Hitting the Wall
17 comments so far
October 31, 2006 by
It's close to midnight as I type and after a long day and evening of work, I am beat. All I can think of is when will I finally get a decent night's sleep (it won't be tonight). I suspect, I don't feel all to different mentally from how the Huskers felt travelling to Oklahoma State. After nine weeks without a bye, the Huskers were tired - and it showed. The Cowboys, on the other hand, had a bye a few weeks ago - and it showed too.
When the Huskers sprinted out to a 16-0 lead, they looked like the same team that nearly beat Texas, but before long...well, you know the rest. Some people will take this game as a measure of how good the team is or can be for this season. But there's more to how good a team is than simply its last game.
We know the Huskers don't yet have the kind of depth that they need to be a Top Ten team. OSU doesn't either, the difference is they got a breather midseason while the Huskers have had to keep grinding out games. But as we look ahead we should keep in mind a few things.
First, Missouri has also played nine games straight - and it showed Saturday versus an Oklahoma team without its best player. But the Sooners, like the Cowboys, also got a bye a few weeks back - and it showed Saturday as well. So even if we think the Huskers are too fatigued to play at the level we saw earlier this season, Missouri should be just as tired. Nebraska has the advantage of having a home crowd to pump them up, Missouri must find their own motivation. Seeing as how this game will decide the North, I expect both sides to play with much more energy than we saw last Saturday. Expect a war, even if the soldiers are all wounded.
There's more good news. Texas A&M has also not had a bye week so when the Huskers visit College Station, they'll be facing a team just as worn down as Nebraska. After that, the Huskers get an extra week off before facing Colorado at home. That should do wonders for the team, and it also comes just in time for a possible Big XII Championship game. Then of course, a few more weeks rest before a bowl game. So if fatigue truly was Nebraska's greatest opponent against Oklahoma State. They may find their stamina won't be tested in quite the same way in any of the remaining games. That gets me so excited, I think I'll turn in.
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darren Nov 01 06
Totally agree with this post, Steve. Fatige is and will be a major factor, not just for NU but for other teams, down the stretch. It just drives home the importance of team depth once again.
Further, the problem may be systemic with the NCAA "allowing" 12-game schedules now. Team like NU or A&M, whose only break comes at Thanksgiving, will suffer greatly until this gets amended somehow.
Teams acquire more bumps and bruises while the NCAA and schools print more money.
I'm SOOOO tired Nov 01 06
GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!
Let's go along with the "the Huskers were tired" excuse for the poor performance last week.
What then would you attribute their poor performance against Kansas to?? Yes a W is a W and that's all that really matters, I'm just wondering.
I'm also wondering why you wouldn't consider they weekend of 23 Sept a 'Bye'. Shoot, the USC game was the meat in a 'Bye' sandwich.
As to the need for amending of the twelve game schedule goes. As long as Nebraska keeps loading up with 1-AA teams for two games a year it shouldn't be a problem.
Now if they would do something REALLY CRAZY, like PLAY EVERY BIG TWELVE TEAM then maybe there might be a need to revisit the number of scheduled games.
Hack
PS Glad to see 800 wins. You should be proud.
Don't worry most folks don't know that,
10 were against Doane College,
2 were against Peru State
6 were against Lincoln High
3 were against Creighton University
1 was against the Omaha YMCA
1 was against the NU Alumni
1 was against the Lincoln Medics
Yeah your Media Guide lists the Lincoln High games as "Exhibition" but they are still needed to reach 800.
Steve Nov 01 06
I'm SOOOO tired,
Let me guess. K-State fan? Interesting that you choose to rip Nebraska but don't have the courage to disclose who your team is. Glass houses perhaps?
I'm not letting the Huskers off the hook here. If the team had quality depth, it wouldn't matter. But the fact is, the roster is still not where it needs to be in terms of depth. The point though is, OK-State could well be the toughest matchup the Huskers have before the Big XII championship game and a big reason is that OSU was much fresher than the worn down Huskers.
Katie Nov 02 06
I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooo tired,
Had to give my two cents worth here regarding your comment :"I'm also wondering why you wouldn't consider they weekend of 23 Sept a 'Bye'. Shoot, the USC game was the meat in a 'Bye' sandwich."
Do you even watch college football? Anytime you play a game, it counts, no matter the opponent. In this age of parity in college football any team can beat any other team on any given Saturday (or Thursday or Friday). The team still had to mentally get ready for a game, suit up, get hit, and make hits... (Heck even INJURIES happen) (GASP). Playing any type of opponent does not equal a bye week.
