tmfr15

Husker gear does not equal fan at all. Matter of fact, there are a lot of people who wear sports gear just because they like the design, or to razz someone, or something like that. I have a fair amount of NU gear in the closet, but there were times in my life I haven't had much....just had to throw on a red shirt and call it good. Still, I have always been a MAJOR fan. Some of these door knobs have a lot of gear from all kinds of different teams, but claim loyalty to none. And that, my friend, is nerve racking as hell.

Recruiting is all about handling. I doubt the guys coming in get a tour of area homes, so they won't see yards signs. I also doubt the coaches are pointing potential players to media sources and message boards. Maybe some venture out on the internet and see some negative stuff, but if the coaches have talked to them in the right way they are going to think.... Man, that team needs me. Face it, most of these guys are arrogant and believe they are the answer to what is ailing the school. Imagine yourself at 18 years of age. Now add incredible athletic ability that has always gotten you notice and special treatment. These guys think they can walk on water...some can, and almost all of them will not be detered by "negativity"

Everything about old Nebraska was physical and aggressive. Callahan's change in culture was not to power past defenses, but rather to trick them all the time. That has turned our team soft. We need to become more aggresive on both sides of the ball. Going "good on good" as Pelini says, is a good idea. The other is that the coaches have to stay on these guys to bring it in every practice and every drill, then put up a game plan with physical elements. It might take a while, but we will improve. Just look at the Denver Broncos this year. The team has been getting after it with tackling practices. That is something that NFL teams just don't do because they are trying to protect their roster. Denver has a 6-0 record despite changing the head coach, the QB, the defensive strategy and a ton of the players. Call me a fool, but I think that the hard practices are paying dividends for Denver.

Smart money would be on the Clones to cover 17 or more points just because the NU offense has been so bad. Then again, how many times have we seen the betting line get blown away. NUs defense could create a bunch of turnovers and the NU offense could get rolling and throw up 60. You just never know.

NU 30, ISU 7 Rush 176 Pass 245

It is interesting that Hickman is talking about the run game. And that might be just talk. But consider this...Wats and the CU offense talked a lot about running the ball right at NU prior to the 2001 game. Not many offenses did that to us back then, so we thought it was a bluff. Well, they did it, and you saw the results. I was hoping to see some elements of that counter game before now, but I'll be glad to see it if Wats dusts it off this weekend.

I don't really like Watson and Gilmore. But that is not because the Huskers lost to Texas Tech. I have a major problem with Gilmore's game plans, his verbage and his attitude. When he tells Green to say in the pocket and pass and never leave the pocket, it frustrates me. When he pigeon holes certain players as doing only one thing. Or talks about the run game and you get the feeling he is talking balance of attempts and doesn't care about production. Those things frustrate me. I don't think he will change. And so I think he needs to get out of here. I want a guy to build a game plan based on our talent and not on making sure we implement all the pariculars of a system. As for Gilmore...well, he's nothing if not a mouth piece for Watson. I have no problems with Cotton.

T-Tech packed it in.....hmmm, yea, there was a lot of efficiency in the first half...the tipped ball on third down happens all the time. Just how they drew it up I am sure. And Leach, pack it in....right. He scored 70 on NU back in 2004, now he is sitting on a lead. Talk about ignorant and completely insane.

And who is going to run the option? Zak Lee? hahaha. Green? hahaha. What backs will carry the ball?hahaha. Nebraska has 0 talent to run anything, especially an option. Watson has totally destroyed the offense and BO let him do it. Give up. This team is bad bad bad. Until they get rid of all the coaches and get some better players the Huskers will suck suck suck... OK...Bo is gone....and the whole staff.... Who do we hire?! I can't wait for this response. And people think I am being over reactionary to say that Gilmore and Watson should take a walk.

Consistant and less confusing. I would have to agree...the option is that for sure. Maybe we could just work on adding a few things to the option packages...or run it all out of the pistol or something.

This offense is horrid and I have never had faith in Watson. The only thing I ever said was that I trusted TO. I believe he wanted to make this change as easy as he could. I think he also knows that this is not working and if it doesn't get better...Watson is gone. Think of CU the year they beat Nebraska. It took Watson almost the entire season to figure out how to use his RBs. When he did, they beat the living daylights out of us....but it took two losses, one of them being a blow out at the hands of Texas, before he started to figure it out. What faith do we have that he will have a plan in the preseason next year and won't need half the season to figure out what plays to call?

