HANC

.. yep, I am a complete idiot !!!! I guess that I was thinking ahead to what I projected as the AFC Championship game next week..... I suppose that I just figured that the Ravens will beat NE in the AFC consolation game...LOL I really am a football fan and coach......just dumb, I guess.... No wonder my fanatsy teams always finish near the bottom

Throwin' in my 2-cents Bears over Seahawks....... Seattle barely beat an average Cowboys team at home. Bear's Defense rolls at home in the cold. Saints over Philly...... Saints are the feel good story of this year.....they have "Karma".... and Bush Chargers over Colts...... Just because I freaken hope so....Chargers O and D are too strong !!!! Ravens over NE...... Defense wins championships...proven time and time again.....except NCAA Ravens may have best all-around LB core of all time..... Just my picks....but if you would like to know, I finished 51st out of 100 in the Bowl pick em, so I really don't have a clue

Has anyone actually read or heard that he is "doubtful" for spring ball...... the feeling on "Big Red Wrap up" last night was that this didn't seem to be a big deal, and that Lee was going to be fine....no elaboration on the injury, but speculation that he probably had it "scoped"..... I got the feeling that they expected him to be ready for spring ball... I don't see him red-shirting at all........makes no sense..... I honestly think that BC was scared to death that ZT was going to get hurt this year....God Bless Ganz, but let's be honest.... I think BC will be more comfortable having 2 capable QB's ready this season.... and if he is smart (in question ), he will make sure that Lee gets plenty of reps next season, preparing him for a 2 year run as starter Red-shirt Witt and begin a cycle of potential 2 yr-starters.....

It was a rough football week at my household...1st NU losing , then Cowher resigning... I love this guy... The worst part, is that I know he will be back in coaching, and not with the STeelers.... it won't seem right seeing him on another side-line.... As a Steeler fan, I have only know 2 coaches in my life-time... Knoll and Cowher. I would assume that Whisenhunt or Grimm (two assistants) will either one get the job. They have both been courted by many teams in the past couple of years... Rumor today had Urban Meyer's name floating....but that is just natural after last night's game...no way he leaves Florida....

KCHusker.....hey buddy, you can bet your ass that I have talked to them about America's team....Those guys weren't too bad at the Coton bowl, but just because they Cowboys, KSU, and ISU fans is enough to give them crap!!!!

Addison.......good points as far as the defense putting Romo in tough situations..... I do think that the Cowboys should and will stick by Romo, and I actually found myself feeling a little bad for the guy concerning the whole field goal blunder..( I probably just surrendered my Steeler for life membership with that comment).... I just feel that he was/is a little "over-rated" at this point in his career.... but it was a nice mid-season story though... I traveled to Dallas with a couple of Cowboy fans, who hate the huskers by the way (bastards)....we traded games...Cowboys and Huskers... we both lost They did nothing but complain and argue about the Cowboys Defense the entire trip,so you are probably right on your assessment.

Okay, I will preface this by saying that I am a life-time (38 yrs) Steeler fan, thus making me a Cowboy hater.... but that really has nothing to do with my assesment.... I just spent last weekend at Texas Stadium watching the Cowboys get beat by the 2-14 Lions..... Okay, my point is this...... Romo was the "feel-good" story at first.....Now, I kind of bought into the hype too... Romo was named to the Pro-Bowl....(not that the NFC has anyone else more deserving), but Romo only had started 5-6 games or so..... He then shows up with Carrie Underwood on his arm (can't balme him) BUT, I am not sure that Romo has won a game since the Pro Bowl nomination, or the Carrie Underwood friendship.... His sats have totally sucked it up.... my theory....1st, the media put him in a tough spot by making him the media darling 2nd, and probably more the reason....... does anyone think that he may be over-rated... Now, he is going to be very good as he matures and gets experience.... but my feeling is that once the rest of the league was able to evealuate "enough" film (5-6 games), they were able to find Romo's weaknesses and exploit him..... kind of like a "rookie pitcher" in the MLB...good the 1st time through, but teams catch on.. Looking for other's opinion.

NU can use him !!!! Did you see that run....88 yards..... Paul is doin' fine !!!

Thank you Gamecocks....... I was going to name Johnny Mitchell as my TE, but you beat me to it..... I think he was the best TE to ever play at NU... Too bad he left after his sophomore season... He was a tremendous college TE....even in TO's offense.

I believe that the O-line is improved over last season.... ZT didn't get knocked around as much this season... Remember, most of these guys are still YOUNG.... we don't lose anyone who played consistently this year...... Mann was ill and Austin was hurt and at best 80% any other time.... We have guys who will eventually be 3 year starters by the time they are done...... They will continue to improve on technique and will ultimately get stronger and a little better footwork (which will act as improved quickness)

Although a loss is a loss, I also feel the same way.... NU obviously had to play the toughest team of any Big 12 school, and probably faired the best on the field..... The above post really is pretty accurate..... If you dig deep enough, you can find some positives....but, we still loss the game, and that sucks.

