No Credit

[zoogs]

Our defense has for the past several years and in particular this one shown approximately ZERO ability to defend a spread rush attack with a mobile quarterback.

The last two weeks, this group shut down Northwestern and Michigan...in pretty spectacular fashion.

Bo frequently gives the other team all the credit in the world. Time to give our guys their due.

 

[EZ-E]

Is our defense improving? Yes.

Is Michigan's offense (especially the line) terrible? Yes.

One of my fears is that people will begin reading too much into these last couple of wins. I by no means want to undervalue going to Michigan and beating them in their own house. However, a Hail Mary win against NW and a close win against a team as average as Michigan is not much excuse to pop the cork on the Koolaid. These wins are positive signs and that's it. We've seen this kind of yo-yo season under Bo before, and it would not surprise me to see it repeated.

That said, we take care of MSU and suddenly we're right back in the mix, which after Minny I thought was near impossible. I haven't had a lot of chances to catch games this year, but from what I hear MSU's offense is just about as pedestrian as Michigan's. Can anyone confirm? If it is, I can see us winning a defensive battle at home.

The bolded part is the most impressive especially with a freshman QB with only half a season under his belt and a freshman/sophomore dominated defensive rotation. Our inability to stop the run all year was the biggest concern especially with Michigan's power running. You've gotta credit us all the way around. Every player on the roster and every coach associated.

MSU's offense is actually IMHO worse than Michigan's. I was very concerned about us blitzing against Michigan with Gallon and Funchess on their roster especially if they were allowed to get into space. Idk if I stated it on this board, but I told my friends that we probably wouldn't see as much DB pressure against Michigan as we did NW. I was right, we showed MORE. It took a lot for Bo (at least I'd imagine) to trust our secondary to pressure Gardner as much as we did. Against teams like the Michigan's and Ohio State's of the world Bo and Company has shown a reluctance to drop a safety from his normal high position to help in run support. I'd have to go back and look, but from the first time watching, it really looked as though we were in man coverage a lot with very little safety help. I don't see us changing that gameplan up at all as MSU's offense doesnt have a single WR that I am worried about. What we need to do is score points. Easier said than done, but I have the faith that at home with our now more experienced freshman QB, we can get it done.

 

[Husker_x]

Is our defense improving? Yes.

Is Michigan's offense (especially the line) terrible? Yes.

One of my fears is that people will begin reading too much into these last couple of wins. I by no means want to undervalue going to Michigan and beating them in their own house. However, a Hail Mary win against NW and a close win against a team as average as Michigan is not much excuse to pop the cork on the Koolaid. These wins are positive signs and that's it. We've seen this kind of yo-yo season under Bo before, and it would not surprise me to see it repeated.

That said, we take care of MSU and suddenly we're right back in the mix, which after Minny I thought was near impossible. I haven't had a lot of chances to catch games this year, but from what I hear MSU's offense is just about as pedestrian as Michigan's. Can anyone confirm? If it is, I can see us winning a defensive battle at home.

The bolded part is the most impressive especially with a freshman QB with only half a season under his belt and a freshman/sophomore dominated defensive rotation. Our inability to stop the run all year was the biggest concern especially with Michigan's power running. You've gotta credit us all the way around. Every player on the roster and every coach associated.

MSU's offense is actually IMHO worse than Michigan's. I was very concerned about us blitzing against Michigan with Gallon and Funchess on their roster especially if they were allowed to get into space. Idk if I stated it on this board, but I told my friends that we probably wouldn't see as much DB pressure against Michigan as we did NW. I was right, we showed MORE. It took a lot for Bo (at least I'd imagine) to trust our secondary to pressure Gardner as much as we did. Against teams like the Michigan's and Ohio State's of the world Bo and Company has shown a reluctance to drop a safety from his normal high position to help in run support. I'd have to go back and look, but from the first time watching, it really looked as though we were in man coverage a lot with very little safety help. I don't see us changing that gameplan up at all as MSU's offense doesnt have a single WR that I am worried about. What we need to do is score points. Easier said than done, but I have the faith that at home with our now more experienced freshman QB, we can get it done.

Hopefully the pressure creates turnovers and short fields. I've only seen the game from last year once, but I seem to recall Martinez running roughshod over that defense with the option game. MSU was off last weekend, which sucks for us, but if this defense plays anything like it did against Michigan, I don't see how anyone could peg this game as a sure loss. You can play great defense and still lose close games. And they're on the road after the game we just had--expect Memorial to be rockin.

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but can you imagine what the feeling around the program is going to be if Tommy manages to get us back to the title game?

Parting thought: really wish we had a special teams phase worth mentioning. All that hidden yardage could mean the world in a game like this.

 

[DomiNUs]

Why is it that when Michigan St. shuts down the Wolverines, they are the greatest defense to walk the earth, and when Nebraska does it, its because Michigan's offense is absolutely terrible? Was watching the BTN final drive and they gave the D little to no credit for the beat down they just handed an offense averaging over 37ppg on their own home field. Can't wait to see what they say next week when we hopefully handle MSU at home.

Maybe because this is the same defense that let perennial juggernauts Wyoming, SDSU, and Minnesota run all over us?

Or maybe because Michigan has an even bigger problem with O-Line injuries than we do?

Or because our defensive performance has been up and down more than a Texass Cheerleader on a Booster of substance?

Take your pick, but respect is earned, not given. MSU has been more impressive this season so far. Once we beat MSU, the respect and hindsight will catch up accordingly.

