JJ Husker

It's not a lack of respect. People think Michigan State is a better team because they are. You're getting a little ahead of yourself spanky. We will find out who the better team is on Saturday when they actually play each other. Rankings, stats, partial seasons, etc. don't mean jack. That is why teams actually have to suit up and play each other. You should know this. And, a brief history would indicate we are generally the better team anyway (7-1 record, with the 1 loss coming in a 5 turnover sh#tstorm of ball protection ineptitude). But, if you want to call MSU the better team, go right ahead. Just be ready to own it when the game is over. We haven't played the game yet. Until we do, they are a better team. A brief history would include last year's game, and a debate about the two before it mayyybe being considered. It wouldn't include games played in the 1920's and 90's because they couldn't be less relevant. There's a reason they are ranked higher than us and it's not because of brainless bias. Even if we come out and beat them 41-10 Saturday, the point is that we aren't being disrespected by the media. Michigan State is at home, which is an advantage, they've got a great quarterback, great receivers and backs, a great defense, and have been firing on pretty much all cylinders this season and for over a year now. I wouldn't say we are being disrespected by the media but we also are not getting much respect from them either. Given our recent history, I can't say I blame the pundits for not giving us a few more win picks than they have. It's the safe thing for them to do and it makes sense. But, having watched both teams play a lot this season, I'm just not seeing where MSU is clearly ahead of us in all facets as so many seem to think they are. Yeah, they've got some definite advantages in this game, I just believe that if we don't self destruct this game will not be the gauntlet so many are making it seem like.

I'm trying to manage my expectations also but, I am just having trouble believing, on any level, that if we just take care of us we won't be fine. MSU is a very good team with a salty defense and likely the best offense (or at least one that will give us problems) we have seen so far this year BUT if we don't turnover the ball, if Beck doesn't go full head in ass when it gets tough, and if Bo & Paps bring some pressure on Cook, we will win this thing. I don't think we have to play perfect but we do have to severely limit turnovers, penalties, and bring a serious effort. We ARE the better team.......we just have to play like we are. That is the only question in my book; Do we play up to our capability or do we relive ghosts of previous big games?

It's not a lack of respect. People think Michigan State is a better team because they are. You're getting a little ahead of yourself spanky. We will find out who the better team is on Saturday when they actually play each other. Rankings, stats, partial seasons, etc. don't mean jack. That is why teams actually have to suit up and play each other. You should know this. And, a brief history would indicate we are generally the better team anyway (7-1 record, with the 1 loss coming in a 5 turnover sh#tstorm of ball protection ineptitude). But, if you want to call MSU the better team, go right ahead. Just be ready to own it when the game is over.

I thought it was edgy and fresh.

^^^This. All we need to do is not shoot ourselves in the foot. Heck, last year we had 5 turnovers, at only 3 or 4 we win that game.

I like that we're not getting a lot of respect from the media in this game. I think they're wrong but, I like it. I would be way more worried if they were picking us across the board. No excuse for the team to go in thinking this one is in the bag.

Well it is a lot more impressive with those neutral site games included

I'm guessing none have a winning record against top ten teams on the road. But.........not beating a top ten since 1997 (17 years) on the road, that's not really an issue of a "good" record that is just plain bad and unacceptable. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

We really have had some terrible and embarrassing losses over the last few years. I remember when the debacle in Boulder was it.....the worst......the only.......my how that now just appears to be the initial dam breech. Yes, we need to end some trends starting this week.

We won't get to the playoffs if we lose Saturday or if we lose the CCG. Doesn't matter if it's MSU in the ccg or somebody else. Lose once and we're not in the playoffs. Pretty simple.

It is a very big game so I voted yes, even though it may not be the biggest of the Pelini era. A victory would be a huge step for Bo, this program, and for putting us in the drivers seat of the B1G. I have to believe a win vs a top ten would help us move up the rankings a bit faster. A loss and we're probably out of the top 25 (wrongly I might add). So, yeah, this is a really big game.

