omarhuskerfan Sep 23 07

Thank you for putting my feelings in print. This blog has always been really even headed and seeing that i'm not the only one who thinks that defensive coaching staff changes need to be made make me feel sane. I don't know what to say, our LB's who were supposed to be our strengh this year blow, everyone wanted Bo Pelini to be our new coach and he did do wonders with the Defense, while i don't think that he had the emotional maturity to be a nebraska head coach he showed and still shows now at LSU what a firery D looks like. That is what the Blackshirts need to be like.

Travis Sep 23 07

McKeon needs to sit on the bench next to Herbie. Dilliard came in for a few series and made some nice plays. Why was he not in there more? I don't care if McKeon is a senior. Start the players who want to make plays not flail around on the field trying to make arm tackles.
You're right, Darren, Keller is playing like a stud. I wish he had a better team around him so we could see his full potential. He was getting drilled on every pass he made and still had over 400 yds.
Now I'm off to get my blood pressure meds refilled.

john s ash Sep 23 07

agree 100%, need to get something done now.

jerrys Sep 23 07

It's a sad day for Husker Football when the only one in red on the sidelines that will ever be in the "Hall of Fame" is Lil Red!

J Mo Sep 23 07

I'm just wondering if anybody knows what side of the ball Major Culbert has been practicing on, because if we're not going to play him at running back then lets move him back over to defense. I know one guy won't solve all of our problems but at a time when our defense is lacking playmakers it seems like a waste to have a talented kid like Culbert rotting away on the bench as a running back. I know that was an area of concern early on but if Helu is better than Culbert at RB than that leaves Culbert 4th or even 5th on the depth chart (depending on if Glenn is healthy), so I for one would like to see him moved back over to defense. At this point we should be looking at any and all solutions to solve our problems on defense.

Big C Sep 23 07

I commented last week on one of the threads here that while I was very disappointed to stand in the north end zone and watch USC embarass us on our own field I was not ready to throw the D under the bus but instead wanted to see improvement in two areas I think are key to playing winning football. Execution and intensity. I'll give the offense as a whole a passing grade in both of these areas as they did bring the ball down the field every time they needed to and really did more to stop themselves with turnovers than Ball State did in the way of scheme. Our pass blocking was pretty effective all day. For some reason though that success didn't translate into running success. Watching our guards try to pull and block is almost comical at times. They're generally doing good to get out of their own way much less block for someone. No one is expecting to see Brendan Stai come rolling around the corner but for heavens sake at least hit someone at the point of attack.

Now let's talk D....what a day for Jason Peter and Raemakers as former Blackshirts (Peter possibly one of the best Blackshirts ever) to be introduced as new inductees into the Hall of Fame. I can't wait to listen to the spread tomorrow on the internet to hear what the former Husker great thinks about this pathetic excuse of a performance. Zach Potter, Phillip Dillard and Suh all deserve some props for coming to play. I swear if I bring up the radio broadcast on the internet next weekend and hear that McKeown is starting in front of Dillard I'm turning it off. Corey you're a heckuva character but being a character and having some character are two different things my friend. I watched intently all afternoon long to see any semblance of either of the two elements I wanted to see and saw neither on a consistent basis. Individual guys showed a little on occassion at some opportune times but as a whole this group is badly lacking. The Blackshirts used to be known for 4-5 hats on the ball every play, now were doing good if one guy is there to make the play. Ball State probably played a litte above themselves yesterday but not that much!!!

I've never been one of the BC haters and still am not at this point but BC needs to realize that everyone is growing tired of his acronymns and catch phrases that never seem to change. Knock off the TFL, PTI, ACL, MIP, stuff....to everyone that has grown up with this program it's all BS right now. The more he does this the more disingenuine he seems every week.

I like some good exciting football and the way this season is shaping up we'll be in for some every week....God help us!!!

