CBS Sports: Breaking Down the Big Ten Schedules

[sd'sker]

Someone explain to me why last year was supposed to be a big year?

Sure 3-4 years ago we pointed to it. "Ah yes, first year with an easy sched in big 10. Taylor Martinez a senior. Etc Etc Etc.". But when it finally came down to kickoff last August and seeing how green and inexperienced the Defense was gonna be. Then with it being pretty apparent our 4th year QB was having serious health issues, I just dont know how anyone couldve expected last year to by that year.

i guess we had faith that bo would be able to field a competent defense in his 6th year as a head coach and 3rd in the conference.

 

[Landlord]

Someone explain to me why last year was supposed to be a big year?

Sure 3-4 years ago we pointed to it. "Ah yes, first year with an easy sched in big 10. Taylor Martinez a senior. Etc Etc Etc.". But when it finally came down to kickoff last August and seeing how green and inexperienced the Defense was gonna be. Then with it being pretty apparent our 4th year QB was having serious health issues, I just dont know how anyone couldve expected last year to by that year.

Come on man.

It wasn't just 3-4 years ago. In August it was still going to be our year.

Leading UCLA 21-3 it was still going to be our year.

Being 5-1 after two dominant games against Illinois and Purdue everything was still in place to have a big year.

Beating big bad Michigan on the road with a dominating defense we were still expecting to play 14 games.

 

[sd'sker]

Someone explain to me why last year was supposed to be a big year?

Sure 3-4 years ago we pointed to it. "Ah yes, first year with an easy sched in big 10. Taylor Martinez a senior. Etc Etc Etc.". But when it finally came down to kickoff last August and seeing how green and inexperienced the Defense was gonna be. Then with it being pretty apparent our 4th year QB was having serious health issues, I just dont know how anyone couldve expected last year to by that year.

Come on man.

It wasn't just 3-4 years ago. In August it was still going to be our year.

Leading UCLA 21-3 it was still going to be our year.

Being 5-1 after two dominant games against Illinois and Purdue everything was still in place to have a big year.

Beating big bad Michigan on the road with a dominating defense we were still expecting to play 14 games.

i agree. not until the msu loss did i give up hope for a conference championship. i still thought things would click in time and our schedule was manageable. even with a young defense and backup qb.

 

[NUpolo8]

Someone explain to me why last year was supposed to be a big year?

Sure 3-4 years ago we pointed to it. "Ah yes, first year with an easy sched in big 10. Taylor Martinez a senior. Etc Etc Etc.". But when it finally came down to kickoff last August and seeing how green and inexperienced the Defense was gonna be. Then with it being pretty apparent our 4th year QB was having serious health issues, I just dont know how anyone couldve expected last year to by that year.

Come on man.

It wasn't just 3-4 years ago. In August it was still going to be our year.

Leading UCLA 21-3 it was still going to be our year.

Being 5-1 after two dominant games against Illinois and Purdue everything was still in place to have a big year.

Beating big bad Michigan on the road with a dominating defense we were still expecting to play 14 games.

i agree. not until the msu loss did i give up hope for a conference championship. i still thought things would click in time and our schedule was manageable. even with a young defense and backup qb.

Yep me too.

Even as mad as I was with Bo and his decisions after the Minnesota game, I still thought they were going to at least get to play Ohio St.

 

[True2tRA]

Someone explain to me why last year was supposed to be a big year?

Sure 3-4 years ago we pointed to it. "Ah yes, first year with an easy sched in big 10. Taylor Martinez a senior. Etc Etc Etc.". But when it finally came down to kickoff last August and seeing how green and inexperienced the Defense was gonna be. Then with it being pretty apparent our 4th year QB was having serious health issues, I just dont know how anyone couldve expected last year to by that year.

Who exactly do you want to blame that lack of experience problem on Count Billy T? There was a reason Bo said he should have played some of the younger guys the prior season. Bo doesn't just acknowledge his mistakes unless he really saw it as a mistake. Some of those guys were ready, could have contributed, and could have gone into last year with some damn good game experience. Bo mismanaged that situation.

Also, what health issues were there prior to the season? I wasn't aware of an injury occurring until the UCLA game? The entire state of Nebraska was talking about "Scoring Explosion" blah, blah, blah......I never bought it much, but that's because I never bought into Taylor Martinez much, but I fully understand why expectations were high. It was fed to us all off season.

 

[Count 'Bility]

Someone explain to me why last year was supposed to be a big year?

Sure 3-4 years ago we pointed to it. "Ah yes, first year with an easy sched in big 10. Taylor Martinez a senior. Etc Etc Etc.". But when it finally came down to kickoff last August and seeing how green and inexperienced the Defense was gonna be. Then with it being pretty apparent our 4th year QB was having serious health issues, I just dont know how anyone couldve expected last year to by that year.

Come on man.

It wasn't just 3-4 years ago. In August it was still going to be our year.

Leading UCLA 21-3 it was still going to be our year.

Being 5-1 after two dominant games against Illinois and Purdue everything was still in place to have a big year.

Beating big bad Michigan on the road with a dominating defense we were still expecting to play 14 games.

