Playing down to lessor opponents.

[HuskerTrucker]

Is it me, or does anyone else notice how Nebraska always plays down to lessor opponents?

Gone are the days when we took pride in running the score up into the 40's, 50's, 60's, or even 70's on an opponent. And we did it with 3rd and 4th stringers. Now when we play a lessor opponent, we always let them stay close, or even take the lead by the half, then just barely win (when we win).

Northwestern should have been an easy game, where we healed up some guys, and knew we would win by the half. That never happens anymore. Look at our non-conference games, and where they stood at half-time. When is the last time that we have had a lessor opponent, and actually played and scored like they were one from the start?

What do we have to do to bring back the days when we could beat a lessor opponent handily, and get some of the younger kids some experience?

Right now, if Martinez goes down, we have nobody with any real game experience. The trend at QB goes farther than that even, after the starting QB graduates, we have nobody to take his place that has real experience, and basically go into Spring practice with an open competition for the starting job, with the heir apparent usually being who ever the junior is. Martinez will gain more experience because there was no Junior to be the heir apparent...but because we have to give him game time, even if we do get a lead, nobody behind him is getting any experience. Cody Green was a perfect example of what happens then, last year. He would come into the game and look like he has never seen competition at that speed before...and screw up.

So there is some value to winning big, and doubling up the score on opponents. It isn't just an "in your face" thing. It actually is key to the developement of future teams.

Another thing I notice about Beck is that he never seems to make real changes when needed to the offense in the first half, but some how makes really sweet changes at the half, and we have a good series or two after the start of the half. Then it is like he pulls back the reigns, like he don't want the other team to see too much, and goes back to what wasn't working earlier. I know coaches script the first series or two, but it seems almost as if he is scripting the whole first half, and come hell or hight water, he isn't budging off the plan. It would be nice to see a time where he would make the changes as the game rolls along, and realize that the other team is not going to give him what he thought they might.

So...throw those flames...I have my flame retardent suit on today. But these are observations that I have made over the past few years. Observations that I have to wonder if anyone else notices...if the coaches are aware of.

 

[MJSkers]

I hesitate to say ALWAYS plays down. I mean, we smashed Minnesota. Every year we smash teams we are supposed to....also seems like we may have a game that we should win that we don't. So on occasion, yes I say we play down.

 

[Husker Richard]

One word: Parity.

There are no more "gimme" games in the world of FBS football.

 

[MJSkers]

One word: Parity.

There are no more "gimme" games in the world of FBS football.

Totally agree here. Sure there are bad teams, which is what we thought Minnesota was. Then they beat Iowa and almost beat MSU. Players don't always want to go to the big name schools and ride the bench for 3 years, when they can go to a different school and start right away.

 

[kchusker_chris]

Another one?

 

[The Maudfather]

I'm going to say no. I think that cliche is more of an excuse than a reality....the real problem is that we cannot maintain focus on a week to week basis.

 

[Stickney]

Quite frankly, if ever there was a team that NU should have scored 60 on it was MN a few weeks ago. They are bad.

It speaks to the fact that this NU team remains an above average, but far, far from an elite team. That is a recipe for a Top 25 ranking and 9-4 seasons.

I guess that is better than the BC era.

But, in year 4 I was hoping for a bit more.

 

[MJSkers]

Quite frankly, if ever there was a team that NU should have scored 60 on it was MN a few weeks ago. They are bad.

It speaks to the fact that this NU team remains an above average, but far, far from an elite team. That is a recipe for a Top 25 ranking and 9-4 seasons.

I guess that is better than the BC era.

But, in year 4 I was hoping for a bit more.

If that's the case, then Iowa and MSU must be REALLY REALLY bad.

 

[AustinHuskr]

Is it me, or does anyone else notice how Nebraska always plays down to lessor opponents?

Gone are the days when we took pride in running the score up into the 40's, 50's, 60's, or even 70's on an opponent. And we did it with 3rd and 4th stringers. Now when we play a lessor opponent, we always let them stay close, or even take the lead by the half, then just barely win (when we win).

Northwestern should have been an easy game, where we healed up some guys, and knew we would win by the half. That never happens anymore. Look at our non-conference games, and where they stood at half-time. When is the last time that we have had a lessor opponent, and actually played and scored like they were one from the start?

What do we have to do to bring back the days when we could beat a lessor opponent handily, and get some of the younger kids some experience?

