Man, I really hate to belabor this, but you can't have a team with the #14 rushing offense, the #13 passing efficiency offense, and three different running backs averaging 6 yards or better per carry, and not give a little credit to the offensive line.
With our SOS so far? Nope. You expect that. Now, if we see this happen throughout conference play, yes. And if that's the case, this could be Beck's last year as OC. Enter Frost.
Nebraska also had the #8 rushing offense in 2012, against the full slate of Big 10 defenses. The offensive line was a liability in 2011, especially its pass protection for Martinez, but it's kind of weird not to acknowledge that the offensive line has improved significantly, giving the Huskers a legitimate power running game the past two seasons. How can you root for three runners as different as Abdullah, Cross and Newby and not consider that they have the same offensive line in common?
If our running game is as superb as you make it, then perhaps that should be our offensive identity with minimal effective passing say 12-15 attempts per game? You can go by stats all you want, but when competition mattered, we have made mental errors and costly mistakes.
What does this even mean? Does someone have to explain how a running game benefits from a passing game, point out that Nebraska already runs more than it passes by a 2:1 ratio, and enjoys one of the highest passing efficiency ratings in the country to go along with that #14 rushing offense? Is that too statistical, or too multiple for you?
We make costly mental errors when competition matters? No kidding. That includes rushing fumbles as well as interceptions, along with stupid penalties on both sides of the ball. Team focus and discpline is definitely a problem, probably the biggest problem we have. I still find it kinda sad that when our offense has gotten so much better and is actually worthy of recognition and excitement, some people want to carp about us passing the football more than 15 times a game.
