Breaking Down Some Keys to the Nebraska - Washington Game
by mpdalby on Sep 16, 2010 11:30 AM CDT
in Nebraska Husker Football
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As you may know, the most talked about player heading into this week's Battle in Seattle does not reside on the Husker sideline. Washington QB Jake Locker will be the primary focus of Bo Pelini and the Blackshirt defense.
The Husker head coach has typically thrived in situations involving mobile quarterbacks, such as Locker, in the past. But, why? What makes this vaunted Husker defense so difficult to decipher?
Let's break it down!
First off, the Huskers routinely send out five, six or even seven defensive backs at times. This allows Nebraska to cover the field veritcally and horizontally very fast, keeping large gains from occurring frequently. It's basic math, the more speed you have on the field the less actual space there is to be covered. The thing helping the Cornhuskers significantly in this scenario, is the personnel they send out to play these "hybrid" positions. Players like Eric Hagg, who is 6-2, 210, have the ability to either drop into coverage or come up a stick a RB in the hole. This alone allows Pelini to disguise certain formations and looks.
For example, a QB generally has the ability to tell whether a defense is in zone or man coverage prior to the play. Just by looks or by sending someone in motion, the QB can then audible to the best of the set of plays called in the huddle. "Not so fast my friend!" (pardon for the Lee Corso impersonation) You see, against Nebraska everything is masked. This will make it very difficult for Locker to make any analysis prior to the snap.
Another differentiating factor in the Blackshirt defense is the unique two-gap defense they play. In layman's terms: Defensive tackles Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuhler don't pick gaps to crash, they play both. They spring up into their respective man and essentially hold them there, forcing the play rather than letting it come to them. Therefore, they are playing two gaps. Because we have such outstanding lineman who do this frequently, they have the ability to keep the pocket while still pushing back towards the QB, something a mobile player hates because it disallows running lanes to open up. By allowing the defense to play six or even seven defensive backs at one time without allowing much of a let-up in the run defense, it will make it very difficult for Locker to succeed. Granted he will find occasional holes rendering in a couple big plays, ultimately he will be irritated most of the day. I expect many coverage sacks due to the confusion cause by the Husker defense.
Quite simply: There aren't enough playmakers around Locker to balance out this attack, therefore Bo and the boys will be able to play their typically stingy Blackshirt defense and prevail with the victory. Let's face it, a great performance from the D may allow Taylor Martinez and the offense to settle in
Out!
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Key to the game
Be even or better in turnover margin, and we’ll be fine.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Yep.
I think the D plays well enough to win no matter what, it’s just up to the O to not give away the game.
Hadoken!!
Agreed
I completely agree. I think Bo knows this defense will not lose, given a consistent long field to work with. I’m sure he and Watson are under the same impression that they should be able to pound the rock against a porous Husky ’Pac 10" D, thus allowing the D enough breathing room to operate regularly.
Our D is great...
But we’ve got to remember that we got a little spoiled last year with Suh up front…especially at the end of the season. I’m not saying they are going to have a bad game. Bo and Carl know how to put the defense in position to dominate. But I am not going to be surprised if they give up 300 some yards and close to 20 points, maybe even a little over. Our defense has potential to be great, but I don’t expect them to go out and dominate this game.
Luckily, this year we have a capable offense that I believe could hold up pretty well in a shoot-out if they had to. And don’t forget the value of special teams. Nebraska most likely has the best special teams unit in the country…and I think special teams is what wins it for us. My prediction 31-24, Nebraska.
Call me Crazy...
But, if we are supposed to be a Top 10 team as we are ranked….why shouldn’t we dominate this team? What makes Washington so good? Granted they have a great QB, this team hasn’t been to a bowl game in nearly 8 years. If we are national championship worthy, we should win this game by ten points even with it being Martinez’s first road game. Bo will have the boys siked, as will the large number of red in the stands. My prediction as previously stated: Husker 31 Washington 14
Might be little bit of a homer pick, but we have a lot more dangerous games on our schedule than this and if we’re dreaming big 12 championship, we had better beat the 5th to 8th best team in the pac 10 pretty soundly
I don't think
Many people actually consider Washington to be in our league as a team overall. What people (myself included) are worried about is Martinez making his first road start in Husky Stadium of all places. He wouldn’t be the first freshman to turn into a turnover machine in a high pressure environment. We’re a better team than UW, but if we go -3 in turnovers, they’re definitely good enough to beat us.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
That's really the question no one can answer right now, isn't it?
