Weasel

I lurk at another site and they are discussing UM versus NU 97. Funny they quote an article in which UM gets credit for playing 7 ranked teams to our 4. However do "any" research and you find out that this is bull. First, isn't it the end of the year results that count? I guess it just depends on what point you want to make and furthermore who you want to make appear better. But here is what I came up with: NEBRASKA 13-0 AP 2 / C 1 Akron Central Florida @ Washington AP 18 / C 18 Kansas St. AP 8 / C 7 @ Baylor Texas Tech. @ Kansas Oklahoma @ Missouri AP 23 / C 23 Iowa St. @ Colorado (Neutral) Texas A&M AP 20 / C 21 (Bowl) Tennessee AP 7 / C 8 MICHIGAN 12-0 AP 1 / C 2 Colorado Baylor Notre Dame @ Indiana Northwestern Iowa @ Michigan St. Minnesota @ Penn St. AP 16 / C 17 @ Wisconsin Ohio St. AP 12 / C 12 (Bowl) Washington St. AP 9 / C 9 AVG RANK: NU 15.0 (5 final ranked) AVG RANK: UM 13.0 (3 final ranked) Lets see here: NU played 4 Ranked teams and 5 ended up ranked at the end of the season. UM played 7 ranked teams in which 3 ended up ranked in the final polls. Average rankings of the teams that ended the season ranked: NU's opponents: 15.0 (5 ranked) UM's opponents: 13.0 (3 ranked) NU Played 2 ranked opponents away versus UM's one. NU played 2 more ranked teams at neutral sites compared to UM's one. NU also had to play one more game than UM and played the highest available opponents available in their bowl....in which UM did not. Common opponents (Baylor & Colorado in which UM played both common opponents at their home stadium versus NU playing both away. NU won by an average score of: @Baylor & @ Colorado: 38-23 (average win margin of 15 points) UM won by an average score of: Baylor & Colorado: 33-3 (average win margin of 30 points) Final Ranked opponents average score & win margins: UM: 25-13 (win margin of: 12 points) NU: 45-22 (win margin of: 23 points) Just some points to think about and obviously I fully admit to our loyal UM fans this doesn't mean that NU would've beat Michigan. It is nothing more than something to take into consideration. Also, I wish the Big Ten would've not been tied into the Rose bowl because at the very least it has cost Penn St. and Mich at the very least a shot at a outright title. However I can't help it that neither of those Big 10 teams faced the best competition out there during their undefeated runs in which NU did. Miami and Tenn. Good luck Mich in the bowl game and hope we make it close and if possible squeak out a win over imo a seriously underachieving / talented UM team. Weasel

Some great replies......! As for Mich 97....bla bla bla....Ten 97 beats Mich....enough said. As for this year.....they have everything to lose and we have everything to gain imo. Plus we should have plenty of bulletin board material by now and "if" we show up like we did in the CU game, we will surprise more than a few "media" critics like Mark May: a.k.a "Footsie" lmao! Can't wait.....personally. Weasel

It is clear that the line between professional and college sports has blurred. College Football (and most every other college sport) has been turned into nothing more than a training ground for pro organizations. Nothing points to this more clearly than the increase of student athletes leaving early to go pro. It is about the $ and whether folks like it or not these kids are commodities to the Universities, NCAA, Pro-Organizations, and most importantly.......their parents (can't forget recruiting services, coaches etc.....there are a lot of people waiting to benefit from these kids becoming stars). No single area can be blamed, it has been a collective effort to turn College sports into basically farm teams for the pros. The single best way to stop it to put age limits on when kids can enter the pros. However that to is a catch 22......so it is evolving and with that you are only going to see parents become more and more involved in their retirement plans Not all parents obviously are like this etc.....but like loud mouths in the NFL, these types of players / parents seem to get more air time because as sports evolution continues you have folks like ESPN that will continue to dictate what is news worthy / seen as the present norm. Just my thoughts, Weasel

Then goes on to predict Michigan is going to score 40 plus. Hmm........this honestly is starting to sound like 1993 when Florida St. was going to roll us. Actually "IF" we can make a game of it and keep it close.....put a scare in the "experts" etc....I think this will be a win win for NU. Actually if I was Michigan I'd be ticked not only about being in the bowl they are in, but facing a NU team that in actuality doesn't have much to lose and "everything" to gain. My 2 cents, Thoughts? Weasel

Good points that I failed to address. I can't presume because I don't know the specifics of the coaches contracts etc. I do know it didn't stop the revamping of the staff and hiring of a "basically" new one. However I could be proven wrong in that this was the "major" reason Pedey didn't pull the trigger earlier on Solich himself. So good points and for sure something that could've been a possibility. Regardless my point / concern is that things from day one could've been handled better by the U....just my 2 cents. Take care, Weasel

