Ones Again
Quick question. Which game are you more excited to see next year USC or Nicholls State? Don't answer, I think I can guess. I really don't know what Callahan and company have in mind for the Spring game but to me if the #1 offense won't face the blackshirts then this game will be like Western Illinois in 2004. No contest. The lower units will get clubbed like baby seals. Who wants to see that?
On the other hand, wouldn't it be nice to see how well the offensive line does against what is sure to be a stout front seven of the blackshirts. A true preview of how good the offense can perform against a good defense? Also, don't we want to see those safeties tested by a quarterback and wide receivers who have played together more than just during practice?
Spring has become a big recruiting season for Nebraska. I get that. But do recruits really gain respect for Nebraska football by watching the first team pound on the second team? Is there any reason to cheer that the 1's are better than the 2's. Shouldn't it be pretty clear that they are?
Coach Callahan said they practiced the 1's against 1's leading up to the Iowa State game. ISU was ranked at the time and it was the first ranked team that Nebraska beat under Callahan. Undoubtedly there was top unit scrimmaging leading up to the Alamo Bowl as well. That was a pretty good win too. Tom Osborne credited the move to limited scrimmaging of 1's versus 1's in the 1990's as really making the team better. I'm just going on memory here, but I think he had some pretty good teams back then. The spring game in the Osborne era was always the 1's vs. 1's and 2's vs. 2's as well.
In the end, it may not matter too much whether it's 1's vs. 1's in the Spring game or not in terms of what it means for next year. Some have argued it builds depth by giving the #2's reps against the top units. But if it's all the same, I'd willingly give up seeing Zac Taylor throw an extra TD or Marlon Lucky break another big run. It's hard enough as fan to care too much about who wins the Spring game, but at least with the top units facing off you see some real competition. But if that's not your bag and the team decides to go top unit vs. top unit, you're in luck. I hear some Nicholls State tickets are still available.
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