All Hail Herbie

5th in a row so most of us are now de-sensitized. The offseason for many of us began this year with the loss to Illinois so we have 3 month head start.

Perhaps sadder still is the fact that those 3 other programs could have joined us at any point during the past 5 seasons (soon to be 6).

His lack of concern for special teams will remain beyond this season. Our esteemed coach believes that 2 point conversions constitute special teams.

Could someone post one of the faux pre-season pump up videos now? Or perhaps add a long diatribe along with pictures of the alternate jerseys for next season? Propaganda is always preferred to reality. Tomorrow, we can talk about the great energy around the practice and S&C facilities now that it is the offseason.

Never concede that we have coaching issues. We are just in a 5 year slump when it comes to getting "the breaks". We know that the Coach has zero ability to steer the outcome. Our team is merely the victim of circumstance.

Right idea, wrong reason. The only wait that matters now is the one involving a separation agreement in November, 2022. Whoever the new coordinator will be, there time in Lincoln will be clocked with an egg timer.

The stats do not lie, whatever Coach Frost calls is gold. He just needs to hire a "yes man" or a former credit union loan officer. It is after all a one year assignment.

Your thoughts mirror my own. If we desire to not only be relevant once more, but also competitive in terms of league championships, we are going to have to pony up and pay to get "the guy". Whoever that may be. The market rate for top flight coaching prospects, in many cases unproved at the Power 5 level, has gone up considerably. With this upcoming lame duck season, including Spring / Fall practices and games, it is imperative that the powers that be in and around this program, develop not only a list of prospective candidates, but also determine just how much they are prepared to spend in order to right the ship. Moreover, we should also consider the possibility of going all in on a proven and successful Power 5 head coach, even if that offer puts us north of $10 million per season. If we are prepared to spend significant money on new facilities, it is only logical to assume that the same program would put significant money on the table for a proven, successful Power 5 coach.

The optimism I reference is borne of simplicity. Fundamentally, a simple solution to a problem (i.e. personnel) gives one hope that success is within grasp. Focusing that strategic vs. tactical view on the matter of greater offensive balance presents a good case study. I argue in favor of a more creative overall offensive approach (utilizing backs / receivers / tight ends) as a means to generate rushing, limit turnovers, and most importantly, limit the QB-centric approach. Your argument is in effect that we already possess offensive diversity with our current scheme, it is working, albeit with a personnel deficiency (OL). If you are correct with your theory, than the addition of a few notable OL transfers this year should turn 3-9 into a 7-5 or 8-4 team. I would certainly welcome a few names if they are already signed and I missed it. If I am correct, and despite the personnel additions, the team will remain sub-0.500 as the overall offensive approach is deficient.

Sarcasm my friend... No need to change the subject; the problems with this program. Tactical vs. Strategic. Your view is one that is standard for many optimistic fans of this regime, upgrade a few positions from a talent perspective (OL / Special Teams) and the team will have success. And without a doubt, that view is very appealing because it plays to the concept of hope. The rushing game is simply a microcosm of this larger discussion. The problem with that thinking is that the situation is not static, but dynamic. You are trying to fill an existing hole in the dam while the dam itself is crumbling.

Times are different, but the game is not. Avoid penalties, turnovers, and tactical errors and your probability of success remains high. The Chiefs are a great example of offensive diversity. TE red zone runs, WR pop passes, end arounds, etc. are plays that keep a defense guessing with the run game, while protecting the football.

When a team is foundering, the coaches and fans should be open to all ideas. It astonishes me that there are some within this fan base that still believe that despite the results that we have optimized our potential. Agree about being open to Coach Brown making a few calls. Try it in a meaningless game on Friday and see how it works in game action.

Is that really true? Again, I go back to a fundamental point, the lack of strategic vision for this team, amongst coaches and some fans, is a contributor to our problems. Case in point, fixing 2021 problems for 2022. You are already a year behind when you cite OL and Special Teams as the primary issues for 2022. Who will be a "reliable" #1 receiving option with the departure of Toure? How do you replace all of the key seniors and super seniors on the defense? Who replaces Allen as a reliable receiving tight end? 2021 is over and there are a new set of problems to deal with...

Based on this assessment then, the argument is that we are simply playing to our personnel strength as an offense, drop-back passing. Our personnel are simply incapable of establishing a ground game for a TE, WR, or RB to run the ball. The problem with that argument is that we are currently 12th in the conference with 27 sacks allowed this season. Evidently, we are no better at pass blocking than we are at run blocking. Point being, if your personnel are lacking, you have to be creative in your approach. Utilize misdirection or employ a fullback or an extra tight end on some plays in order to gain leverage and break a run or two. A ground game of any sort serves as a better foundation for success. While I know we are maximizing everything right now, it might not hurt for a team suffering from 5 consecutive losing seasons to look at a different approach.