There are only 3 other teams that can stand on the 800 win stage, so unless you are from one of them. STEP ASIDE... even with your clever math, we are at 776 wins... Name your team.. I am sure Steve and Darren would love to do some research on how many wins you have!
GO BIG RED! Beat Missouri!
Scott Nov 02 06
Steve,
I'm sure I'm SOOOO tired isn't going to disclose who his college football team of choice is. But I would say that yes, he is a Jayhawk or Wildcat fan.
ryan Nov 02 06
I love how Mr. SOOO tired wishes to remain anonymous. Where are you from pal, which team are you a fan of? What is their record vs. Nebraska? Speak up so we can continue the conversation that you brough up.
Me again Nov 02 06
Steve,
It was not for a lack of courage that I failed to disclose the team I have followed since my childhood days in Southern Indiana. I didn't feel it needed to be shared because I was making points about your excuses while taking a few well deserved jabs at what is at best a decent program.
The team I support is Notre Dame. Now I fully expect you to start with the 'Turned Rockne's House Red' stuff and that's all well and good. I'm used to it by now.
You claim to not be "letting the Huskers off the hook here." but what is it then?
You say they were "worn down" and OSU was "much fresher". Well as I see the schedule I must disagree.
The first two weeks might as well have been the Red and White game for gosh sakes. LA Tech and Nicholls State were not enough competition for a good team to have to work at beating.
Now the USC loss would for sure take the wind out of the Nebraska players emotionally because they truly do want to believe that "We are back".
That would explain in part the thrashing that they gave Troy State. Which BTW would still not be much of a workout for a good team.
Kansas played well at times but their inconsistency was to be their undoing. Nebraska indeed worked for that win which made for the second real game they had to play thusfar.
Iowa State and K State were both games that showed only momentary glimpses of the opponents ability to make them real games. Another two weeks of what would have been coasters for a good team.
At this point the "We are back" mentality was likely coming back to the front of the players minds and based on what was being said in the media they were more than likely believing that indeed they had "Restored the order."
Then Texas comes to town and outplays Nebraska across the board. Claim whatever 'what if's' you want about any aspect of that game but the stats bear out that Texas outplayed Nebraska for the win.
So we are now at the OSU game and by the way the stats read there have been o a mere three games which one could say were 'real games' if you believe that Nebraska's team is a good one.
This makes my point of Nebraska's team is NOT a good one. You try to elude to this without coming out and saying it by using the lacking depth side step. The tired old excuse of tough schedule just doesn't cut it with me. Especialy when said 'tough schedule' contains 1AA schools.
We can debate this as long as you wish but when it's all said and done the numbers will still reflect that Nebraska has and will likely continue to be an inconsistent long haul performer.
Steve Nov 02 06
Wow Me Again!
A Notre Dame fan questionning strength of schedule? The same Notre Dame that's racked up probably 100+ of their wins against military academies over the last 50 years? The same Notre Dame team that for years was afraid to play bowl games?
If the Huskers are a soft scheduling kettle, then Notre Dame is the pot calling it black.
The schedule doesn't have to be tough for a team to wear down playing 11 weeks of football. Even the vaunted 1985 Chicago Bears lost a game - and it certainly wasn't because they faced a better team. Their legendary defense gave up 38 points to the Dolphins in week 13 in a road game. The fearsome pass rush just didn't show. Not because the Bears weren't great, but because week after week of football is a grind, no matter who you play.
These Huskers are a far cry from the 1985 Bears, but lest people think that things have become hopeless in Lincoln, I say take a look at what happens to teams that don't get a week off (vs. just a weak opponent). We Husker fans can take heart that none of the remaining games puts us at the same kind of disadvantage. Missouri and A&M are just as worn down at this point and then the Huskers finally get a weekend off before CU (and the Big XII title game).
Me again Nov 02 06
Katie,
I have already responded to Steve's comment so the team which I support will be known prior to this posting.
The "parity" claim, while being true in the sense that it does exist more so than years past holds no water in explaining Nebraska's losses.
My reference to 23 Sept being a 'Bye' was actually a jab at your beloved team. Meaning that if they were any count a game against an opponent like Troy State (I know it's not their name anymore but they still play like a 1AA team) would be as close to a 'Bye' as you can get while still suiting up. You seriuosly can't believe that game was anything but a pay day. If you do then you have less belief in your team than I do.
As to my "cleaver math" if you subtract the 1AA teams that Nebraska continues to play then you are much farther below 776.
BTW Why are there are so many 1AA teams on the schedule? Why not play more Big Twelve schools instead?
