bimmerman323i

Good post. Riley haters love to call his offense, whether they consider it West Coast or Pro Style, a finesse offense, but conveniently ignore the fact they love to use multiple tight ends, as well as the fullback. What's finesse about Ozigbo coming downhill? What was finesse about Bryant's 50 carries in the first seven quarters of the season? (Whether or not he should've had that many isn't part of this discussion.) What's finesse about them running their Csonka running play 31 times against Rutgers? If you want to argue the pass on the 3-yd line that was the pick 6 for NIU is finesse, fine. I'd counter only by saying that was an RPO, so the decision to throw that pass was on the QB. The option to run the ball was there, and I believe Riley addressed it in his press conference after the game. Yes, they could've called a run, as opposed to the RPO, but the players also need to be able to make good decisions, especially when that player is the QB, regardless of the offensive system. Ever seen an option QB make a bad decision about when to pitch it, or poorly execute the pitch? I have. Riley has mentioned a stat very similar to the one you mentioned - teams in the BIG that rush for 200 yards and win the turnover battle win something like 90% of the time. I don't remember exactly what it was, but he talked about it in one of his Monday press conferences. Point being, he understands what wins in this conference, and as you mentioned they just need to do it more consistently.

Pretty high on Frost...Why are you so sure he's the right guy? Are you sure his offense, the Oregon offense, will work at NE? He's not coming and bringing the option back. If he comes here, he's running what he runs now. You sure those edge based perimeter runs, the sweeps, bubble screens, etc., will work any better in the BIG weather than what they're doing now? What types of teams cause Oregon problems? Physical defenses like Stanford and Ohio State. Seems to me there are lots of physical defenses in the BIG. The term "West Coast Offense" is like a fallback for some fans. They can't describe it, other than it's not what TO ran, and they think it means the offense must pass 50 times per game. Have you heard Sam McKewon compare Nebraska's offense and Wisconsin's? They're essentially the same thing, with each coach stressing a few different things. Wisconsin's advantage lies in the fact it's developed o-lineman like clockwork for decades. Chryst is benefiting from this. On the other hand, would anyone classify the o-line play under Pelini as outstanding? I'd guess not. Riley is having to work through this part. Is the line as good as it seems like it should be? No. But has it dropped off dramatically from where it was? I don't think so. Under Pelini it's struggles were masked somewhat by the use of tempo, which works when playing against lesser athletes, but not so much when playing against fast, physical defenses (hence the reason NE puts up record offensive numbers against FAU, but did jack squat against better competition - see offense's struggles against WI in 2014, as an example). The run game under Riley, schematically, can and has worked in the BIG. It becomes about the ability to consistently execute those runs. This is where the team has struggled, and this is where the most improvement is needed.

Lack of accountability? How about this: - Christian Peter: arrested 8 times during his career at Nebraska. Accused of rape. TWICE. Sentenced to 18 months probation after pleading no contest to a charge of 3rd degree sexual assault. - Lawrence Phillips: quick summary - scales wall, breaks into Scott Frost's apartment, drags ex-girlfriend down the stairs by her hair. Misses 6 games. (Yes, I know TO's reasoning.) - Shevin Wiggins: Arrested and charged with sexual assault for allegedly fondling two 14-year-old girls. - Riley Washington: charged with attempted second degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony. - Tyrone Williams: charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and use of a weapon to commit a felony. - Reggie Baul: charged with stealing a wallet from a woman at a restaurant. - I'm sure there are more, but these examples are enough. I'll take guys skipping class or smoking weed (both of which happen on nearly EVERY college football team in the country), and talking crap (boo hoo, my feelings are hurt because the football player said mean things about me) over charges like the guys on TO's teams faced. But hey, what am I thinking, TO's guys won titles...all is forgiven. Give me a break with the "lack of accountability" crap.