My bold prediction: Quentin Castille will be in the mix next year.... Not only bold, may be dumb... even with the talent we have returning at RB, I predict the Castille will be in the mix.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.....hence....message boards are fun.... I think Coz struggled at times this season and last. many times throughout the year, I questioned what he was doing...but, in the last 2 games, I thought he was brillaint... The Cotton Bowl was his best job of coaching yet... He finally brought people off of the corner and ran a few safety blitzes.... I am not sure why people believe coaches need to get fired.... Heck, 9-5, Big 12 North Champs and New Years Day Bowl..... What do some people want..... No, as a Nebraska Freak, I am not satisfied, and I am not suggesting ANYONE should be satisfied, but I WILL GUARANTEE that the coaches and players aren't satisfied either.... I just hope that everyone who even thinks coaches should be fired are PERFECT AT EVERYTHING THEY DO.

I think that giving up play calling is probably the best solution...... BC needs to stay, without question, but a change in staff duties is not a bad idea.

CMB, Thanks for the numbers...... Great post...... i will never complain about ZT...I thought his numbers were fantastic, especially considering the factore you mentioned... How many drops did he suffer this year? I love his demeanor....This guy is a winner who is down to earth. Your post was right on, and I couldn't say it any better.. I know ZT had 2 bad games to end his career with.....but to be honest, I found myself feeling bad for ZT, instead of being upset at his mistakes... Rumor has it, that he hurt his shoulder vs CU and it possibly played a factor the last 2 games... this is only rumor..... I went to Dallas.... met up with friends who also went, but were part of a tour group... the tour group had a talk session with Sean Callahan (rivals rep for Huskers) and it was hinted that ZT wasn't healthy. RUMOR ONLY !!!!!!!

Anyone thinking that changing coaches would be easy, or would not require a "rebuilding" period of time, really doesn't have a clue about football or the process behind it... Just because BC runs the WCO, doesn't mean that every team that has a VERSION of the WCO, could come in here and EASILY install his system.... What about recruiting, the entire staff.... If you think having 4-5 D-Coord. in a 5-6 period is "easy", you haven't been paying attention.... If NU would get a new staff, this program would be the laughing stock among the colleege ranks.... No coach would even dream of coaching here !!!!! If anyone thinks that 3 years is enough time to "turn this thing around", please try to see the big pictue, and not just the scoreboard !!!! I am not sure that some of these "so-called" fans truly know the history of NU football.... Sometimes on this board, it sounds like many of the members must have started following NU in the early 90's..... It is real easy to be a great fan when you are winning NC year after year... I can tell you that NONE of the BC losses sting as much as the repeated losses to OU yr after yr... or Orange Bowl losses... If NU changes coaches, I will gaurantee that this program would not be back in the top 5 within the next decade !!!!! It is different when Urban meyer goes to a talent laden Florida team..... NU still doesn't have the athletes necessary to win the big games.... But BC IS BRINGING GUYS IN !!!! GIVE HIM SOME FLIPPING TIME !!!

huskered..... Wow, great insight... I hadn't thought about it from that angle... if you are right, then I really disagree with BC and that thinking. The pass on 3rd down and the final series of plays are the ones that are really "suspect".... Good post....makes me think

MCAT..... what is your opinion on the "final series".... starting at 1st and 10 on the 29? Would you have done anything different than BC? Maybe run right at the Auburn defense, instead of playing into their speed.... What about a play action shot to the end-zone with Purify? A pass might have been too risky here ( I am not being sarcastic).... Just looking for other thoughts

No, I'm not BC...... nice try.... I am trying to be nice here, but after reading some of your other topics and posts..... I am not sure that you really have a clue...... PLease read ALL of my posts on the subject before replying...... I DON'T AGREE WITH THE CALL..... but as a coach, I do see and understand why BC would make the call.....By the way, I have seen fake punts at the NCAA level near this spot on the field.... Play works, you are happy..... and , this is not about me, but I coach well above Pop Warner..

MCAT....... Once again, I totally agree with you !!! In all most of my post on this topic, I have stated that I would NOT have called this play... As a coach, like you, I would have played it safe and tried to gain field position and regain the momentum... I just wanted to point out that I understnd WHY BC made the call.... I don't agree with it, but the call wasn't a complete bone-head call.... as some posters seem to think.

I can't argue with that...... I agree with you Washusker...... Like I said, I wouldn't have called it.....but I underatnd "why" he did call it....

Absolutely correct about BC play calling has been in the question.....but any form of trick play is risky.... that is why they are "trick plays".... Decide..do you want a coach who doesn't take "risks" (USC game) or a guy who isn't afraid to be agressive ?? I don't understand what you mean by "not caring how much room Shanle had to run"...... my point is that the play call was a great call vs Auburn's defensive alignment.... Which in turn would be "good coaching". If Shanle gets the ball clean.... I guarantee that most of you would be excited about teh "guts" of BC.... If Stoops called the same play, and it worked, people would once agian saying how lucky OU is to have a great coach like Stoops.... Personally, I don't make the call, but in the realm of football strategy, BC was not all wrong... By the way, I don't feel the need to defend BC....I complain as much as anyone, but in this case, anyone who has an open mind, and truly understands everything about why and when plays are called... should be able to see that "the call" wasn't as bad as the result.

