admo

that's is why it is on the rise, and not quite there. and i agree with your post. I guess my main point is that the Big 10 usually has solid teams. There have been several times in the past decade where it had an elite team. If our defense can pull it's weight along with our OL, we could challenge this year as an elite team. Last year, our implosions were mostly mental. I've got to think over the offseason this has been addressed and corrected. I'm not predicting a NC, but I am predicting a BCS bowl. Wow what a juicy turn of events this topic turned out! SI predictions and thoughts, just all exploding - good stuff! Some of us know skersfan is diehard, just a driven realist that wants the best but can't get behind it based of the recent past results and own personal reasons. But dang, just comes across as hatin'.....doom and gloom as knapplc mentioned. Since it's a fiery thread, I'm gonna slightly pick on Junior a tad bit I agree with us challenging this year. Call it gut, but no matter how "supposedly" better other teams in the conference might be, or how good they have recently been, I just like that we have some solid experience that once was a bunch of youth just learning on the fly. Call me crazy, but the league we came from was WAY better/faster/stronger - and more talented than the B1G 10 has been and currently is. Last year was up and down, some injuries (Crick/Dennard), lots of guys seeing the field to take over from a solid SR group (thinking mostly defense), an unexperienced WR group (Kinnie, Cooper, Enunwa, JTurner, Bell), no true backup RB, a questionable back 7 (on defense), a new league, a new environment, on and on and on. And on a day where Taylor Martinez was most impressive, we thumped a home game to Northwestern - which happened, but shouldn't have. That being said, the impolosions weren't mental. And contrary to what coaching likes to blurb, totally not mental. I think we got outplayed at times, we had newcomers learning on the fly, we didn't have much experience collectively, and coaching wasn't the best. It was all of it combined. Example: We were in an early dog fight with Wiscy, then we started calling non-stop passing plays (on the road - on a saturday night ) that turned into 3 straight INTs (or like it) which changed the game. At least the big MO (that's momentum) clearly shifted. I'm not saying we would have won that game (Wilson ran all around missed tackles in the first half), but it would have been down to the wire. We definitely were not losing (up 14-13 at the time). And Michigan was another where the wheels fell off (again on the road) and we could not recover from the momentum that shifted to their side. And against South Carolina - hail mary TD at end of half - are you kidding me? Totally killed MO. So okay, maybe some of it is mental toughness for recovering after getting stinged, but that's mostly on youth, lack of experience, game plan adjustments (coaches). It was a weird but good season, and I think this year our team is going to completely learn from it (including coaches). So many guys are back with real experience ready to play and react, and not so much worrying about "executing out the plays" correctly. The sky is blue again. Should/if we lose 3 this year - it would sting and suck the entire week - but we really have a strong solid group this year! All that in consideration, shoot, why not us fighting all season until the last weekend of the season for the BCC? (Okay not really picking on Junior lol just adding more fire for the season to get here!)

OUCH !!! BTN chimes in and it's the Kiss of Death for Sparty! In all honestly, this should be an exciting season ahead for our Legends Div. With UMich, NEB and Sparty trying to dismember each other for a spot in Indy against Wisc. Is anyone truly 'elite' in the B1G right now??? Nope!!! Just 5 solid teams (NEB, UMich, MSU, Wisc. and tOSU) and a couple like Iowa and Purdue making some noise along the way this year. MSU will never just 'reload'... we never get a boatload of 4* or 5* freshman (I think Will G. was one of the few 5*'s to be recruited in recent memory)... the key is development of talent, something MSU has been very good at in recent years under Dantonio and his staff. It seems the scheduling gods certainly are not playing any favors to you, UMich or MSU with all of us having some brutal stretches ahead in conference play. Good Luck! to the Huskers, and let's start putting the B1G back into NC contention this year! Mucho Thanks - good luck Sparty!

I agree with you about MSU, not so sure about UW, and completely agree about LSU.

Was thinking the same thing about the coverage. Should be 90%-10%. Even looked at the schedule and there isn't any other decent game during that time.

