Don't Sleep on the Sun Belt

[Drowning_in_the_Sea_of_Red]

Our real talent level is not much above FAU, and my guess is our speed is below them.

Say what????

It seems that evey post I read you're talking about how horribly untalented and slow the Huskers are; so I need to ask you a serious and simultaneously sarcastic question:

Is there any team in the entire college football world that Nebraska has better speed and talent than?

I mean seriously dude... :WTH

Texas State School for Quadriplegics

 

[dee_s3]

Who judges talent????? If you really have to go by rivals, even though I hated the man, Billy C had talent. So, if you want to blow the horns about talent we had top 25, 15, 10 classes... Where was Fau? Have some faith in your team and coaches. Does Fau have Tom Osborne? haha GOT TOM

 

[skersfan]

When we line the teams up, their starters will be very comparable with our starters. Depth is where we win the game, but actual player to player they are a pretty good team. He is a good coach, maybe past his prime but they have played some very good ball.

They went to play Michigan State last year and lost to the then #18 team in the country 17-0. That would indicate they will be coming to play and have very little fear of traveling.

You guys see talent because you are told Calahan got talent, what he really got was numbers, larger classes than the others.

Tell Apppy state their talent isn't comparative to any team they might be playing. It can happen and it is the idea that they are not as good is what gets you in trouble.

As stated starter for starter we are not that superior to them. A lot of their kids are project kids, that did not have the grades, the drive or what ever to be recruited by the big schools in Florida. Maybe the fourth best in the state that wanted to stay at home.

I agree we win this game, but I certainly think we will see a good game from them. By the fourth quarter we will wear them down and go on to win, but my guess is their speed will be evident early and often.

35-21

 

[skersfan]

Jen you see Nebraska football, and only Nebraska football.

I see football, the way it really is. Any team can win now days. All have talent.

Thinking you are going to win because Rivals tells you so or you are so blinded by your love for your team is being a fan, I understand. But just because there is a red N on your helmet does not make it happen, we should have learned that in the last 4-5 years.

I have learned that fans do not win games, players, and players that want it more win games.

We do not have the talent of an elite power, not close and may never again.

I have seen the supposed best team in the country lose to Stanford and Oregon State.

I have seen Oklahoma lose to Boise State. All three counts boiled down to not taking the competition seriously.

I never said Bo would not. I said I hoped our team did not have that idea because parity is here and it seems to affect those that believe it the least, the most. Ask Michigan fans.

 

[Jonny Utah]

All this talk reminds me of Troy coming to town in 2006 and the worries about western michigan last year.

Nebraska 56 Troy 0

Nebraska 47 W. Michigan 24

I'm not discounting anything in this day and age of random out of nowhere upsets, but i really have no worries about losing this game or the other games against the sun belt teams.

 

[papersun87]

Do you really think Bo is gonna let the Huskers overlook anyone?

 

[Blackshirt316]

I'm not worried about any of those teams.

None of them play good defense. One can pass but can't run, one can run but can't pass and the third can pass and run but are not extremely great at either.

 

[Scarlet Overkill]

When we line the teams up, their starters will be very comparable with our starters. Depth is where we win the game, but actual player to player they are a pretty good team. He is a good coach, maybe past his prime but they have played some very good ball.

They went to play Michigan State last year and lost to the then #18 team in the country 17-0. That would indicate they will be coming to play and have very little fear of traveling.

You guys see talent because you are told Calahan got talent, what he really got was numbers, larger classes than the others.

Tell Apppy state their talent isn't comparative to any team they might be playing. It can happen and it is the idea that they are not as good is what gets you in trouble.

As stated starter for starter we are not that superior to them. A lot of their kids are project kids, that did not have the grades, the drive or what ever to be recruited by the big schools in Florida. Maybe the fourth best in the state that wanted to stay at home.

I agree we win this game, but I certainly think we will see a good game from them. By the fourth quarter we will wear them down and go on to win, but my guess is their speed will be evident early and often.

