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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.

Huskrnokc, This probably won't help, but we are staying at a Ramada inn near Love Field.... of course, we are flying into Love.... The rates are ok.....$75 a night.... I have found a few decent hotels at $60 night, but once again, near Love... The Ramada is only 15 minutes from the Cotton Bowl, according to mapquest.

Once agian, thanks hook em !!!! We will make sure to leave early enough.... we may even take the DART if that makes more sense for us. Surely we can get on that somewhere near Love Field.

headed into Saturday-Sunday and New Year's Day, does anyone forcast a bitg upset? I honestly think that NU has a great shot to win this game.... "Rankings" would indicate this is an upset, but the point spread is only 1 1/2 , so not really an upset. I will go out on a limb, and say that Iowa will knock off Texas. I hate saying this, because being from Iowa, I hate the Hawkeyes.

Anyone who has been to the Cotton Bowl before, please help. We are staying at a Hotel near Love Field.... just wondering how difficult it is going to be to get to State Fair Park on game day..... Just needing to have an idea of what time to leave Hotel in order to be in our seats by 9:30 am. If anyone can offer an idea, I appreciate it !!! Thanks and Go Big Red

Thanks for the info. Hook em..... I went ahead and bought a pass. Hope you have a great time at the game.

I do think that BC may implement an occassional option if the right QB is playing. He has shown many times that he is not afraid of using uncoventional plays during a game at any time. It will also help, if we have a little depth at QB..... by running an option, even if it is only a few times a game, puts you QB in a situation for the defense to take a free shot at him..... better have reliable back up ready just in case.

Omaha World Herald had a short story on BJax......He is certain that he is going to play, and is confident the hand will not be an issue. Let's hope he is right !!!

I agree BRI, I too love to watch this offense when it is clicking.... It all comes down to the O-line. If Taylor has adequate time, allowing his WR time to run routes, the offense is lethal...... The underneath crossing routes are unstoppalbe if time allows.....

Today on sports radio, a practice report said that Glenn doesn't expect to play much, if at all.... He thought he may get used on the goal line if at all...... Jackson has the cast off, but must wear a splint.... BC said that it would be interesting to see how he handles contact this week, but was sure the training staff would do a nice job of protecting the wrist...Lucky will need "shots" to help loosen up back prior to game, and Wilson was jogging lightly, limping today.... The backfield is a HUGE unknown at this point.

You are telling me that Florida didn't have as much speed as teams today? How about Tennessee...Heck, most of their starting defense start in the NFL.... Those two teams had as much speed as most teams do today! To defende the option, you need DISCIPLINE as much as speed. Yes, FSU and Miami were able to stop NU with speed, but at that time NU didn't have speed on offense !!! Once, TO got tremendous athletes, speed wasn't such an issue... There are plenty of extremely fast athletes out there to run the option offense..... Why can't the offense cause problems with their speed, just as the defense? I believe NAVY had a tremendously successful season running the option, and they don't even get to recruit the fantastic athlete. They must play with guys who chose and qualify for the military academy ! I bet with the right mix of athletes, they could easily be undefeated.... I was not trying to start a battle with you.... I am just saying that discussing the option doesn't necessarily mean we are living in the past.... We are all well aware that the TO days are gone, and will always be, that was not the topic at hand.

You are right on dedhed..... I really drug my feet about the Dallas/10:30 thing too.... We travel all over to watch NU and this trip just isn't attractive at all..... In fact, I am going because it in Nebraska football. I am not even looking at it as a "bowl" trip. To me, it will be like traveling to Lubbock or Manhatten. Nonetheless, it will still be disheartening to see very few fans.

I agree 'skersfan...... This is the best opportunity to show the nation again, that NU fans are the best... I believe that many Nebraskans used the Big 12 championship as their "big trip for the season". It will be embarassing if we only have 14-15 thousand in Dallas. Dallas is one of the "easiest" destinations in many years... The forcast is great (50 degrees or above all weekend)... it is a short drive (10 hours) and tickets are cheap!!! I hope that we get a lot of fans... Texas is a recruiting hot-bed as all of you know, so if we show up with minimal fans, it will NOT impress recruits. Especially after the coaches have told them about teh greatest fans in college football.

Holy crap.... is anyone else getting sick and tired of the same ol' song and dance before EVERY bowl game thus far.... and EVERY half-time show... I get so pissed at listening to these clowns talk about USC and Michigan... I have watched most of the bowl coverage, but not all, have I missed anything on the Cotton Bowl? You have two great programs competing in the Cotton bowl, and these dumb asses can't even mention it !!! Damn these idiots !!!!

NU 24 AU 20 Rush: 155 Pass: 275

I am going to Dallas, but I'm getting concerned that the crowd will be very disappointing..... Local papers and sports talk radio are really talking about this game being not very well attended... has anyone heard how many NU fans are expected. The university has only sold approx. 9500 of it's alloted tickets....

Here is my two cents: Oklahoma State over Alabama...... Bama in coaching transition California over Texas A&M...... just a gut feeling Rutgers over KSU....... probably closer than many think Missouri over Oregon State.....Can't take "Beavers" seriosly Minnesota over Tech..... can't out guess Tech Texas over Iowa..... I really hope so.....being from Iowa, I can't stand the Hawkeyes Nebraska over Auburn... NU matches up very well vs Auburn Oklahoma over Boise State.... So much attention on Boise State for OU to over look Big 12 will go 5-3 in this year's bowl.

This is probably for the members from Texas or if anyone has gone to the Cotton Bowl before... Do you need a parking pass, or is it highly suggested to pick one up. I live an hour from Lincoln, so if anyone says that I should get one, I will find time to drive over and pick one up. Thanks for your help. What about tailgating in the lots..... People (security) pretty cool, or are they pretty strict?