As to the "how many wins you have!" statement. Knowing now that I am a Notre Dame supporter should quiet that issue but will likely bring up other sorry comebacks. As you did with the "800 win stage" I will point to the numbers (not just number of wins either) and say until you reach such numbers STEP ASIDE.
Katie Nov 02 06
Being a Notre Dame fan makes most of your argument even more humorous to me. I honestly think you missed Steve’s point.. but oh well!
“would be as close to a 'Bye' as you can get while still suiting up”…
They still suited up and won. A bye week is sitting at home watching other college football games, getting a small work out in and maybe some game film. As a Notre Dame fan you should know this… A lot of emotion goes into playing in front of a big crowd at home… Come on!
Also, being a Notre Dame fan do you really want to get in the discussion of “PAY DAY” games??? Are you kidding me???
“BTW Why are there are so many 1AA teams on the schedule? Why not play more Big Twelve schools instead?”
Join a Conference then we can talk conference play. Until then, you DON’T GET IT! Join the BIG 10.. Play Ohio State once (lose) then play them again in the title game. Then you can talk conference play.
GO BIG RED!
darren Nov 02 06
Me Again,
You are a ND fan. I LOVE IT. Why?
Because eight of NU's 800 wins are against Notre Dame. So, you folks are blended right in there with the wins over Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan and Lincoln High. ;-)
The series record is 8-7-1 in NU's favor. The last three times we played - in '72, '00 and '01 - all NU wins. If you want something a little more historical, who was the only team to beat the *vaunted* Four Horsemen of Notre Dame in 1922 and 1923? Nebraska.
So, until you have a winning record against NU...STEP ASIDE.
Nick Nov 02 06
Well Good Morning Sooooo Tired ~
My goodness, what a tone of reverence you took upon disclosing your possession of such a guilded fanship as the great Notre Dame. Are we to believe then, as it seems your intonations reflect, that you are no longer speaking in smarmy hyperbole, but are indeed TEACHING US A LESSON oh wise one?
Well, since it is, like all "great" teachers, mysteriously hidden amidst endless pomp and circumstance, I'll do my best to discern it.
You state very clearly in your glowing rebuttle that your point is that "Nebraska is Not a good (team)." And yet earlier in that same rebuttle you say you are taking "a few well deserved jabs at what is at best a decent program," and close with the comment: "We can debate this as long as you wish but when it's all said and done the numbers will still reflect that Nebraska has and will likely continue to be an inconsistent long haul performer."
To me, this seems incongruous.
To me, this seems like a Notre Dame fan masking his disdain for Nebraska football (a disdain, I assure you, that is not reciprocated as strongly in the majority by the latter) under the guise of attacking a single season.
So let us all understand very clearly that your intentions are not to call Nebraska's 2006 squad "not a good team", but instead to to defame the Husker program to the best of your meager capabilities.
Let us first touch on your grander scheme, this said "decent program" that will only continue to be "an inconsistent long haul performer." Are we to assume then that not having won a championship since 1988 implies that your team is a "long haul performer"? Are we to assume that not having won a bowl game in over a decade implies that your program is "decent"? Maybe we should. Notre Dame has won THREE championships since 1970!!! You've won only FOUR championships since 1950!!! We've won FIVE, by the way... not to mention the 1995 Nebraska team STILL ranks (even after these great USC teams of the last few years came and went) as THE BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM OF ALL TIME. Check your sources, bucko.
And if you want to get all chipper about your total win column, look no further than longevity of the program and some real dominating performances in the 1920's as the cake batter.
Now, as to the 2006 season. What evidence do you have that Notre Dame is a good football team this year? You make numerous attacks on the strength of schedule and I-AA teams but what the hell is so intimidating about Stanford, Navy, Air Force and Army? And as for your big conference opponents, you've beaten Ga. Tech, Purdue, Mich. St., Penn. St. and UCLA! And you almost lost three of those games! One to UCLA after what is obviously to you an inconsequential bye week because you almost got beat at home (see Kansas comments); one to a terrible Michigan St. where you needed a monumental comeback; and one to a mediocre Ga. Tech team which, although it is the least noteworthy of the three, still didn't prove anything about the strength of your team. Oh, and I might as well mention that Rutgers beat Navy 34-0, and ND beat Navy the following week 38-14. If you want to make comparisons.
So here we are folks, a whopping North Carolina, Army, and Air Force away from the ballyhooed USC-ND one loss match-up which supposedly shows how strong a schedule ND has. Can't wait to see if its the same ND team that got killed at home by Michigan, or the one that got killed in the BCS by Ohio State last year.
