Bo: "I think it will be a hell of a football game..."

[mmmtodd]

From the Lincoln Journal-Star

Steve Sipple

Bo Pelini says he doesn’t have a strong rooting interest in tonight’s BCS national title game.
That said, “I guess I’d like to see my conference win,” he said.

Nebraska’s head coach rooting for Texas? Really? Well, there’s something to be said for Big 12 solidarity, especially when pitted against the SEC, which could be on the brink of its fourth straight national championship, something no conference has accomplished. Would that be good for college football? Is the SEC monster raging out of control?

Lil’ ol’ Texas to the rescue?

Writes Pat Forde of ESPN.com: “The SEC already has the biggest pile of chips: the best coaches, the most fans, the best players — and perhaps most importantly, the most money.”

Of course, Pelini’s rooting interest is more provincial in nature.

A Texas triumph over Alabama would enhance Nebraska’s reputation and credibility as a resurgent program. A burnt-orange crush of Bama would represent additional evidence that the Huskers are indeed “back and here to stay,” if you will.

“I don’t know how much more evidence you really need,” Pelini said late Tuesday night during a recruiting trip in California.

There was plenty of evidence Dec. 5 at Cowboys Stadium, where Nebraska lost 13-12 but sacked Texas quarterback Colt McCoy nine times and held the Longhorns to 202 yards of total offense, including 18 on the ground.

Can Alabama’s second-ranked defense shut down Texas’ offense in a similar manner?

“What intrigues me is our defensive performance against Texas and all these things I’m hearing about Alabama’s defense,” Nebraska defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said. “I’m intrigued to see how they match up and how they play Texas. Will Alabama take a similar approach that we did? Will they do something completely different?

“I mean, obviously we matched up well against Texas and played well, executed well. It’s not only an indicator of where we are as a defense, but also where we are compared to other defenses around the country. (Tonight’s game) will be a good indicator for me going into the offseason as to where we are and how we stand.”

Oh, he has a good idea where Nebraska stands. NU ranks No. 1 nationally in scoring defense (10.43), ahead of No. 2 Alabama (11.0).

The Crimson Tide plays it differently on defense, its linemen focusing more on eating up blocks than making plays. The Tide is more likely to bring pressure from different angles.

“You’re probably looking at a team that blitzes more than we did this year,” Carl Pelini said.

That puts pressure on the Tide secondary. Matchup issues become a factor. I envision McCoy taking advantage.

“It’ll be interesting to see how Texas responds to what Alabama does, versus how Texas responded to how we played them, which was more out of a base-type game plan,” Carl Pelini said.

We’ll see if Texas can slow Alabama’s vaunted rushing attack. That’s the key, Bo Pelini said. I guessing Texas can and will slow Mark Ingram and company — the Hook’ems rank No. 1 in rushing defense.

I like Texas to win this game, 27-21, on the strength of McCoy’s right arm zinging lasers to fleet wideouts and Will Muschamp’s fast and explosive defense.

I think it’s high time the SEC experiences a bit of humility.

Meanwhile, Nebraska is clearly rising. Was it really only two seasons ago that the Huskers ranked 114th nationally in average points allowed (37.9)? It’s hard to overemphasize the remarkable nature of Big Red’s climb from those depths.

Of course, Texas could add emphasis with a strong showing tonight. Take a second (off the clock) and think about it.

“I think it’ll be a hell of a football game,” Bo Pelini said. “I have a lot of respect for both programs, both coaching staffs. But I want to see our conference win. What’s best for our conference is best for Nebraska.”

Husker Extra Link

 

[sarge87]

:bang Dbl Post

 

[sarge87]

Alabama defense using Blackshirts as blueprint against Texas
Copying Blackshirts

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — The guys in the defensive trenches for Alabama envision adopting a Blackshirts blueprint to stymie the Texas offense.

Translation: Crimson Tide defenders like what they saw from Nebraska’s vaunted Blackshirts during the Big 12 Championship Game, when Cornhuskers defenders combined for nine sacks and limited the Longhorns to season lows of 18 rushing yards and 202 total yards during Texas’ 13-12 escape. Alabama players seek to do likewise.

"They kept the pressure on Colt McCoy the entire game, and it wasn’t just [Ndamukong] Suh," said Alabama defensive tackle Lorenzo Washington. "The whole Nebraska defensive front, they weren’t stopped. No matter if it was stunts, blitzes or four-man pressures ... they were making plays all day long."

Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis has vowed to make some subtle schematic tweaks in blocking assignments and play calls to help the Longhorns be more effective against an Alabama defense that ranks ahead of Nebraska in total defense (241.7 yards per game) and rushing defense (77.9 yards per game) this season.

Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain suggested that might not be enough because Crimson Tide defenders believe they have a good handle on the Longhorns’ offense during bowl preparations.

"We feel like we know what’s coming," McClain said. "McCoy doesn’t check that much at the line. I think we’re ready."

StarTelegram.com

 

[tmfr15]

Bo wants our conference to win. That makes sense for all the opponents on our schedule. Nebraska wins when its opponents win.

 

[WVhuskerXX]

Bo wants our conference to win.

:yeah

 

[irafreak]

Roll tide....

Let the SEC gloat and boast how good they are collectively...better to have the talent in that area split up amongst everyone. People are worried about our image and the conference image....Nebraska finished the season hot. Let Texass finish flat...

 

[REDSTEEL]

Bo wants our conference to win.

:yeah

Bo Pelini says he doesn’t have a strong rooting interest in tonight’s BCS national title game.
That said, “I guess I’d like to see my conference win,” he said.

He said "I guess" which means I'll tow the conference line and not make enemies of the other big 12 coaches.

I think it’s high time the SEC experiences a bit of humility.

Was this Pelini comment or the writers?

 

[speedtoburn]

Roll tide....

Let the SEC gloat and boast how good they are collectively...better to have the talent in that area split up amongst everyone. People are worried about our image and the conference image....Nebraska finished the season hot. Let Texass finish flat...

:yeah

I can never bring myself to root for the Whorns, they can go to hell.

I hope they get blown out.

 

[carlfense]

Roll tide....

Let the SEC gloat and boast how good they are collectively...better to have the talent in that area split up amongst everyone. People are worried about our image and the conference image....Nebraska finished the season hot. Let Texass finish flat...

:yeah

I can never bring myself to root for the Whorns, they can go to hell.

I hope they get blown out.

Me too. My head knows that a Texas win is best for the conference. My heart hopes Texas gets absolutely humiliated. I still haven't recovered from the Big 12 title game.

 

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

Roll tide....

Let the SEC gloat and boast how good they are collectively...better to have the talent in that area split up amongst everyone. People are worried about our image and the conference image....Nebraska finished the season hot. Let Texass finish flat...

:yeah

I can never bring myself to root for the Whorns, they can go to hell.

I hope they get blown out.

:yeah :yeah

Yeah I just had this conversation last night with someone that couldn't fathom that I won't root for Texas because they are Big 12. I won't root for Texas because I HATE THEM. I know who I hate. I'm not going to root for someone because of "conference ties".

 

[junior4949]

What's the over/under that Saban bolts back to the NFL if Alabama wins tonight?

 

[sarge87]

What's the over/under that Saban bolts back to the NFL if Alabama wins tonight?

Why would he?

If he brings a championship to Alabama he will be making Mack Brown money.

 

[huskerswrkhavoc]

Roll Tide.

 

[mmmtodd]

i hate Texas. HATE THEM. But I hate uppity SEC fans more, so Im torn. To me though, the rule of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" doesnt apply in this situation for me. I could never be friends with a Tebow humpin, SEC tootin', wont leave the south to play football lover. Inevitably, I know I will get excited and yell every time the Horns have a big offensive play and expose Bama's D. I also know that I will get pumped up every time the Texas D stones Ingraham. (yeah, Im a little bitter there...not just because he beat Suh out, but because I dont even think hes the best back in the SEC, let alone the best player in college football. I dont think he's the best player on his team. So I hate the system there, and Mark happens to be the figurehead)

When the Horns come to town next year, I will be full of piss and vinegar for them. But tonight, watching in my house, Ill be pulling for McCoy & Co. because I just cant help it.

 

[sarge87]

Roll tide....

Let the SEC gloat and boast how good they are collectively...better to have the talent in that area split up amongst everyone. People are worried about our image and the conference image....Nebraska finished the season hot. Let Texass finish flat...

:yeah

I can never bring myself to root for the Whorns, they can go to hell.

I hope they get blown out.

:yeah :yeah

Yeah I just had this conversation last night with someone that couldn't fathom that I won't root for Texas because they are Big 12. I won't root for Texas because I HATE THEM. I know who I hate. I'm not going to root for someone because of "conference ties".

:yeah

dedhoarse <------Government mule