First let me allow to state where my point of view is coming from: 1) Yes, I believe Solich needed to be let go. 2) Yes, I like Pedey's vision. 3) I wasn't in favor of BP taking over as coach (I personally wanted Brown and Gill to stay in some form though) 4) I was not happy with the way Pedey handled the firing, hiring process....simple. Pedey put himself in the situation and our fan base as well when he waited one year to long to fire Solich. He imo obviously knew and had valid reasons to fire Solich from the first day he was hired as the AD and imo should've done what his gut feeling was from day one. Fire Solich and start from scratch like he is now. His reasoning, his handling of it and outside views of it couldn't have been "any worse" than what they ended up being...let me assure you of that (heck, we were 7-7 and off one of the WORST coached bowl games in NU history.......!). No, instead he allows Solich to re-vamp his staff, they see in one year a marked improvement but then at the end of the season just before a bowl game Pedey fires him? Honestly, as you are stating, NO ONE has yet to explain just how DUMB of move that was and as for timing....could it of been any worse? IMO, it is not the ANT-Pedey folks anymore than the PRO folks that need to do explaining. It in most opinions is just the FACT of "HOW" it all went down and then the roller-coaster we all road on trying to get a new coach. It appears to many from the outside that Pedey / NU was just to chicken to just part ways with a man that had dedicated his life to NU. Furthermore we allow him to stick around a year longer, improve and then fire him.......why not just drag him through the mud while we are at it (this is how it appeared, right or wrong)? In other words, it wouldn't of been pretty anyway it would've been done. It is just the fact that Pedey picked the worst option of several that would do the most damage to NU and the fan base imo. It was un-Nebraskan because it appeared to be a "win" at all cost move and puts NU in a category that we haven't been in, in a long time. Classless, unloyal, heartless, etc.etc... This is why we have a divide, this is why we have bitterness and again Pedey is banking on "nothing" more than winning taking care of all the resentment / anger among long time fans. I've yet to see anything Pedey has done to re-unite NU fans to this date. In fact it would be safe to say he has been a divider. He is simply clueless imo of the type of family NU fans were. Fact is we are still family, but feuding about details of a messy situation that left many scared even though they were in total agreement with a change being needed. Fact is, Pedey probably doesn't care and many of the NU family don't either......because there are some that are with him in the "win at all costs" and that is all that matters (however we are all fans and for those that can't deal with other opinions....sorry, I nor you have the right to determine who and who isn't a "real" fan). Personally, I'll be an NU fan until I am gone....but I am not willing to agree with his actions in regards to how he chose to do what I agreed needed to be done. Also, winning doesn't get rid of the sour taste his choices have put in my mouth. Maybe time will, but Pedey himself could do that with simply handling things correctly, instead of proving he is the worst politician out there period. Also us fans could do that, but again the split seems to run deep and lets face it. We've in many ways turned on each other........check out many of the boards out there. The family is split and it is a simple fact and Pedey should imo do something to address the problem instead of making it worse. It could be done, but I doubt it.............until proven wrong, he is a man banking on "winning will fix everything". That is something I do not associate with and it is something that wasn't present in the program over the last 20 plus years. Maybe Pedey was away from Nebraska to long or: What I have noticed is that many of the self proclaimed "real" NU fans are the ones that do not see values, morals, and ethics as important to NU football. They see the bottom line in recruiting stars, winning differently (in all phases), and the handling of the Solich situation as unimportant. Many of those imo were the same that voiced displeasure with TO for many years and still don't agree with "how" he ran the program for years or his appointment of Solich. So, imo many of those minority opinions back then are now the majority......it appears. Certainly everyone is entitled to their opinion and this again is "only" mine. But what would help imo bring back everyone would to just admit the situation could've been handled better and that from here on we move forward together.........! Weasel

What to do to beat the Blue? First, I'll be honest. This simply isn't a good match up for NU this year. I have no reserve stating the obvious and that is Michigan has played tougher teams and generally better than NU has been all year. Also it doesn't help our chances by what I've seen from NU and its running game this year. Without at least an effective running game to keep their D honest we will get blown out 35-10 UM. However if NU can keep them honest and we play as good as we did versus CU (offensively) then we will be in the game and could pull it off with a 21-24 NU win. It also doesn't help in not knowing what teams will show up. Michigan's team has been hot and cold all year and the same can be said for our Defense. One game we are seeing vast improvement and next thing KU is giving us a tanning for the ages. IMO, at their best and our best they still win but we have a shot......we are simply to young yet and still on our way back. If we get them on one of their cold days and at our best we win (and I stress we've not yet seen our best or anywhere near it imo). Key to winning this game is making sure we hold our end up and play our best and the rest will be settled on the field. Like any game it should be settled on the field and if we play smart, physical, and turnover free ball......we could very well win this game. My prediction if I was unbiased: UM 31 NU 21 My heart: NU 24 UM 17 Either way I looking forward to the game and best of luck to the Blue. Weasel