35-21

I watched a replay of this recently, trying to get a glimpse at how they played in a big time stadium on the road, and in general. I was disappointed because it was really hard to judge anything (offensively) by that game. Neither QB could hold on to the ball or throw since it was a deluge at times and totally sloppy play on offense by both teams.

In any event, the scoreboard said 17-0, but FAU left 13-17 points on the field. Pretty much right off the bat, they had a 70+ yard TD run called back on an unnecessary hold that had zero impact on the play. Then got into chip shot FG range and totally botched the snap. It could have easily been 10-0 in FAU's favor to start the game. Late in the game, they were very deep in the red zone and had a turnover.

They didn't have an answer for Ringer, but they played some otherwise good, hard hitting defense.

Husker game plan should be: Saturate the field, soak the ball, and run right at them.

 

[OwlFamily]

I watched a replay of this recently, trying to get a glimpse at how they played in a big time stadium on the road, and in general. I was disappointed because it was really hard to judge anything (offensively) by that game. Neither QB could hold on to the ball or throw since it was a deluge at times and totally sloppy play on offense by both teams.

In any event, the scoreboard said 17-0, but FAU left 13-17 points on the field. Pretty much right off the bat, they had a 70+ yard TD run called back on an unnecessary hold that had zero impact on the play. Then got into chip shot FG range and totally botched the snap. It could have easily been 10-0 in FAU's favor to start the game. Late in the game, they were very deep in the red zone and had a turnover.

They didn't have an answer for Ringer, but they played some otherwise good, hard hitting defense.

Husker game plan should be: Saturate the field, soak the ball, and run right at them.

Man that game was INSANE.

The weather was just crazy and killed us being a pass first team. Ringer was a beast, he got his yards but we did hold him out of the End Zone till the end.

We did have our opportunities, and your right we left them on the field.

As for atmosphere, the Owls wont have any issues playing and dealing with the crowd. Howard has had them playing big OOC progrms forever and they are used to that. Texas, Clemson, Michigan State etc.

As many have said the Lines and the Depth will be what comes to play. It is the nature of Belt teams to stay competative unitll the second half usually, and thats when we lose becasue of the depth issue.

The Line size for FAU HAS gotten better, we are starting to get more beef up front, but talent wise you guys (and BCS programs in general) are way ahead.

 

[Igetbored216]

Wow, I don't even know where to begin...

When we line the teams up, their starters will be very comparable with our starters. Depth is where we win the game, but actual player to player they are a pretty good team. He is a good coach, maybe past his prime but they have played some very good ball.

So, being an average team in a below average conference suddenly equates to playing "very good ball"? Really? Maybe the Huskers should go over to the Sun Belt and we'll see just how "average" our players really are. I am well aware that FAU has some very good players - specifically on the offense - but to make a sweeping generalization saying that FAU's talent is equal to or greater than our talent is ridiculous.

They went to play Michigan State last year and lost to the then #18 team in the country 17-0. That would indicate they will be coming to play and have very little fear of traveling.

You seem to be implying that because FAU went on the road and kept up with one of the big boys - although one could argue that losing by 17 points and not scoring a TD isn't exactly "keeping up" - that they should do very well at Nebraska. However, you fail to recognize the other two away games they had on their schedule last year in which they got totally annihilated (Texas and Minnesota). I do agree that Texas has superior atheletes, but Minnesota? This is a Minnesota team that lost to Kansas by 3 TDs; the same Kansas team we beat by 10.

So, I think you are using information to your advantage by leaving out bits and pieces that would weaken your argument.

You guys see talent because you are told Calahan got talent, what he really got was numbers, larger classes than the others.

I see talent because I have been watching football for a loooooong time and I know good talent when I see it. I'm not worried about what Callahan or any of the recruiting websites say about our players (well, I do a little bit, because when I haven't seen much of them on the field, it's all I have to go off of).

After all, why would any of us believe what Callahan said about the talent of the team when it was clear he was out of his element as head coach (it became very apparent in 2007).

Tell Apppy state their talent isn't comparative to any team they might be playing. It can happen and it is the idea that they are not as good is what gets you in trouble.