And "well deserved jabs"? You must have been holding in this aggression for a long time...
Nick
Me again Nov 02 06
Steve,
There is no real response to offer to the Military Academy claim except to point at the collective records of those Academies as all being above .500 in Division 1A play.
I did not include all of the 1AA schools and their season finishes
As to the "strength of schedule" question you have responded as most Nebraska fans do with wild accusations based on OPINIONS and no calculated facts. If you would care to show me actual strength of schedule calculations which reflect the Notre Dame schedule being consistently as low as Nebraska's then I will gladly eat the 'crow' which you wish to serve me.
On second thought I dug up some.
I used the Massey Ratings just because I was at the site earlier this week.
If you care to use any of the other computer rating sites feel free. I'm sure there might be a SOS formula that might bring Nebraska up a bit.
I only went back to 1949 but will complete the investigation a bit later and post the results lest I be accused of trying to hide something.
Here are the NUMBERS that I found.
Average Strength Of Schedule 1949-2005
ND-19.34
NU-33.21
Number of times had the strongest schedule
ND-4
NU-2
Number of times in the Top 10
ND-26
NU-9
SOS when won National title
ND-1988 2, 1977 2, 1973 20, 1966 10, 1949 15, 1947 ?, 1946 ?, 1943 ?, 1930 ?, 1929 ?, 1924 ?, 1919 ?
NU-1997 27, 1995 7, 1994 5, 1971 30, 1970 7
Number of times at or below 30
ND-7
NU-27
Number of times at or below 40
ND-2
NU-17
Number of times at or below 50
ND-0
NU-9
I hope this post sheds some light on what I'm saying. I don't knock Nebraska because they are or aren't something on a personal level.
I do it because of their historicaly inconsistent sucky numbers. Yeah I know about all of the responses that I'll get to that statement but you might consider looking at the FACTS rather than opinion to base the responses on.
Steve Nov 02 06
Me Again,
Are you actually trying to defend the military academies? That's about as intellectually dishonest as you can get. You know and I know that no recruit worth a darn has chosen those schools in decades. The fact that they won a lot in the early part of LAST century, doesn't change the fact.
As for all of your "strength of schedule" talk, "Kudos Notre Dame". Now see if you can beat the Huskers more often than you lose to them. I could have saved you the time and told you that Iowa State, Kansas, and K-State have sucked for most of the last 30-40 years. I've never claimed that it's the Huskers "tough schedule" that wore them out after nine straight weeks. Instead it's nine straight weeks of FOOTBALL and a lack of sufficient depth to keep the starters fresh.
Staci Nov 03 06
I know I might be a day late, but I have to put my two cents in. I know when it comes to college football and tradition, it's hard not to talk about the past. But, it's in the past for a reason. Don't get me wrong, I love everything about the tradition of Husker football - consecutive sellouts, 800 wins and five national championships. That being said, let's take a look at this year and compare...
Brady Quinn...Heisman hopeful? Good luck with that one. Sure, he'll get invited to New York (just to fill a seat), this could be the most lopsided win for Troy Smith.
As far as our opponents go, we might put our fluff at the beginning of the year but you put yours at the end...North Carolina, Air Force, and Army.
At the beginning of the year Nebraska was projected to end the season at 10-4. We currently have three regular season games remaing, the Big 12 title game and a bowl. We currently sit at 6-3 and our projected season is well within reach.
On the other hand, Notre Dame isn't fairing too well. I seem to remember a certain Sports Illustrated cover with the statment "The Battle for No. 1" Notre Dame was one of the six teams projected to be in that battle. I'm sorry to say you shot that in the foot on Sept. 16th, when Michigan came to town. So, you were projected to go 12-0. I forsee a loss on Nov. 25 at USC. That puts you at 10-2 without a Heisman Trophy and without a National Championship. Was the pressure just too much for Notre Dame and the great Brady Quinn. Well, great teams don't buckle under pressure. Sorry to say, you are not one of them. Nebraska isn't either this year, but we weren't expected to be.
GO BIG RED!!! We'll see you Dec. 2nd in Kansas City. I'm sooooo tired, what are you doing that weekend? Oh that's right, you care more about your big fat contract with NBC than actually growing the balls to join a conference!
Scott Nov 03 06
And we played weak teams to get to 800 wins??? Look at these old schedules for old Notre Dame.
http://www.jhowell.net/cf/Scores/NotreDame.htm
Grant Nov 06 06
Me again,
Get a job. I don't know who's worse...K-State fans or Notre Dame fans.