So, a couple things here: 1. Penn State had 579 yards against Iowa. Yes, the Hawkeye D is generally stout, but that's a ton of yards. If anything, it lends some credibility to Diaco's style of defense - forget about yards given up and worry only about points. The Penn State defense was definitely impressive. 2. Barkley is a great back. He's probably going to win the Heisman, which goes to the best player in college football, which, in general, means he shreds whomever he's playing. If he goes off for 180 against Nebraska, that's no different than any other game for him. Point being, if he shreds Nebraska, it won't be the only team he shreds. 3. I think it's obvious the Husker D has improved from game 1 to game 4. Notable is the amount of youth on the field. The only seniors I can think of who played big snaps today are Weber and Kieron Williams. Otherwise it was underclassmen - Davis twins, Stoltenberg, Alex Davis, Deontre Thomas, Stille, Freedom, Gifford, Young, Aaron Williams, Eric Lee, Lamar Jackson, Mo Barry, Antonio Reed, King, Dismuke, etc. - guys who all have a chance to grow and develop in the system over multiple years (if the defensive staff is still around next year, I guess). The opportunity is there for the defense to be pretty salty next year, but it's also possible they will continue to make strides throughout this season. OSU and PSU will be obviously be tough games, but I think the D is constructed well to hold up against the rest of the BIG West, which is probably more important at this exact time.

I learned Riley must be a good leader. It's pretty impressive to hold the ship together enough to win a conference game, bad as Rutgers might be, in a 10-day period of time where: - There's uproar over the ending of Black Friday games (something that Riley might not even be around for given it's 3 years down the road). - The AD gets fired. - You play without the following players: Tre Bryant (#1 RB), Stanley Morgan (#1 WR), Cole Conrad (#1 C), David Knevel (#1 RT), Matt Farniok (#2 RT), Marcus Newby (#1 OLB), Tyrin Ferguson (#2/3 OLB), Josha Kalu (#1 S), Chris Jones (#1 CB), and Aaron Williams (#1 S - yes, on a penalty, but he basically missed the entire game). I did see some positives during the game as well. For as frustrating as Langsdorf's play calling can be, it looked to me like he finally decided to play to the team's strength and run the ball. The second half looked a lot like the 2009 offensive game plan - run the ball, grind out first downs, let the clock run, avoid back breaking turnovers, punt and play D when necessary, get a big special teams play or two, and take advantage when you get the short field. As ugly as it might be to watch, it's a way the team can stay in the game. That should be the approach going forward, and I think it will be. Riley isn't stupid, he knows what the rest of this season is about. Win games however possible, and give yourself a chance to keep your job, or beat yourself and say goodbye. We can talk about how terrible Rutger is, but Washington had 84 yards rushing on 24 carries (3.5 ypc). Eastern Michigan had 114 on 35 carries (3.3). Morgan State had 80 yards on 37 carries (2.2 ypc). Not a ton of great competition, but they've been decent against the run. I think it's a success when the Huskers rush for 200 yards while missing their starting center and playing a true freshman at tackle. And, you know what? The D looks pretty darn good. I think it's really impressive given the number of guys they're playing. The depth will be much improved as they start to get guys back from injury. I like Riley in every way, except the consistency on the field. I know that's what he gets paid for, and I'm hoping he can figure it out.

Evidently.

This thread is f'ing stupid.

- Huskers are mentally tough, even if they aren't physically perfect all the time. - They've learned how to finish games. What was their last drive? 7:00 or something? Pretty impressive to grind one out when you haven't been able to do anything for basically the preceding 2.5 quarters. - Indiana defense is salty. Offense, not as much. - This team has an edge about it. A confidence. This group of seniors has been through a ton, and they keep pushing on. It's admirable. - I like the coaching staff (Read....meh). Langsdorf was handcuffed today, given the injuries and the fact TA reverted a bit. Banker has the D playing much better. His pressure calls have worked (wish he would've dialed some up on their last TD drive). - Huskers 6-0 for the first time since 2001. Feels good, regardless of what it looks like. - Last one: Bo, for all the things he lacked, sure could recognize secondary talent. Gerry, Kalu, Jones, A. Williams, K. Williams - all guys Bo recruited. We can argue all we want about whether he's a good head coach, etc., but there's no doubt he knew what was up when it came to the back end of the defense.

