What did we learn Indiana edition

[Cy the Cyclone]

After extensive research, I have decided that Nebraska will only lose one game the rest of the season and that will be to Iowa because Iowa starts with the letter I and I have found in my extensive studies that Nebraska has only lost this year to teams that start with I.  So, unless they change their name to Io State, the Buckeyes better be worried.

 

[Vince R.]

I have watched enough to know that there is one issue that spans multiple regimes and thousands of players and it's that there is a serious psychological/emotional demon in that locker room. If things do not start well, and the game is 14-7, it's over. It is not coaching or talent, it is a passed on trait from past to current players. This is also a program where playing football is just not fun. Big moments are just too heavy and too draining with this psyche. 

This program is the only one that is constantly pressed against its glorious past where guys cannot play freely or just enjoy it. Instead, every game is the "shoe drop game" and I now understand why Rhule gets swirly about "fighting for Nebraska". His players struggle to fight for themselves because they too believe in the doubts. I think they went into that game insecure and once Indiana scored, they succumbed to it. They didn't quit but they didn't have confidence. 

Are there issues like development, play design, play calls, etc? Yes. But this team struggles to remain competitive if things don't go their way early and that's on the players. 

 

[Mierin]

After extensive research, I have decided that Nebraska will only lose one game the rest of the season and that will be to Iowa because Iowa starts with the letter I and I have found in my extensive studies that Nebraska has only lost this year to teams that start with I.  So, unless they change their name to Io State, the Buckeyes better be worried.

Your research is heartening.

 

[WWG1_we_GBR]

After extensive research, I have decided that Nebraska will only lose one game the rest of the season and that will be to Iowa because Iowa starts with the letter I and I have found in my extensive studies that Nebraska has only lost this year to teams that start with I.  So, unless they change their name to Io State, the Buckeyes better be worried.

You aren't wrong about this. Not sure the data supports your hypothesis, but what the heck. GBR!

 

[Hagg]

After extensive research, I have decided that Nebraska will only lose one game the rest of the season and that will be to Iowa because Iowa starts with the letter I and I have found in my extensive studies that Nebraska has only lost this year to teams that start with I.  So, unless they change their name to Io State, the Buckeyes better be worried.

I'm just glad Idaho is not on our schedule.

 

[DefenderAO]

I have watched enough to know that there is one issue that spans multiple regimes and thousands of players and it's that there is a serious psychological/emotional demon in that locker room. If things do not start well, and the game is 14-7, it's over. It is not coaching or talent, it is a passed on trait from past to current players. This is also a program where playing football is just not fun. Big moments are just too heavy and too draining with this psyche. 

This program is the only one that is constantly pressed against its glorious past where guys cannot play freely or just enjoy it. Instead, every game is the "shoe drop game" and I now understand why Rhule gets swirly about "fighting for Nebraska". His players struggle to fight for themselves because they too believe in the doubts. I think they went into that game insecure and once Indiana scored, they succumbed to it. They didn't quit but they didn't have confidence. 

Are there issues like development, play design, play calls, etc? Yes. But this team struggles to remain competitive if things don't go their way early and that's on the players. 

Good points and very thoughtful.

I will say, however, how many millions can you spend on "experts" in their trades to yield such terrible/inconsistent results?  Don't we have a dedicated psychologist?  Multiple?  And some of these kids are still headcases?  A nutritionist and a supposed erudite weights staff?  How do we get pushed around so easily?  NFL-level coaches?  Why don't we scheme DB's, who are the PLURALITY, almost majority, of your starting D, (three three FIVE) closer to receivers and play to win (isn't that what Rhule wants)?  

I'm in tech.  When I was a journeyman in my trade I feel the results were MUCH better than I see from millionaire SME's.  And I'm not talking individual contributor.  I talking know the subject matter and lead teams to drive results.  How are these leaders of young men - diet, mental states, lifting, recovery, detailed execution for your position...unable to get reliable, predictable, repeatable, and eventually excellent outcomes year after year?   

 

[lo country]

Yeah. It was spread around that Satterfield had bad YPC rushing stats in 2022 at South Carolina.

I just don't get how we slumped to this place in the run game.

I'm a run he damn ball go so I am biased.  But there's a disconnect somewhere. Rhule talked about an offense that delivers body blows in the 4th and gets 75 yards in the 4th.  Talked about RB's needing to break tackles and get those YAC.  I don't think our most productive RB is getting enough touches.  I don't like rotating 3-4 per game.  Play calling is suspect.  No idea our "bread and butter" plays or our "scheme". I know that gets kicked around a lot, but I was sold on the whole 49's offense....Our TE play has gotten worse since Satt started coaching them.  Anyone thinking Fidone is your swing pass guy is crazy. Slants, outs, drag across the middle.  Receivers can't block so the RB swing passes are out, but he tries all that stuff.  Indy set the edge, stacked the box and Satt had no answers.  He can't scheme anything in the 2nd half.  I blame Barthel as well. Our returning leading rusher was HH.  Yes, injuries killed us last year, but I see no improvement in the guys here last year.  Unsure why Dowdell is the guy.  Trips over the hash marks, no vision, no wiggle, no patience.  No running game means no passing game. We become one dimensional and too easy to defend. TBH, I really miss a true dual threat QB.