Steve Sep 23 07

You should hold off on your comments about Keller. Stats are just numbers. What they don't show is how many wide open receivers he didn't pick up, how many passes were off the mark and forced the receivers to break stride and miss gaining extra yards, how many sacks were avoidable if he had seen the open receiver. There were three drives where he missed the open receiver who had clear field in front of him all the way to the endzone. Those three drives resulted in no points.

Purify and Swift were open time and time again, and on many replays it was obvious Keller never even looked in their direction.

Unless Keller makes substantial improvements in his ability to scan the field and pick up receivers that are coming into open field, it's going to be a long, long season.

OU7times Sep 23 07

Look at the bright side. Nebraska finally beat Texas. Well, at least on an episode of "King of the Hill", tonight. Maybe "Hank Hill" can help you guys out with advice on defensive play calling. Heh, heh.

Dwayne Sep 23 07

Steve, You fail to realize and understand the problems do not lie within the offense, so get off their backs. I'm so sick and tired of people being down on Keller and down on Lucky. The problem in my mind is pure and simple. Defense. For whatever reason. I'm so tired of hearing about our problem with lack of rushing yards as well. This team can win without large rushing yards and they can control the clock with the short passes. Keller has been one of a few that has shown intensity and guts and Lucky remains to gain yards on the ground and through receptions. I have yet to understand why Keller is not a captain. I don't know how many times Keller checked off on his recievers and stood there in the pocket. If I had to choose my poison I would rather stop the run than worry about gaining yards on the ground like the option offense lived and died by. And there-in lies one of the problems, the inability of our defense to shut down a ground game. Ball State's back on one play ran for 40 yards untouched. I'm sorry, but 40 points should be sufficient to get you a W almost every week.

Josh Sep 23 07

Okay folks, I just finished watching a replay of the FIRST half. I used the rewind and pause buttons quite often.

Truth be told, with the exception of about 3-4 plays, the FIRST half wasn't all that bad of a performance. Here were the play's I noticed that we could have done without: 1) Lawson running into Keller (or vice versa) on a stretch play and the ball popped loose - Keller did recover; 2) Slauson missed picking up a linebacker (#44) on a blitz (kind of a "twisting" blitz) which led to Keller being sacked - that one is very correctable; 3) Andre Jones getting burnt by #86 along the NU sideline - lucky #86 couldn't quite pull in the grab; 4) Andre Jones getting burnt again deep - he was getting out ran for Pete's sake (vision's of Limas Sweed dancing in my head).

The run game the FIRST half looked pretty good. I think sometimes our O-lineman don't hold their blocks long enough. Our passing game looked really good. Keller checked down often. Marlon had a solid first half, as did Castille. I did notice that many times Ball State had 8 guys within 3-4 yards of the line of scrimmage. It makes me think that our run formations are extremely predicatble.

Defensively, Turner had a great FIRST half. So did Grixby, Dillard, and Octavien. I tried to see if we were getting blown off the ball, and with the exception of maybe 1-2 plays that wasn't the case at all. Bradenburg was having a really solid game until the injury. Some of the issues were caused by remaining in a Cover 3 way to long. That's on Coz.

Folks, we've got to give Ball State credit. The FIRST half they played about as perfectly as they could have. I don't think they were flagged for one penalty. They have a hell of a QB, a shifty little RB, a really good receiver (#86), and a rangy tight end. Their receiver's and tight end made some unbelievable catches. And, their QB could thread a needle. Plus, they moved him out of the pocket quite a bit. On our blitzes our guys just over ran him. He just stepped up in the pocket. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Davis is the best QB we'll face all season. He's mobile, has an bullet for an arm (not to mention, accurate as hell). He's far better than McCoy, Bret Meyer, Hawkins, McGee. Really, I'm confident saying so. The kid had icewater in his veins. Chase Daniel might have a comparable arm, but he's not near the running threat Davis was/is.

I'm not saying our Defense doesn't need work. But, after watching the FIRST half I really don't think it we played all that poorly.

