Report Card: Huskers Nowhere-Near-Enough, Michigan Wolverines Way-Too-Many
by Husker Mike on Nov 20, 2011 6:00 PM CST
in 2011 Nebraska Huskers Football
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PrintBoy, did this suck.
I could go into more detail, but the bottom line is that this game absolutely sucked. The defense played less horrific than the offense, which was less horrific than the special teams. And after Nebraska's third conference loss of the season, Nebraska looks even further away from being back than they have in recent years. It's not so much that the Huskers lost to Michigan, but rather by how much. It's one thing to get blown out by a top tier opponent...it's another to get creamed by a middle-of-the-pack team ranked below you in the rankings.
And with that comes lots of questions about the direction of the program. I don't necessarily need to get answers now, but there out to be a lot of soul searching after the Iowa game. For this week, the goal has to be to defeat Iowa. Beat Iowa, and a New Years Day bowl likely awaits the Huskers. Lose, and suddenly the heat goes on underneath Bo Pelini's chair.
QB: Taylor Martinez didn't lose this game...but he didn't win it either. He wasn't the biggest problem out there on the field, but he's not blameless either. Errant option pitch on the Huskers first series. Running out of bounds on 1st and 20 for a 7 yard loss when he could have thrown the ball away and save the yards. And while his receivers are primarily at fault for all of the drops, perhaps a little better touch might help those guys out. That being said, I think Martinez did more to try and win the game than most anybody else on the offense. That's probably damning with faint praise. Grade: C
RB: Rex Burkhead only carried the ball 10 times. That wasn't by design...or by intent. Nebraska simply couldn't sustain any sort of drive. I did see a couple of nice runs by Ameer Abdullah...and that zone read/option pitch from Burkhead to Abdullah impressed Urban Meyer. Would have impressed me more if the Huskers would have scored more. Grade: Incomplete.
WR: Drops, drops, drops. Where do I start? First of all, I think Nebraska really, really, REALLY missed Ben Cotton out there today in terms of blocking. And maybe trying to catch the ball as well. Jamal Turner saw a little more action today, but got a substitution infraction for forgetting to leave the field. That type of error probably explains why his playing time has been so limited as of late. Which is too bad, because goodness knows, this offense could use a playmaker other than Burkhead and Martinez. Grade: D-
OL: Michigan defense is stout, especially up front...and the offensive line couldn't create much of any push. Mike Martin ate Mike Caputo's lunch all day. Offensive line play has been a concern throughout Bo Pelini's time in Lincoln, and while it got better earlier this season, it's become an issue once again. One thing I'd like to see is more rotation here; I understand wanting to have your best players on the field, but when things aren't working, bringing someone else in couldn't hurt. And let's make one thing clear: after four years, this coaching staff owns problems like this. Grade: F
DL: I'm probably contrarian on this, but I think the defensive line didn't play that poorly. Could they have gotten more pressure on Denard Robinson? Probably...but I think they didn't want Robinson to scramble for yardage... And judging from some of Robinson's throws, encouraging him to throw seemed to be a good strategy. Grade: C+
LB: Let's give Lavonte David credit here; he was all over the field today. Maybe he wasn't always in the right spot...but he was always out there. Even on the blocked punt, there he was, picking up the ball and trying to get the first down. Will Compton also had a solid game for the most part, with some key stops in the third quarter before leaving with an injury. Grade: B+
Secondary: I think the tone for the game was set on the third play of the game when Ciante Evans dropped an interception of Robinson. And by my informal count, there were at least 3 or four others... Don't you imagine if Nebraska makes those interceptions, the game would have been a little different? Woulda, coulda, shoulda. But that doesn't explain the blown coverage on Martavious Odoms... and don't get me started about Lance Thorell. Grade: D
Special Teams: Well, Brett Maher did kick a 51 yard field goal...but that was pretty much it. Considering how well Kenny Bell and Tim Marlowe did on kickoff returns, why not put Jamal Turner back there? It would be a way to get his playmaking ability on the field... and it would be hard to see how he could be any worse. Normally I don't rank special teams, but this week is an exception because the special teams were anything but special. Grade: 0
Coaching: I liked the quadruple option zone read play; when Urban Meyer is impressed, you know you did something good. But in the end, it's up to the coaches to make sure the team is prepared to play --- and once again, it wasn't. I'm still curious why players struggling on the field don't get replaced. Why not play Tyler Moore or Brent Qvale more? What about Jeremiah Sirles? And when the game is out of hand, why not give Brion Carnes some snaps? Grade: D
Overall: F Another egg laid on a national stage. I believe in Bo Pelini, but I think that Nebraska should be further along in year four.
