cheekygeek

I stand corrected.

Instead of posting little Twitter snippets, this is one Rhule press conference that every Nebraska fan should view in it’s entirety: He’s nicely & kindly SCHOOLING a lot of asshat Nebraska fans who insult players and coaches and generally forget that these players are somebody’s KIDS that are (finally) being coached by a staff of energetic, honest to God ADULTS. Be patient people. The foundation is clearly being laid. Stop with the bipolar mood swings after every win or loss. Nebraska Football IS on its way back to being a relevant respected program. If you didn’t think this was the right staff before, and you don’t now - in the face of winning games in spite of the unbelievable number of injuries this year - well, I question how much you are really paying attention.

I’m impressed with Northwestern’s interim HC: It’s like walking into an alternate universe looking at that channel’s video views: The highlights of their homecoming victory over Howard has 745 views (and the number of people in the stands…). Meanwhile the highlights of Nebraska’s win over Illinois on @Huskers channel: 11,000.

Bielema’s post game press conference (Nebraska) was not exactly endorsed by their Recruiting Coordinator, I’m sure.

What did we learn? We learned that Tony White continues to make the right personnel moves that allows him to cover for players lost to injury. Regardless of what state Phalen is from, or whether he is scholarship or walk-on, the dude can ball. But the offense is being absolutely DECIMATED by injuries at RB & WR. While I’m happy the offense did enough to win last night, I fear that anyone who looks at this game objectively and sees an easy path to a bowl game at this point is WILDLY over-reacting to this win. (Just like many wildly over-reacted to the Michigan loss.) I believe that a Best Case Scenario has a six win season ON THE LINE when we play Iowa.

Virginia also has a bye on the 14th. Virginia can’t run the ball, can’t stop the run, and is 0-5 as a result

I think that before the season even began, most of us had this chalked up as a definite “L”. And that was before we knew Sims stared down his intended targets and hiked the ball when the motion man was in the way. It was before we knew we would be without Gabe & Rahmir. It was before we knew that Corcoran would make NO improvements. On the plus side, it was before we knew that Fidone would begin fulfilling hopes & expectations. It was before we knew that Haarberg was more than a serviceable backup. It was before we knew our rushing game could be #6 in the country and our defense bring some serious honor back to the name “Blackshirts”. To have a puncher’s chance, I think we need to come out on the first offensive play of the game, roll away from Corcoran and throw a bomb to Coleman/Lloyd. We need a defensive TD and some stellar Special Teams play. In my dreams, I can hear Chris Berman recapping the NU/Michigan highlights saying “And THAT’S why they play the games”.

Looking forward to the storied performance jump between Game 1 and Game 2. I think we will see a bigger test to the Huskers conditioning vs Colorado, with the combination of altitude and up-tempo, no huddle that they run. There was NOBODY (for the Huskers) standing with hands on hips in Minnesota on defense, but we were able to rotate people - as planned. If Colorado's offense doesn't substitute and goes fast, that will be a challenge and I'm curious to see how the defense handles that. Hopefully they go fast and three & out a bunch, which would turn it around and put pressure on THEIR defense with little rest. Especially if we can be successful at running the ball and sustaining drives against them. But if they creep up and put too many in the box, we gotta call pass. IMHO, with the thinness at WR, the guy you need to put into the game plan is Fidone. I also would not be surprised to see Janiran Bonner used in multiple positions, including FB where he might get a surprise carry or two. They used Haarberg as a pass catcher last week and I'm interested to see if they make use of him again this week, or use him as a decoy, based on what he ran last week on film. He's a guy I wouldn't mind seeing with the ball, given his combination of size, speed and athleticism. I'd love to see Malachi and Jaylen put in there to take the top off of the defense (if nothing else). Give their safeties something to think about and open up space underneath for Kemp. EDIT1: With Rhule not mentioning Kemp and touching his nose when saying saying Fleeks had a good week (Kemp's backup on the depth chart) - I have the feeling that Kemp will be a large part of the passing game this week. Rhule said that Prochazka would play some snaps and he's listed as 3rd on the depth chart this week vs Colorado. Don't know if that's mind games or what, but if he's gonna play, how do you not play Gottula, even though he's a freshman - given he's listed as Corcoran's backup and Corcoran's grades were abysmal in pass protection. I'd be surprised if Corcoran is in the game for a pass play this week, unless it is a designed QB roll away from his side. EDIT2: Watching a motivated Ty Robinson fresh in the 2nd half and in for every snap, could be FUN! EDIT3: If you are at the game, watch Tristan Alvano's warm up and how far back he tries kicks from. The altitude is a boost for kickers, and I would not be afraid to try Alvano from over 50 yds in Boulder.