Now, I'm off to watch a replay of the SECOND half.

Josh Sep 23 07

I almost forgot.......and, yes I think Davis is better than the 2007-08 College FB poster boy QB, John David Booty. His arm is every bit as strong and he's just as, if not more, accurate. Plus, he doesn't have near the supporting cast that Booty has.

Josh Sep 23 07

Steve,

Were you watching the same game as I? Why are you knocking on Keller for the game he played? I counted at least 3 times in the FIRST half alone where he checked down to his last option, the RB. Keller's doing fine. And, if I had a better camera angle, I'd bet he's going through his progressions pretty darn regularly. He's looking more comfortable each week. And, who gives a damn if his receivers are wide open. This is college, not the NFL.

dg Sep 23 07

I never encourage someone to lose their job, but if serious, and I mean serious changes are not made to rectify the defense, we will never challenge for titles of any kind. Our DB's are small, we are trying to strip the ball instead of tackling and we seem to be out of position on too many plays. One suggestion for the DB problem would be to recruit tall WR's and convert them into DB's. The best teams in the country are all going to 6'3" - 6'5" WR's and we have maybe 1-2 DB's at 6'0" or taller. You can sell them on the fact that in the NFL, DB's and Safeties are the future and they are making tons more of the Benjamins than WR's. We don't blitz like we are used to and when was the last time we had multiple sacks in a game against good teams? Turn these guys loose and start making them have to adjust. Just thoughts.......

OU7times Sep 23 07

Iowa St. would love to be 3-1 instead of 1-3. Fact is that NU fans are not winning by the margins that they used to winning by. It's just not enough to just win and if you don't just crush your opponent then you want justice. Time for a reality check. I think this is what the BRN writers are saying to NU fans. "Don't give up on the team just because they are not winning big. Sure, the defense needs a ton of work but without Keller and Co, you would really be in a world of hurt. Look, just because your team wears "black shirts" doesn't mean your are badass. It just happens that you wear a black shirt, that's all. You also have skulls with crossed bones on your defense's black shirts. That could be more symbolic of a dying defense. It's time to grow up and be happy you are 3-1.

ze Sep 24 07

Things are never as bad or as good as they seem.

But in this case I'll make an exception.

O.k., I have to wait until TU to DVR the Calli Show, but I listened to it on Sirius and though Josh said it didn't look soOOO bad(and I believe him), there were just too many easy, long drives, big plays, 3rd down conversions, etc., etc. for my 'listening enjoyment'! Ball St. had their way with NE!
I'm sure Davis is an excellent QB, and they have some very good skill guys--I saw that coming--but NE has, since '01 in particular, had a way of making these spread type, mobile QBs ALL look like they're Heisman frontrunners--Brad Smith ring a bell? We sacked the guy ONCE! And if our blitzers can't go to the right spot or chase a guy down it just means they aren't performing athletically very well. And what's the point of having a size advantage on the line if the opposition(middle of the road MAC team, hint, hint, who rarely has a winning record) is able to keep burning you and moves with ease up and down the field: 616 ttl yds offense, 40 pts.!!! No, I'm sorry, that just doens't cut it.

What ever happened to the word SHUTOUT at NE?!

I don't care how the coaches or anyone spin it, this type of poor showing of both athleticism and D strategy just will not cut it for Big Red. They were THIS FAR(index finger and thumb close together) from the GOV of NE calling in a state emergency to the feds because of the SKY FALLING in NE.
I have nothing against COZ at all, have been a supporter as much as possible, but it just appears over his 4 year tenure at NE that he's just a middle of the road DC: a mediocre D showing is more the rule than the exception, and the occasional meltdowns--even if it didn't LOOK like a meltdown, as Josh suggests, is COZ's M.O.

