Husker_x

If our secondary can hold that passing game down, I don't see any reason to not walk away with a convincing W on this one. One of the reasons I'm looking forward to watcing this game especially is because it can serve as a nice guage of our abilities. If we stomp them, we'll know we've got something. If we scrape by them for any reasons other than just plain bad luck, we might have to worry about the season. Too early, but I hope things play out in our favor big time. And USC must be razed to the ground.

Unfortunately that's not what you wrote. I don't know how anyone would get that out of the sentences I quoted. But anyway, it doesn't matter. Yeah, they had two good quarters, I'm not arguing that at all. They totally dominated this team. All my point has been with this entire thread is, based on the stats, this wasn't a dominating performance by the #1 team in the nation––you've even got Trojans in this thread spouting that. As to my thread being uniformed. 1) Yes, I did see about half the game and I spent a good while studying the stats before I wrote the original post. 2) Of course it's uninformed. It's the first game. I don't know how much plainer I can be on this issue. Not a whole lot can be gleaned from this first game. We should expect a better game when they play us. However, my point really is that in terms of ball control, defense, and even offense to a certain degree, this SC team isn't the force the preseason polls purported that they are––YET. We outshone them in virtually every category, the most troubling of which (for them) is time of possession. Maybe this will change, but for the sake of something to think about over the next couple weeks, this thread is only supposed to be a possible explanation for the statistics. No more, no less. Have a good one. And USC must be razed to the ground.

Was that a question or a statement of fact?

Boy you came in at the ass end of this topic. Captain Obvious, awaaaaay! And USC must be razed to the ground.

If this is the case, then they're in for worse than a tough game. I don't care if they were playing Baylor, you come out to play and you play every down. If that truly was their attitude––which I highly doubt––then that's better news for us than the more likely case which was that they simply weren't good enough to score points in the 2nd and 4th. A team who doesn't care against any opponent is lazy, weak, and waiting to be knocked off. Again, just ask Michigan. That kind of attitude is infectious, goes deeper than just the kind of opponent you're playing, and can kill your season before it even begins. And USC must be razed to the ground.

No sh#t.

I wouldn't write off our run game just yet. Last year we got dominated by you gents up front, but the O-line is vastly improved and you can tell that even in our first game (not to mention our 5* RB just showed up to play for the first time). However I'm not sold on the idea that the Nebraska of old has just appeared before our eyes and will be grinding down that SC defense all day––check back with me after the Wake game. I'll probably do a more detailed analysis of how I see the game after we play Wake. Then at least we'll have played against an above-average team with some playmaking abilities in the passing game. SC's run game looked pretty hopping for the bit that I saw, but in both our respective cases, not much can be gained from it, except maybe for a tiny nugget with Nebraska––that's a helluva lot of rushing yards, man, lol. Whoa. Anyway, I don't like to see any players get hurt, even if it is on the team that the devil himself manages. I want to play SC at their full capacity, full strength, and see who's got what it takes to make it four quarters. Take it easy. And USC must be razed to the ground.

I'm getting the sense that a few people are misunderstanding my intent. I realize quite obviously that very little can be guaged from this one showing of a talented, deep SC team. I saw half the game, and yes, the playcalling was reserved. More or less all I'm saying is that if Trends X and Y continue into the Nebraska game, then Z might be the result. As for the extra week to prepare for Nebraska, I'm of two minds. On the one hand, extra time means more practice, more film study, and more preperation. Nice advantage. On the other hand, if Callahan's gameplan stays somewhat stagnant, there's nothing to prepare for. Your basic defense, based upon the film you'll have to watch, will tell you to put 8-9 guys in the box and push, hoping that Lucky doesn't slip into your secondary or that Castille doesn't explode into your secondary. Our advantage in NOT having a week off is we get to prepare against a real team in a real game situation. We will be forced to do things that simply can't be simulated in practice, and THEN we have a week to prepare to host the Trojans. But anyway, basically I think what can be safely gleaned from the first game is one of two things. A.) SC has to shake off a bit more rust defensively; they didn't get stomped, by any means, but for being "the best defense ever," I didn't expect petty Idaho to put up 10 points. Then there's option B.) Thou art mortal, so beware. I give ESPN a lot of kudos for hyping you guys up. It'll make your fall all that much more brilliant. And it'll happen, sooner or later. I'm hoping somewhere in the neighborhood of Sept. 15, but that'll be settled on the gridiron. I'm not calling the game here based on Idaho, but I certainly don't believe Nebraska is going to lay down and die. We're going to pound the rock, throw the deep ball, scratch, kick, bite and claw for every inch of ground. We've got a lot more to prove than SC, and sometimes that makes all the difference. Just ask Michigan. And USC must be razed to the ground.

you forgot your around the usc quote. OH NO!! you broke the streak, we are now doomed. Haha, actually I do that a lot when I'm feeling lazy. And USC must be razed to the ground.

