Shooting Pointe Blank: Missouri

by Blankman on Oct 5, 2008 12:21 PM CDT Comment 23 comments

I know that usually I run over the keys to each game in this article or at least I have while at CN, but this week was obviously different than other weeks, so I’ll go down a different road. While many wanted to believe that this team could be instantly transformed into at least somewhat respectable on defense at this point they cannot.

They cannot compete with a legitimate win-it-all contender like Mizzou (By the way, would like to see a Mizzou-USC match up at some point this year). They can’t do anything more than you witnessed during 2007…well, they can, but for some reason the coaches seem content in not letting them.

Look, I’m not delusional enough to think I know better in every aspect of the game than people who get paid literally millions to do their job. I can tell you, however, that there is a lot of fantastic, young talent sitting on the bench. Why? Has Nebraska officially thrown 2008 down the drain so that these players can get a year of seasoning?

Here’s a better question: If Nebraska has indeed decided to “sacrifice” 2008 because we all know Bo and several choice assistants aren’t going to get canned after year one, why are we not letting said young players on the field anyway? You don’t get better in the Big XII conference by sitting on your butt and watching film. That all goes out the window when you step on the field and have to catch Jeremy Maclin or defend against Sam Bradford or how about stoping Todd Reesing when he’s down 20-0 at the half?

I feel for Bo in that he’s obviously the “player’s coach” that many in the fan base painted him to be, but for him to make statements like we’re not going to get smacked around again this year…Coach, you do realize who your team is playing next, right? The Cornhuskers haven’t exactly done well against passing teams. I mean the 2008 unit is giving up MORE yards than LAST YEAR’s team. Same personnel too.

They just needed to be “coached right”, though or so I heard. Point being is this: I am not against Bo in fact I was for his hiring, but the rookie mistakes are being made and one huge one is not putting your best players on the field. Sure, you can call it straight opinion, but there are several players who are ready to contribute now. Pelini chooses to play who he plays especially on defense and he’s making some piss-poor choices.

Let me wrap things up on a more positive note. To the “We’ll never be good again!” crowd: Are you nuts? Texas, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, USC, Alabama, can I stop now? College football is cyclical in a lot of ways whether it comes to offenses, defenses or who is flat out good. Nebraska has a lot of advantages it shouldn’t: Money, the backing of the university, passionate fans and a rich tradition to name a few.

If Missouri can become a national title contender, Nebraska can become one AGAIN. It just takes time and living in an instant gratification society is tough. A few of the more mature folks I run into toss the label on folks, say 20-30 years their junior, but I think they’d be shocked at how many in their own age bracket show just as much of that trait.

Memorial Stadium isn’t going to stop selling out, the sun will still rise, however as I have said in past blogs this program is still trying to crawl let alone walk. There will be some new people on the coaching staff eventually. Could be in a year, could be two, but this is not the staff to get things done. Not entirely, anyway. The Missouri game sucked and surely several others will too if not just for a loss, but there can, and more than likely will, be a brighter future for Nebraska football than what was witnessed last night.

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Need to be more specific...

We’ve been sold this “good young talent” line for the last few years, and to be brutally honest, we ain’t seen it yet.

The season is halfway over, so there is absolutely zero point in ripping redshirts off of players. If there are guys that are backups or playing special teams that should be playing more, we probably should see it. But if you are suggesting that we start burning red shirts, absolutely positively not.

by Husker Mike on Oct 5, 2008 12:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey, I'm cool with not

Believe me, Mike. If people are comfortable stomaching what they saw last night? Fine by me.

by Blankman on Oct 5, 2008 1:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If you think I enjoyed last night's game...

Problem is that at this point, I’d rather see these young guys in 2012 for a full season than in 2008 for a few games. I mean, I think a guy like Lance Brandenburgh could help this squad this season, but we blew his eligibility in 2004 for no good reason.

by Husker Mike on Oct 5, 2008 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn't insinuating that you did.

I’m simply throwing the idea out there of putting guys on the field that have never seen it versus those with some experience, however believe me, I appreciate your point of view, Mike. Unfortunately now that we’re in conference play, you’re right, we are at a point of no return, but you and I both know what the fan base as a whole wants and that’s wins.

Now I think that this team as it is can challenge for 6-8 wins and after speaking with several fans, apparently that’s expected, so perhaps it’s for the best in this circumstance.

by Blankman on Oct 5, 2008 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're also

committed to letting the older guys play. The reason? It helps with recruiting. Guys don’t want to feel like they’re in a four year battle for their jobs. You have to maintain a commitment to juniors and seniors because that goes beyond wins and losses a bit. At least for now.

I would bet the team that takes the field for the Kansas State game will be drastically different from the one that played this week.