Not sure if this deserves a thread, and maybe it's buried in some other one, but after some of the complaining I'm hearing from some Husker fans about a team that's 6-0, and just won a hard fought game, I thought it might be worth a look to see how the OSU and NE games with Indiana compared. Passing Stats: OSU: Barrett 9-21 - 93 yards - 1 TD - 1 INT - 40.5 QBR NE: Armstrong 10-26 - 208 yards - 1 TD - 1 INT - 39.0 QBR Rushing: OSU: 50 carries - 290 yards - 5.8 avg. Long of 27 NE: 45 carries - 152 yards - 3.4 avg. Long of 18 Total yards: OSU: 383. 5-14 on 3rd down. NE: 360 5-15 on 3rd down Passing Defense: OSU: 14 - 28 - 182 yards - 2 TD - 1 INT - 46.6 QBR. NE: 24 - 39 - 245 yards - 1 TD - 2 INT - 30.6 QBR (Lagow) / 40.9 QBR (Diamont) Rushing Defense: OSU: 40 carries - 99 yards - 2.5 avg, Long of 19 NE: 30 carries - 88 yards - 2.9 avg, Long of 33 Total Yards: OSU: 281 yards. 1 sack. 9 TFL. Allowed 6-17 3rd down conversions / 0-2 4th down conversions. NE: 333 yards. 3 sacks. 9 TFL. Allowed 5-15 3rd down conversions / 0-2 4th down conversions. Final thoughts about what this says: I know the transitive property doesn't work in football, but OSU - the best team in the country according to some - and NE put up statistically similar games against Indiana, both offensively and defensively (OSU at home, NE on the road). I'm not saying NE is as good as OSU. I'm saying we're doing Indiana some disservice if we don't recognize how good of a football team they are. Yes, it wasn't pretty, but it was a win, and that's impressive when you consider the health of the team: No Carter. No Westerkamp. Basically no Ozigbo, Moore, and Knevel. Gates with a bad ankle. Farmer coming off a high ankle sprain (won't be completely healed until after the season is over). Armstrong with a bad ankle (looked to me like he wasn't comfortable running on that thing). Sure, every team in America has people who are beat up, but think about the guys I just listed. That's a pretty damn good offense that's either not available, or not nearly 100%. Let's all take a breath, enjoy the fact NE is 6-0 (9-1 in its last 10), and not worry about whether the Huskers deserve to be top 10 or whatever. All the team can do is win the games on the schedule, and so far this season it's perfect from that perspective - and that's the only stat that really matters.

- Lamar Jackson learned that college football isn't high school. - Fresno State had 243 yards passing, but only 5.7 ypa. Nebraska would take that ypa every single game. - The Peck kid from Fresno had 9 receptions for 112 yards, while being covered mostly by...Lamar Jackson. - The remaining Fresno receivers had 15 receptions for 131 yards. Meaning, the secondary guys who had any experience were pretty solid against the pass. I'm not bashing Jackson - just pointing out that all the complaining about the pass D seems a bit premature. The ultra-talented true freshman played a lot tonight, probably more than he'll play in any game the rest of the year (excluding Oregon), and it took him a bit to get his feet under him. Credit Fresno - they found a weakness and went after it. Jackson will do nothing but improve the rest of the season. I don't think we need to panic about the pass D yet, especially considering Gerry didn't play, not to mention the fact the coaching staff didn't have a great idea of what they'd see from Fresno. Offensively, they had a game plan that was purely about winning the game, not about style points. It wasn't pretty at times, but it was clearly effective as they owned the 4th quarter. There's a lot to like, but plenty of things to work on - probably exactly what a coach would want after game one.

Or, don't turn the ball over inside the USC 10 yard line before halftime. Get a field goal at least, and it may be a different game. Foltz was big tonight, and 2 blocked punts in any game is huge. D wasn't great, but USC had -2 yards in the 4th quarter prior to their last possession. Three straight 3-and-outs to give the offense a chance to score were big too. All 3 phases made killer mistakes that are magnified in a close game.