I agree that our defense has been suspect at times. However, we did the exact same thing to Michigan that MSU did. Our defense deserves some credit for turning things around these last couple of games. They don't deserve this . . . "A Michigan team held for negative rushing yardage in two games? Something is terribly wrong if you can't run the ball against this Nebraska defense."

 

[gobiggergoredder]

Why is it that when Michigan St. shuts down the Wolverines, they are the greatest defense to walk the earth, and when Nebraska does it, its because Michigan's offense is absolutely terrible? Was watching the BTN final drive and they gave the D little to no credit for the beat down they just handed an offense averaging over 37ppg on their own home field. Can't wait to see what they say next week when we hopefully handle MSU at home.

Free Press Article

 

[DomiNUs]

Why is it that when Michigan St. shuts down the Wolverines, they are the greatest defense to walk the earth, and when Nebraska does it, its because Michigan's offense is absolutely terrible? Was watching the BTN final drive and they gave the D little to no credit for the beat down they just handed an offense averaging over 37ppg on their own home field. Can't wait to see what they say next week when we hopefully handle MSU at home.

Free Press Article

Yet he still moves MSU up a spot in his ballot on a bye week. Talk about writing one thing and then doing another.

 

[AFhusker]

NU has beaten one D1 team with a winning record this year and that was Mechicken. That deservedly doesn't earn you respect.

Auburn has beat only two teams meeting your criteria. So does that mean that one win is worth about 20 spots in the rankings?

That is called SEC bias, why else would LSU still be ranked 18 with 3 losses? and UGA getting ranked after beating that powerhouse Appalachian State? I also don't think that South Carolina is that great, along with Mizzou, and aTm. But this is why I have always hated polls, it is a collection of a bunch of (supposedly) informed people. CFB has needed a playoff for about 30 years now.

 

[lo country]

If we put up 4 or more TDs on Michigan St. this week, trust me, the nation would take notice.

Still won't jump ahead of a 3 loss UGA

 

[da skers]

NU has beaten one D1 team with a winning record this year and that was Mechicken. That deservedly doesn't earn you respect.

Auburn has beat only two teams meeting your criteria. So does that mean that one win is worth about 20 spots in the rankings?

That is called SEC bias, why else would LSU still be ranked 18 with 3 losses? and UGA getting ranked after beating that powerhouse Appalachian State? I also don't think that South Carolina is that great, along with Mizzou, and aTm. But this is why I have always hated polls, it is a collection of a bunch of (supposedly) informed people. CFB has needed a playoff for about 30 years now.

I was about to say the same thing. If we started the year in the Top 5-10 like the old Big 8 we'd be ranked around 20th right now.

 

[Ric Flair]

Our defense has for the past several years and in particular this one shown approximately ZERO ability to defend a spread rush attack with a mobile quarterback.

The last two weeks, this group shut down Northwestern and Michigan...in pretty spectacular fashion.

Bo frequently gives the other team all the credit in the world. Time to give our guys their due.

Aren't those teams both pretty mediocre and ravaged with injuries?

 

[alexhortdog95]

Why is it that when Michigan St. shuts down the Wolverines, they are the greatest defense to walk the earth, and when Nebraska does it, its because Michigan's offense is absolutely terrible? Was watching the BTN final drive and they gave the D little to no credit for the beat down they just handed an offense averaging over 37ppg on their own home field. Can't wait to see what they say next week when we hopefully handle MSU at home.

Because Sparty's defense has been consistently good all season long. Still have to see a consistent game from the young Husker D.

 

[Mavric]

Because Sparty's defense has been consistently good all season long. Still have to see a consistent game from the young Husker D.

Um ... what do you call our last game. Michigan averaged about three yards per play and got almost half their total yards for the game on four plays. We've given up barely more than three yards per play for nearly the last seven quarters.

Doesn't make us great but I don't think your statement is accurate.

 

[TAKODA]

It really doesn't matter what the perception is right now outside of our own fanbase ~ does it?

We have the table set for us and we know what we have to do. Will we, can we?

1 game at a time guys!

I know you can't use transitive properties to formulate opinions but it is interesting to note that the Michigan team we just beat at home did get lucky and beat Minnesota at home earlier this season 42 - 13.

Take it for what it's worth? Nothing, because this week is all that matters right now!

 

[The Dude]

I agree that our defense has been suspect at times. However, we did the exact same thing to Michigan that MSU did. Our defense deserves some credit for turning things around these last couple of games. They don't deserve this . . . "A Michigan team held for negative rushing yardage in two games? Something is terribly wrong if you can't run the ball against this Nebraska defense."

That's a fair take though. Nebraska has been awful in rush defense this season. And last season. And the season before.

I think if we stay aggressive on defense and maintain the current trajectory, we will string together several good games defensively, and that's how respect is earned. We've seen this movie before. We have a good game defensively, then everyone runs a victory lap in honor of our defensive turnaround, the Blackshirts are handed back out ect., only to have a letdown game the next week.

The BTN guys have been more than willing to give Nebraska's defense the benefit of the doubt the last few years, only to be burned time and time again. I don't blame them for being a little reluctant to jump back on that bandwagon.

 

[Enhance]

I think I heard someone comment yesterday Nebraska was devoting an extra person to the run Saturday, and they were able to get away with it pretty effectively as Michigan was unable to stretch the field vertically.

It also helped that F. Toussaint is perhaps the worst pass blocking back in the country.

We're likely not going to put together another defensive rushing performance like that again this season, but, we're not going to go up against any dangerous passing threats the rest of the regular season. I'd like to see us continue to devote that extra back to the run if it'll help, and put a little more trust in our defensive backs not to give up a big play.