Takeaways and Giveaways

[Branno]

IMO, Part of it is Bo's defensive scheme shift in emphasizing getting off the field on 3rd down. The focus seems to be less on big plays, and more on smothering the offense and forcing them to make great plays to beat you.

Nebraska's 3rd down defense (Opponent conversion percentage).

2013: 31% (6th)

2012: 37% (46th)

2011: 40% (64th)

2010: 29% (4th)

2009: 32% (15th)

2008: 33% (23rd)

See a trend?

Not saying I agree/disagree with the philosophy, just pointing out the numbers.

It's hard to look at 2011 and 2012 and not see the damage Bo's first recruiting class did to the program.

It's what excites me about this year, we've seen improvement in recruiting and the ensuing results on the field.

I have a good feeling that our TO ratio should improve, simply for the fact that a team that can't convert on third down is going to take more risks and we have the talent to take advantage of that.

 

[Joe_5700]

Hands down the most frustrating thing about the Pelini era. As lo country mentioned above, it's astounding how good we've been despite putting up absolutely atrocious turnover numbers. A constant battle wages in my head on whether that is a good thing or a bad thing.

The best metophor I can think of is that Bo has the program in neutral. He is revving the sh#t out of the engine, but we haven't moved an inch.

A better metaphor is that we are stuck in 2nd gear... When we have more takeaways and better ball security, we shift to the next gear which is the 10,11,12 win season.

 

[Redux]

The turnover issue is one of those things that just seem to fall into a coaches baggage. With Bo its turnovers, with Fitzgerald its finishing a game out, with Urban Meyer its being a dbag.

 

[Hunter94]

ball security and special teams......crucial to improve on theses facets of the game or more 4 loss seasons are ahead....

 

[Abdullah the Butcher]

Dan Hoppen

@danhoppen

Jamal Turner says Nebraska has yet to fumble in fall practice. Cant say Ive seen one yet during the practices weve watched

Could be the new Rifle football??? #speculation

 

[Mavric]

File this under "we've heard this before" but if the media can also report the same thing, perhaps it's a start.

 

[Count 'Bility]

They said the same thing last year after a couple weeks of fall camp, that the fumbles and picks had been cut way down on.

 

[RedDenver]

They said the same thing last year after a couple weeks of fall camp, that the fumbles and picks had been cut way down on.

In hindsight, that might have had more to do with the defense last year.

 

[kchusker_chris]

They said the same thing last year after a couple weeks of fall camp, that the fumbles and picks had been cut way down on.

In hindsight, that might have had more to do with the defense last year.

The defense caused our offense to fumble, throw interceptions during the season? - or that our D was just so bad in camp?

 

[StPaulHusker]

They said the same thing last year after a couple weeks of fall camp, that the fumbles and picks had been cut way down on.

In hindsight, that might have had more to do with the defense last year.

The defense caused our offense to fumble, throw interceptions during the season? - or that our D was just so bad in camp?

I think Red Denver is saying that last years Husker defense's were not forcing the offense into turnovers during camp so in essence the fumbles and picks were way down.

 

[RedDenver]

They said the same thing last year after a couple weeks of fall camp, that the fumbles and picks had been cut way down on.

In hindsight, that might have had more to do with the defense last year.

The defense caused our offense to fumble, throw interceptions during the season? - or that our D was just so bad in camp?

I think Red Denver is saying that last years Husker defense's were not forcing the offense into turnovers during camp so in essence the fumbles and picks were way down.

Yes, that's what I was saying. The poor defense last fall made our offense look better than they were in the turnover dept. Although, to play devil's advocate to my own point, the defense actually got quite a few turnovers the first half of last season.