Right now, if Martinez goes down, we have nobody with any real game experience. The trend at QB goes farther than that even, after the starting QB graduates, we have nobody to take his place that has real experience, and basically go into Spring practice with an open competition for the starting job, with the heir apparent usually being who ever the junior is. Martinez will gain more experience because there was no Junior to be the heir apparent...but because we have to give him game time, even if we do get a lead, nobody behind him is getting any experience. Cody Green was a perfect example of what happens then, last year. He would come into the game and look like he has never seen competition at that speed before...and screw up.

So there is some value to winning big, and doubling up the score on opponents. It isn't just an "in your face" thing. It actually is key to the developement of future teams.

Another thing I notice about Beck is that he never seems to make real changes when needed to the offense in the first half, but some how makes really sweet changes at the half, and we have a good series or two after the start of the half. Then it is like he pulls back the reigns, like he don't want the other team to see too much, and goes back to what wasn't working earlier. I know coaches script the first series or two, but it seems almost as if he is scripting the whole first half, and come hell or hight water, he isn't budging off the plan. It would be nice to see a time where he would make the changes as the game rolls along, and realize that the other team is not going to give him what he thought they might.

So...throw those flames...I have my flame retardent suit on today. But these are observations that I have made over the past few years. Observations that I have to wonder if anyone else notices...if the coaches are aware of.

You state the obvious.

It's year 4 and I guess Bo's still learning how to be a HC and how to manage and prepare a team in all 3 phases. Based on what most here think, he should get about 22 more years to do that as long as we average about 3-4 losses a year.

The question is WHY? Unfortunately the real answers make all the KA drinkers here very uncomfortable but to me it's simple:

1) Bo's simply not good at teaching the little things and holding guys accountable. Remember how Tyler Moore was yanked for 1 false start never to be heard from again but Marcel Jones can continue to make the same false start penalties game after game after game and still not get benched? Just one of the symptoms of bigger problems with his style of HC'ing.

2) Recruiting & Player development: The main area where Bo's failed esp. on defense. We just don't have talent on defense and the borderline guys that we have are simply not developing! Period. And now we're scrambling and going after 4 & 5* guys. Lets see how many we actually sign and what the plan B guys turn out to be. Other than guys like Hagg/Amukamara Bo's not developed anyone worth a damn. Case in point: Tackling. The most basic aspect of football. Look how horrendous this team is at that. That indicates a lack of development and ultimately a lack of confidence with the players. Bo's too in love with his schemes..... and it bailed him out in 2009 with Suh but we all saw the warts last year with the inability to stop the run. Guess what - it's now all come to fruition. If you can't stop the DAMN run, all bets are off - no scheme will work! How Bo doesn't get that after all these years indicates a basic flaw in his personality.....

 

[MJSkers]

Is it me, or does anyone else notice how Nebraska always plays down to lessor opponents?

Gone are the days when we took pride in running the score up into the 40's, 50's, 60's, or even 70's on an opponent. And we did it with 3rd and 4th stringers. Now when we play a lessor opponent, we always let them stay close, or even take the lead by the half, then just barely win (when we win).

Northwestern should have been an easy game, where we healed up some guys, and knew we would win by the half. That never happens anymore. Look at our non-conference games, and where they stood at half-time. When is the last time that we have had a lessor opponent, and actually played and scored like they were one from the start?

What do we have to do to bring back the days when we could beat a lessor opponent handily, and get some of the younger kids some experience?

Right now, if Martinez goes down, we have nobody with any real game experience. The trend at QB goes farther than that even, after the starting QB graduates, we have nobody to take his place that has real experience, and basically go into Spring practice with an open competition for the starting job, with the heir apparent usually being who ever the junior is. Martinez will gain more experience because there was no Junior to be the heir apparent...but because we have to give him game time, even if we do get a lead, nobody behind him is getting any experience. Cody Green was a perfect example of what happens then, last year. He would come into the game and look like he has never seen competition at that speed before...and screw up.

So there is some value to winning big, and doubling up the score on opponents. It isn't just an "in your face" thing. It actually is key to the developement of future teams.