His resume coming in didn't give anyone that 'WOW' feeling and his 'middle-of-the-road-ness' just will NOT cut it at NE. Thank god Americans are not as passive about FB as they are about, say, politics, because repeat performances of this nature by COZ will not be tolerated anymore this year and beyond.
Coz's leash is so short and tight now that he starting to choke. YOU JUST DON'T GIVE UP 616 yds TO BALL ST., in the Sea of Red, and hang around long enough to tell the story.

The Writng's on the Wall, o ye Husker faithful!

Husker FB is more than just a game for Nebraskans: it has historically been a--THE?-- source of great pride and recognition for the state in a country that basically views it with at least mild igdignition at being backward and hickish since agriculture is the main industry. Nebraskans will not tolerate this source of state pride being tarnished for very long at all, especially when options readily exist.

So, I'm actually still pulling for Coz(and Calli) to save himself--his job--but unfortunately the back to back poor D showings have pretty much seeled his fate: he won't be back next year. I'll also say that if NE has a losing record, the whole coaching staff won't be back next year, contract or no contract.

As for now, if I'm the A.D. at NE, I've got a backup plan should the 'sky fall': Brian Kelly!

p.s., great job Keller!!!

Katie Sep 24 07

OU7Times -- I TOTALLY 100% agree with what you are saying. I am actually going to send your post to about 10 of my co-workers at that met me at the door about ready to throw themselves off the building over a WIN!!

It's easy to cheer for a winner, I am EMBARASSED that the fans were booing at the stadium on Saturday -- don't go to the games if you boo, we don't need you there. We were in the game until the last second and the fact that there were times that we booed, pretty much tells me we don't have the best fans in the country.

GROW UP fans and realize this is a new era of college football. Those 18-22 boys/men you were booing needed your support.

We have a conference title to go and win!

PS if you plan on booing the rest of the season, please just give your tickets to someone who will cheer. There are lots of people that will go in your place.

ze Sep 24 07

OU7,

".....It's time to grow up and be happy you are 3-1...."

Once again, we appreciate the moral support. Your advice can be likened to a king sitting on his piles of gold telling the peasants to enjoy their 'boar meat and gruel'! :), :)

Fact is, NE is 2 key pass plays away from being 1-3. I think this week vs Psych-clones we should spot them the 40 points at the start of the game and let JUST our O play their D for 4 qtrs. That would give us a fightin' chance!

Anyway, I'll rewrite my post game poem here since nobody probably read it from the Sat. thread:

I had a dream
That I was Martin Luther King
And all was good
With social relations.

Bob Stoops, Bo P, and Norm Chow
Had taken over Big Red somehow
And order was restored
To Husker Nation!

--Go Brian Kelly!, uh, I mean...Big Red!--

ze Sep 24 07

Katie,

I normally am not the harbinger fo pessimism, I LIKE Callahan(COZ,well...he's a nice man?), but Big Red's D is on life support right now and Husker Nation should look that squarely in the face. I will cheer this TEAM each and every time they step on the field while I'm 'six feet above ground', but the coaching rhetoric is growing a bit thin.
To me, MO/KSU are the frontrunners for the North 'title' as of 2 days ago. NE has a good chance now of going 2-3 in the North & will be in a dog fight, for sure, vs South foes.
Sure, support the team, but if that happens(we do not win the North) many/all(?) of these coaches will be sent packin' at year's end, as well they should, IMO.
So far this season does not look as good as '06, since at least we blew out all the 'cupcakes' last year.
One can only hope the last three games are only aberrations and that NE is a good team. But I don't think so. We have good D players, but the jury's out: Coz is not a great coach.
Keller will have some bad games along the way and won't be able to put the team on his shoulders every game.
We can only hope the D starts coming to play from here on out.

D WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Katie Sep 24 07

ze:

I agree with everything you said, it still does not excuse all the BOO BIRDS in the stadium.
Between people leaving in the 3rd quarter when we are playing USC and people booing when we are WINNING against Ball State, I am just questioning the "greatest college football fans in the nation".