Mizzou: Not desperately hanging on to a bygone winning tradition since 1900.

by Ridiculous Matt on Oct 5, 2008 1:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You're right about one thing

When you make a committment to promise these guys they’ll play, you better know them very well. Knowing what kind of athletes they are is the easy part. Knowing what kind of individuals with character they are is a whole different matter. If you are passionate about football, winning is what will get you recruits. Kids that have a passion for football of course want to play, but they also want to win. Many of these “recruits” care about playing more than they do winning. That is the problem. You said it yourself. What kind of competitors are they if they aren’t willing to battle for their position. Not ones I would want on my team.

by crazylady on Oct 5, 2008 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The team in November

WILL be different from this team. However…

“Guys don’t want to feel like they’re in a four year battle for their jobs.” Then they shouldn’t be playing Division 1-A football at Nebraska.

by Blankman on Oct 5, 2008 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree

100% right there. They should have to earn it every year. It is telling players they are guarenteed to play that gets you in trouble. If a freshmen is the best we have at a position he is the one who should play.

by taflorom on Oct 5, 2008 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nebraska is now ranked #40...

…objectively-speaking, that is.

For proof, see http://ripbcs.com

Good luck next week!

by DawgPound on Oct 5, 2008 3:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

wow, only one conference game into the season

and you’ve already thrown in the towel on this team, called the coaches quitters, and call for staff changes.

That was quick.

Let me ask you a question: What have you seen from Nebraska over the past 5 years to make you think you have the athletes on defense to think you can stay with Missouri?

I don’t follow Nebraska football as closely as you do, obviously, but I remember seeing y’all get ripped twice by Oklahoma State, for the simple reason that man-for-man, you couldn’t handle their speed, especially when it came to your back 7 against their skill position players. I don’t see how you can watch that for the last two seasons, and then be surprised by what Missouri did yesterday.

Unless you completely raid the juco ranks and get a quick infusion of speed, you aren’t going to change the athletic ability of your team overnight, no matter who yuo hire to coach your team.

I Am The 12th Man.com

by Beergut on Oct 5, 2008 4:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

because the kids

on the bench have heart!

and heart! will somehow give them the ability to keep pace with Jeremy Maclin or tackle Chase Coffman. It’s all about effort really. Not athletic talent, long-term development through top facilities at the high school level and coaching. Just heart. All heart.

Mizzou: Not desperately hanging on to a bygone winning tradition since 1900.

by Ridiculous Matt on Oct 5, 2008 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

now

careful…..

it’s a good discussion they got going here.

Plus…. to be honest, I think it’s hard being a husker fan because there is a lot of “given” in it. It’s why ta gave you the “god given” line even though he later admitted it was the over the top.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!

by Jon Johnston on Oct 5, 2008 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clearly

you’re reading what you want to read.

Where did I say I threw in the towel or call the coaches quitters? As far as for staff changes, I opposed certain staff HIRINGS. Late to the party on that one.

Let me ask you a question: When did I say Nebraska would hang with Missouri? Was it when I picked against them Home Game magazine, my Yahoo pick’em league or even in the Rock M Q&A?

Also, thanks for reinforcing my point that talent should be on the field.

by Blankman on Oct 5, 2008 4:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

reply

Has Nebraska officially thrown 2008 down the drain so that these players can get a year of seasoning?

If Nebraska has indeed decided to "sacrifice" 2008 because we all know Bo and several choice assistants aren’t going to get canned after year one…

You ask if this season is being sacrificed for experience, and then you answer your own question by trying to use it to support your position, which is that the younger players should be on the field. You seem to be insinuating that the coaches have already decided to play the year out regardless of results, which is the same as saying they’re quitters. Did you mean something else by the above quotes, or did I read them accurately?

As far as for staff changes, I opposed certain staff HIRINGS.

Like I said, I don’t follow the Huskers closely. I only recently started perusing this blog.

Which staff hirings did you oppose, and why?

Also, thanks for reinforcing my point that talent should be on the field.

I think you’re missing my point entirely. I don’t think you have the talent anywhere on your roster to compete with Missouri right now.

What reason do you have to think the people on the bench are better than the players on the field?

I Am The 12th Man.com

by Beergut on Oct 5, 2008 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reply

You ask if this season is being sacrificed for experience, and then you answer your own question by trying to use it to support your position, which is that the younger players should be on the field. You seem to be insinuating that the coaches have already decided to play the year out regardless of results, which is the same as saying they’re quitters. Did you mean something else by the above quotes, or did I read them accurately?

Quitting and holding certain players off of the field are two completely different things. I don’t think that they’d do this for giggles, either.

Like I said, I don’t follow the Huskers closely. I only recently started perusing this blog.

Which staff hirings did you oppose, and why?

That’s fair. I don’t expect an Aggie fan to know everything about my team up and down.

Coaches I could live without:

Gilmore – Dropsies from his receivers for most of his tenure. Also he is our recruiting coordinator yet we had no recruits for our opening game down on the sidelines. Everyone may dump on Bill, but that wouldn’t have happened under Callahan.

Cotton – Anyone who repeatedly starts Mike Huff only validates my point. Seriously if you had chronicled this kid’s NU career, you’d understand why that’d be enough, but Barney shouldn’t be coaching at this level. Honestly, I’m not sure if he should be coaching at any.

Sanders – Starting to get his act together, but this guy coaches the secondary. Now do I really need to expand on that one? I saw the smoke and mirror act in 2003, but we don’t have Demorrio Williams to cause havoc in opposing backfields this year.

