mjmartin1970

Anyone know the over/under on this game - unless it is around 100, I'm betting the house on the over!

I don't think that our game plan from last year will work as well this year. I think we are weaker at corner (Jones is improving - so we may be ok, but we still don't have a nickel back, which was Bowman last year at this time). I think we are weaker at defensive tackle; however, we are seeing steady improvement here and should be up to last year quickly. And finally, I think we are weaker at safety - but once again, steadily improving. Just my humble opinion.

Well, first of all, let me start by saying I am NOT a Div I defensive coordinator, nor did I claim to be (but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night ). With our defense, specifically our backfield, I would never tell our front four to "contain" (as what is suppose to have happened on Saturday night). They need to go all out to get to the QB so that the DB's have to cover as little time as humanly possible. Because of this fact, I would put a "spy" on Meyer. I don't know if any of our LB's are fast enough to do this, but it definitely would not be Bradley - he seems to take really bad angles (football is less about speed and more about the angle you take to make the tackle). Most likely, this is going to have to be McKeon - he takes excellent angles towards the ball carrier. I would use Brothers as the Nickel back - yes he has gotten burnt once or twice, but I still maintain he would be better at covering a wideout than one of our LBs. I would not blitz a ton - due to the exposure to the DB's. However, when I did blitz, I would try to disguise it a little. We don't seem to be doing that. If we can't figure that out, then I'd either bring the house (see OT of KU game) or not blitz at all. There, my opinion, which that and a quarter may get you a phone call across town.

Well, get ready for more next week. Coz, in all of his brilliance, will more than likely not learn anything from the MU game last year, and be terrified of Meyer running the ball. So, he'll instruct all of his defensive lineman to "contain" Meyer, and thus, we will get no presure. He won't go to a Nickel package with four wide receivers, leaving our Backers' to cover wideouts (a mismatch no matter how you look at it), and ISU will carve us up again for about 400 yards passing. We'll have to win next week in a shoot out because of Coz's lame defensive schemes. Joy, Joy, Joy.

Dave, you could say the same about their 4 turnovers - we scored 14 points of their to's.

I have to take my hat of to KU as well - they beat us in every statistical category except turnovers, and well, the most important final score. They gave us all that we could handle and then some.

Ok, I just read on another board that Coz kept the reins in on Carricker and Moore because he was scared of their shovel pass (LJS Article). Your kidding me right? Let them pass for nearly 500 yards because we are scared of their shovel pass - on freaking play. Coz was a bad hire from the start and will always be the achilles heel on this team on its attempts for national championships.

Was it just me or did KU just punk both our offense line and our defensive line. That was on the verge of embarassaing. Thank god for ZT and big plays out of the WRs. Oh, and I have to say this, sorry about the all caps... HEY COSGROVE - WHY DON'T YOU TRY TO DISGUISE ONE OF YOUR BLITZES ALREADY. A 4 YEAR OLD COULD SEE THEM COMING! I mean c'mon, it was easy for Barman (sp?) to check off to a hot route with those obvious blitzes. There, I vented. A win is a win, and I'm just hoping to keep it going to take the Big 12 North - not as easy as I thought it was going to be. I'm looking for MU, ISU, A&M to give us fits. A definite loss to Texass, and even CU, by the end of the year, may be tougher than first expected. My expectations on the season just took a huge hit.

I definitely have to add this in defense of KU - they are not La Tech, Nicholls St, or even the Troy team we played. We are now in Big 12 play and have to be up for some stiffer competition (outside of USC). I think it will be a hard fought battle, it is just my opinion, that NU will put some distance between them and KU at the end of the game. Can't wait - BIG 12 PLAY IS HERE!!!!!!

I have no problem with the confidence coming from KU fans. Hey, they do have scoreboard on us, for at least another 72 hours or so. Also, I think that Nebraska is in for a tougher game than people may think. Well, the turnover thing still bothers me - if KU turns the ball over, it will be over and quick. The only reason why the :asshat on this thread is getting so much grief is the demeaning way he talks about NU. ZT making stupid decisions and throwing a lot INTs. Look at this years stats and his current TD/INT ratio (common ratio they grade NFL QBs). And the constant calling our defense the pink shirts - hmmmmm..... Show respect and you'll get respect :asshat - I meant for this thread to be a good discussion of the upcoming game.

After reading a little more, it appears to me that KU is prone to turnovers - that is going to be their key to the game. If they can eliminate them, they may be able to hang around a little. We are a much improved rushing team over the pathetic excuse we showed in KU Land last year. However, I don't think we are going to have the same success we did against La Tech/Nicholls State/Troy. Callahan will start off trying to establish the rush - if KU has no turnovers they may keep in the game for about 2.5 quarters. About mid-way through the 3rd, we'll open up the passing game. Taylor will probably utilize a lot of the TE's and RB's in open space on their green LB's. This will loosen things up for the run, and a widening margin. Prediciton if turnover battle is close: 35 - 17. Prediction if Meier throws a couple INTs in the first couple of quarters, NU roles: 49-10

I'm having a very hard time figuring out how this game will go. So far, KU has played nobody, except maybe a double OT loss to Toledo. Nebraska has had an easy time dominating what I would consider undersized opponents with the lone exception being USC. I can guarantee you that if we have a hard time running the ball in this game, BC will open it up a long before the final minute of the 3rd quarter. That being said - does anyone have any real insight into the match ups of this game? I'm pretty much assuming that our D-line will out match their O-line, minimizing there ability to run the ball. What is their passing game like? Is there any chance of success in that department? How does their passing game stack up against our d-backs? How does our O-line stack up against their D-line/backers? Are we going to be able to establish the running game, which, IMHO will result in an NU blow out. How about the passing game? Are the weak or strong in the secondary? Thoughts?