Elsewhere in College Football on "F-Bomb Saturday"
Why "F-Bomb Saturday"? Ask Lee Corso, who dropped one during GameDay...and it pretty much describes the day.
Iowa State: A+ Paul Rhoads is "SO PROUD" of you again.
Baylor: A+ If you are looking for Heisman candidates, please consider Robert Griffin III. Even if you aren't, reconsider.
Southern Cal: A Who'd have thunk it? Oh yes... I did. From Friday: " Every week, something weird happens in college football. It's something you can't explain...but it happens. Southern Cal 38, Oregon 35." Insert joke about blind squirrel here.
Clemson: F Back to your hole.
SEC: D+ So now the SEC is being rewarded for playing like crap against teams like the Citadel, Georgia Southern, and the Citadel? Uh no thank you.
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Seriously
have we had a bigger recruit… that we’ve talked up big for a couple years… that has played any less than Brent Qvale? Where is this man?
bad coach
to all you huskers out there you guys suck …… we shouldn’t have even let you into the big ten you got lucky by beating msu ….. they had an off day …….. but you guys are having a bad year …….. we would rather have that any day oh and you guys suck did I say that enough?
by SPARTANFAN4EVER on Nov 20, 2011 6:56 PM CST reply actions
Says the guy whose team hasn't played in a BCS-level bowl since 1988.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Nov 20, 2011 6:58 PM CST up reply actions
Wow classy post Sparty
Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the Dawgs of war; - Julius Caesar, Act III, Scene 1
Troll account
pay no attention to it. Or make fun of it, whatever makes you happy.
You can't possibly be a scientist if you mind people thinking that you're a fool.
~Wanko the Sane
Big Red Kool-aid Drinker @ Corn Nation
Not a troll
Not a troll…this guy is dean of MSU’s honor college. Imagine what the rest of them are like…
by Good Ol' Oakley on Nov 21, 2011 9:53 AM CST up reply actions
BLAH BLAH BLAH.....SPARTANFAN4EVER = cretin
Your team’s only real accomplishment THIS year was NOT getting beaten by a MAC team….FIRE UP CHIPS!!!
What did Courtney Osborne do?
Why can’t he find the field?
You can't possibly be a scientist if you mind people thinking that you're a fool.
~Wanko the Sane
Big Red Kool-aid Drinker @ Corn Nation
Refs get an F too
Didn’t come close to costing us the game, but they did their fair share of damage.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
What's next?
The Huskers have a long ways to go to become a contending BCS team. Bo may not be the one to lead them to the promised land. Pretty embarassing to go into the Big 10 with all the hype and lose to Northwestern and no show at the Big House! Where’s the Poulan Weedeater Bowl?
by Tiredofnulosing on Nov 20, 2011 8:27 PM CST reply actions
You're going to be tired the rest of your life because the only teams that don't lose are the ones that don't play the game
Look me up on youtube sometime...if you're really bored.
Its strange
That we are talking bout Bos seat being warm. Because this is kinda of the same stuff we said with solich.
by huskermic on Nov 20, 2011 8:29 PM CST via mobile reply actions
It's only warm because he was sitting in it staring a whiteboard while planning for Iowa.
He’s off implementing said plan, you just missed him.
Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 20, 2011 9:39 PM CST up reply actions
I chose "something else"
Because it was everything. Horrible game.
Look me up on youtube sometime...if you're really bored.
I would have picked "All of the above" had it been a choice!!
Rock out with your Stalk out!!!
Smoke em' if you got em'!!!
Low and Slow!!!
This, so much this
SEC: D+ So now the SEC is being rewarded for playing like crap against teams like the Citadel, Georgia Southern, and the Citadel? Uh no thank you.
But no, this won’t get mentioned. Of course not.
"'Contrariwise,' continued Tweedledee, 'If it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic." - Lewis Caroll, Alice Through the Looking Glass
So I just read something concerning about Paul Rhoads success:
Paul Rhoads marquee wins over the last couple years:
Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Iowa
All games he should have lost, and probably should have been blown out of.
Bo Pelini’s Marquee wins:
Michigan State, Missouri, Oklahoma
I realize that the standards are different, but that’s the point. Rhoads is over-achieving with far less resources. Pelini has the world at his disposal compared to Rhoads, and yet his biggest win is what… MSU?? Did I miss anyone?
I’m not trying to stir anything up, and/or call for anyone’s head yet. But if ISU beats more quality opponents this season, including Iowa, than we do…than something is very wrong in Lincoln.
"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"
GO BIG RED!
If Iowa State gets to count 7-4 Iowa as a marquee victory (let alone 5-7 Texas last year!)
Then Pelini can count Washington (which should be 7-5 after next week). Also, you missed Oklahoma State last year, a second Missouri win and Arizona in 2009, and Clemson in 2008, all of which are arguably better than both Texas and Iowa on Paul Rhoads’ list.
Paul Rhoads is a really good coach. That doesn’t mean anything is wrong in Lincoln.
by Cheeseandcorn on Nov 21, 2011 9:42 AM CST up reply actions
See below
"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"
GO BIG RED!
by Brian Speers on Nov 21, 2011 1:38 PM CST up reply actions
Rhoads has the advantage of teams overlooking Iowa State.
No one overlooks Nebraska.
Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 21, 2011 2:54 PM CST up reply actions
Mr. Spears
You did miss TOSU game but the facts are clear. Bo needs to win bigger games.
by huskermic on Nov 21, 2011 7:21 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I figured I'd missed some games in there.
My point again wasn’t that the teams listed were comparable, because as Cheese pointed out…they aren’t really. I thought I clarified that.
The point is that ISU should not be winning those games, and yet they are. The equivalent in my opinion, would be Nebraska winning bigger games than Clemson and Arizona.
"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"
GO BIG RED!
by Brian Speers on Nov 21, 2011 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
You make a good point
And I’m also quite frustrated with Nebraska not being able to punch above their weight.
But I think it’s much, much harder for a Top 20-caliber program like Nebraska to more than occasionally beat Top 10-caliber teams than it is for a middle-of-the-road program to beat one or two 8-4/9-3-caliber teams every year. Oklahoma State is the only elite team Iowa State has beaten under Rhoads. That’s an amazing accomplishment, but it’s pretty difficult to replicate something like that, which is essentially what we’re expecting Nebraska to do. (I also think Iowa State’s reputation as a giant-killer is helped out by the inflated reputations of the teams it beats at the time they play – see Texas last year, Iowa and Texas Tech this year).
Rhoads is doing a phenomenal job at Iowa State, but it’s just so much less difficult to take a program from Tier 4 to Tier 3 than it is to take it from Tier 2 to Tier 1, which is what Pelini is trying to do.
by Cheeseandcorn on Nov 21, 2011 2:05 PM CST up reply actions
I can see that as well.
Nebraska has to be one of the toughest jobs out there. The expectation will always be that we are elite, which means that nothing is good enough unless it’s perfection. 10-3 would be a fine record this season, and we shouldn’t complain. I think it’s just hard for NU fans (myself included) to digest, being so different from the past.
On the other hand….look at Notre Dame. That’s gotta suck.
"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"
GO BIG RED!
by Brian Speers on Nov 21, 2011 8:01 PM CST up reply actions
How you could vote anything other than special teams in that poll is beyond me...
Starting with the penalty on the blocked kick attempt (even if it was a bad call, you knew it was a 50/50 roughness when it was thrown), the fumbles on the kickoff returns, the bad punts, etc, this game was a comedy of errors in this phase. What were there for touchdowns as a direct result?
I’m not sure Nebraska could have made it a game, but I long for Santino after a day like that. Just painful!
My demoralized read on Saturday
Nebraska’s loss was dispiriting, obviously. My three comments on the game and the state of the Pelini program:
1) Recruiting has been only average in the Pelini tenure, and our best defensive players (Crick, David and Dennard) all graduate. With Michigan bringing in a #2 class under Hoke, it is hard to predict that these kinds of beatings aren’t going to continue as they get progressively more talented. Pelini’s recruiting is indicative of the 5th-7th best team in the Big 10 going forward, which is a problematic statement.
2) The offense is a mess, partly due to personnel/execution (the OL still can’t block anyone, for example) and partly because of scheme. We try to be multiple, but the commitment to the run isn’t really there (also, there are no counters, traps, etc. – we are running a very simplified version of the old offense). All this short passing results in plays which, at maximum, gain 5 yards, and moreover don’t force the safeties to respect the deep ball, which we never throw. So the running game is not complemented by the passing game, which makes no sense strategically.
3) Martinez is a shadow of what he was in the fall of 2010. He’s gone from a slashing thoroughbred who can rip off big running plays with daring runs to a meek QB who slides, takes angles towards the sidelines, runs at 60% speed and is a below-average pocket passer. He hasn’t broken off a big run since the Fresno State game, and with his new running style that’s not a shock. But if there’s no more big play threat, then there’s little point in having him back there. How is he being coached?
Bob - couldn't agree more
Especially about Martinez. His strengths have been taken away – He hurts people by RUNNING!!!! Opponents don’t even have to worry about him anymore. How bad IS our QB situation, anyway? If we can’t even put in another QB at the end of games like this (or late in big wins), what’s that say? Carnes is no good?? Martinez still needs repetitions? WTH is going on with this coaching staff?
by 8th St Choppers on Nov 21, 2011 11:04 AM CST up reply actions
Martinez is being coached to not get himself hurt
Because if he gets hurt, this offense is done. (You saw the second half of last year, right? And the backup option this year is even worse.) Makes sense to me.
by Cheeseandcorn on Nov 21, 2011 11:11 AM CST up reply actions
If so, my response is this
Coaching Martinez not to get hurt really has been equivalent to him already being injured ala late last year – we’ve completely negated his strengths, and the offense is really suffering for it.
Agreed.
We do not want to see how this offense plays without Martinez. Took away his strengths? You mean running in a straight line against inferior defenses? Those big runs we saw against k-state and Washington are not going to work. I think whatever the coaches have been doing with Martinez is great. Our team is not great, but the amount of maturation in Martinez is impressive. We have seen him throw the ball away, slide, get out of bounds, check down receivers and he even looked off the safeties against Penn st. This team has problems, but it is NOT how they are coaching Martinez.
Negated his strengths?
Do you really think we should run zone-read after zone-read like last year. Martinez is throwing the ball ok. The receivers are dropping pass after pass. These guys are getting hit in the hands.
recruiting....
While the wife and I are Wolverines (living in the sea of Red, Omaha), our sons are proud Huskers and we so share their pain. Your point about recruiting is well taken, according to CFN, Michigan apparently has commits from 3 of the top ten, nationally, at linebacker and that is just a sample of 4-5 stars coming in. Hope the Huskers can keep it competitive and recruiting more far and wide is the long-term solution.
Iowa
I’m a Husker surrounded by hawkeyes. We need to bounce back quickly. To Iowa, Saturdays game is a national championship for them. They will be loaded for bear. We need to be prepared and be loud.
Does Nebraska play in the SEC?
That’s the only conference I know of where 3-loss teams are still considered “great”. Iowa has played and beaten much better teams than this year’s incarnation of the Huskers over the last few seasons.
Don’t think that Iowa fans aren’t dying to beat Nebraska because we are. But it’s not because of UN-L’s on-field accomplishments but rather the arrogance based upon faded glory folks like you (not all Nebraska fans) cling to. After all, when it comes to beating teams that haven’t been relevant since the 90’s, Iowa has had Penn State to fall back on for a while.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Nov 22, 2011 12:44 AM CST up reply actions
Are you saying,
we shouldn’t take pride in what happened in the 90’s? I think if Iowa had won a national championship, Iowa fans would take some pride in it.
No, that's not even close to what I'm saying.
I’m saying that there’s a certain contingent of Nebraska fans who act as though the 90’s championships (of which you have every right to be proud of) have some effect on the other teams’ fans ability to accurately asses an opponent. If Nebraska had continued to win at the same clip over the last decade as they had under TO but just missed the NC, Iowa fans would very likely treat this weekend like a championship of sorts. But that’s not the reality and to pitch it as “Iowa’s Superbowl” or whatever other such nonsense the above poster is trying to get at is to diminish the fact that Iowa has beaten much better teams than this years’ Nebraska in its very recent past.
The comment shows an ignorance of Iowa’s history and assumes Iowa fans have not been paying attention to the state of Nebraska over the last decade. If Iowa were to beat Notre Dame do you think it would be a major event? How about this season’s Miami? Or even Florida State? Don’t kid yourself by thinking Nebraska is head and shoulders above any of these (equally/similarly) storied programs.
If Iowa wins this weekend they will have beaten a 3-loss (but now 4) team from a school that hasn’t won or shared a conference championship in a decade. And if we show way more enjoyment over the win than a normal victory it won’t have much to do with the quality of the football team opposite ours but rather the joy of quashing a level of smugness shown by a small but vocal contingent of Nebraska fans that ranks with the most irritating fanbases in the country. And if Iowa loses…well, Minnesota and Iowa State have beaten us recently so I guess you’d get to count yourself in that company as well so…congrats?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Nov 22, 2011 7:52 PM CST up reply actions
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