A couple in the season opener doesn't have the vein appearing on my forehead, but if this continues, we have a looot of depth and youth at that position who will be more than happy to show what they can do. If it keeps up, I've no qualms at all if Callahan gives the nod to someone who can hold onto the ball. And USC must be razed to the ground.

Well, from what I hear the USC game was nothing to be dazzled with. The number 1 team (defense, especially) in the nation didn't have a great amount of luck with the run, giving up 98 total yards (253 overall vs. the Big Red's 185 surrendered). I know, not a huge number, but this was a nobody team. I hope we can assume Lucky and Castille will be able to surpass that with a good amount of ease. The time of possession differential in this matchup has me chuckling: Idaho 27:26, USC 32:34, a rather stunning lack of ball control for this juggernaut, especially when compared with lowly Nebraska's 40:38 compared with Nevada's 19:22. Moreso their offensive production was nothing to do the ziggy-giggy about, leaving the combined 2nd and 4th quarters with a whopping 7 points––this the fruit of a worshipped Heisman candidate who as far as Mark May is concerned should just be handed the trophy. My analysis of this would lead me to conclude that if they can only account for 7 points in two quarters of play against a severely outmatched defensive secondary, then we can expect the Nebraska game to be at best a blowout and and worst a shootout or defensive trench war. With their top defensive player wheeled off in the first half apparently with a knee injury, what will this mean on Sept. 15? That I leave to you. Yes, USC too (wonderful, unstoppable USC) is shaking off a bit of rust. But it seems to me there may be a kink in the works. If this is all the Condoms can account for against Idaho, then perhaps, just perhaps now, it is evidence that this touted team is just a weeeeee overrated. Time will tell (and a murderous road schedule). For now, the Wake game, but as for this Unstoppable, Indestructable, Ferocious Immortal SC defense, I think a line from 300 best expresses my optimism. "Immortals...we'll put their name to the test." And USC must be razed to the ground.

Agreed. The converse of the "don't reveal the playbook argument" is that the more you open it up, the more SC has to prepare. Further, with a new starter at quarterback we need to get him some game reps in this offense to get the timing down. I think we'll start with the run, but that we'll see a higher number of passes against Wake. I agree with that fundamentally. Yes, the passing game will be featured more for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that Boston College torched them Saturday. All I'm saying is that I believe Callahan is going to play this one close to the vest––far enough a way that Keller can develop––but I don't think it would be wise to unload everything we have when the biggest game of the season is the week after. As for the counter argument, I don't think it's very sound. We don't WANT them to prepare for our offense. We want them to be befuddled, confused, rattled, unsure about the schemes. If those idiots come up to the line expecting to be pounded and we burn them deep, the strategy pays off bountifully. The wait will be worth it. SC is a solid defense, but the psychological pressure of playing in Memorial alongside a slew of new formations that they have to try to reactively match could bring us a crushing victory if it works and works well. And USC must be razed to the ground. P.S. Oh, and if it turn out our O-line is so beastly that they can open up monster holes against SC, I wouldn't complain if we went old school and beat them in 3 and a cloud, either.

Lol, where's the rest of the column? And USC must be razed to the ground.

Personally I wouldn't expect a high-flying aerial show for this one. Whether or not anyone will admit it, all that's on the team's mind is SC. The reason I think Callahan is going to rush the ball against Wake much like he did at Nevada (provided it is any bit as effective), is that SC will see an uncanny resemblence to our former days, and have to modify their defensive schemes to counter it, and it will will ultimately leave them vulnerable when the entire playbook is unfolded before their eyes. I think we'll pass, but not nearly as much as we would if it was SC. I know the offensive scheme calls for balance, but what the SC coaches see in the film room is crucial to the chess game of the season in the larger sense. I could be wrong, but that's what I would do. Murderate those Deacon bastards just like we did to Nevada, and then when SC comes into the sea of red, they won't have the first damn clue what to expect from Keller and his dragons at wide receiver. And USC must be razed to the ground.

Whether or not it was 'just Nevada,' I think we better get used to this. Maybe not the same yardage (though I wouldn't complain), but I don't think some people realize this is at the heart of much of Cally's philosophy. There's a reason his favorite motto is "Pound the rock!" If we can do even half this against the Trojans, play a stiff game on defense, and watch Keller and Purify pick apart that secondary for a few big ones (not to mention Adi-matic field goals), it could be a good day in Lincoln. I didn't see the second half of the SC game, but a pretty crappy Idaho team was moving the ball on them here and there. They gave up more defensively and scored less than we did. And USC must be razed to the ground.