Another thing I notice about Beck is that he never seems to make real changes when needed to the offense in the first half, but some how makes really sweet changes at the half, and we have a good series or two after the start of the half. Then it is like he pulls back the reigns, like he don't want the other team to see too much, and goes back to what wasn't working earlier. I know coaches script the first series or two, but it seems almost as if he is scripting the whole first half, and come hell or hight water, he isn't budging off the plan. It would be nice to see a time where he would make the changes as the game rolls along, and realize that the other team is not going to give him what he thought they might.

So...throw those flames...I have my flame retardent suit on today. But these are observations that I have made over the past few years. Observations that I have to wonder if anyone else notices...if the coaches are aware of.

You state the obvious.

It's year 4 and I guess Bo's still learning how to be a HC and how to manage and prepare a team in all 3 phases. Based on what most here think, he should get about 22 years to do that as long as we average about 3-4 losses a year.

The question is WHY? Unfortunately the real answers make all the KA drinkers here very uncomfortable but to me it's simple:

1) Bo's simply not good at teaching the little things and holding guys accountable. Remember how Tyler Moore was yanked for 1 false start never to be heard from again but Marcel Jones can continue to make the same false start penalties game after game after game and still not get benched? Just one of the symptoms of bigger problems with his style of HC'ing.

2) Recruiting & Player development: The main area where Bo's failed esp. on defense. We just don't have talent on defense and the borderline guys that we have are simply not developing! Period. And now we're scrambling and going after 4 & 5* guys. Lets see how many we actually sign and what the plan B guys turn out to be. Other than guys like Hagg/Amukamara Bo's not developed anyone worth a damn. Case in point: Tackling. The most basic aspect of football. Look how horrendous this team is at that. That indicates a lack of development and ultimately a lack of confidence with the players. Bo's too in love with his schemes..... and it bailed him out in 2009 with Suh but we all saw the warts last year with the inability to stop the run. Guess what - it's now all come to fruition. If you can't stop the DAMN run, all bets are off - no scheme will work! How Bo doesn't get that after all these years indicates a basic flaw in his personality.....

1) You know, with 100% certainty that's why Tyler More doesn't play now? 100%? No guessing, no assumptions, 100%? How do I get the sideline tickets and the inside track to all knowledge, I'd love it. And I can't believe you know how Bo teaches! And the simple fact that maybe our players get taught, but just don't perform what they are taught!! I mean, it's how it works right. When I was in school I was taught things, and I aced every single test because I performed what I was taught. Such a simple thing, so it's obvious these football players aren't taught correctly. I mean, there are some guys that perform well and do the right things, but that's because they must have taught themselves from various youtube videos or something.

2) Suh credits Bo a lot for his development....a lot.

 

[kchusker_chris]

Is it me, or does anyone else notice how Nebraska always plays down to lessor opponents?

Gone are the days when we took pride in running the score up into the 40's, 50's, 60's, or even 70's on an opponent. And we did it with 3rd and 4th stringers. Now when we play a lessor opponent, we always let them stay close, or even take the lead by the half, then just barely win (when we win).

Northwestern should have been an easy game, where we healed up some guys, and knew we would win by the half. That never happens anymore. Look at our non-conference games, and where they stood at half-time. When is the last time that we have had a lessor opponent, and actually played and scored like they were one from the start?

What do we have to do to bring back the days when we could beat a lessor opponent handily, and get some of the younger kids some experience?

Right now, if Martinez goes down, we have nobody with any real game experience. The trend at QB goes farther than that even, after the starting QB graduates, we have nobody to take his place that has real experience, and basically go into Spring practice with an open competition for the starting job, with the heir apparent usually being who ever the junior is. Martinez will gain more experience because there was no Junior to be the heir apparent...but because we have to give him game time, even if we do get a lead, nobody behind him is getting any experience. Cody Green was a perfect example of what happens then, last year. He would come into the game and look like he has never seen competition at that speed before...and screw up.

So there is some value to winning big, and doubling up the score on opponents. It isn't just an "in your face" thing. It actually is key to the developement of future teams.

Another thing I notice about Beck is that he never seems to make real changes when needed to the offense in the first half, but some how makes really sweet changes at the half, and we have a good series or two after the start of the half. Then it is like he pulls back the reigns, like he don't want the other team to see too much, and goes back to what wasn't working earlier. I know coaches script the first series or two, but it seems almost as if he is scripting the whole first half, and come hell or hight water, he isn't budging off the plan. It would be nice to see a time where he would make the changes as the game rolls along, and realize that the other team is not going to give him what he thought they might.