In the conventional drop-back passing game, they are involved. Again, this is the difference between scheme and philosophy. Ideally, you have a good blend of run and pass using your skill position players.

When nearly 1/3 of your team's season rushing attempts come from the QB position (more than any of our running backs), it would seem to me that our approach is well out of balance. Those attempts are in part by design (QB draw), in part improvisation (QB Scramble), or tuck (QB sack). This is not a question of scheme, this is a question of offensive philosophy. Add to that his passing statistics, and it is very easy to understand how he could be the total offense leader in program history and yet we lose consistently. It is a team sport, and Nebraska is playing offense with a team of 1.

To some extent we are talking past one another. I am viewing things through a strategic lens, and you are viewing things at the personnel and tactical level. A good example of a team re-visiting their fundamental approach to the game this season, and finding success, is Wisconsin. Early in the season, when they lost 3 out of their first 4, their offensive attack was more oriented around the QB and his skill in the passing game. Case in point, their performance against Notre Dame. Despite outgaining ND, 5 turnovers (including 4 interceptions and a QB fumble) shortened the field for the Irish (effectively removing special teams from the equation) and placing their solid defense in a difficult position. Since September, Wisconsin has returned to a more diversified attack which includes both shotgun and conventional formations with better use of the backs and tight ends. Power running is a component in making a course correction, but play action, bootlegs, tight-end screens, etc. diversify the offense while limiting risk of turnover or quick possessions. Involve more skill position players while balancing the concerns of the defense and special teams units. Bottom line, I know our Head Coach and this sort of approach is not one he will ever adopt. Everything is working well, right?

My point was in reference to total offense, not passing offense. Obviously, the QB has a sizable advantage in racking up passing statistics. The better question should be, fundamentally is this approach working for NU? Are our backs, receivers and tight ends being used effectively? Are we exposing our defense to more attrition through quick offensive possessions (including 3 and outs)? Are we limiting the ability of special teams to play a stronger role in games (field position, field goals, etc.)? While many may view spread offense as diverse, I could make the counterargument, based on this statistical data, that we are actually more one dimensional in our plan of attack. If our Head Coach is to have any success, here or elsewhere, he needs to consider the push and pull of these dynamics on all areas of the game. His micro-focus on offensive tactics is limiting the potential of the entire team.

Very likely.

Essentially then we are in the same position as Illinois, 2021. We know how that turned out. After that outcome, I have little faith that this team will be any more prepared to face Northwestern in the opener in 2022 than Illinois in the opener in 2021. I wish I could see a "corner" to be turned, but all I see is a circle that we go round and round on. Same game week, same stories, same faux momentum, same results...

Just think, if we lose on Friday, we will not only carry 5 straight losing seasons into our opener next year, but also 6 consecutive losses. Futility U we are fast becoming. Correction, 6 "close" consecutive losses. While the major boosters may keep it going, the sellout streak in terms of bodies in seats, will effectively end in non-conference play next year.

Domann running the wildcat could provide the inspiration this team needs... Much like Willis Reed in the 1970 playoffs for the New York Knicks. Domann with a club on one hand running through tacklers in the 4th Quarter to spur the Huskers to victory. The adrenaline rush alone would be overwhelming and would propel this team to a championship in 2022. Man, woman and child!!!!!

We could play Friday without a scholarship QB at this stage. The game is meaningless for us... Marvin Scott and Xavier Betts in the wildcat for the entirety of the game. What I find amusing is the notion that fans are suddenly thinking strategically about this player and his role in our future plans. Right approach, wrong issue...

Let's not sneak 2023 into the conversation... 11/2022 is the end of the road my friend.

In terms of Adrian not playing, I am not surprised as he has accumulated several injuries this season. I may be alone with this opinion, but I am confident he will return for a 5th season. In stepping back for a moment, I do find it more than a little interesting that the top 3 career offensive leaders in program history have all come in the last decade (T Martinez / T Armstrong / A Martinez) during a time of great program futility. Perhaps this should inform our decisions in the coming decade about the type of program we want. One that is more balanced in terms of skill position production as well as offense vs. defense. In Adrian's case, to be all-time leader in offensive production and never even qualify for a bowl game during your 4 years says a lot. Oregon we are not...