RedDenver

I think video of the game will be on ESPN360 online. I haven't taken the time to look, but some of the ESPN games so far have also been online.

Agree, that's good analysis.

We might be looking at Dennard and West starting in a dime package or some other DB-heavy sets.

Thank you. If I could kiss you right now, I would. No homo. You're welcome. I hate drive-by posts where the poster obviously didn't read and comprehend what he's replying to.

You say "I did not say he wan't good" and then go on to say "these guys may have been good at one time, but right now they are licking the bottom of the barrel." Which is it? The fact is that Mizzou has faced some talent and some playmakers and done pretty well. Did you read his post? He's distinguishing between opinion about how good they are (your stance) and what they have actually accomplished (stats). Not sure it can be made any clearer.

He failed to mention that Benn was injured in the 1st quarter against Mizzou and did not return. So Mizzou didn't really face Benn either.

Both of who? Willis Wright and...

I agree until the part in bold. I don't know anyone or thinks either Jacory Harris or Blaine Gabbert are "great" running QB's. And I'd argue vehemently against anyone who even said said they were "really good" running QB's. They are both primarily passers with above average scrambling ability. And I've seen Gabbert in several games now, and he's not much of a running threat. I thought he looked really fast against Illinois, but it turns out that they're a really slow B10 defense. He's looked decent running against the other teams - about as good as Zac Lee actually. Neither will scare a defense, but they can pick up a 1st down scrambling on occasion. But your point about the measurables not mattering as much until the next level is spot on. I think a great example from our own conference is Josh Freeman vs. Chase Daniels (or Joe Ganz or Todd Reesing or...). Freeman is apparently the better NFL talent (based on the draft and who is still on a team). But would anybody anywhere take him over the others as their college QB? Not many.

Wow, that started with a good post and has devolved quickly into the same posts as the other threads. I agree with most of the assessment of the original poster except that I think NU's odds of mounting a good pass rush are higher. Based on my observations from watching both teams, MU hasn't exactly been really good in pass pro while NU has been good (not great) in pass rush. I think those combine to give NU a pretty good pass rush in this matchup. I really think MU needs to get some semblence of a running or screen game going to slow down that rush. On the other side of the fence, I think MU's chances to limit the NU run game are better than the 35% listed. I think NU will be able to run, but MU can do some things with the scheme to limit that. This isn't the dominate running game of the Osborne years. However, if that does happen, I think NU will have some opportunities to go deep on Mizzou. It's really, really hard to defend a good running game and the deep ball simultaneously.

FIELD GOALS FGM-FGA Pct 01-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99 Lg Blk ----------------------------------------------------------------- Henery, Alex 8-9 88.9 1-1 2-2 3-3 2-2 0-1 46 0 Ressel, Grant 10-10 100.0 0-0 3-3 3-3 4-4 0-0 46 0 These guys are almost equal for this season. Henery has attempted a 54 yarder that he missed, that's the only difference. Last year: Alex Henery 18-21 85.7 1-1 7-7 3-4 6-6 1-3 57 0 Ressel didn't kick last year. That 57 yarder by Henery last year is the main reason most NU fans think he's the best. I'd say they're equal based on performance so far.

I'd say you're pretty close with that assessment. NU's offense is about the same as last year. The difference is we were more of a controlled passing team with some running and an occasional deep ball last year, while this season we're more of a running team with decent passing and more deep balls. We also haven't had as many turnovers with year (so far). EDIT: After posting this I realized you might only remember the NU offense from the Mizzou game last year. Our O got much better after that game. And this year's offense is much better than the one MU saw last season.

I don't understand the bolded part at all. I've seen every game both teams have played (except MU vs Furman), so we've got the tape on the field too. Whatever that means. Those stats are at least a reason for your argument. And it's not that I don't "know" the difference; it's that I disagree with the difference. Simply stating that you "know" something does not make it true. Exactly. Thanks, knapplc. This is where I don't understand the logic. How are Illinois, Bowling Green, and Nevada that much different from FAU, Ark. St., and UL-Lafayette? And that's without considering that VT is very likely a much better team than any of them. And the whole argument is that Mizzou has struggled at times with these teams while NU has not because Mizzou's opponents are better. I just don't see much difference, and even if there is a slight difference, it's not enough IMO to account for Mizzou struggling.

