The “Team Tanner Lee” membership renewals numbers have gone down. There might be two or three of us left. I’ll have to go back and check the books.

So is Tanner Lee just the Tanner Lee from Tulane? Where he threw for 23 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Or is he the quarterback from the Manning Passing Camp and the quarterback his coaches and teammates have seen in practice?

At this rate - Tanner Lee is going to finish the season with 15 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. I don’t think he will remain the starting quarterback if he continues turning the ball over at this rate.

The offensive line has been terrible. We all know that. Maybe Nebraska would get better quarterback play if he actually received some protection. I hope we can find out on Saturday so we can figure out if he is the Tanner Lee from Tulane or if he is the Tanner Lee from practice.

Come on Coach Cavanaugh.

On to the Five Reasons Nebraska is going to be the Rutgers Scarlet Nights.

THE ROBERT ALBERT DIACO DEFENSE (RADD)

The RADD gave up 213 total yards against Northern Illinois. Two. Hundred. And. Thirteen.

This isn’t being talked about enough this week. Everybody is looking at and talking about the dumpster fire that is the Nebraska offense. We forget about how far the defense and come since the first six quarters of the season.

As we found out, Northern Illinois is not a slouch. And to hold any team in college football to 213 total yards is just not heard of anymore.

At the beginning of the season I said that the offense would have to shoulder most of the load at the beginning of the season if we were to be successful. Looks like I was right, but not in the way I hoped. Nebraska has not been successful and the offense has been horrible.

Now the tables are turning and the RADD is starting to show they are willing to step up and take the reins from the offense.

Over the past six quarters the RADD has given up one touchdown. That is impressive and they might have to hold Rutgers scoreless this coming Saturday.

RUTGERS HAS LOST 14 STRAIGHT BIG TEN GAMES

Nebraska doesn’t want to be the team which breaks the 14 game losing streak.

This says more about the state of the Rutgers program over the past 14 non-conference games than it does about the current talent level of the Scarlet Knights. But that streak has to be difficult to get that streak out of the back of your mind.

NEBRASKA HAS OUTSCORED THE OPPONENT IN THE SECOND HALF OF GAMES THIS SEASON 54-17

That is called adjustments. You can say whatever you want but this coaching staff has made adjustments in every game.

If the game is close at the end of the first half, I expect this staff to make the necessary adjustments. There has to be some glimmer of hope radiating from the stat of outscoring the opponents 54-17 in the second half. If the stat were reversed, and Nebraska was being outscored 54-17 in the second half then there would be a lot more to worry about.

Now all Coach Riley has to do to get the first half of these games figured out.

NEBRASKA CAN’T KEEP TURNING THE BALL OVER AT THIS RATE RIGHT?

I hope not. Seven turnovers in the past two games is way too much. Especially when two of those turnovers were returned for a touchdown.

Pick-six’s are the ultimate leveling of the playing field. Nebraska will make an effort for simpler and safer throws against Rutgers.

No fumbles lost. (knock on wood)

HOMECOMING

This is the week of homecoming, and we all know how important homecoming is to the football players at Nebraska. Who will be crowned homecoming king? Who will be crowned homecoming queen?

These are very important questions which will be answered at halftime while Mike Riley and his coaches are making awesome adjustments.

Homecoming is just a little extra motivation if the Huskers are going to need any