Nebraska vs USC

[Vince R.]

For those of you who have watched USC this year who are their power players? I've only heard of Kessler. Who do they have for running backs? What is their defense of line like? For me this game could be a great send off for our seniors (former seniors now) and a chance to impress the scouts for those vying for the NFL and a chance for Mike Riley to see what kind of team he can has to work with next year-what kind of potential U.S. there. Do any of you think that Barney, Papuchis or Beck talked to Mike Riley about what to expect from USC since Riley has already played them and beaten them?

A very good but not great collection of players. Skill players galore although the defensive ones are young and raw. While they are talented, they are not world beaters by any stretch. OSU would kill them, Minn, Wisc, and Mich st could certainly beat them. They are too young to be ultra consistent and struggle a bit against top D lineman. Their Rb is good but not great. Ameer and Leonard Williams will be the two best players on that field. You can run on them and Ameer will be the best Rb they have faced. Nebraska should attack Adore Jackson. He is good but young and has technique issues. Kenny should be able to make big plays against him. Our biggest concern? Their pass rush and Wr's. If we take chances in blitzing, you have to get there or else they will win the "over the top" battle. Running the ball will be key for Nebraska if they want to win. If Ameer has over 120, we win. Kessler can be a sitting duck in there. Our D line is better than their Oline and if we consistently win that battle, it will be tough for them to score. One last thing, they will try to expose Corey Coopers hips. They will design plays to make him be the over the top safety help.

[Vince R.]

and their safeties get burned a lot

[dvdcrr]

I think we are gonna win. Our corners can make a lot of plays and I think we can get some 3/outs. Our running game will be better due to Abdullah being more healthy. All the players are working hard, they know this is an audition for the new staff.

[ladyhawke]

A friend of mine who has watched them this season said she thinks it will be a close game:

The are 8-4 and 2nd in the pac 12 South Division while Nebraska is 9-3 and 3rd in the B1G west division. I think it sounds like we might have a chance, especially since our players are now healthy. Go Big Red!

 

[Bball1091]

 

 

For those of you who have watched USC this year who are their power players? I've only heard of Kessler. Who do they have for running backs? What is their defense of line like? For me this game could be a great send off for our seniors (former seniors now) and a chance to impress the scouts for those vying for the NFL and a chance for Mike Riley to see what kind of team he can has to work with next year-what kind of potential U.S. there. Do any of you think that Barney, Papuchis or Beck talked to Mike Riley about what to expect from USC since Riley has already played them and beaten them?

A very good but not great collection of players. Skill players galore although the defensive ones are young and raw. While they are talented, they are not world beaters by any stretch. OSU would kill them, Minn, Wisc, and Mich st could certainly beat them. They are too young to be ultra consistent and struggle a bit against top D lineman. Their Rb is good but not great. Ameer and Leonard Williams will be the two best players on that field. You can run on them and Ameer will be the best Rb they have faced. Nebraska should attack Adore Jackson. He is good but young and has technique issues. Kenny should be able to make big plays against him. Our biggest concern? Their pass rush and Wr's. If we take chances in blitzing, you have to get there or else they will win the "over the top" battle. Running the ball will be key for Nebraska if they want to win. If Ameer has over 120, we win. Kessler can be a sitting duck in there. Our D line is better than their Oline and if we consistently win that battle, it will be tough for them to score. One last thing, they will try to expose Corey Coopers hips. They will design plays to make him be the over the top safety help.

+1...great analysis and I believe spot on...very objective

[Hunter94]

I think we are gonna win. Our corners can make a lot of plays and I think we can get some 3/outs. Our running game will be better due to Abdullah being more healthy. All the players are working hard, they know this is an audition for the new staff.

we will need to constantly harass and pressure Kessler....if we lay back and don't bring pressure he will eat our lunch.

[Saunders]

We're gonna get killed. Papuchis has only called plays for a half, 2 years ago. Beck is going to try to show off for a new job, and we'll lose something like 38-17.

[skersfan]

SC has talent. Far superior to Nebraska's, but not much depth. If we can slow it down, run the ball, get them tired we may have a chance to win it in the 4th quarter.

 

But I can see Beck doing just what saunders says. It is all about me.

 

I hope Pap has a good game, of all the coaches, I would like to see him get a real chance after what he has been through.

[Pasadena Husker]

We're gonna get killed. Papuchis has only called plays for a half, 2 years ago. Beck is going to try to show off for a new job, and we'll lose something like 38-17.

yup.

[True2tRA]

To me this game comes down to the game planning by the coaches. I think we have the talent to play with these guys.

 

Here's where the game plan is important:

Run the ball and sustain drives. If we can use time of possession as our friend and keep the ball out of their QB's hands I think it benefits us. I think we can run on anybody if we would just line up and run straight st them. Of course, it's not what we usually do, but wo knows? Maybe we will change some things up front he usual.

 

Two, we've got to attack on defense. No two gap, prevent safe crap. We've got to play downhill on the defensive front, shoot the gaps and bring pressure. If we can apply pressure and get a little physical on the edges with their WR's it could disrupt the timing of their offense. I think USC's offensive line is vulnerable. We have the talent up from the compete with these guys. This game could come down to how USC attacks us. Will they force our LB'ers into coverage a lot? Will they take a page from every other team who has had success against us and run underneath and crossing routes to confuse our LB'ers?

 

I really want to see these players get a chance to play loose and have fun out there. Maybe the best thing about all that has happened is that it might have made the staff approach the game with a simpler game plan. Maybe, just maybe these kids will be able to let their talent show instead of thinking and hesitating so much.