Hey guys, what a game, huh? Best offensive production of the Callahan era. Let's just hope it carries into next week, then we'll have a tremendous reason to raise a lot of eyebrows. 1) Keller: Good game, got into his groove. I think the game strategy was not geared to highlight him, though, so we can't really consider this a test of his leadership and playmaking abilities. Yes, bad luck with that INT, but that's all it was. He still had a good game, was productive, and you can't blame drops on the QB. 2) Lucky: What more can I say? The boy has become a man. If he keeps this up, he'll be a legend at Nebraska. I was so proud and impressed with his performance, his power, and his attitude. He just didn't quit. 3) Castille: Excellent, would have liked to see more of him. He will be a staple of our program in the future, I imagine. He and Lucky will have stellar seasons if the Oline keeps making games like these possible. 4) Glenn: Now here was a kid who disappointed me. Looking at his eyes I saw an attitude problem, a chip on the shoulder, but not in a good way. He didn't run with any heart, and was shown up by everyone who touched the ball. He had a couple good runs, but he was overshadowed. 5) 3rd Quarter blues: Officially snapped. We scored about half as many points in this third quarter as we did all season last year. That's something to celebrate. The execution on both sides of the ball and at virtually all skill positions were incredible. 6) Adimatic: What needs to be said about the kicking game? Holy sh#t. That is all. General: I loved the game plan. I love the rushing philosophy. Yes, it doesn't do much for Keller winning the Heisman trophy, but hell, we just steamrolled a pretty good defense, and we did it on the ground. The delay of games, as Callahan said, were not so much Keller as it was the nature of the plays themselves. Callahan adjusted, they went away––can't ask for more than that. The lack of fumbles practically has me in tears I'm so happy. So overall I have no great complaints about the game. I hope Tye is okay and will be back soon. I was hoping for a few more sacks, but you take what you can get. The Blackshirts didn't allow a touchdown, and that should be celebrated. Very good showing in our secondary. Well, I'm sure there's plenty of stuff I'm forgetting, but that's my overall take. Oh, And USC must be razed to the ground. See you next week Wake.

What? He was running for his life for the last three quarters. True, there weren't a lot of sacks (1 or 2), but our secondary did very well, and Octo was all over the place from the first snap on. And USC must be razed to the ground.

An absolute embarrassment. Thank God they got rid of Mack for Chizik. Think they'll win a game this season? And USC must be razed to the ground.

I grow weary of this nonsense. This whole ridiculous thread is an absolute waste of time. Look, there is simply no way around this. You have to let the man run his offense as it is DESIGNED to be run. Zac Taylor, a tough hell of a kid, served as a trasitional period QB. He is not what will bring Callahan's system to life on the level that hopefully Keller will be able to. And let's not forget about what the future season's hold with the likes of Gabbert and Witt. Plain and simple, I do believe that Callahan will restore this team; and it will be on the cutting edge of football, prepared fully to evolve into whatever is in the future. But none of that matters to you. You just have a beef, and the only thing that will shut you up is success. So please, divert your attention to the television each Saturday, and we'll see what happens. And USC must be razed to the ground.

So there still are a couple of you people around? Tell you what, sit back and watch this season. If by the end of it you still have a problem, I'll be more willing to listen to you whine. And USC must be razed to the ground.

The idea that a coach would not try to win a game has got to be the most ludicrous thing I have ever read. anyone who thinks that cally wasnt trying to win that game knows nothing about football, or sports in general. this is no different than in basketball a playing a running, pressing team and slowing it down. you do what gives your team the best chance to win. people dont realize how close that game plan was to pure genius. To believe Eeyore's assumption on this point is so illogical it makes my nose bleed. But you sir have made perhaps the best point here. Eeyore doesn't realize how close Bill's gameplan was to genius. He doesn't understand that Callahan was actually using very Osborne/Sollich-esque tactics. He was bringing this game into the fourth quarter. Part of the reason I am so hopeful about this and coming seasons is that I believe Callahan operates on a whole different level in this sport. He merely has lacked some fundamental execution in places and at certain inoppurtune moments. Callahan knew what would win that game. It was ball control. He knew our D couldn't match up with their offense, so he staggered the blow by bringing in a scheme in where we would tire their D and keep the ball out of Jarret and Smith's hands. It was a stroke of brilliance. Unfortunately our O-line and backs couldn't get the job done. We were just outgunned, plain and simple. This is why I see no need for this incessant, bitchy pessimism. Once we've got the talent to showcase Callahan's strategies––and that could begin Sept. 1 for all I know––I think people will take a different perspective on him. And USC must be razed to the ground.