So...throw those flames...I have my flame retardent suit on today. But these are observations that I have made over the past few years. Observations that I have to wonder if anyone else notices...if the coaches are aware of.

You state the obvious.

It's year 4 and I guess Bo's still learning how to be a HC and how to manage and prepare a team in all 3 phases. Based on what most here think, he should get about 22 more years to do that as long as we average about 3-4 losses a year.

The question is WHY? Unfortunately the real answers make all the KA drinkers here very uncomfortable but to me it's simple:

1) Bo's simply not good at teaching the little things and holding guys accountable. Remember how Tyler Moore was yanked for 1 false start never to be heard from again but Marcel Jones can continue to make the same false start penalties game after game after game and still not get benched? Just one of the symptoms of bigger problems with his style of HC'ing.

2) Recruiting & Player development: The main area where Bo's failed esp. on defense. We just don't have talent on defense and the borderline guys that we have are simply not developing! Period. And now we're scrambling and going after 4 & 5* guys. Lets see how many we actually sign and what the plan B guys turn out to be. Other than guys like Hagg/Amukamara Bo's not developed anyone worth a damn. Case in point: Tackling. The most basic aspect of football. Look how horrendous this team is at that. That indicates a lack of development and ultimately a lack of confidence with the players. Bo's too in love with his schemes..... and it bailed him out in 2009 with Suh but we all saw the warts last year with the inability to stop the run. Guess what - it's now all come to fruition. If you can't stop the DAMN run, all bets are off - no scheme will work! How Bo doesn't get that after all these years indicates a basic flaw in his personality.....

Are you really a Texas fan?

 

[It'sNotAFakeID]

Is it me, or does anyone else notice how Nebraska always plays down to lessor opponents?

Gone are the days when we took pride in running the score up into the 40's, 50's, 60's, or even 70's on an opponent. And we did it with 3rd and 4th stringers. Now when we play a lessor opponent, we always let them stay close, or even take the lead by the half, then just barely win (when we win).

Northwestern should have been an easy game, where we healed up some guys, and knew we would win by the half. That never happens anymore. Look at our non-conference games, and where they stood at half-time. When is the last time that we have had a lessor opponent, and actually played and scored like they were one from the start?

What do we have to do to bring back the days when we could beat a lessor opponent handily, and get some of the younger kids some experience?

Right now, if Martinez goes down, we have nobody with any real game experience. The trend at QB goes farther than that even, after the starting QB graduates, we have nobody to take his place that has real experience, and basically go into Spring practice with an open competition for the starting job, with the heir apparent usually being who ever the junior is. Martinez will gain more experience because there was no Junior to be the heir apparent...but because we have to give him game time, even if we do get a lead, nobody behind him is getting any experience. Cody Green was a perfect example of what happens then, last year. He would come into the game and look like he has never seen competition at that speed before...and screw up.

So there is some value to winning big, and doubling up the score on opponents. It isn't just an "in your face" thing. It actually is key to the developement of future teams.

Another thing I notice about Beck is that he never seems to make real changes when needed to the offense in the first half, but some how makes really sweet changes at the half, and we have a good series or two after the start of the half. Then it is like he pulls back the reigns, like he don't want the other team to see too much, and goes back to what wasn't working earlier. I know coaches script the first series or two, but it seems almost as if he is scripting the whole first half, and come hell or hight water, he isn't budging off the plan. It would be nice to see a time where he would make the changes as the game rolls along, and realize that the other team is not going to give him what he thought they might.

So...throw those flames...I have my flame retardent suit on today. But these are observations that I have made over the past few years. Observations that I have to wonder if anyone else notices...if the coaches are aware of.

You state the obvious.

It's year 4 and I guess Bo's still learning how to be a HC and how to manage and prepare a team in all 3 phases. Based on what most here think, he should get about 22 more years to do that as long as we average about 3-4 losses a year.

The question is WHY? Unfortunately the real answers make all the KA drinkers here very uncomfortable but to me it's simple:

1) Bo's simply not good at teaching the little things and holding guys accountable. Remember how Tyler Moore was yanked for 1 false start never to be heard from again but Marcel Jones can continue to make the same false start penalties game after game after game and still not get benched? Just one of the symptoms of bigger problems with his style of HC'ing.