#18 Michael Topolinski LB Easter Island Head

#83 Paul Lang TE Sunshine

#96 David Fennell DL

Dave Warner Co-OC

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. The games Beck called against Miami and Illinois were noticeably improved from the previous three games. Specifically he seemed to stick with what was working while also exploiting what the defense was giving us. Previously he would try to out guess the D, force things he thought would be there, and generally get in his own way. IMO the change from the first three games to the last two has been quite remarkable and obvious. To me, I took that as you saying he did a bad job in the first three games and good job in the last two. I sort of said that but then chose to back off of it some. It is more I believe he has done better in the last two games than he did in the first three games. But yes, as a five game body of work, he has done pretty well this year compared to previous seasons. Those few dumb choices just really stick out to me. I guess because better teams will make us pay for them moreso than the teams we have played thus far, so I find any bad calls worrisome.

I still fail to see how you can say Beck did a horrible job in either the FA or Fresno game. He accomplished what he did while actually not over using Ameer, getting him what he needs to stay in the national discussion and keeping him fresh for games like Miami. I don't care who you have as OC and you will be able to pick a play here or there out that you think should have been called differently. Heck, even TO had plays that didn't work or that you could question why he called that play. (and no, not all were this great mastermind of setting up other plays.) Sometimes plays just don't work. That's football. And, as someone else said, you don't know what was originally called and what TA changed at the line with what he thought he could do. The fact is, we are 5-0. Our offense is looking very good statistically and that isn't just the last two games. That doesn't just happen in spite of the OC. He has done a very good job this year. Whoa whoa whoa, back the truck up. I'm not saying Beck did a horrible job in those two games. What I'm saying is he screwed the pooch a few times in those games. big difference. I'm a nitpicker and I tend to focus on what doesn't work as opposed to what does- that's on me and I realize it. But yes, Beck has done a much better job this year than I believe he has done in seasons past. And that, ggod or bad, is not all on him either. As my previous post indicates, it is also a result of the synergy of numerous things helping him out. Line play, Ameer, running backs, QB play-Tommy, etc. When it all comes together, it makes everything easier.

Couldn't agree more. I do think the O line is better this year but possibly simply because it is healthier at this point in time. The thing is, the whole dynamic and synergy is what makes things click. When the passing game is a credible threat, it helps open up the running game and vice versa. Plus, this may just be my impression but, I think Tommy's leadership, presence, whatever you want to call it, inspires the players around him to give a little bit more. Taylor was a great individual talent with the ability to take it to the house on any play but I feel the rest of the team understands that TA is going to try to stay within himself more, stick with the system, and not try to do it all alone. I think that has a huge impact on the mindset and effort the other 10 players give every down. If I had to rank the reasons for the success of this years offense compared to previous seasons they would be; 1A- The combination of all of the following 1- Offensive Line play 2- Ameer and the running backs 3- Beck's play calling 4- Quarterback play- Tommy A.

I guess the problems I have with Beck's playcalling in those first three games stems from a few really bad choices. I believe the best example was the FAU opening drive, third and fourth down play calls. Totally ridiculous to not decide to just ram the ball down their throat. Even if they load the box and we fail, it's better than what we did. That same scenario has played out a few times in each of those first thrree games. Beck just tried too hard to be too cute at times. Like a many have said, he just couldn't keep out of his own way. Sure we were still highly successful in two of those games but not because Beck didn't make plenty of bad play calls along with plenty of good ones. When it is a lesser opponent, I expect us to be pretty efficient so the dumber calls seem to stick out more. I just sense that he has been approaching it differently (and better) the last two games. It seems obvious to me that he is being a little more patient and has chosen to rely more heavily on the O line and our RB's, especially Ameer, and that is a much better gameplan IMO.

Huskers 31 Sparty 27 Land 270 Air 200

Ummmm, yeah.There is this cat that wears #8. We saw the difference when he was out of the game even with #4 at QB. I think that the word I'm looking for to desribe this line of thinking is delusional. Thinking TA is a better leader, game manager, and has better throwing mechanics than TM is delusional? Thinking 5-0 is better than any start under TM is delusional? You might want to look up the word delusional. I don't think it means what you think it does.

Oh don't worry, we'll get to see some sh**ty variation on these again as long as we stick with Adidas.

Beck has done well all year minus the mcneese state game. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. The games Beck called against Miami and Illinois were noticeably improved from the previous three games. Specifically he seemed to stick with what was working while also exploiting what the defense was giving us. Previously he would try to out guess the D, force things he thought would be there, and generally get in his own way. IMO the change from the first three games to the last two has been quite remarkable and obvious.