Umm, what? You're making excuses for Nevada? NEVADA?!?!? Right now they're 116th nationally in scoring offense and 109th in scoring defense. They were 7-6 last year. Who exactly respects and even remotely fears Nevada? This is the same team that NU's terrible 2007 squad whipped 52-10. You've made reasonable, if unconvincing, arguments to this point, but that last one is unbelievable. I'm not making excuses for them. I'm telling you, they're a good team. That's not an excuse, it's evident in what I saw on the field. Could they self destruct the rest of the year like they did the first two games and make me look like a fool? Sure. But as I said before, I know two bad teams playing when I see it, and that wasn't it. Ok, I'll use your argument. I saw Nevada play both ND and Mizzou, and I know a crappy team when I see one. Nevada is a crappy team. So are you convinced? Well, now you see why your same approach carries no weight. At least base your argument on some sort of fact or stat from somewhere. And that's really the problem - Nevada has been so putrid thus far there's really not much to hang your hat on. If you're really looking to defend your SOS, then I'd start with Bowling Green followed by Illinois and pretend Nevada and Furman didn't happen. Or you could simply admit (as I do about our 3 Sunbelt opponents) that the teams you've played so far are pretty poor. That certainly doesn't mean Mizzou won't beat NU, it's just a more reasonable approach IMO. If I were a Mizzou fan, I'd be talking about the advantage of a home game on Thursday night at a place NU hasn't fared well. P.S. This is making excuses: "They didn't show up to Notre Dame, gave up almost all of the Colorado State points on turnovers (CSU is a good team this year BTW) and showed why they were a respected team heading into the season against Mizzou."

Umm, what? You're making excuses for Nevada? NEVADA?!?!? Right now they're 116th nationally in scoring offense and 109th in scoring defense. They were 7-6 last year. Who exactly respects and even remotely fears Nevada? This is the same team that NU's terrible 2007 squad whipped 52-10. You've made reasonable, if unconvincing, arguments to this point, but that last one is unbelievable.

Ricky tore his ACL and will be out for the season, he will apply for a medical and come back next year. Larry has a high ankle sprain and should be good for Mizzu Can he get a medical? He's played in about 3 1/4 games this season, and I'm not sure what the NCAA guidelines are.

Agree. Mizzou looked uninspired and flat for much of the game. I thought NU would beat MU before that game, so I still think we'll win. Mizzou will be fired up and the night crowd in Columbia will be crazy, so anything could still happen.

Actually, I think the B12 hired those guys. B12 officiating is the worst I've ever seen the last few years. Even when calls go our way, they're often incorrect or poorly judged. GGRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! I just can't get started on how much B12 refs suck.

Interestingly enough, the exact same things can be said of Zac Lee compared to Ganz. However, not only is Lee a better runner than Ganz, but he looks like it too. (Ganz always looked awkward running the ball. Effective, but awkward.) The same Zac Lee that half of this message board wanted to bench for Cody Green after the Virginia Tech game? Yep. The backup QB is always the most popular player with the fans. I've never understood that thinking, but I guess the grass is always greener...

Interestingly enough, the exact same things can be said of Zac Lee compared to Ganz. However, not only is Lee a better runner than Ganz, but he looks like it too. (Ganz always looked awkward running the ball. Effective, but awkward.)

NU averaged 5.8 ypc. Alabama averaged 5.9 ypc. NU played at VT. Alabama played VT at a neutral site (Atlanta). I'd say NU rushed the ball about as well as Alabama.

I understand that reasoning better than just moving the Hokies up to #11 and dropping the Huskers to #25. If VT really is #11, then shouldn't NU's close loss at VT appear even better than #19? This guy is essentially saying that he thinks neither team is as good as he did before the game. I may disagree but can at least understand the logic. I assume he thinks the QB play was poor. Or the busted coverages, or the lack of offense from VT, etc.

link I'm curious what everyone thinks. Personally, I think Shatel is biased because he's part of the media. As a fan I don't care if Bo answers questions from the media or not. Sure, I don't get quite as much information, but I'm not sure I care that much, especially since said info is being filtered by the media, who I do not trust or respect. Also, people may have the right to want the head coach to answer questions about the game, but that doesn't mean people have a right to an answer. Wanting something and getting it are different things.

Can we not discuss the catch/ not catch in this thread? Any more updates from the presser?

Even Helu, and Henery? I agree they both had good games, but just for argument's sake... Henery shanked his second punt for only 20 yards. Did VT get the FG on that drive? Helu missed a few blocks in pass protection and missed a few running lanes.

No. Will is the Weakside LB (played by Lawrence and May so far) Mike is the Middle LB (Compton) Buck is the Strongside LB (Fisher) (I don't know why, but this is Pelini's terminology.) So Dillard is replacing Lawrence. I think the "soft" comments last week played heavily into this switch.