2) Recruiting & Player development: The main area where Bo's failed esp. on defense. We just don't have talent on defense and the borderline guys that we have are simply not developing! Period. And now we're scrambling and going after 4 & 5* guys. Lets see how many we actually sign and what the plan B guys turn out to be. Other than guys like Hagg/Amukamara Bo's not developed anyone worth a damn. Case in point: Tackling. The most basic aspect of football. Look how horrendous this team is at that. That indicates a lack of development and ultimately a lack of confidence with the players. Bo's too in love with his schemes..... and it bailed him out in 2009 with Suh but we all saw the warts last year with the inability to stop the run. Guess what - it's now all come to fruition. If you can't stop the DAMN run, all bets are off - no scheme will work! How Bo doesn't get that after all these years indicates a basic flaw in his personality.....

Cool. Character assassination through baseless facts. ^^This guy here, should be our next football coach as its obvious he knows how to make football teams win national titles. :facepalm:

 

[MJSkers]

Is it me, or does anyone else notice how Nebraska always plays down to lessor opponents?

Gone are the days when we took pride in running the score up into the 40's, 50's, 60's, or even 70's on an opponent. And we did it with 3rd and 4th stringers. Now when we play a lessor opponent, we always let them stay close, or even take the lead by the half, then just barely win (when we win).

Northwestern should have been an easy game, where we healed up some guys, and knew we would win by the half. That never happens anymore. Look at our non-conference games, and where they stood at half-time. When is the last time that we have had a lessor opponent, and actually played and scored like they were one from the start?

What do we have to do to bring back the days when we could beat a lessor opponent handily, and get some of the younger kids some experience?

Right now, if Martinez goes down, we have nobody with any real game experience. The trend at QB goes farther than that even, after the starting QB graduates, we have nobody to take his place that has real experience, and basically go into Spring practice with an open competition for the starting job, with the heir apparent usually being who ever the junior is. Martinez will gain more experience because there was no Junior to be the heir apparent...but because we have to give him game time, even if we do get a lead, nobody behind him is getting any experience. Cody Green was a perfect example of what happens then, last year. He would come into the game and look like he has never seen competition at that speed before...and screw up.

So there is some value to winning big, and doubling up the score on opponents. It isn't just an "in your face" thing. It actually is key to the developement of future teams.

Another thing I notice about Beck is that he never seems to make real changes when needed to the offense in the first half, but some how makes really sweet changes at the half, and we have a good series or two after the start of the half. Then it is like he pulls back the reigns, like he don't want the other team to see too much, and goes back to what wasn't working earlier. I know coaches script the first series or two, but it seems almost as if he is scripting the whole first half, and come hell or hight water, he isn't budging off the plan. It would be nice to see a time where he would make the changes as the game rolls along, and realize that the other team is not going to give him what he thought they might.

So...throw those flames...I have my flame retardent suit on today. But these are observations that I have made over the past few years. Observations that I have to wonder if anyone else notices...if the coaches are aware of.

You state the obvious.

It's year 4 and I guess Bo's still learning how to be a HC and how to manage and prepare a team in all 3 phases. Based on what most here think, he should get about 22 more years to do that as long as we average about 3-4 losses a year.

The question is WHY? Unfortunately the real answers make all the KA drinkers here very uncomfortable but to me it's simple:

1) Bo's simply not good at teaching the little things and holding guys accountable. Remember how Tyler Moore was yanked for 1 false start never to be heard from again but Marcel Jones can continue to make the same false start penalties game after game after game and still not get benched? Just one of the symptoms of bigger problems with his style of HC'ing.

2) Recruiting & Player development: The main area where Bo's failed esp. on defense. We just don't have talent on defense and the borderline guys that we have are simply not developing! Period. And now we're scrambling and going after 4 & 5* guys. Lets see how many we actually sign and what the plan B guys turn out to be. Other than guys like Hagg/Amukamara Bo's not developed anyone worth a damn. Case in point: Tackling. The most basic aspect of football. Look how horrendous this team is at that. That indicates a lack of development and ultimately a lack of confidence with the players. Bo's too in love with his schemes..... and it bailed him out in 2009 with Suh but we all saw the warts last year with the inability to stop the run. Guess what - it's now all come to fruition. If you can't stop the DAMN run, all bets are off - no scheme will work! How Bo doesn't get that after all these years indicates a basic flaw in his personality.....