 

[Vince R.]

Good points and very thoughtful.

I will say, however, how many millions can you spend on "experts" in their trades to yield such terrible/inconsistent results?  Don't we have a dedicated psychologist?  Multiple?  And some of these kids are still headcases?  A nutritionist and a supposed erudite weights staff?  How do we get pushed around so easily?  NFL-level coaches?  Why don't we scheme DB's, who are the PLURALITY, almost majority, of your starting D, (three three FIVE) closer to receivers and play to win (isn't that what Rhule wants)?  

I'm in tech.  When I was a journeyman in my trade I feel the results were MUCH better than I see from millionaire SME's.  And I'm not talking individual contributor.  I talking know the subject matter and lead teams to drive results.  How are these leaders of young men - diet, mental states, lifting, recovery, detailed execution for your position...unable to get reliable, predictable, repeatable, and eventually excellent outcomes year after year?   

I think Nebraska has somehow become the wealthy, tall, handsome, extremely fit, and intelligent man that has no confidence in approaching a beautiful woman, and one who has been waiting for him to approach. He is so deep in his own head that any positive metric is squandered by intense insecurity. He knows what the beautiful woman sees but he for whatever reason, can't believe it. 

 

[soup]

I have watched enough to know that there is one issue that spans multiple regimes and thousands of players and it's that there is a serious psychological/emotional demon in that locker room. If things do not start well, and the game is 14-7, it's over. It is not coaching or talent, it is a passed on trait from past to current players. This is also a program where playing football is just not fun. Big moments are just too heavy and too draining with this psyche. 

This program is the only one that is constantly pressed against its glorious past where guys cannot play freely or just enjoy it. Instead, every game is the "shoe drop game" and I now understand why Rhule gets swirly about "fighting for Nebraska". His players struggle to fight for themselves because they too believe in the doubts. I think they went into that game insecure and once Indiana scored, they succumbed to it. They didn't quit but they didn't have confidence. 

Are there issues like development, play design, play calls, etc? Yes. But this team struggles to remain competitive if things don't go their way early and that's on the players. 

This is exactly the problem, and until there is enough of an overall of players that can get out of their own way it won't fix itself.  OR....  They somehow figure it out and win a huge game somehow someway.

 

[krc1995]

I think Nebraska has somehow become the wealthy, tall, handsome, extremely fit, and intelligent man that has no confidence in approaching a beautiful woman, and who has been waiting for him to approach. He is so deep in his own head that any positive metric is squandered by intense insecurity. He knows what the beautiful woman sees but he for whatever reason, can't believe it. 

I have a slight different vision. I see Nebraska as thirty five year old man that was once the QB for a very rural high school that is still trying to get invited to prom.   Also lives in parent’s basement. 

 

[Vince R.]

I have a slight different vision. I see Nebraska as thirty five year old man that was once the QB for a very rural high school that is still trying to get invited to prom.   Also lives in parent’s basement. 

Lol

My point is that I believe they do everything right leading up to the moment but they cannot execute because of the lack of confidence in the end. Considering what we have seen in certain games, certain quarters and halfs, it's clear that we truly do not know what we have which is why I think it makes it hard on the coaches to call the right looks and plays. Something goes amiss that they cant fix. It's on the players and I think it's time to say it. If they want to win, they have to get over themselves and just play, no matter the desired outcome. 

 

[Jason Sitoke]

I have watched enough to know that there is one issue that spans multiple regimes and thousands of players and it's that there is a serious psychological/emotional demon in that locker room. If things do not start well, and the game is 14-7, it's over. It is not coaching or talent, it is a passed on trait from past to current players. This is also a program where playing football is just not fun. Big moments are just too heavy and too draining with this psyche. 

This program is the only one that is constantly pressed against its glorious past where guys cannot play freely or just enjoy it. Instead, every game is the "shoe drop game" and I now understand why Rhule gets swirly about "fighting for Nebraska". His players struggle to fight for themselves because they too believe in the doubts. I think they went into that game insecure and once Indiana scored, they succumbed to it. They didn't quit but they didn't have confidence. 

Are there issues like development, play design, play calls, etc? Yes. But this team struggles to remain competitive if things don't go their way early and that's on the players. 