I have mixed feelings on this topic. I want to be able to run the football and have some passing to go with it. The option was great, but when we faced teams with big time team speed (Miami) it just felt like beating your head against a brick wall at times. Think of the first T.O. title...if you saw the game, and you are being honest, it felt like the option was never going to work. We wore them down late and we rallied to win, but for most of the game, the option was like....OK, there's a gain of one....followed closely by....OK, there's a loss of one.

What's wrong with the offense? Bottom line, there are too many variables. Just as was the case with Calli...we try to do too much. Coach Watson talks about finding out what we do well. He talks about how it took us until this point in the season last year to find out strength. Wading through the playbook for the first six games of every season in order to find our strength is simply not practical. Make it simpler. We need to define Nebraska offensive ball, then drill and drill and drill until we do it SO WELL that even when teams know what is coming....they find it hard to stop. Let's start by running the ball better, in a conventional fashion, between the tackles and out of the I-formation. Power....toss....ISO....counter. Add to that a group of plays that represent the core of the pass offense. Receivers need to know exactly where they are going on each play so they can perfect their breaks out of routes and the QB can perfect the timing of his throws. Lastly, when throwing, take some shots down the field. Design plays that are meant to get chunks of yardage and stop throwing the two-yard screen. If we have a strong run game...not just number of attempts, but production, our pass game will be a lot more deadly.

If the run game improves, our QB play will improve. We need to be physical and not be detered by "loaded fronts." Just because people line up in the box doesn't mean they stay there post snap. And even if they do, we should be looking to hit people....knock em around and establish that physical presense. If we run the ball, the defenders around the line will be more likely to bite on a play-fake. Even the staight drop back will work much better if the run game is for real.

The fans were booing the refs at the half. I was in south end zone and saw it for myself. The booing began when the refs approached the southwest exit to the field and comments were heard such as...what are you guys from Texas...and wait until you guys get evaluated....etc.

Joe Ganz was on Big Red Wrap Up and was asked about our offensive production against Missouri. He started by praising the unit and saying they did what they had to in order to earn the win. He then spoke of the fact that the Huskers are no longer a power-I team. I think that is very important to note. Nebraska may change, but right now we are a pass team and a finese team.

Tech's offense is one of the most rhythm dependant attack out there. The Red Raiders throws are short and the QB has to get a feel for which defenders are breaking on which routes. If the QB gets a true idea of what is going on out there, well, it will be a long day. To combat this, opponents need to posess the ball, avoid turnovers and three-and-outs, then limit Tech to one or two scoring drives. If the Huskers give the ball back on three and outs and turnovers, Tech will get extra posessions and eventually will find that rhythm.

Suh is exceptional and the other guys are starting to follow his lead. The secondary made several players and the guys are starting to drive on routes by oppoosing receivers with confidence. Linebacker play is key. I really thought Nebraska took a step forward in that we got more free rush chances at the QB. You have to dial it up and be able to get someone to the quarterback quick so that teams change their plays, throw too early and go max protection on more of their plays.

Nebraska 24, Tech 14

Is this for real? UHHHGGGGG

I will leave this up to Bo. He will know when its time. I just trust him a lot when it comes to this defense stuff. Man the Huskers looked outstanding tonight. Glad to have Bo running the D. Missouri was a very worthy foe with a good young QB.

I feel this exact same way and have since Pelini took over. The offense is no different than when Billy C was at the helm and for that matter the entire team is no different with the exception that we have a good defense now. Someone said in another thread that the best thing that could happen for the team would be for Watson to get a head coaching job. This team could be great if we had an offense with an identity. I also want to point out that I am tired of coaches and player saying that our offense allows us to take what the other team is going to give us. For goodness sake....I want an offense that TAKES WHAT IT WANTS. I WANT AN OFFENSE WITH AN IDENTITY THAT DOESNT CHANGE WEEK TO WEEK. I hear ya buddy. And I love when the Huskers run the ball, so I would like that to be the identity. Not the pass isn't a good thing, I like that we can pass much better than in past years, but I want to be known for physical play....think Steelers.

Good to know I wasn't the only one feeling a bit down there. The good news is that we won....so, thankfully that freakin' streak against the rated on the road can be put to bed. Time to CELEBRATE this win ALL WEEKEND.