Yes, any team can win on any given day, which is why none of us are arguing that our coaching staff and players cannot overlook any opponent this season. However, I think the win against Michigan was more of an exception than the rule. If Appy State truly had comparable talent to Michigan, it wouldn't have been on ESPN 24/7 for the week following their win (and months and months after). It would not have been considered an upset. And if Appy State truly had comparable talent to the "big-time" programs the team would be a "big-time" program themselves in terms of big wins. But they are not.

Sure they have a pretty good football team, but when it comes down to it, they are still a Division I-AA school. So "pretty good" is relative.

I agree we win this game, but I certainly think we will see a good game from them. By the fourth quarter we will wear them down and go on to win, but my guess is their speed will be evident early and often.
35-21

I do agree that it might be a close game, but mostly attributed to the fact that the Huskers - especially the young LBs, the new QB, the newly formed OL, etc. - haven't gotten used to the flow of the game. It takes a while to work some things out, but I feel that late third quarter is when we put it away.

 

[Igetbored216]

Double.

 

[HuskerGBR]

Wow, I don't even know where to begin...

When we line the teams up, their starters will be very comparable with our starters. Depth is where we win the game, but actual player to player they are a pretty good team. He is a good coach, maybe past his prime but they have played some very good ball.

So, being an average team in a below average conference suddenly equates to playing "very good ball"? Really? Maybe the Huskers should go over to the Sun Belt and we'll see just how "average" our players really are. I am well aware that FAU has some very good players - specifically on the offense - but to make a sweeping generalization saying that FAU's talent is equal to or greater than our talent is ridiculous.

They went to play Michigan State last year and lost to the then #18 team in the country 17-0. That would indicate they will be coming to play and have very little fear of traveling.

You seem to be implying that because FAU went on the road and kept up with one of the big boys - although one could argue that losing by 17 points and not scoring a TD isn't exactly "keeping up" - that they should do very well at Nebraska. However, you fail to recognize the other two away games they had on their schedule last year in which they got totally annihilated (Texas and Minnesota). I do agree that Texas has superior atheletes, but Minnesota? This is a Minnesota team that lost to Kansas by 3 TDs; the same Kansas team we beat by 10.

So, I think you are using information to your advantage by leaving out bits and pieces that would weaken your argument.

You guys see talent because you are told Calahan got talent, what he really got was numbers, larger classes than the others.

I see talent because I have been watching football for a loooooong time and I know good talent when I see it. I'm not worried about what Callahan or any of the recruiting websites say about our players (well, I do a little bit, because when I haven't seen much of them on the field, it's all I have to go off of).

After all, why would any of us believe what Callahan said about the talent of the team when it was clear he was out of his element as head coach (it became very apparent in 2007).

Tell Apppy state their talent isn't comparative to any team they might be playing. It can happen and it is the idea that they are not as good is what gets you in trouble.

Yes, any team can win on any given day, which is why none of us are arguing that our coaching staff and players cannot overlook any opponent this season. However, I think the win against Michigan was more of an exception than the rule. If Appy State truly had comparable talent to Michigan, it wouldn't have been on ESPN 24/7 for the week following their win (and months and months after). It would not have been considered an upset. And if Appy State truly had comparable talent to the "big-time" programs the team would be a "big-time" program themselves in terms of big wins. But they are not.

Sure they have a pretty good football team, but when it comes down to it, they are still a Division I-AA school. So "pretty good" is relative.

I agree we win this game, but I certainly think we will see a good game from them. By the fourth quarter we will wear them down and go on to win, but my guess is their speed will be evident early and often.
35-21

I do agree that it might be a close game, but mostly attributed to the fact that the Huskers - especially the young LBs, the new QB, the newly formed OL, etc. - haven't gotten used to the flow of the game. It takes a while to work some things out, but I feel that late third quarter is when we put it away.

You pretty much summed up everything very nicely. Skersfan has lost a lot of faith it sounds like. (not knockin you Skersfan...I like talking football with you, just an observation)

 

[skersfan]

I have lost no faith in the Huskers.

I stated I felt we would win the game, but going into any game now days thinking it is going to be a blow out as 1705 indicated is a problem if the team feels that way. That was my comment.