Captain Obvious..... I understand your whole concept of when to call a "fake punt"..... and I am not trying to start a verbal battle with you, but you need to understand the X-O's behind th e play... By watching film, the coaches saw that whenever an opponent of Auburn punted from their own 35 yd line or worse, Auburn would defend the punt with an inside rush, thus, this type of "fake punt" would have been a brilliant call vs the type of rush that Auburn had brought all year... Once Auburn's opponent's pass their own 35, they would change their punt defense, and this type of fake punt would not work.. Thus, in order to take advantage of Auburn's defensive rush, NU had to use this fake punt inside their own 35...... One, insidethe 35 is not "typical" fake punt area, meaning that Auburn was totally caught off guard, and two, if you are going to risk a play like this, the 1st qtr. is the best time, because if it back-fires, you still have 3 qtrs .eft to win the game..... If the play works, BC is brillaint....the philosophy behind the whole play great coaching and scouting...the PLAYERS failed to execute the play, so now BC is a dumba$$..... I don't get it... Remember..... I said in my 1st post that I didn't agree with the call, but once you look at it in depth, one can see why the play was called....

Ok, I know that I will get a lot of people on this board who will shoot this down hard, but I am going to offer it up anyway.... I was at the Cotton Bowl, and left extremely disappointed and mad as hell at BC.... My favorite Husker buddy (KC Husker) was as livid as I have EVER seen him, and I agreed.... Now, after a night of sleep and a little time to think, I offer this up.... I am a football coach myself, and knowing a little bit of how the whole fan/coach relationship works, I have lessened my frustration with BC. First, I MA NOT SATISFIED WITH 9-5, AND, THERE ARE NO MORAL VICTORIES, ESPECIALLY AT NU. I now look at the Auburn game as ok performance. In depth analysis shows a few positives. 1. Cosgrove's D show guts, and got the job done, time after time.. He finally brought new blitzes.. Maybe he is getting better, and so is his kids 2. Marlon Lucky was able to handle to job of being the feature back... Depth is great 3. Jones was able to play pretty well, and Grix didn't kill us... Now to BC...... MOst of you guys went bolistic when he was conservative at USC.... and, most applauded him for the "trick" plays (that worked) late in the year.... I will say, that I didn't agree with the fake punt call !!!, but I am not going to crucify the man for the call. If ANY OF YOU watched the playa second time, would see that IF the ball is handled cleanly, Shanle was going to make it by the LDE, who was crashing in, and Shanle had open field for approx. 20-25 yards..... If this happens, MOST OF YOU would be hamming it up, saying BC sure has guts and applauding him for trying to WIN.... I know that many of you say that Todd and Shanle shouldn't have been in to handle the ball, but for a trick play to work, you need your "normal" punt team on the field... "That is football 101" !!!! Now, the decision to "throw" the ball on 3rd and 1, puzzles me, and the way that he chose to attack the defense on the final series of downs doesn't make sense..... but I am sure that if the shovel pass nets 7-8 yards, many of you would be patting him on the back...... Plain and simple, FANS (including myself in this situation) are very hard to please..... He is too conservative at USC, his trick plays are great vs CU, then, he takes too many risks vs Auburn.......See a pattern at all.... When plays work, the COACH IS A GENIUS, and when the play falls apart, THE COACH IS A DUMBA$$. IMO, we all need to relax..... see what recruiting brings... and support this program like the best fans in America should......For all of you people who are calling to FIRE BC....... good god, get a clue on how the business works !!!!! Starting all over would be great, huh.....let's become the revolving door that will lead to obscurity..... BC needs to win, but it has only been been 3 seasons... It is easy to say "have patience" , but awfull hard to put your money where your mouth is !!!! Recruits read this board, and all of the "bad-mouthing" is probably not helping our cause... I am not saying that you have to be happy, satisfied, or anything else, I am just asking people to truly THINK about the BIG PICTURE before you begin to demand unrealistic results.

Just flew back from Texas, and we were wondering the same thing about B-jax. Lucky had a nice game, but there is no doubt that B-Jax is the man for the job. He runs with soooo much more authority, and usually makes the first guy miss..... At the game, people were asking "where he was". As a coach myself, I know that many many things happen at practice that fans don't know about....It was obvious that B-Jax was able to run fairly well, but BC and Jordan have watched him closely and must have seen something, or they would have had him on the field.... 1. Possibly concerned for a future injury of the same wrist that would once again make him miss spring ball 2. Maybe B-Jax put the ball on the ground at practice because of the wrist 3. Maybe Marlon took 90 % of snaps during "game-planning" and deserved to get the start.... 4. Once the game began, Marlon ran okay, so they weren't drastically needing a change. I like the backfield next year. Here's too a great off-season and a great recruiting class.