I agree to a point. But part of being a Nebraskan is "how" you go about doing things....not just about getting it done. However that point of view falls on deaf ears when it comes to Pedey and that is my biggest complaint against him. He divided NU Fans down the center when there was really no reason to do so. He botched the handling of many things and for that healing is going to take time. Sadly, he can never admit though when he was wrong etc......and in his own logic feels that he will bring everyone back by simply winning. That imo is where Pedey is clueless / classless......winning isn't everything, nor the only thing. That is one thing I most respected about TO.....he understood this and even in defeat and disappointing seasons he represented imo Nebraska values / pride. It made winning only that much more special imo, Weasel

There has been "some" obvious improvement in regards to the defense. However I will tend to agree with the point that we try to strip the ball to often and more so in bad situations (at times). Nothing wrong with being aggressive with stripping, but when (for fun) I took a coaching class while attending UNL they preached over and over "NEVER" to go for a strip unless it was in a pile, or you were the second player on a chase down to go for the ball. First and foremost MAKE THE TACKLE. Same can be said for big hits, etc...... Nothing wrong with that at long as you are tackling. If folks remember there were times under Charlie we went for the forearm tackles instead of wrapping up. That obviously changed, but was one of my biggest issues with his tactics at first (please don't get me started on the CB's not turning their heads though). Weasel

This is good news. We indeed have a lot of folks at the wr position, however we need imo at the very least 3 that can consistently produce like Swift has this year. Right now we have a lot of names, but some that have taken steps back and others that could benefit from a couple more years under the systems learning curve. Either way if we are going to run this kind of system we imo can never have enough play makers at the skilled positions. Weasel

We shouldn't be worried at all. First, of all the things that SP has botched, I am going to go out on a limb and say that I am assuming he at least (at the very least) made dang sure each and everyone of these coaches from BC, Elmo, Blake, and Norvell wanted to be here......for a long time. Also, we won't need imo to be worried about anyone of those I named to be leaving until we at least have a couple title years or at the very least get to the game. Even after that I have a solid feeling that BC and Elmo are LONG TERM hires and I hope so. NU has benefited time and time again because of the longevity and stability of our past coaching staff's. my 2 cents, Weasel

It stinks whenever we lose out on "any" player we really want and don't get. However I do feel BC has a solid grasp on recruiting and isn't that worried about our situation. Also, any player that can't deal with some competition for a starting job (or really doesn't want to be here)....one has to wonder just how much will they be missed? I'd much rather have a "less" celebrated / ranked player on our team that wants to be a HUSKER versus a kid that doesn't any day. Weasel

i got something i need to rant about and here is as good a place as any... apparently fan voting doesn't mean a dang thing for the Pro Bowl- and neither do stats apparently. Vanden Bosch & DWilliams = NO PRO BOWL. But Mike Brown and (of course) Will Shields made it. My main beef is that Freeney from Indy was given a spot over KVB. He has 33 tackles to KVBs 60 and has only 10 sacks to KVBs 12.5. Not to mention, Freeney plays for a much better team (Colts) and a better defensive "supporting cast" arround him than Vanden Bosch has. The Titans also had another deserving player who was screwed so i think the "better team" factor actually worked against VB here. KVB was given the consolation prize of "pro bowl alternate" though. also, Demorrio has more tackles AND sacks than the three guys in there at OLB. the other Falcons OLB made the roster so i wondered if maybe they didn't want two LBs from the same team.... except that Chicago has two LBs in there (Urlacher and Briggs). again, congrats to Mike Brown on making his first Pro Bowl though, that was a pleasant surprise. but I'm more annoyed by the snubs. this is total BS, pisses me off bad that Kyle and Demorrio didn't make it...what a rip off! Couldn't of said it any better.......totally wrong. Weasel

McKeon and Nate Swift imo. Weasel

1) How long have you been a member of Husker Nation? Is there another team/sport? 2) What/who led you to The Nation? Entire family from Valentine Nebraska 3) Where are you from originally? Born in Colorado Springs 4) Where do you live now? Anchorage, Alaska 5) Favorite Husker memory? 1994 #3 NU beating #2 CU 24-7 and helping take the goal posts to the Game Day Crew (Greatest / Loudest NU Crowd EVER imo) 6) Worst Husker memory? ASU beating us 19-0 7) Number of home games attended? 28 8) Number of away games attended? 0 9) Favorite Husker memorabilia/apparel? Wouldn't you like to know 10) Favorite place to watch a Husker game? (section in Memorial, bar, friends house etc.) Stadium if possible, if not, home. 11) Favorite all time player? LP, Barron Miles, Eric Warfield, Eric Johnson 12) WCO or Option? Power Running Game with a balanced Passing Attack 13) Stevie Pederson or Billy Byrne? Neither 14) Lil Red or Herbie Husker? Herbie 15) Favorite Husker play? Fullback dive 16) Favorite game-day beverage? Anything but alcohol 17) How did you find HuskerBoard? (referral source) Searched