Thus far we’ve played two teams: one was mediocre, the other hasn’t won a game in two seasons. While NU looked strong in both games, there were glaring errors that stronger opponents will exploit to their advantage. We haven’t played like a top 10 team yet, though I hold out some hope this weekend is the game that gets us focused.
I’m more and more aware of how truly inexperienced this team is. Redshirt freshman starting at QB and LT – true sophomores getting serious playing time at IB and LB. That means we make inexperienced mistakes as well. The pressing question appears to be how quickly the coaching staff can mature these guys into a legitimate top 10 team – a tough road environment could be crucial to that process, if we can get out of it with a good victory.
"...when the devil says to you: do not drink, answer him: I will drink, and right freely, just because you tell me not to."
— Martin Luther
by Go Big Rev on Sep 16, 2010 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
mpdalby
I totally agree with you on this. NU should dominate the game the way a Top 10 should against a non-ranked team.
GBR!
throw dem bones!!!
by hskrntnfreak on Sep 17, 2010 12:43 AM CDT up reply actions
QB
If Taylor doesn’t make many freshman mistakes; big if; Locker may not come away the best QB on the field. It’s just as likely that our defense makes a fool of Locker as we make freshman mistakes.
Washington is dangerous
I think a lot of people (myself included) are just kind of assuming this game is going to be a little rough. The fact is Washington may not have been that great for a few years, but they are rising back up again. They went from 0-11 two seasons ago to 5-7 last season, but they played really well and had some big upsets (like upsetting #3 USC). Granted, USC went on to have a below average year…but still. They proved in that game that no one is safe when they travel to Husky stadium.
I really believe this year’s team has a lot of potential. But Washington fans would say the same thing about their team. I also know that this is the first legitimate opponent we have faced and it’s on the road in a tough environment with an unproven QB. The Husker fan in me wants to say, “So what! We’ll blow em’ out anyways!” But I don’t want to get my hopes up only to be horribly surprised. I still think Nebraska wins, but it definitely won’t be easy.
Assuming mistakes
I am assuming that our offense (especially T-magic) will make some mistakes, and I also know that the inexperience up front and at the linebacker spot will most likely be exposed to some degree.
But that’s just assuming something based on the general belief that a freshman QB will make big mistakes. It isn’t impossible that T-magic has a legendary game and proves naysayers wrong. The kid is special, he has a lot of potential to be great. Maybe he becomes great earlier than anyone expected. I would be very excited to see that happen. Then we’ll have 3 seasons with the best QB in the Big 10! Look out Terrelle Pryor!
Not overlooking
I think the key is Washington isn’t sneaking up on us or anyone. They’re good, but were going to come to play. Especially defensively. If our offense is even decent we win by ten baring any meltdowns. Not that these aren’t possible. MAybe my koolaid is just a little stronger than everyone elses haha
by mpdalby on Sep 16, 2010 4:39 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Special Teams and Turnovers.
If the special teams and Alex Henery can win the field position game and the offense minimizes turnovers, we should be just fine.
t magic?
I guess we’ll see on sat. Just watched the Idaho film. The kid is fast, but everyone looks fast against Idaho. No points in the first quarter? 8 fumbles (is that a typo), poor dicision making at times. He look great running away from db’s with 4.7 speed. He wont look as fast against db’s that run 4.4. He also looks like a kid whos going to press if he gets down early and try to make big plays that arent there. Give him some time to mature, dont be upset if he cost you a game or two. No quaterback comes in and goes 48 – 0,
This game reaks of VT
This is exactly how I felt last year going into that game.
Granted, this year we are ranked ahead….and this year we might pull out the win. But still, it’s the 3rd game, first real test, on the road, mobile QB,…
I say it’s a toss up right now. We can’t know anything based on cupcake wins.
