B10 Fit
- Thread starter robsker
- Start date
I'm mostly concerned about managing against the between the tackles pounding we may get from Iowa and Wisconsin. The "Big 10" is not the issue. The issue is a particular subset of this conference which can trip us up on the way to competing for a MNC. Obviously we will shut down the passing game and they won't be able to run to the outside very effectively. Our DL has not shown the ability to shed blocks and make plays in the run game. Our LBs have not shown the ability to consistently (key word) make tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage on large RBs. We will give up a lot of 5-8 yard plays to these teams up the middle and if they have high ToP we will get worn down. We'll see how our depth is and if we can rotate in enough to handle it.
funhusker
All-American
Thank you, I posted a roster on one of the very first posts, thinking that would show that this thread is underappreciating NU's size. Making the question raised in this thread a "non-issue". Apparently it didn't get read.
NU is not small, they do have speed, they have a coach that knows the game. To sum it all up, NU may not win the Big10 next year but they will not be lumped with Minnesota, Indiana, and Purdue. That, though not a betting man, I would put money on.
Army Husker
All-Conference
Chaddyboxer
Banned
We have speeeeed! And that is ultimately a more influential factor of performance than size and strength. If I have speed, I ankle and thigh tackle people all day long just as long as they don't get a touchdown....
Chaddyboxer
Banned
Same thing Knappic has been saying...and I totally agree. Speed kills!
husker_hurdler
Special Teams Player
In today's press conference, Bo addressed the issue and said he believes that we will play "a little bigger" next year
Chaddyboxer
Banned
And I am also an Exercise Science major...not exactly implying I have more of a credible answer...but if I am playing a sport esp. soccer, football, hockey to name a few. The top two skills I would work on the most with any athlete would be speed and acceleration. It seems to be working for Taylor Martinez... = )
Chaddyboxer
Banned
Brian Dobson knows his shiz....he'll put a lil beef on em. I wouldn't try to put too much on though obviously.
The Dude
Heisman Trophy Winner
We'll need linebackers. Hopefully Fisher can get back to 100%, it's always iffy with broken legs. And hopefully Eric Martin can really turn it on.
Our line will have to get bigger. To be honest, I don't see the point of having undersized DTs if we're not going to let them pass rush. This is what frustrates me about our defense this year.
Sounds like we're recruiting some decent front 7 guys. Bo knows a thing or two about defense, we'll be fine.
Our line will have to get bigger. To be honest, I don't see the point of having undersized DTs if we're not going to let them pass rush. This is what frustrates me about our defense this year.
Sounds like we're recruiting some decent front 7 guys. Bo knows a thing or two about defense, we'll be fine.
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ESPY
Starter
Somewhere in this thread someone mentioned the importance of how we play in the trenches, both offensively and defensively, once we start B10 play. I think it's safe to say the best teams in the B10 have speed and athleticism at the skill positions - so does Nebraska - but what sets them apart is the strength, durability and execution of the big guys up front.
Wisconsin immediately comes to mind b/c they've shown time and again they'll hit you in the mouth with their tremendous blocking and ultimately kill you with the speed and athleticism of the skill players following that blocking. Obviously Nebraska has a different offensive style than Wisconsin, but the fact remains - we have a very solid offensive line that is only going to get better and deeper. Since Pelini has been HC, we've really put a lot of emphasis on having a stellar offensive line, and it's beginning to show. There's a reason we're such a good running team right now - the offensive line.
On the other side of the ball, I wish I could just go along with the "we'll be fine because Carl and Bo know exactly what they're doing with the Dline" line of thought. But, I think there needs to be noticeable improvement if we expect our Dline to do any damage against the O-lines of the top B10 teams.
After the ISU game, I listened to the Big Red Wrap-up with former Husker Aaron Taylor, and he essentially said he'd be glad to block any of our interior linemen, namely Crick and Baker. In fact, he said he'd rather block Crick b/c he has tendency to get stood up, which really puts him at a disadvantage. Taylor also said he felt if Baker learns to use his long arms properly, he'll be extremely dangerous and tough to block. Obviously these guys (and every other Dlinemen) have room for improvement just like every other player. But, in order for our defense to have success against those B10 offenses, our Dline has to step up in a big way to counter those big, disciplined B10 O-lines. That's going to make the biggest difference.
Wisconsin immediately comes to mind b/c they've shown time and again they'll hit you in the mouth with their tremendous blocking and ultimately kill you with the speed and athleticism of the skill players following that blocking. Obviously Nebraska has a different offensive style than Wisconsin, but the fact remains - we have a very solid offensive line that is only going to get better and deeper. Since Pelini has been HC, we've really put a lot of emphasis on having a stellar offensive line, and it's beginning to show. There's a reason we're such a good running team right now - the offensive line.
On the other side of the ball, I wish I could just go along with the "we'll be fine because Carl and Bo know exactly what they're doing with the Dline" line of thought. But, I think there needs to be noticeable improvement if we expect our Dline to do any damage against the O-lines of the top B10 teams.
After the ISU game, I listened to the Big Red Wrap-up with former Husker Aaron Taylor, and he essentially said he'd be glad to block any of our interior linemen, namely Crick and Baker. In fact, he said he'd rather block Crick b/c he has tendency to get stood up, which really puts him at a disadvantage. Taylor also said he felt if Baker learns to use his long arms properly, he'll be extremely dangerous and tough to block. Obviously these guys (and every other Dlinemen) have room for improvement just like every other player. But, in order for our defense to have success against those B10 offenses, our Dline has to step up in a big way to counter those big, disciplined B10 O-lines. That's going to make the biggest difference.
junior4949
All-American
I'm not sure where we fit in the Big 10, but then we have to ask ourselves how does the Big 10 fit into winning championships? In the 80's, Nebraska typically did well until we ran into a team with speed. Then, we got our backsides handed to us. This is why TO lost like 7 or 8 bowl games in a row. It was when we went to recruiting speed on the defensive side of the ball that we ended up having the run we did in the 90's. The Big 10 teams remind me of the Huskers of the 80's. I'll take speed over size any day of the week.
husker_hurdler
Special Teams Player
I knew a JAMES Dobson or Dobs as we called him when I was there. And, yes he knew what he was doing. He took a lot of things that Kennedy had ran the previous years and threw them out the door. Dobson has a bright future in the biz.