I am NOT saying we don't have problems - I am saying you either ARE a husker fan or your AREN'T a husker fan. I think we have A LOT of people still in costume from the 90's - Support your team, you can be critical and have opinions (HELLO BLOG SITE), but a stadium of fans BOOING is not ok. EVER!

Steve Sep 24 07

Josh,

I was at the game, not watching it on TV (where you can't see the receivers running their routes or see where the D-back and safety are at). Keller may very well be going through his options, but he is missing obvious open targets. Purify lining up with no one within 8 yards of him, then the only defender on him blitzing rather than covering him, and Keller throwing an incompletion into double coverage. I'm sorry, but time and time again Keller missed the two best targets. This is the same problem Taylor had two years ago. Last year he was greatly improved and was impressive.

How about Keller throwing passes into the turf when he does find the wide open receiver? Or passes thrown behind receivers? Keller is supposed to be a NFL-caliber quarterback. So far he hasn't shown it. He just doesn't look smooth, poised, and calm. I hope he does find his groove, but myself and the folks who were sitting around me at the game who had a good view of the entire playing field don't think he has found it yet.

Watch the game film for the second half and see if you catch Purify wide open several times with no ball thrown to him, and then his reaction as he comes off the field. His body language shows he is clearly upset.

Keller's arm is notoriously inaccurate. He's 1-for-5 on lob passes into the corner of the endzone. Time and time again de overthrowns receivers streaking downfield.

The kid obviously has talent. He just needs to get his mind settled down and find a good groove. Maybe he's gun shy, afraid to make a mistake. Maybe he hasn't learned how to thrive under pressure. Whatever it is, I'll keep cheering when he does well, and when he makes a mistake I'll remain hopeful he'll improve. No matter what happens, I certainly won't BOO him or the defense. In the end it's just a game and they're just kid trying to do their best and have fun.

ze Sep 24 07

Katie,

If I am ever able to afford to make the trip to a Big Red game in this lifetime(went to many games growing up), which could happen should ticket prices drop from continued poor performances by Big Red, I am not the type of fan that easily jumps on the boo bandwagon.
However, I am not opposed to booing when circumstances apparantly warrant it(you should hear fans out here at NY Giants' games for e.g., but that's another story).
NE fans have rarely booed in the history of the program. They cheer, cheer, cheer, and support the program in hundreds of positive ways. But if that doesn't light a fire under the team or get the coaches to do what is expected of them according to the high standards at NE, then, as a last resort, fans have to boo. This also sends a powerful message to the powers-that-be.

--If the government won't take care of the people, then 'vigilanty' action becomes necessary.--

In general, fans have been patient with Coz, '06's D was pretty darn good in many games, but there's a growing pattern of D meltdowns that is just unacceptable to Husker Nation.

Like I said above, "Whatever happened to the word 'SHUTOUT' at NE. Seems to not be in their vocabulary anymore.

Katie Sep 24 07

ze:
"you should hear fans out here at NY Giants' games for e.g., but that's another story"

I guess that is my point, I guess I was under the impression that as Nebraska fans we were the best in the nation. My point is that we aren't. I am learning that MANY husker fans are the definition of fare weather.

If you think the fans booing the stadium will somehow make the coaches see things a little more clear, you are crazy! I am pretty sure that breaking down the film on Saturday night opened their eyes enough. Seriously, do fans really think that somehow we see MORE then the coaches see? It is their job -- We can be critical, but I am sure they don't need our help.

The players deserve better from the fans. Period!

I am not saying that there are not problems, I am saying that I was under the assumption we were better then this, I guess I was wrong.

I think there is a correlation between high ticket prices and the booing - only people with a certain amount of income can come to the games anymore. Those people seem to be the worst ones! Students are Students...

At any rate, I think we agree their are issues... I just am a bit shocked at the Husker fan base.