I know, I'm just really anxious to see them. Thanks a ton in advance.

Hey, I couldn't watch the game - anyone have a clips of Lucky's TD runs?

I beginning to hate 40 times, and I really hate 100 times. How the heck is the kid's time in the 100 m any relation to football, unless we start at the goal-line and he is trying to outrace someone trying to catch him. Even 40 times seem to be a misnomer to me. It is that burst of quickness at most positions that really makes the difference. Isn't there an 10 yard agility drill or something that measures this? Heck, give me there 10 yard times, electronically timed of course. That would tell you a lot more of how they comparibly play football then there 40 or 100 times.

Hey, does anyone know if I can get the game in Denver on comcast? Been trying to find it, and I'm losing hope fast.

Actually, Texas, Missouri, and Iowa State all have pretty decent passing games. Goal for Mizzou and Ia State will be to dominate their O-Line with our D-Line, force them to be one dimensional and then abuse their QB's. That will be much more difficult with Texas as they have a very good O-line.

Oops - Young is CO #2 with someone else - but can't see who.

I do agree that I haven't seen many passes broken up by either Green or Shanle as of yet. Is this a scheme or a talent or a lack of experience thing. Does Huskers.com keep stats for pass break ups?

I'm definitely in agreement that with Wags & Callahan, I thought our O-line would, by now, be our strength. However, I'm still willing to give him at least one more year on the development of the zone blocking scheme with these guys. I've just seen too much improvement from last year to this year to give up on the O-line coaches now. Our LB's are due to Coz I believe - a Big 10, big & slower (not slow mind you, but not lightning quick) Crew. Coz is more about assignment football and stoppping the power running game than he is about lightning fast LB's flying all over the field. This has always been a complaint of mine, but I have no basis other than watching games to really complain (i.e. I think he is slightly more qualified than I am to judge talent). I also agree that I have questioned some of the recruiting - we seem very over stocked at some positions and not enough talent at others. IMHO, Coach C is still growing in his re-education of college football, and their is definitely a learning curve from be an assistant coach in college and now "calling the shots". I feel there is still room for improvement in our recruiting strategies and hope to see the coaching staff grow in this area each and every year. We aren't there yet. But I still believe we are getting there. However, I doubt seriously Coach C will win a MNC with his first contract. But I'll keep the faith. Hell, maybe we'll win out & play USC again this year for the MNC?

I definitely agree that the key to our type of defense is the two middle defensive lineman. If they get a good push up the middle, this eats up blocks and free's up both the DE's and the LB's to make plays (see the Ravens and the difference a certain Husker de-committ is making on their D-line this year). I think both of these guys will get better as the year progresses, as will our O-line. And hopefully, we will see Jones make similar strides as Bowman did last year at CB. Anyone think that having Green play the nickel back position (as well as starting safety) would help in multiple wide receiver sets. He seemed to do OK as a CB last year?

I agree that Bowman would have been a huge help, and the somewhat "green" safety's might have made a mistake or two (did not see anything specifically). How much of our O-line do we get back next year?

I've finally gotten over the loss and want some real discussion on what to take from the game.... Ok, I do realize that this O-line is night and day difference from last year. So this isn't meant to anyone. But, to me, that is the one place on offense where we were clearly outmanned (as indicated by our rushing statisitcs). What do we need to do to see continued improvement in this area so we are competing for an MNC one day? Next, on the secondary, the one place on defense where we couldn't stop them. I mean, I don't think we will see a set of wideouts again like that for a long time. However, if we want to play for an MNC, we have to be able to stop teams like this. What do we need to see the necessary improvement in the secondary to win an MNC? Just trying to get some productive - "what did we learn from the game" discussion going. So please, let's stop with the game plan. I didn't like it either, but it was what it was.

After taking both Fla. State and G. Tech to the "wire" so to speak, we better get some respect if we handle Troy with relative ease. But, I'm not looking for any style points, all we need to do is to win, and the polls will take care of themselves. In fact, who gives a rat's butt about the polls, if we win the Big 12 North, and then figure out a way to winthe Big 12 Championship game, we get a BCS birth no matter where we are ranked, right? I would consider that a very successful season.

While I was pretty po'd on Saturday night, and would have told you then (in a somewhat drunken stupor ) that I was smarter than Coach C, I would never, sober, tell anyone I knew more than Coach C. Hell, the Grad Assistants on the team know more than I do. Even some of the trainers, ball boys, etc. However, I don't think it is good to just blindly say - "we have the best coach in the land" - no matter what happens on the field. Not good at all to not question his tactics. This is true of the football coach of your favorite team, your State congressman, even the Presdent of the United States. It just needs to be done in a healthy way. And yes, just saying Coz Sucks is probably not healthy at all. Indiana Husker and I have just been questioning the hire ever since it happened. In our humble and uneducated opinion (does that make you feel better), there were better options available at the time. But that is definitely a dead horse that has been beat into dust now.