Maybe stadium sanctioned alcohol sales will settle everyone down and we can all relax and have fun. 

 

[Vince R.]

The Terrence Nunn Fumble, Adi Kunalic kick out of bounds, Niles Paul Fumble off the knee, Deep ball pass over O'Hanlon against Vtech, 10' game against Texas, 2nd half offensive turtling in '10 CC game, pedestrian first half against Ohio St's worst team in recent history, Wisconsin's worst Bielema team running all over us, blowing the 16 Wisconsin game after the lead, losing to Colorado back to back years while being in control, letting northwestern go 99 on us to win, outplaying 18 tOSU only to allegator arm a catch that would have sealed it, numerous false starts against OU in 21 because of nerves, fumbling against Michigan in 2021, missing a huge field goal against tOSU in 2021, being up 14 against wisconsin in 2022 & 2023 only to fold, Neyor not coming down with a catch against Illinois, Raiola missing on the easiest throw of his career, forgetting how to block in OT

and you see how all this trauma plays into the psyche of this program. They get met with a defining moment, they see it there and they act like they've never played the sport in their life. It's a lack of belief and a true trust in themselves.

You hear Rhule say, "hey don't put that past stuff on me", and it's because he knows how much that stuff gets talked about all over the state and amongst the players. We will not know how good a roster we have until that thing is exercised out. 

 

[runningblind]

The Terrence Nunn Fumble, Adi Kunalic kick out of bounds, Niles Paul Fumble off the knee, Deep ball pass over O'Hanlon against Vtech, 10' game against Texas, 2nd half offensive turtling in '10 CC game, pedestrian first half against Ohio St's worst team in recent history, Wisconsin's worst Bielema team running all over us, blowing the 16 Wisconsin game after the lead, losing to Colorado back to back years while being in control, letting northwestern go 99 on us to win, outplaying 18 tOSU only to allegator arm a catch that would have sealed it, numerous false starts against OU in 21 because of nerves, fumbling against Michigan in 2021, missing a huge field goal against tOSU in 2021, being up 14 against wisconsin in 2022 & 2023 only to fold, Neyor not coming down with a catch against Illinois, Raiola missing on the easiest throw of his career, forgetting how to block in OT

and you see how all this trauma plays into the psyche of this program. They get met with a defining moment, they see it there and they act like they've never played the sport in their life. It's a lack of belief and a true trust in themselves.

You hear Rhule say, "hey don't put that past stuff on me", and it's because he knows how much that stuff gets talked about all over the state and amongst the players. We will not know how good a roster we have until that thing is exercised out. 

The problem is, each new generation keeps having their own moment and it becomes not the past anymore, but the present.  Rhule's bunch now has their own shiny moment in a 56-7 national TV beatdown to Indiana of all teams. It's a swirl of self fulfilling prophecy of failure. 

 

[lo country]

Lol

My point is that I believe they do everything right leading up to the moment but they cannot execute because of the lack of confidence in the end. Considering what we have seen in certain games, certain quarters and halfs, it's clear that we truly do not know what we have which is why I think it makes it hard on the coaches to call the right looks and plays. Something goes amiss that they cant fix. It's on the players and I think it's time to say it. If they want to win, they have to get over themselves and just play, no matter the desired outcome. 

Great posts.  I'd try to post to them all, but I figured I'd just mention here. Unless we have jumped out to a big lead, I have waited, simply as a fan, for that shoe drop moment.  The singular play or mistake that I KNEW, we would lose.  And that play or mistake was immediately recognized by me and every other fan watching.  I can only imagine that the players feel, perceive and recognize this even more than we do.  

Winning is a habit and so is losing.  Our leadership (6 year seniors) haven't ever been on the right side of "that play or mistake" the entirety of their career.  Not once.  They missed out on 60-75 additional practices with no bowls.  The old adage of how many reps to create muscle memory is anywhere between 5k-100k....HUGE disparity, but remains true.  Success is gained through doing the right thing so many times until it becomes natural.  Losing (shoe drop) has become the norm and the expectation.  Fans and players a like.  

I still blame that staff. I don't think they are putting guys in position to be successful or to build those "positive" reps.  Rotating RB's?  How can they get in a rhythm.  How can the RB and OL get to where they know what each other will do.  Or call plays that the team can excel out, get positive yardage on, build confidence etc....How does McGuire dig into his limited bag of experience to help the receivers?  How does Rhule want a body blow offense and you allow the OC to call passes to throw the ball 44 times.  3 INT's...Think Raiola feels confident?  You teach winning.  You coach them through this.  Create scenarios in practice where they "win" these shoe drop moments.  Talk about it.  Show how to win. High pressure careers do this stuff a lot.