Did you notice he touched his nose right before he said that?

Scout's view: What game film reveals about Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders' NFL prospects

Statistics are like bikinis. What they show you is revealing, but what they hide is VITAL. Left out of your stat is that Sims completed another 15.8% to the other team.

Well, then I guess we know which side the Mafia wants to make sure wins.

For all my praise of Rhule’s staff, the one thing that surprised me was no QB coach. Michigan has a separate QB Coach from the OC. I’d love a list of the teams that DON’T have one. I realize that their first priority might have been teaching the offensive playbook, but they are doing Sims no favors in allowing him to play with bad habits like staring down his receiver & throwing off the back foot. Honestly the people in Nebraska most excited about what was seen last night are probably Danny Kaelin & his family. Maybe he could get a head start on Corey Campbell’s strength & conditioning program at his high school?

The game was lost when Nebraska went three and out in the 4th with three straight passes. Three straight runs, even failing to pick up the first down, would have taken another 2+ minutes off of the clock & likely been the difference. We did the only thing we could do to give them a chance - preserving clock for them by throwing incomplete passes. The Grant fumble was also inexcusable, because it should have been Gabe Ervin carrying the ball in the 4th. If you subtract Gabe’s longest run (27 yds) he still averaged 4 yds/carry on his remaining carries. Why do you take HIM OUT and put a player you have publicly said had fumble issues IN??? We win (even losing the turnover differential) if we run the ball on that passing three & out. Sims does not appear to go through progressions. He telegraphs his throws & I’m guessing THAT is why he throws so many interceptions. Amazing we were in control as long as we were with all of those turnovers. The defense looked good until they dinked their little sideline passes four times in a row to get in field goal range (they ran the play before the FG). Nebraska got away with what could have been pass interference calls a couple of times. I do believe the nose of the football was touching the goal line when Sims elbow hit the ground. The offensive line showed a good push several times - including the first offensive play from the 6 inch line. The conditioning of the team looked very good. The effort was there for the whole game. No standing with hands on hips out of breath. Special Teams was a bright spot. Buschini had a great average and put all three punts inside the 20. Alvano got the first 4 points of his collegiate career & Rahmir Johnson ripped off an impressive kickoff return. Billy Kemp and Fidone were almost no-shows. I was surprised at some of the creative play calls (for a game one) - throwing to Haarberg and “the Osborne” were two. Defeat snatched from the jaws of victory, yet again. We’re the Best 0-1 team in the country, I’m sure.

It’s Gabe Ervin time!

Finally a bone throwing sighted!

Time to even the turnovers, D.

Traded three & outs.

Haven’t seen any Husker defenders with their hands on their hips.

Burn clock with a lead, dude.

4th quarter should be Gabe Ervin, Gabe Ervin & more Gabe Ervin.

I want Sims to pass no more than absolutely necessary until the clock hits 0:00

Minnesota hasn’t even sniffed the end zone (so far) and a FG isn’t going to win it for them (at the moment). Just need to match them blow for blow now.

Minnesota native Omar Brown, ladies & gentlemen!

My thought exactly.