And talent is spread around quite evenly if you are not an elite power. This team has three all conference players on it. It has talent and a lot of that type of talent ends up in the NFL.

Where the big boys seperate themselves from others is depth. The BCS level programs have more quality at 2nd and third string players than the smaller schools.

But starters down the line are very close and that is why we are seeing the number of top programs knocked off by the lower ranked teams. Thinking you are better and not doing what is needed to win the game, and sometimes that ends up getting you in trouble. Bo does not line up on the field. I am sure he will do everything in his power, but if players feel they are superior to another their effort may vary. The opposite goes for the underdog. They are on a mission to show they are as good and will work very hard to do it

I have said numerous times, we should see only two losses this year. VaTech and Oklahoma, but I see us having problems early in the year with our out of conference games due to a QB that has not played, a LB crew that is talented but very green and a Oline that has not proven they are for real yet. FAU returns a lot of experienced and good players.

I doubt there are close games, but it is always possible. Ball State bring back any memories.

 

[skerfan1705]

I have lost no faith in the Huskers.

I stated I felt we would win the game, but going into any game now days thinking it is going to be a blow out as 1705 indicated is a problem if the team feels that way. That was my comment.

And talent is spread around quite evenly if you are not an elite power. This team has three all conference players on it. It has talent and a lot of that type of talent ends up in the NFL.

Where the big boys seperate themselves from others is depth. The BCS level programs have more quality at 2nd and third string players than the smaller schools.

But starters down the line are very close and that is why we are seeing the number of top programs knocked off by the lower ranked teams. Thinking you are better and not doing what is needed to win the game, and sometimes that ends up getting you in trouble. Bo does not line up on the field. I am sure he will do everything in his power, but if players feel they are superior to another their effort may vary. The opposite goes for the underdog. They are on a mission to show they are as good and will work very hard to do it

I have said numerous times, we should see only two losses this year. VaTech and Oklahoma, but I see us having problems early in the year with our out of conference games due to a QB that has not played, a LB crew that is talented but very green and a Oline that has not proven they are for real yet. FAU returns a lot of experienced and good players.

I doubt there are close games, but it is always possible. Ball State bring back any memories.

Just remember...we're all pretty smart fans on this board. We know you can't overlook anyone. But we aren't about to toy around with the idea of losing to these cupcakes. It's just not positive thinking....I think we all need to reread "The Secret."

 

[HuskerGBR]

I have lost no faith in the Huskers.

I stated I felt we would win the game, but going into any game now days thinking it is going to be a blow out as 1705 indicated is a problem if the team feels that way. That was my comment.

And talent is spread around quite evenly if you are not an elite power. This team has three all conference players on it. It has talent and a lot of that type of talent ends up in the NFL.

Where the big boys seperate themselves from others is depth. The BCS level programs have more quality at 2nd and third string players than the smaller schools.

But starters down the line are very close and that is why we are seeing the number of top programs knocked off by the lower ranked teams. Thinking you are better and not doing what is needed to win the game, and sometimes that ends up getting you in trouble. Bo does not line up on the field. I am sure he will do everything in his power, but if players feel they are superior to another their effort may vary. The opposite goes for the underdog. They are on a mission to show they are as good and will work very hard to do it

I have said numerous times, we should see only two losses this year. VaTech and Oklahoma, but I see us having problems early in the year with our out of conference games due to a QB that has not played, a LB crew that is talented but very green and a Oline that has not proven they are for real yet. FAU returns a lot of experienced and good players.

I doubt there are close games, but it is always possible. Ball State bring back any memories.

Nah I don't think we will blowout anyone and I don't think most fans expect a blowout. We just know we are better talent wise, depth wise, coaching wise. But we might have some bumpy times with unexperienced players. I also see some of these sunbelt teams being closer than I would like to see, but in the end I think Bo will have these guys ready for every single team we play.

I have seen some videos of Pelini and his locker room speeches and it makes me want to put on a helmet and hit a 300 pound man when I only weigh 140 pounds. It's all muscle though