had multiple games giving up 400 yards to runners. Yes, USC doesn't care about defense now. They have advantage on the score board. Defense is just for looks now. WE can't stop them. They know that now, and basically knew that all game along.

Lets see if USC is in cruise control and offense runs away with it now. They have the one score advantage so defense is a non factor for them now.

Yes, I agree, QB needs attention. This is funny, because the guys on 93.7 think that without question, Armystrong should be anointed starting QB for next season. Nebraska doesn't make QB play better, so yes, the better athlete is the QB because we can't coach up QB's. This is why you develop Stanton this spring, and make Armstrong improve, if he can.

This is where I have for the last few years questioned those who claim talent is not the issue at Nebraska. When we have faced a good fast player, they can win the game by themselves. USC has talent, speed, and OH by the way, a QB coach. Talent is an issue. Across the board. No speed. Pierson is fast, but Adoree fast.

I do realize that the Big 10 plays at 11 most every Saturday, but how many of those games are key games in conference. Its usually Ohio St and someone, its not the good games. The point is, more viewers watch college football in the afternoon and evenings than any other times. Recruit- you think they want to play at 11 in morning or mid afternoon, evening games? All things lead to why the conference and schools have a hard time landing key recruits. Yes, winning matters. Winning games against teams that matter. You have to beat Wisky, Michigan St, Michigan, and Penn ST, right now. Compete against Ohio ST now, and beat them in a couple of years when you have a system and talent in place to do so. That starts by scheduling good non-conference games against really good competition. The days of patty cakes in the first 3 weeks is over if you want relevance. Play some SEC teams. Play Pac 12 teams. Play ACC teams. Even if you schedule teams like Kentucky and Utah or Wake Forest. Those at least are from Power 5 conferences.

Relevance is only a term that ESPN and other media types like to use. I do think that the Big 10 move has not helped us in the relevance part. The last time we were a top 10 rated program we were in the Big 12. Big 12 is still solid, even without us, which most thought would really hurt the conference. The thing is relevance is what we make of it. We all know that ESPN doesn't like Nebraska, and really thats Herbstreit and Corso more over than most. Some of that is due to having Trev Alberts on the staff there, and his ego leading to rubbing alot of people in the wrong way. SEC has been held to a higher relevance because ESPN and CBS televise all games nationally for the most part. Tell a Saturday when you flipped thru the channels and didn't see Bama, LSu, Tennessee, Florida orGeorgia on TV..........Ol' Miss as well. I am talking good primetime match ups during the late afternoon and evening. There is why I think alot of the nation is getting a bum rap. Relevance doesn't bother me. Winning changes that. IF we continue not to win games that matter, then guess what, we are program that doesn't matter as much as it once did. So relevance is hand in hand with winning.

Really, Bama doesn't impress you? Not looking for an argument, but this is where I think most get that opinion. Everybody watches Bama just go about its business and thinks " They are not that good, but really, they don't do anything special to beat teams, they just go out and win. The thing that everyone needs to consider is the fact that Bama is 2 or even 3 deep at every skills position and 2 deep at all the rest. This is where they have an advantage over anybody. Yes Ohio St is on there 3rd QB for the season, but lets see what he does against a top notch D of the SEC. Not trying to completely down play the Big 10 conference, but if you watch football, there is a complete night and day difference between how the Big 10 plays and how Pac 12, SEC, and Big 12 play ball. Take Ohio St out of that picture, and its not even comparable. This is why Riley coming here will change some of that, and if Harbaugh goes to Michigan, completely changes the look of the Big 10 conference going forward. Franklin will get Penn ST turned around as well. This is what the conference needs going into the future. I think the timing is right for Riley and Nebraska for a big move next year. Nebraska is closer than Michigan and Penn St for challenging Ohio St. Michigan ST now losing its DC, even favors Neb even more. Wisky is going to take a step back next year. They won't be what they have been. Thats a program now that has replaced 2 coaches in 3 years. Going into next year with 3 coaches in 4 years. That will bite them in the rear at some point. Big 10 might be lacking in firepower today, but if the cards fall right, I truly think in the next 3 years a NC will be a Big 10 lockeroom.

I guess in ways the Ohio St / Alabama game could either help or hinder the conference. I don't know if thats absolutely true, but will have some relevance. Harbaugh would make the Big 10 legit overnight. You have to have your major rivals both at high levels first in order to build power. It starts with Michigan and Ohio ST. This is why Michigan is waiting on Harbaugh. He would have that natural dislike for Ohio St. Once these two regain some national relevance, then the likes of Nebraska and Penn St will reap the benefits. Splash hires are what it is about in the age of college football. NFL experience to add to that. Harbaugh has put many skilled players in the NFL. This is what youngsters are looking for.

Loyal or not, I just question what team will appear. Thats not being negative or UNLOYAL. Stating that if we have players who show up and don't want to give 100% for the name on the front of the jersey, they should move on. I believe that, and will stand by it. Its time to start recruiting some players who care about the Red in GBR! It now all starts with having a coach who also will get some of that pride back into the players lockeroom. Thats whats been missing for 15+ years now.