 

I also expect our punt return game to be a huge factor. Pierson-El will take one back and he will give us good field position all ame long. Could be the difference.

[Nebhawk]

Loyal or not, I just question what team will appear. Thats not being negative or UNLOYAL. Stating that if we have players who show up and don't want to give 100% for the name on the front of the jersey, they should move on.

 

I believe that, and will stand by it. Its time to start recruiting some players who care about the Red in GBR! It now all starts with having a coach who also will get some of that pride back into the players lockeroom. Thats whats been missing for 15+ years now.

[Comish]

Tangential question ---- Since Bo isn't involved, does the NCAA allow an extra coach in prepping for the game ??

And if so.........who would that be ??

[URSS]

After many years of seeing the Huskers against West Coast temas, I think they are usually faster and quicker than we are. We usually don't play with a lot of emotion either. I saw a list of sportswriters and others picking USC to win. Only one of about 30 picked the Huskers to win. I hope we win but I don't expect the to win.

[ladyhawke]

This will give Coach Riley a chance to see what he has 'in the cupboard'. I agree with the sentiment that this will give the players a chance to go out and have fun without having to worry about getting yelled at. I'm looking forward to this game!

[missingbraincells]

Looking forward to a close game - if you're willing to accept information from a visiting Trojan, here's an idea what to expect.

 

Trojan offense has struggled most of the season to find an identity. The base offense is a pro set that wants to be a spread, usually run out of the shotgun (or pistol). Base tempo is a no huddle that often seems to stall - Sarkesian is torn between wanting to run 100 plays a game and knowing that his defense has no depth and needs him to run clock. Typical scenario has been an offense that is explosive early (big first quarter leads), then goes into a shell trying to run the ball (frequently unproductively) while the lead dwindles. USC lost two conference games by being unable to run enough to kill the clock and hold a lead (Arizona State beat us on a Hail Mary on the final play of the game, Utah drove the length of the field in the final minute and scored the winning TD with 8 seconds left).

 

Kessler is a smart QB, good game manager, rarely makes mistakes. He's shown a tendency to focus on his first read (usually Nelson Agholor), but can really go off when given time. He's had huge games against weaker competition which sort of inflates his stat line, but he's struggled some against better defenses (Stanford, Utah). Lots of talent at WR, and lots of speed (George Farmer and Steven Mitchell are both coming off knee surgery and are just know finding their stride). Thin at TE with Randall Telfer (a senior) and Bryce Dixon (true freshman) the only scholarship tight ends on the roster.

 

Buck Allen is an under-rated back, not shifty but with lots of top end speed and good hands out of the backfield. Justin Davis has a little more juke (but less size) and although he has run well late in the season sometimes struggles in pass protection. We've had way too many negative yardage running plays, usually when the line breaks down. We've not been able to pound the ball when we need to, and we seldom use the fullback as a lead blocker anymore.

 

OL has had some good games and some mediocre ones. We lost our starting LT to a knee injury during the Utah game. We'll probably be starting three true freshman on the O-line for the bowl game (never a good thing). Zach Banner has been solid at right tackle, and Max Tuerk has been good at center (although he's had some occasional snapping issues - before this season he was a tackle and guard). The three frosh are Toa Lobendahn who shifted from left guard out to left tackle when Chad Wheeler went down, Damien Mama at left guard now, and Viane Telemaivo at right guard. In a year or two this will be a very good offensive line, but they're very young right now.

 

The defense has played well for the most part, although many are unhappy with new DC Justin Wilcox. We lost our best edge rusher to an ACL injury before the season and have struggled to get a consistent pass rush. Leonard Williams is an absolute beast, but he's been fighting double and triple teams all season. For the most part we have played well against the run, but nose tackle Antwuan Woods tore a pectoral in practice and had surgery last week. The D-line is going to be shuffling bodies around trying to find what works (and there aren't many bodies to shuffle).

 

Hayes Pullard is solid at MLB, maybe a bit undersized. We lost Lamar Dawson for the season at the other inside backer spot and Anthony Sarao hasn't shown the physicality to plug up the middle. Senior J.R. Tavai is a classic "tweener" who just seems to make plays - he'll likely be playing an outside rush spot for the bowl game. Scott Felix has a big motor but gets blown off the play too much and struggles to keep contain.

 

The cornerbacks have done well. Kevon Seymour is much improved, and true freshman Adoree Jackson will be a first round pick one day (but not yet). The safeties have been a bit dinged up. Senior Gerald Bowman is a big hitter, Leon McQuay has struggled in coverage (see UCLA game) and John Plattenburg is a true freshman.

 

The defense has seemed to wilt late, possibly the result of not having enough depth. They've really had trouble stopping anybody in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. If it's a one score game and you've got the ball late, you've got to like your chances.

 

The kicker, Heidari has good range but has been inconsistent. He can kick a last second game winner (Stanford each of the last two seasons) or shank a 30 yarder. Probably needs a new swing coach. The punter Kris Albarado has done well for the most part - sometimes its difficult to tell what they've asked him to do. He has a big leg but seems to aim his punts more than boom them.

 

Algholor can be a dangerous punt returner, and Jackson is an electric kick returner. Soma Vainuku is a heat-seeking missle on coverage.

 

All of that is probably more than you wanted to know. USC fans are hoping that Sarkesian has been learning as he goes and will remember the Notre Dame game attack plan. If Sark gets a lead and goes into his shell, I don't like our chances. Lots of respect for the Cornhuskers, not expecting anything less than a classic.

 

(note: haven't always been a Trojan - I grew up in Ames, Iowa. The first Nebraska game I ever saw was a 3 point loss by the Cyclones, think it was in 1961)