Enhance

I specifically remember watching Sportscenter one day after class in the 2007 school year, just after Bo Pelini had been hired to coach Nebraska and Rich Rodriguez had been hired to coach the Michigan Wolverines. I remember the talking heads on ESPN lauding the Rodriguez hire as great for the program, even saying that he would work the Big 10 really well and have a great impact his first year. They then went on to say that the Pelini hire was "average".

The Wolverines are 3-9, with only one good win over a struggling and overrated Wisconsin team. Pelini is sitting at 8-4, nearly had the team at 10-2, and has the Huskers clearly on the right path to reaching our potential and our goals.

I love being underrated, and can't wait for the day Nebraska gains the recognition we used to have.

Who would have thought at the beginning of the year that we would have a better record than LSU, defending national champions. Gator Bowl here we come. GO BIG RED!!!!!

I don't mean to rain on anybody's parade, especially as a Husker fan, but LSU has played a very tough schedule imho and their defense has been atrocious since Bo left. If Bo was still the DC at LSU, they would be right in the mix for a bcs game.

Gonna have to play some damn defense.

 

That goes for the whole conference. The first team to figure out this no-huddle-spread crap wins the conference 5 years in a row.

People thought OU's wishbone was unstoppable, and now it is obsolete for the most part. The spread will be figured out, by fast defensive backs and linebackers and fewer guys recruited to stop the run. We're going to have to teach corners and safeties to hit and stop the run like 250 lb. linebackers.

I must say, GT would have been a much better opponent given some of the teams they have physically manhandled (Miami and Georgia anyone?). They did have wins over VA Tech and a pretty good Maryland team, but then they went and got punched in the face by Florida. I think they might have some better overall talent and development on that team, but I think it will play out to be a good game. Nebraska's defense is still bone-headed at times, but our offense can get things done. A victory will come if we can be extremely consistent on offense and create a few turnovers on defense.

And, if I'm not mistaken, FSU won all four times. It's about damn time we took one from em.

Realized I said 9-2, I meant 10-2.

Here is my take on the team so far...

Pros: The team had an overall good effort. NU was a couple plays away from being 9-2, which a lot of people seem to be overlooking (except with the almost BU upset of TT, our close loss didn't look so hot). Our defense, obviously the problem child of our team, came out and made good strides in the first year under Pelini's system. The offense was prolific, at times, and we ended the year no. 1 with TOP (which I feel is impressive, others may not. It also helped keep our struggling defense off the field). Overall, first year coach did a damn good job (better than Callahan's first year).

Cons: The defense, in my mind, does not deserve the coveted blackshirts just yet. They made way too many bone-headed plays this year, some that just boggled my mind. I think this plays a lot to Callahan and Co., however. Yes, we have "upper classmen", but Callahan did little to develop talent. It was almost like sending Freshman and Sophomores onto the field this year. Give the defense a few more years and I think we will be where we want to be, but I am in no way satisfied with their showing this year. They made improvement, but have a long way to go.

The offense was prolific at times, but Watson hasn't overly impressed me quite yet. Some of the play calling against CU was boring and albeit predictable at times, but we no doubt have some great playmakers and the ability to continue doing well next year. I would like to see less spread, personally, and something more along the lines of what OU and Texas do. They have variations of the spread, but also incorporate some power running which is something I think a lot of Husker fans are dying to see. We just need a good, strong back who can read the holes that aren't as easy to see as they are in the zone-read. If Q could just hold the ball and hit the holes harder, he'd be my choice for no. 1 on the IB depth chart next year.

We lose a lot of starters next year, but countless other teams reload year after year and I see no reason why we can't do the same. I expect our offense to improve and be more consistent, and expect the defense to move up into the 40's, maybe 30's in total defense. Gonna take awhile before we are where we want to be defensively.

1) How long have you been a member of Husker Nation?
Since 1989 when I was born in this beautiful state of Nebraska.

2) What/who led you to The Nation?
Family.

3) Where are you from originally?
Born and raised in Omaha.

4) Where do you live now?
Still live in Omaha, but I go to school in Lincoln.

5) Favorite Husker memory?
Beating OU 20-10 in 2001, because that was the first game I remember sitting down and watching all the way through.

6) Worst Husker memory?
Callahan era.

7) Number of home games attended?
All the home games this year and a few others sporadically before this year.

8) Number of away games attended?
None yet.

9) Favorite Husker memorabilia/apparel?
My husker beanie and hoody!

10) Favorite place to watch a Husker game? (section in Memorial, bar, friends house etc.)
South Student Section at Memorial Stadium or at my home with friends and family.

11) Favorite all time player?
Probably..Cory Schlesinger.

12) WCO or Option?
Option..but whatever gets us the win also works.

13) Stevie Pederson or Billy Byrne?
T.O.

14) Lil Red or Herbie Husker?
Herbie.

15) Favorite Husker play?
The unforgettable Tommie Frazier run in the 1995 Fiesta Bowl.

16) Favorite game-day beverage?
Yes.

17) How did you find HuskerBoard? (referral source)
Google!