Taken from the Dave Matter Blog Comments of the Columbia Tribune:
I haven't lost any faith in this coaching staff, and I'm certain that there are multiple issues, and players to blame for the weak ground game. We've still got time to figure things out before the conference opener. Besides, weak ground game or not, NU's defense doesn't scare me in the least bit. Especially NU's secondary. NU hasn't played anyone with the likes of what MU's qb and wr's present for opposing teams. The one varsity squad they've played this year hasn't had an offense in years. (Multiple fieldgoals will not beat MU.) Defending MU's offense will be the greatest challenge they will have faced thus far, and they won't be facing it in the friendly confines of Lincoln. Their qb is barely average at throwing the ball, and their wr's drop too many passes that they shouldn't. Their biggest threat on offense is Helu, and if he doesn't have a monster game in Columbia then NU has NO chance at winning this game. That "Slow-as-molasses-in-January" secondary the Huskers have will get torched come October 8th.
Yes, that's absolutely correct Tjones, despite their bad record the Illini has better offensive talent at the skill positions than NU. The weakest link in the Illini's chain is their headcoach, not their talent. So don't think for a minute that "Pedestrian Zac", "Butterfingers Holt", "Nancy-boy Niles", or "Wannabe 21 again-Watson" put any fear into the minds of Spoon and company.