I know. But I dont know why. That's my point. I guess I didnt see it. Though I drank a little koolaid too. But I didnt expect last year to be that year is all Im saying. I know a lot of people bought into the hype, but knowing what we knew, we probably shouldntve been.

 

[True2tRA]

Someone explain to me why last year was supposed to be a big year?

Sure 3-4 years ago we pointed to it. "Ah yes, first year with an easy sched in big 10. Taylor Martinez a senior. Etc Etc Etc.". But when it finally came down to kickoff last August and seeing how green and inexperienced the Defense was gonna be. Then with it being pretty apparent our 4th year QB was having serious health issues, I just dont know how anyone couldve expected last year to by that year.

Come on man.

It wasn't just 3-4 years ago. In August it was still going to be our year.

Leading UCLA 21-3 it was still going to be our year.

Being 5-1 after two dominant games against Illinois and Purdue everything was still in place to have a big year.

Beating big bad Michigan on the road with a dominating defense we were still expecting to play 14 games.

I know. But I dont know why. That's my point. I guess I didnt see it. Though I drank a little koolaid too. But I didnt expect last year to be that year is all Im saying. I know a lot of people bought into the hype, but knowing what we knew, we probably shouldntve been.

Do you expect the defense to be better this year than last?

Do you expect the offense to be better this year than last?

If both answers are yes, and in my case they are, then are your expectations higher this year than last?

 

[Count 'Bility]

Someone explain to me why last year was supposed to be a big year?

Sure 3-4 years ago we pointed to it. "Ah yes, first year with an easy sched in big 10. Taylor Martinez a senior. Etc Etc Etc.". But when it finally came down to kickoff last August and seeing how green and inexperienced the Defense was gonna be. Then with it being pretty apparent our 4th year QB was having serious health issues, I just dont know how anyone couldve expected last year to by that year.

Who exactly do you want to blame that lack of experience problem on Count Billy T? There was a reason Bo said he should have played some of the younger guys the prior season. Bo doesn't just acknowledge his mistakes unless he really saw it as a mistake. Some of those guys were ready, could have contributed, and could have gone into last year with some damn good game experience. Bo mismanaged that situation.

Also, what health issues were there prior to the season? I wasn't aware of an injury occurring until the UCLA game? The entire state of Nebraska was talking about "Scoring Explosion" blah, blah, blah......I never bought it much, but that's because I never bought into Taylor Martinez much, but I fully understand why expectations were high. It was fed to us all off season.

You guys are going places with my comment that has nothing to do with my comment. it was about our expectations for 2013 compared to what they probably shouldve been. Now youre wanting to place blame and all this. I'm not arguing your stance on that. I agree with it.

And as far as injury goes, I said right after the Wyoming that there was something wrong with Martinez. hell, My dad sat in the south stadium and talked about it the whole game. he didnt look right. he didnt look himself. he didnt look ready. And then he shows up after the game with ice on his foot, and it just escalated from there of course.

 

[True2tRA]

Someone explain to me why last year was supposed to be a big year?

Sure 3-4 years ago we pointed to it. "Ah yes, first year with an easy sched in big 10. Taylor Martinez a senior. Etc Etc Etc.". But when it finally came down to kickoff last August and seeing how green and inexperienced the Defense was gonna be. Then with it being pretty apparent our 4th year QB was having serious health issues, I just dont know how anyone couldve expected last year to by that year.

Who exactly do you want to blame that lack of experience problem on Count Billy T? There was a reason Bo said he should have played some of the younger guys the prior season. Bo doesn't just acknowledge his mistakes unless he really saw it as a mistake. Some of those guys were ready, could have contributed, and could have gone into last year with some damn good game experience. Bo mismanaged that situation.

Also, what health issues were there prior to the season? I wasn't aware of an injury occurring until the UCLA game? The entire state of Nebraska was talking about "Scoring Explosion" blah, blah, blah......I never bought it much, but that's because I never bought into Taylor Martinez much, but I fully understand why expectations were high. It was fed to us all off season.

You guys are going places with my comment that has nothing to do with my comment. it was about our expectations for 2013 compared to what they probably shouldve been. Now youre wanting to place blame and all this. I'm not arguing your stance on that. I agree with it.
And as far as injury goes, I said right after the Wyoming that there was something wrong with Martinez. hell, My dad sat in the south stadium and talked about it the whole game. he didnt look right. he didnt look himself. he didnt look ready. And then he shows up after the game with ice on his foot, and it just escalated from there of course.

Really? I had not heard that about Martinez. Interesting.

Apologies if I misunderstood your thought. I just felt like all off season prior to last season, we were fed "scoring explosion" hype, and a rise in talent on defense. Expectations are created in this fan base all the time. Usually high expectations. People are setting themselves up for a let down constantly. Increase in talent meant very little to the defense til' halfway through the season. I think some maybe even expected some points to be scored on us, its just that we were fed the story that the offense would score 50 a game, rivaling the offenses of the glory days, and they would cover any errors by the defense. So much for that huh. We keep finding ways to paint a bright picture around here, even when the reality is somewhat dull. Fact is, this program is trending downwards each year. Will this year be the year the arrow moves up?