Cool. Character assassination through baseless facts. ^^This guy here, should be our next football coach as its obvious he knows how to make football teams win national titles. :facepalm:

Haha...preach it.

 

[HuskerTrucker]

Is it me, or does anyone else notice how Nebraska always plays down to lessor opponents?

Gone are the days when we took pride in running the score up into the 40's, 50's, 60's, or even 70's on an opponent. And we did it with 3rd and 4th stringers. Now when we play a lessor opponent, we always let them stay close, or even take the lead by the half, then just barely win (when we win).

Northwestern should have been an easy game, where we healed up some guys, and knew we would win by the half. That never happens anymore. Look at our non-conference games, and where they stood at half-time. When is the last time that we have had a lessor opponent, and actually played and scored like they were one from the start?

What do we have to do to bring back the days when we could beat a lessor opponent handily, and get some of the younger kids some experience?

Right now, if Martinez goes down, we have nobody with any real game experience. The trend at QB goes farther than that even, after the starting QB graduates, we have nobody to take his place that has real experience, and basically go into Spring practice with an open competition for the starting job, with the heir apparent usually being who ever the junior is. Martinez will gain more experience because there was no Junior to be the heir apparent...but because we have to give him game time, even if we do get a lead, nobody behind him is getting any experience. Cody Green was a perfect example of what happens then, last year. He would come into the game and look like he has never seen competition at that speed before...and screw up.

So there is some value to winning big, and doubling up the score on opponents. It isn't just an "in your face" thing. It actually is key to the developement of future teams.

Another thing I notice about Beck is that he never seems to make real changes when needed to the offense in the first half, but some how makes really sweet changes at the half, and we have a good series or two after the start of the half. Then it is like he pulls back the reigns, like he don't want the other team to see too much, and goes back to what wasn't working earlier. I know coaches script the first series or two, but it seems almost as if he is scripting the whole first half, and come hell or hight water, he isn't budging off the plan. It would be nice to see a time where he would make the changes as the game rolls along, and realize that the other team is not going to give him what he thought they might.

So...throw those flames...I have my flame retardent suit on today. But these are observations that I have made over the past few years. Observations that I have to wonder if anyone else notices...if the coaches are aware of.

You state the obvious.

It's year 4 and I guess Bo's still learning how to be a HC and how to manage and prepare a team in all 3 phases. Based on what most here think, he should get about 22 more years to do that as long as we average about 3-4 losses a year.

The question is WHY? Unfortunately the real answers make all the KA drinkers here very uncomfortable but to me it's simple:

1) Bo's simply not good at teaching the little things and holding guys accountable. Remember how Tyler Moore was yanked for 1 false start never to be heard from again but Marcel Jones can continue to make the same false start penalties game after game after game and still not get benched? Just one of the symptoms of bigger problems with his style of HC'ing.

2) Recruiting & Player development: The main area where Bo's failed esp. on defense. We just don't have talent on defense and the borderline guys that we have are simply not developing! Period. And now we're scrambling and going after 4 & 5* guys. Lets see how many we actually sign and what the plan B guys turn out to be. Other than guys like Hagg/Amukamara Bo's not developed anyone worth a damn. Case in point: Tackling. The most basic aspect of football. Look how horrendous this team is at that. That indicates a lack of development and ultimately a lack of confidence with the players. Bo's too in love with his schemes..... and it bailed him out in 2009 with Suh but we all saw the warts last year with the inability to stop the run. Guess what - it's now all come to fruition. If you can't stop the DAMN run, all bets are off - no scheme will work! How Bo doesn't get that after all these years indicates a basic flaw in his personality.....

Cool. Character assassination through baseless facts. ^^This guy here, should be our next football coach as its obvious he knows how to make football teams win national titles. :facepalm:

Haha...preach it.

I have an opinion...and can and will state it. Just as you do...but I don't see you bringing any input, just the attempted character assassination of other board members. Fail. My question to you guys, why bother posting anything at all on this thread if YOU have no input to give other than to attack those that do?

 

[IlliniHusker]

One of the key marks that separates great teams from very good teams is their ability to get "up" for every game regardless of the opposition. When I looked at the schedule this year, the Northwestern game looked like the perfect "trap" game to me. We were coming off a crucial game against MSU and then had to play Northwestern before the HUGE final 3 games - PSU, Michigan and Iowa.

I'm disappointed that we lost, but not highly surprised.