Explosiveness is essentially the same thing as power. Time - how fast you move a weight over a given distance - is part of the definition of power. When Dobson provided the athletes a measure of how quickly they moved the weight he was providing them an objective measure of how much raw power they created. If, by hoping for a more balanced approach you mean more maxing out, then you're probably mostly concerned with raw strength as opposed to power. Strength implies moving a weight over a given distance, regardless of how long it takes you to do it. This is probably a less athletic way to train. In other words, o-lineman who can bench 600 pounds might sound cool, but it doesn't mean they'll be good lineman, it just means they're good at the bench press. There is a positive relationship between strength and power (getting stronger typically makes you more powerful, and vise versa), but I'll take five lineman who can bench press 500 pounds in .75 seconds over five lineman who can bench 600 pounds in 1.0 second every day of the week and twice on Saturday, provided everything else is equal. I'm not saying Dobson was the greatest SC coach in the world, but he's not an idiot either. Mark Phillip's program will have some differences, but at the core they'll probably be more similar than a lot of people think. They'll probably focus on bench, squat and clean (maybe deadlift) since they're the big movements that allow you to train for strength and power. There will probably be movements like medicine ball throws and tire flips since they're ballistic exercises that don't require slowing the weight after moving it as quickly as you can (i.e. they're relatively safe ways to train power). There will probably be conditioning movements like ropes that allow you to do a lot of work in a relatively short period of time. (Ever used a rope? Go do waves or slams with a 2 inch rope as quickly and forcefully as you can for 20-30 seconds and then tell me how your heart tastes.)

13 drives against Rutgers: 6 touchdowns 1 missed FG 2 possessions ended by turnovers 1 drive that ended with the game 63 plays for 455 yards. 22 passes (35% of snaps). 14 completions (63.6%) for 163 yards and 2 td. 41 runs (65% of snaps). 292 yards and 4 td. 8 of 13 (61.5%) 3rd down conversions Huskers had a chance to score on 7 of the 12 drives (58%) during which they actually tried to score. Moore had 2 or 3 more drops. Complete those and Tommy is over 70% completion percentage. The interception was dumb. I just re-watched that drive. Bell was 3 yards out of bounds when Tommy threw it. There's no way Tommy looked before letting it go. That's not on Beck. A starting QB at the division one level has got to avoid such a poor decision, especially one who has started 15 games or whatever the number is. Yes, he's JUST a sophomore, but he's got a lot of experience, and certainly enough to make a better decision in that scenario. They have successfully built an offense that makes the defense honor the run and the pass. Even if they aren't a great passing team, they've shown the ability to pass just enough to keep themselves in it when the run game does nothing (see the MSU game). Defensive coordinators have a lot to worry about. People act like Beck goes air raid when in reality they still run the ball 2/3 of the time. They're a top 10 offense in the country, putting up better numbers than any Husker team since 1995. They have the leading receiver and possibly the leading rusher in Nebraska history on the same team. Bottom line, I'm not sure there's as much to complain about as people are saying there is.

"the offense has regressed. It seems to be one thing or the other year after year. In 6 years we have never clicked on all cylinders. Injuries affect all teams this time of year so I don't buy that excuse....... Iowa will be interesting. A win is not a lock either." Offense has regressed...losing a 4th year starter at QB, an All-American guard, the other starting guard, the primary backup guard, injuries to your two starting tackles, your starting slot receiver, and missing your only experienced TE for half the season, plus being forced to play a freshman at QB, who also gets hurt so you actually have to play your 3rd string QB...I suppose some regression is expected. And that's beyond an expected or normal amount of injuries.

Not saying TA didn't look great, and I agree that was the best the O looked in a long time. I just think you can't discount the opposition - very average FCS defense - or the fact the game followed a week of simplifying the offense. It's tough for me to think the output would have been much different if Martinez would have played. But you're right, it's okay for us to disagree.