 

[QMany]

Do you expect the defense to be better this year than last?

Yes. I expect the defense to continue their late-season progress and be pretty darn good.

Do you expect the offense to be better this year than last?

Meh. I don't have high expectations for TA3 this year. Our offense will be as good as Ameer can make us. I just expect (read: pray) less turnovers.

If both answers are yes, and in my case they are, then are your expectations higher this year than last?

Yes and no. I think our schedule is setup more difficult. Last year, I didn't forecast two of our best players going down, and I expected a lot before the season started. My expectations are not as high going into this year as going into last year. That being said, I won't be happy with 4 or more losses.

 

[kchusker_chris]

Someone explain to me why last year was supposed to be a big year?

Sure 3-4 years ago we pointed to it. "Ah yes, first year with an easy sched in big 10. Taylor Martinez a senior. Etc Etc Etc.". But when it finally came down to kickoff last August and seeing how green and inexperienced the Defense was gonna be. Then with it being pretty apparent our 4th year QB was having serious health issues, I just dont know how anyone couldve expected last year to by that year.

so....after the season was half over you decided that no one should have expected last year to be "the year" - gotcha.

 

[Count 'Bility]

Someone explain to me why last year was supposed to be a big year?

Sure 3-4 years ago we pointed to it. "Ah yes, first year with an easy sched in big 10. Taylor Martinez a senior. Etc Etc Etc.". But when it finally came down to kickoff last August and seeing how green and inexperienced the Defense was gonna be. Then with it being pretty apparent our 4th year QB was having serious health issues, I just dont know how anyone couldve expected last year to by that year.

so....after the season was half over you decided that no one should have expected last year to be "the year" - gotcha.

Where did I say anything about game 6?

 

[sd'sker]

i really think this line of reasoning is a little disingenuous. we had every reason to be excited for last season. we had a lackluster defense the year before and it was being replaced with, what we were lead to believe, a bunch of young, but extremely talented, players. and the offense was supposed to be explosive with senior talent that was pretty good the year before.

i got to say that is some serious revisionist history to say we should not have had such high expectations for last year.

 

[74Hunter]

Someone explain to me why last year was supposed to be a big year?

Sure 3-4 years ago we pointed to it. "Ah yes, first year with an easy sched in big 10. Taylor Martinez a senior. Etc Etc Etc.". But when it finally came down to kickoff last August and seeing how green and inexperienced the Defense was gonna be. Then with it being pretty apparent our 4th year QB was having serious health issues, I just dont know how anyone couldve expected last year to by that year.

Who exactly do you want to blame that lack of experience problem on Count Billy T? There was a reason Bo said he should have played some of the younger guys the prior season. Bo doesn't just acknowledge his mistakes unless he really saw it as a mistake. Some of those guys were ready, could have contributed, and could have gone into last year with some damn good game experience. Bo mismanaged that situation.

Also, what health issues were there prior to the season? I wasn't aware of an injury occurring until the UCLA game? The entire state of Nebraska was talking about "Scoring Explosion" blah, blah, blah......I never bought it much, but that's because I never bought into Taylor Martinez much, but I fully understand why expectations were high. It was fed to us all off season.

You guys are going places with my comment that has nothing to do with my comment. it was about our expectations for 2013 compared to what they probably shouldve been. Now youre wanting to place blame and all this. I'm not arguing your stance on that. I agree with it.
And as far as injury goes, I said right after the Wyoming that there was something wrong with Martinez. hell, My dad sat in the south stadium and talked about it the whole game. he didnt look right. he didnt look himself. he didnt look ready. And then he shows up after the game with ice on his foot, and it just escalated from there of course.

Really? I had not heard that about Martinez. Interesting.

Apologies if I misunderstood your thought. I just felt like all off season prior to last season, we were fed "scoring explosion" hype, and a rise in talent on defense. Expectations are created in this fan base all the time. Usually high expectations. People are setting themselves up for a let down constantly. Increase in talent meant very little to the defense til' halfway through the season. I think some maybe even expected some points to be scored on us, its just that we were fed the story that the offense would score 50 a game, rivaling the offenses of the glory days, and they would cover any errors by the defense. So much for that huh. We keep finding ways to paint a bright picture around here, even when the reality is somewhat dull. Fact is, this program is trending downwards each year. Will this year be the year the arrow moves up?

Fwiw, I though that Taylor looked injured all year, what little we saw of him. I agree with the Count.

 

[Saunders]

i really think this line of reasoning is a little disingenuous. we had every reason to be excited for last season. we had a lackluster defense the year before and it was being replaced with, what we were lead to believe, a bunch of young, but extremely talented, players. and the offense was supposed to be explosive with senior talent that was pretty good the year before.

i got to say that is some serious revisionist history to say we should not have had such high expectations for last year.

I think we should have had high expectations pre-season, mostly because of the defensive fluff, but in hindsight, the Wyoming game should have been a reality check. Most of the time, expectations are based on everything going right (ala injuries). Losing TM was a gigantic blow, and losing Spencer Long 1/3 through the season was pretty big too.

Pre-season expectations for this year should be higher than last year's final result.