OmahaEeyore, Reading your reply gives me that sensation of lethargy and disbelief that there is anything logical left in the world. It's like there's this veil that wraps around you, comforting you much like Iowa's QB philosophy (the next guy in line is really the one) comforts them. You live in this world where every shred of evidence against your Husker worldview is simply ingored––not rationalized or realistic––but disregarded entirely. Look, I had thought about doing this long, eloquent diatribe against every point you made, and it might have even been a wee fun, but I'm going to forego it for the simple reason that you don't care about reason. It's obvious from your post that you can't even read progress from a five win season to a nine win season with talent like you couldn't imagine flooding in this spring. Your content to live in your fantasy realm, and I'm content to let you. But please, do us all a favor and stop spoiling the atmosphere around here. Some of us like Husker football. You'd probably fit in better at a Mizzery board. And USC must be razed to the ground. P.S. How cool would it have been to see a Frank team playing SC last year? Wouldn't THAT have been a riot.

Just for the sake of the game here, I'll ask this question of OmahaEeyore honestly. What, exactly, is your thoughts on where the program would be right now if Solich had stayed on board? Where was the quarterback? Where were the running backs? Where were the facilities? Where was any pulse in the program that you can honestly say would have sparked life into us again? Just looking at the 9-3 season he put up (after a memorable 7-7 finish in 02) is enough reason for me to see the logic in the transition. We were going nowhere, getting destroyed by the likes of Mizzery KSUcks and Texas, and there was no future in sight. Then along came Bill Callahan. Updated facilities, 5 star recruits, an offense when once fixed in position will attract pro hopefuls like you to negativity, record crowds and trivial non-season events, pro coaches clinics, etc. etc. etc. The only thing we're lacking is the big wins. Notice carefully how close we were last year. Notice carefully what kind of talent we've got coming in this year and next. If you can honestly say that Solich had a prayer in hell of accomplishing what Callahan is doing right before our eyes, then pal, I admire your faith. But let's be real. Let's not be like a bloody Democrat on the war in Iraq. What's done is done. Callahan is the future, Solich is the past. You cannot give me one defensible reason why Callahan will not get the job done in the coming years. I defy you to present me with one shred of evidence that this program is not improving day by day, game by game, year by year. With names like Gabbert, Gray, Keller, Witt, Asante, Castille, and Bowman appearing on our roster, I just can't understand why you would not have hope for the future of this team. But if you don't, well, then have fun cheering for USC like all the other fangirls. And USC must be razed to the ground.

Hey all, I'm going to be living in Iowa City by next Saturday and I was wondering if anyone knew where I could find out if the game will be on over there. The info I've got is that it's and ABC regional telecast, but I don't know if they'd be showing a Big 10 game over in those waters. I might be making a piglrimage elsewhere if I can't get it, but I'd rather not, if you know what I mean. Here's to Sept. 1––the resurgance of Husker football, and the shutting up of OmahaPoohBear. And USC must be razed to the ground. >>>>>>>Coverage Map <<<<<<<

Sometimes I don't know what I'm more sick of. USC praise, or Callahan bashing? You know why? Because they're both so damn easy. It doesn't take any real thought to reach down into a statistical bag of bullsh#t related to a team which is rebuilding from days of decadent nothingness. Every time I read some nonsense like this I just want to put my head through a wall. For you people who still have some flagging question about the recruiting, let me spell something out for you. You cannot expect to win championships until you build DEPTH Callahan has THREE SEASONS to effectivley transition a run-attack to a balanced attack using square pegs for round holes, and yet is STILL managing to pull in 5 stars from all over. And never mind that we've beat several top 25 teams whose only reason for not remaining in the top 25 is the fact that we beat them. And never mind that we were within a touchdown for a combined win over Texas and Auburn. Oh, and forget that Michigan win, too. We didn't exactly get slaughtered by the Condoms, either––a miracle with our corners. Forget the fact that we've yet to have a truly phenomenal quarterback who can throw the deep ball and scramble a little bit. Forget that even in spite of some rocky times these last few years the support base has still produced massivly updated facilities that are practically the 8th wonder of the football world, added to the stadium, maintained our sellout record, turned out huge spring game/Fan Day numbers season after season, and are holding coaches clinics where some of the biggest names around are hanging out. Good Ghandi. I cannot wait for this so-called "signature win" to occur. Then maybe you people can shut the hell up. For not the final time: USC must be razed to the ground.