Under. Kenny Bell Receiving yds - 80 Under. Rushing plays of 20 yards or more - 5

I didn't see the show, but my gut says he is the real #2. I don't think coaches want the faithful calling for TA if we show lack of progress during the season at QB. I would imagine they are trying to keep pressure off him, and themselves by identifying him as #2. And he might be the best we have, just not ready yet to take over the whole offense. It will be interesting to see how things go this year, especially hitting conf games. We all pretty much know that if we have an inconsistent offense like the past few seasons, then we won't see any improvement next year as well. Doubt we'd see a three year starter get the clipboard as a senior, so if we sputter again, this year would be the ideal time to try something different (TA). With that said - hope Taylor plays awesome, Kellogg gets some snaps during games and we can RS TA because we are doing good enough.

I think is nice change of pace that this time around we are not hearing news and stories about our OL being better or hyped up with higher expectations. Let the bigs do what they need to do. I always felt if you hear about the OL hype, something's not right. So we will see... I agree with the rest of it - except I don't think we've had a group of healthy linebackers in awhile. And LB's have not been the backbone of our D in years, mostly because of the style and system. In this conference, you got to have some stud LB's. Quick, mobile, but hard nose tough dudes that RB's cant run through or around. Punish the ground game, blitz, sure tacklers and not just lateral gap "floaters". LDavid was an exception lately.

Give the guy a break, I mean husker fans are way easier to talk to then most Southern Miss Fans! I like to think this is a normal conversation with eaglecrazy and his friends just messing with ya, i hope you stay around after the game to talk football with us (unless somehow you guys win then you are banned for life!) That video :rollin hilarious All in good fun - and mandatory

Ditto / same here....pleasantly surprised with the interview - dude is a great guy and hope he has a great season

Ok, is this "playoffs" Mora? Or the Falcons' "I would take the UWashington job even if we were in the playoffs" Mora (that got canned for it)

Glad you're so physical on defense. Lot's of us give SMiss respect coming into this game. But if you guys lose, after a whole off season preparing and a bye week following, you'll still get a shot at Boise State minus Kellen Moore in week 6 or so to boost the ego. Then back to Rice, UTEP, Western Kentucky Bourbon, Chico State, etc....

I think they get love because Dantonio is good coach, defense is solid, and the Wolverines are not a power house yet. But the main thing is, they are boring as all get-out for 3 quarters...Kind of like Bill Parcell's old teams where they stay the course, wait for the other team to make a mistake and win in the end. Effective at times, bug u g l y and boring I think they're over hyped this season. They'll be good, just not good enough to talk about each week.

Skrillex.. luv the dubstep Not sure I want to get excited about losing some money in vegas so soon this year!! Oct 13th weekend brings hope and monies!! (husker bye week - calculated!)

Ha!!! One of the funniest threads / responses!!! Pat Forde is an uber biased Husker hater. ESPN stinks for allowing his lack of GBR respect.

I would think that's a common thing, and wouldn't take it too seriously. Got to admit we've had our share of hype only to not live up to the expectations and predictions. That said, I like us flying under the radar. Gives us more to go out and prove over the course. My thoughts on the other "front runners" Penn State - lots of stuff going on. Doesn't equate to on the field. They'll be hovering around .500 OSU - if it wasn't for Urban, this program is on it's way to being somewhere between 15-30 ranked over the next few years. Buckeyes got lucky there. It's only pride if they don't recognize and admit it. Michigan - Dennard is fabulous through the first 5 or 6 weeks, then zoinks it for a few games. Still not a threat passing except for desparation floaters down field. I like their coach, though. He got their team playing well last year. Will see if things have changed for them or if it they're one year wonders. Wisconsin - Like their coach as well. Got to give the Badgers credit and respect. Russell Wilson was one of the best QB's in the nation. As much as I would like to think they could drop a peg or 2, remember that they did make it to Rose Bowl with Stolzien (prev QB). And hate to say it, but their OL looks like what we used to have - Big Tough Strong Cornfed lineman that moved defenses off the ball. Not just big eaters and trying to learn playbooks. Purdue - just kidding We will see what happens. Tmart hopefully got his passing $h!t together or else we will be the same inconsistent offense ( sad face) against the best competition we face. Our previous defense schemes was more suited for Big 12 short passing attacks and containment, but in this conference we need to rush the passer and have linebacker studs that kill you against the running game. Peso and Dime coverages are not required here. Coaching - I am optomistic that we do have a good core of players, some playmakers on both sides, and fellas that have been around for a few years. It's time for coaches to adjust during games, and not just be too head strong on their systems. They need to take accountability more this year. They need to find our strengths, support it and give this team an identity. No more week to week trying to figure it out. I'm excited mostly because, I'm not sure what to expect....and crazy enough, seem's like that's a good thing IMO GBR!