I think you’re missing my point entirely. I don’t think you have the talent anywhere on your roster to compete with Missouri right now.

What reason do you have to think the people on the bench are better than the players on the field?

That’s all well and good, but you missed my original point where I pointed out my three seperate picks AGAINST Missouri. Nebraska may not compete against the Tigers, but they can compete against the rest of their schedule sans OU and personally I like winning.

My reasoning? I’d encourage you to purchase a copy of Sea of Red 2008 for my reasoning. :-)

by Blankman on Oct 5, 2008 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correction:

Meant to say that I picked Mizzou to win not to insinuate that Nebraska would.

by Blankman on Oct 5, 2008 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beergut

asks a good question, though – what have we seen that makes us think that our defense was able to compete with the likes of Missouri?

Didn’t you avoid that question?

Anyway, our defense hasn’t been good for years, it’s not like I don’t like these players, but… the old standard – how many of these guys could start for someone like Oklahoma? I’d like to think that Suh could start for anyone. I’d like to think that Murillo could be close, maybe a starter. Cody Glenn has played beyond his means, but, start for Oklahoma? (I’m using OU as a reference because they’re the best defense in the BIg 12).

It’s a decent question. Sad, but decent.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!

by Jon Johnston on Oct 6, 2008 12:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I for one

didn’t think our defense would shut Missouri down (thus my 42-36 prediction) but I really thought the offense would play better. I didn’t think Mizzu would score at will though.

And I dont think you ask the question “would this kid start at OU” when you are recruiting. You have to ask if this kid can do what NU needs him to do. Can he fit into what we need. Every team uses players a different way. How highly recruited was Demarrio Williams? Would you have told him you didn’t want him knowing what you know now? Heck no he was a good player and he could do what we wanted. You dont know anyway if a kid could start at a different school when you are recruiting them because you dont know what will happen with him 3-4 years down the road. There are just too many things that can affect his drive, desire, heart, work ethic, etc.

I know that offense and defense are different but I would highly doubt the TO ever asked weather or not a kid he was recruiting could play for any other team out there. He simply looked at wether or not he could play at NU. If we try to out recruit the Florida teams and USC we are going to be in big trouble because they have a whole lot more to offer kids in the way of beaches etc. We cant compete with that. Bo just needs to find kids who fit what he wants and go after them no matter who is recruiting them.

by taflorom on Oct 6, 2008 7:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When I

said we’d have 45 points scored on our defense and only 20 scored for us, does this not answer that fairly well?

by Blankman on Oct 6, 2008 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

my pre-season pick for NU was 7-8 wins and a bowl game.

I did think you’d be able to beat what I think is a fairly average Virginia Tech team, though.

I still think NU will have a winning season and go to a bowl game, which is an improvement over last season.

I think at this stage in the rebuilding process, a winning season and a bowl game show this program is moving in the right direction, and is acceptable for Pellini’s first season.

I’m still thinking 7-5 is realistic for Nebraska this season. I think you’ll get wins over Iowa State, Baylor, Kansas State, and Colorado. Kansas is a toss-up at this point, so you might be able to hit 8 wins.

I Am The 12th Man.com

by Beergut on Oct 6, 2008 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

I agree. 7-5 or 8-4 are very attainable this season and I think we will get there and go to a bowl game. And I think that does show progress (would have loved to have seen more but hey its a step in the right direction). Win a bowl game and you have 8-5 or 9-4 and a pretty respectable season (esp. considering where we have been). Hell a 9 win season in Pelinis first is a very very respectable season. Of course 10-2 is still not out of reach (highly unlikely but that IS WHY we play the games). If the highest ranked teams always won Army and Minnesota would still be being talked about.

by taflorom on Oct 6, 2008 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are dead on

with your comments, Blankman. This is a rookie, inexperienced coach. Coach Pelini may grow into a very good coach. However, I am quite certain that NU could have hired an experienced coach who has built a program. Coach Pelini’s inexperience showed last night. I was sitting in the South Stadium and had a great view of the incredible confusion that our defense was experiencing. Add to that the obvious gap in talent and we got kicked all over the field. In addition, I know this will bother a few cornheads, but our team is taking on the character of our coach. Pelini is a hothead and our team was playing undisciplined football (see penalties and Missouri player comments). Pelini should take a few tips from Coach Osborne. I have not given up on Coach Pelini or the 2008 Huskers, but the discipline and execution better improve or this will be a long season.

Here is a great example of our coach’s lack of experience:

There was a tv timeout last night during the 3rd quarter. Mizzou was taking possession. Our defense stood out on the field in defensive formation the entire duration of the timeout, while the Mizzou offense huddled over on the sideline. Our coaches were on the sideline and Mizzou’s coaches were coaching the offense, pointing out to the field. I do realize the game was over, but it looked to me like our coaching staff had thrown in the towel already.

One more thing, Joe Ganz should have been benched after the 3rd quarter. What an obvious time to see if “next year’s” quarterback is ready or at least get him some experience. Mizzou played two backup quarterbacks. Another example of Coach Pelini’s lack of experience.

I guess there will be some growing pains.

by Champ24 on Oct 5, 2008 6:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs