Strategizing Against The Badgers: How Nebraska Can Win
by Husker Mike on Sep 30, 2011 6:00 AM CDT
in 2011 Nebraska Huskers Football
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Many people have shrugged off this weekend's game, recognizing Nebraska's inconsistent play and Wisconsin's dominance this season. Certainly Wisconsin should be favored this weekend, and some people think the line should be even higher. But is it hopeless this weekend? Should Husker fans simply hope that things don't get out of hand on the scoreboard, and hopefully be satisfied to be part of a special weekend in Mad-town?
I'd hope that's a worst-case scenario. Because deep-down, Nebraska has a chance to win this game. A very good chance. I was reminded that under Bo Pelini, Nebraska is 11-4 in road games. One of those losses was a bloodbath: 2008 against #1 Oklahoma. The other three losses were games that Nebraska could have won: a 2008 overtime loss at Texas Tech, a 2009 last second loss to Virginia Tech, and last season's screw-job at Texas A&M. Nebraska just seems to play better on the road under Pelini, and I expect the same thing this weekend.
Will that be enough? Probably not. But when we're looking at strategy, I truly believe that Nebraska has a huge advantage with Bo Pelini in charge. And that will be the key to defeating Wisconsin. Sound scheme and playing well.
We've all seen defensive breakdowns in previous games, and that has to be alarming to fans. But let's not forget that we'll see Nebraska's three NFL first round prospects on the field together for the first time in Madison. Alfonzo Dennard missed the first three games, and Jared Crick missed the Wyoming game. And frankly, I'm not sure that Lavonte David has played quite as well this season than he did last year. That has to change this week. Maintaining assignments is going to be the first task at hand for David and Will Compton this week. Montee Ball and James White will kill Nebraska, if given the chance. So that is the first key: making sure the defensive line and the linebackers can handle the running game with six defenders. That doesn't mean exclusively there; Pelini will mix thing up, but the key is to not need to sell out consistently to stop the run.
The key on defense is the return of the "peso"...with Daimion Stafford in that role. Stafford brings a physical style to the defense, and certainly gives the defense a better chance to handle both rushing and passing situations as the nickel back. Pass defense is going to be key on Alfonzo Dennard locking down on Nick Toon; frankly, that might be the position battle to watch during the game. If so, then it'll come down to the rest of the secondary stopping Jared Abbrederis and tight end Jacob Pedersen. Corey Cooper's move to corner last week should help in run support, but the Huskers will need to make sure that the coverage is solid downfield...especially in play action situations.
Offensively, I think the biggest issue isn't so much game plan as it is executing the game plan. No doubt in my mind that mistakes have been Nebraska's biggest issue offensively this season. Fumbles and interceptions have still been a bugaboo at times this season. And that can't happen against a team like Wisconsin. In my opinion, this is the week Nebraska needs to unleash ALL of their weapons. That puts the pressure on Taylor Martinez to make good reads and find Kyler Reed, Jamal Turner, and Kenny Bell. Yes, that means Martinez is going to need to throw the ball a little this week. That loosens up the defense for Rex Burkhead to pound away. Then, the final dagger: a little zone read where Martinez takes off on a long run.
Does Nebraska have to play a perfect game? Maybe not perfect...but it has to be their best performance of the year. We've seen a Bo Pelini team step up and compete in games where people didn't think they had much of a chance. The problem is that sometimes Nebraska hasn't finished. Will that change this weekend? That might be the biggest question of all.
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Go Big Red
Beat the big Wed! Our boys love this type of challenge. Watch Stafford step up on D & T-Magic gash Wiscy’s D. This ones gonna be a barn burner, so if you want to be there for the Ho-Down Shin-Dig, get on the bandwagon!
by SONOFLY on Sep 30, 2011 9:20 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
38 on the season, leads the team.
viz: http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/team/463/tackle/index.html
Can you hear this, Denver, or shall I turn it up for you?
And where is this magical defense?
So that is the first key: making sure the defensive line and the linebackers can handle the running game with six defenders.
Wisky used to running with success against 8 and 9 man fronts. Good like trying to stop them with six.
So you think Nebraska has the same talent...
…as UNLV, South Dakota, and Northern Illinois?
If it takes an eight man front to stop Ball and White, then Russell Wilson will kill Nebraska deep.
So yeah, Nebraska needs to stop Wisconsin with six guys.
by Husker Mike on Sep 30, 2011 10:49 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
it's about numbers
Nebraska has to be careful with your tight end, especially in the red zone, so yeah, six.
And honestly, you don’t have success against 8 and 9 man fronts with six blockers, no team does that. Six on Eight? Six on 9? I don’t think so. Maybe if you’re counting a fullback and two tight ends, then the numbers make sense.
But the bottom line – Nebraska needs to man up on the run game, and have that seventh of the front seven be the guy that moves into coverage if the TE releases, or comes up to support run on runs. That’s that peso dude. Daimion Stafford is perfect for that role.
Funny thing – I wrote just about the same article last night. One difference I included….. which is posted at the end of this.
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
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by Jon Johnston on Sep 30, 2011 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions
I like you swagger, but at least say front 7
It’s not a knock, but c’mon, Wisky has been doing this for 20 years now. Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, TCU, Miami, Tennessee, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia haven’t really slowed down Wisky’s run game.
If you’re able to it with 6…
I didn't say Nebraska will do it...
…but rather that Nebraska needs to do it to win…
by Husker Mike on Sep 30, 2011 11:25 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Go BIG (non cheesehead)RED!!!! Did I ever mention to you that I think that the Wisconsin head coach dresses like a bartender from a european techno nightclub?
by Allan Peterson on Sep 30, 2011 11:05 AM CDT reply actions
I've changed my mind here recently
Nebraska has a great chance to win this game. There is no excuse for not moving the ball on Wisconsin, especially on the ends.
The defense is due for a decent game, right? Fuck it, they carried the team the last few years, it was their “vacation” – or so it better have been.
Nebraska, as the underdog, playing on the road, yeah, I like that matchup.
I just wish everone would stop tucking their sacks between their legs and pray for a mutual blood-bath in Madison. I, for one, am excited.
I'm ready for the football.
"I did dumb things." - Tim Beck, Nebraska's new OC
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Sep 30, 2011 12:29 PM CDT reply actions
Nice job Mike
I think you just summarized my thoughts for this game. I think we’ll play well, put a 4th quarter scare into Wisconsin, but ultimately fall short again. And honestly I’m ok with that if that’s how it goes. At least we’d know our team is capable of standing up with the best in the league.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
That Just Doesn't Sit Right With Me
Seems like ‘settling’, and that is not the expectation for a Husker team.
We started off national darlings to whup up on the B1G, and with the addition of one QB that fell out of the sky into our first opponents lap and some shaky play from a depleted defensive line we all of the sudden are willing to settle for not getting killed.
I get it, but I sure hope Bo’s team has a more bloodthirsty attitude about all this “Nebraska’s going to get creamed” talk than us fans.
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Sep 30, 2011 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
No Doubt!
Im sick of hearing all over the BTN that we dont have a shot and that Martinez can’t throw the ball. Look back to OklaState from last year and we can make that same magic happen. Ameer definately has a shot to take one to the house on a return. Wisc will stack the box and maybe this is the first time this year TMagic actually hits someone wide open IN STRIDE! Im not driving 5 hours to madison only to turn around 3 hours later to see us NOT GET KILLED! GBR!
Bo's Zen-like attitude this season counters the "we're not champions yet" attitude of our fan base.
I mean, he hasn’t killed anyone. The worst I’ve seen is some very stern words with Ciante Evans.
He even said “alright, that’s fine” about Maher’s kick against Wyoming.
Maybe he reserving all the explosive energy for this cage match against Bielema?
"I did dumb things." - Tim Beck, Nebraska's new OC
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Sep 30, 2011 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I've really wondered about that
Bo is so much calmer so far this year than last year. Has he resolved to change his sideline demeanor because of the reprimand last year? Or is he just more pleased with how the team’s doing so far?
I’m guessing it’s more the former than the latter, but it sure is bizarre either way.
by Cheeseandcorn on Sep 30, 2011 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions
No more Big 12 refs jobbing him probably helped
So I tried the Barbasol and Rotel dip and I was very dissapointed!
by Amonra on Sep 30, 2011 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Turnovers
What’s the cost of a turnover?
We get into this so much this season with martinez, and the fumbles and such…. but really, the bottom line is that some turnovers are worth a lot more than others. If Taylor Martinez throws an interception on a deep ball at the end of the half, it ain’t worth near as much as a fumbled pitch in the red zone or deep in our own territory.
Thing is – Tim Beck ran this offense during the non-conference like a pre-season game. He ran different plays to see what would happen, how the guys blocked how they responded.
You can bet that in the early part of this game he’ll be much more exact in his playcalling. He’ll put Martinez in position to be successful early.
That’s all I got to say about that.
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Twitter!
cornnation@gmail.com
Good Luck
Hawk fan here. Good luck to any Huskers going to Madison this weekend — and be warned: Badger fans are world class a-holes (you need to have at least 1 DUI to qualify for season tickets). Watch your backs and never travel alone. Remember, badgers are members of the weasel family!
He died for our sins.
by Jesus-H-ARob on Sep 30, 2011 4:17 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Oh
and this:
http://www.gq.com/sports/lists/201104/worst-sports-fans-in-america?slide=14#slide=3
He died for our sins.
by Jesus-H-ARob on Sep 30, 2011 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions
So
I didn’t pay too much attention to the game last night, but I did hear them mention the Huskers’ game tomorrow night and the fact that there was talk that Crick might not play…any truth to this?
It's time for football. GO BIG RED!!
I was going to say the same thing.
There hasn’t been any mention of Crick being out, yet I’ve heard it in other spots. Man, I hope he’s there to play..
"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 30, 2011 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
HEYY!!
Where is special teams in all of this? Abdullah will burn Wisky’s KO and punt teams-which are the weakest aspects of their skill sets. Add to that the perfection of our field goal team to take sonme of the pressure off of the red zone attack for the O and you have us still in this game at half. Nebraska WILL adjust for the third quarter where we rule and I predict we will smack all of the naysayers and negative pundits right in the mouth. Quick slants to TE’s-an ascending Defense that will play with an attitude-and the fastest QB in the B1G will bring us the win. KEEP THE FAITH Husker Fan!!
I obviously want Wiscy to win
Because that makes it easier for Iowa to get into the B1GCG this year, but all that aside I think this game will come down to the wire. I’m curious to see how well Wiscy’s D plays Martinez against the run. I’m sorry, but the more I watch Martinez, the more i feel he simply cannot make the throws to prevent the defenses from getting sucked up. I think the Black Shirts are better than we’ve seen this year, but that’s got to be the scariest part going into the B1G. There are some solid offenses this year from some of the lesser-known teams and if Neb doesn’t start holding teams to under 25 pts, they will have a long season. Quick question for the Neb fans: Are any of you watching the first part of the Texas-ISU game and what do you think?(i should probably post this else, nm)
Skol!
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