The team I have as my favorite to win the Big 12 is WVU. Vegas has WVU at +/- 8.5 though, so probably not the best bet to make either... Remember when Nebraska was picked as the preseason B1G favorite? And the difficulty they had adjusting to a new conference? No way WVU gets a Big 12 title, there is no way past OU and Texas for WVU this year. They're gonna find out how weak the Big East really was when they get to the Big 12. I guess my rationale on that pick to get past the whole conference difficulty discrepancy is that WVU has Dana Holgorsen (sp?) and he will know how to get his guys ready for Big 12 play. I think OU is overrated, and they obviously have issues at WR. That, and I have zero confidence in Landry Jones. WVU has the best QB in the conference, and I think everybody is pretty mediocre in the Big 12. I won't be surprised if they go 6-6 either. Don't forget about TCU! Pachall is among the top 3 QB in conference now, and personally speaking, an arguement away from becoming the best. Love Patterson (coach) - he just gets the most out of his players and has them always ready to play. He's confident without a sniff of arrogance. I think he is the league's top coach now. Their weakness will be their secondary, their OL is a little inexperienced, Wesley just left the team, but coach will have them ready. They had a recent drug scandal, so some guys got kicked off the team. They're still stacked with uber talent at the skilled positions. They got tons of Texas speed on all sides of the ball. Their unity is second to none. Plus, TCU has been ready to rip the Big 12 and Texas schools since...forever. Prolly not gonna happen this year. But over the next few seasons, Mac and Stoops will be hating the Frogs. TCU B12 schedule looks interesting...somewhat brutal. Wonder if the commish wants them to feel overwhelmed and get pummeled from the get go. at Kansas vs Iowa State at Baylor vs Texas Tech at Okie State at West Virginia vs K-state at Texas vs Oklahoma Most "experts" don't think the Frogs can keep up the Big12. We will see...Go Purple! (sorry, my insight is being 20 minutes from campus and the only Texas college team I can stand to even root for)

So touchback is 25, and out of bounds is still 40 right

Great read! The snip was good enough to not have to read any further....AND get a few extra reps in at the gym tonight

Those first 2 games bug the crap out of me because you know they have plenty of talent to compete. Can't predict them as well as you fellas, so I am going with our current trend: Somehow we find ways to lose 4 games. Mostly sprinkled.

Carnes because he's got experience handing the ball off against Minnesota Actually I would be surprised if he wasnt ready to step in if he was needed. And assuming it was for more than a few games, you have Armstrong also taking reps in practice and preparing for games. That way if Carnes doesn't work out, you put in Armstrong. Seem like teh obvious thing to do.

We seem to always play ugly against Southern Miss. Isn't that who Joe Dailey ran out of bounds against on 4th down or something? I tried blocking it out of memory...worked until this topic came up.

...you don't have to ask these kinds of questions anymore. oooo... niiice. That pretty much says it all.. I agree Same goes for ND, FSU, Miami, Michigan... Wonder if they will be asking that in Gainesville over the next few years.. ??

"..my amazing two catches for 7 yards...." Ha.Ha.. but did u move the chains??! U know, 1st downs!

“It was a lot of film study, I’d say,” Martinez said. “It’s Northwestern … smart school.” Losing sucks.. but I liked that.. thought it was pretty funny

Welcome to HB, HB Should be a fun game