"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"
GO BIG RED!
That's a negative Ghost Rider...
This game reaks of the trip to Lawrence last year.
What were our concerns heading into that game? Our offense.
What was our strongest characteristic heading into that game? Our defense
What ended up being the difference maker? Our special teams.
The bottom line is, Martinez may not have to pass the ball once for Nebraska to win this game handily. Roy Helu, with exception to the BigXII title game last year, always shows up big in big games.
I’m not going to make a score prediction, but I will call my shot; Nebraska will win this on special teams, defense, and two long offensive plays. Helu and Burkhead are going to put up great numbers and Nebraska should win comfortably.
What was the question after week 1? The defense. (Fixed)
What is our question after week 2? The offense. (Fixed? We’ll see.)
@GochFaceKiller on Twitter
by Screwface on Sep 16, 2010 7:52 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
That's true as well
I’m just saying that the national attention around Locker is giving me the same feeling. Not sure why…
"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"
GO BIG RED!
by Brian Speers on Sep 16, 2010 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions
I understand your point.
I think I have more anxiety about this game than I did with KU last year, but not as much as I did for VT.
This game could be a Texas Tech type game or an Arizona type game for Nebraska, I don’t think there will be much middle ground. If our defense figures out their offense early, they’ll have little hope. If our defense has some “communication” issues or hesitates, it will be a long day.
@GochFaceKiller on Twitter
by Screwface on Sep 16, 2010 9:03 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
What?
If not for the last second blown coverage(or shitty offense) we win that game, handily. The mobile QB was not a problem in that game at all. Also, VT is waaaaayy more talented than UW.
Hadoken!!
The mobile QB wasn't a problem?
ahem…until the last play of the game when he beat us on a scramble?
"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"
GO BIG RED!
by Brian Speers on Sep 16, 2010 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Not to mention O'Hanlon's colossal charlie foxtrot on the long pass play.
We gave that game to VT and, frankly, the game in 08 as well. I think I see what you mean about the similarities, Mr. Corn, but Washington just doesn’t have the same horses Va Tech had the last two years. Let’s all hope you’re wrong, huh?
"...when the devil says to you: do not drink, answer him: I will drink, and right freely, just because you tell me not to."
— Martin Luther
No
I don’t think they do, and I don’t think that UW is as good as VT last season by a long shot.
I guess the main feeling is that one where you don’t know what the heck your team is capable of, and worse…you don’t really know what the other team is capable of either.
And I do think we’ll win. I’m hoping for a total bitch slap, something like 35-6 to just remove all doubt.
"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"
GO BIG RED!
by Brian Speers on Sep 16, 2010 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed on all counts.
And I forgot to mention that I wish we had 100 Matt O’Hanlons – he just made a mistake in the worst place at the worst time. It happens.
35-6 would be awesome, and I think it’s possible IF our boys grow up fast. I think 27-10 NU, with several of our mistakes keeping things closer than they should be. If Pelini et al can get these guys to tighten up the screws, K State and Texas could be in big trouble.
"...when the devil says to you: do not drink, answer him: I will drink, and right freely, just because you tell me not to."
— Martin Luther
Early
I think the key is to get up on Washington early. If we hit them hard fast, Locker will be playing come from behind ball, forcing passes. He starts doing that things will get ugly for Washington quickly. We give Locker a chance for a 4th quarter 2 minute drill and who knows. Get up early and its over.
They're feeling very confident over at UW Dawg Pound
Most are picking us to lose, and what’s just as bad…they are almost ALL picking Iowa to get run by Arizona.
Clearly they have a west coast bias. We thought the ACC had a bad week? I think it’s the Pac-10’s turn to get educated about the “new Big Ten”.
Whisky-Arizona St.
Iowa – Arizona
Nebraska – Washington
"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"
GO BIG RED!
The Big 10 should go 3-0
I think ASU has basically no chance in Madison. The other two games are dangerous for the favorites, but I think both favorites are quite a bit better than the team they’re lining up against.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
with maybe the exception being
USC at Minnesota…that one could get ugly
"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"
GO BIG RED!
by Brian Speers on Sep 17, 2010 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions
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