Go big red BEAT IOWA STATE!

ze Sep 24 07

Katie,

--"you should hear fans out here at NY Giants' games for e.g., but that's another story"--

2 points here: 1)NE fans still, relatively speaking, are among the best and most cordial fans in the country, and; 2)given that many of the players have NFL aspirations, they better start getting used to fans booing.

--"If you think the fans booing the stadium will somehow make the coaches see things a little more clear, you are crazy"--

I think I emphasized that the booing mainly gets the attention of the A.D., the Chancellor, and the big $$ boosters, and by trickle down effect, therefore, gets the attention of the coaches. If you include what is currently being circulated in the media and blog world, believe me, the message is ringing loud and clear via the admin. to the offices of the coaching staff.

When fans see two of the worst D showings in school history in consecutive weeks and Callahan gingerly keeps saying from week to week that, 'I love this team, we'll look at the film and fix it', yet it remains broken, fans have a right to boo.

But if you think this is bad, please DON'T look on the LJS board--it's just brutal over there. Some fans are suggesting standing & turning their backs when the D takes the field, since Coz apparantly said that fans shouldn't watch or come to the game if they don't like the 'product' on the field.

"Picket lines and boycotts" are also being suggested--and this is mild! Anyway, I'm not going there.

Have a good one!

OU7times Sep 24 07

Look, if you are "booing" at the Nebraska games and you ARE a Nebraska fan, then you should take a look in the mirror and figure out why you call yourself an NU fan. Why would you possibly do that? These kids are still playing their hearts out for the university and their fans. This is how you show your gratitude? If you think you have it bad try having Gary Gibbs, John Blake or Howard Schnelinberger be your coach and try to run your university's heritage into the ground. YOU ARE WINNING!! Winning ugly is still better than losing. There are better ways of letting the coaching staff know of your disapproval than booing during the game. You boo and you expect the players to perform better? It's like all common sense is out the door right now. Relax and take a deep breath and realize that you were not likely to go undefeated in the non-conference portion of the schedule, anyway. You start the Big 12 race this Saturday. Now,regroup and "HUSKER UP".

ze Sep 24 07

O.k., this is getting a little weird: a Sooner fan playing the 'True Husker Fan' card on a Big Red site.

It has not been disproven that Calli is NE's Schnelinberger and Coz is NE's Blake.

So, suppose--just suppose--K. State rolls outta Lincoln leaving Big Red at 4-7(bad case scenario, but looks possible): can the 'True Fan' boo then, even if he/she specifically limits the booing to the 6-7 figure coaching staff?

Or should the 'True Fan' just send Calli and staff a "Get Better" card midweek? How about, "Please Sir, Are Things Fixed Yet?", does Halmark make a card like that?

Guess some fans just see the world in 'primary colors'.....namely, black and white: "true husker fan does not boo, ever". Yeah, right.

OU7times Sep 25 07

Ze,Can you name a time before Callahan, that Big Red fans had booed the team? I'm saying that it's out of character for NU fans to start. OU fan or not, I see a very different behavior in the stands at Lincoln. You have self proclaimed to be the "classiest" fans in college football, so,either it's time to act it or not. We are not just talking about a few drunk kids in a certain section of the stadium getting rowdy, we are talking about grown people acting out of character. I've always appreciated how respectful NU fans have been and it's sad to see it come down to this. Ze, I admit it sounds weird for an OU fan to be behind NU but it's the beginning of the end when NU fans stop being classy. I say this after witnessing some horrendous behavior by OU fas at the Tulsa game last Saturday. Absolutely embarrasing. Like mentiond before your booing but winning at the same time.

ze Sep 25 07

Good morning OU7,

First of all, let me be clear, I personally am not the type of fan that ever boos. It's true, at NE there has almost never been occassion for booing. However, since you asked, it's currently being documented on some NE blogsites that fans booed at an '81 AU game, NE being 1-2 at the time. There may have been a few times--CO, '91 for e.g.--in the 20 years leading up to the late '90s--post TO--during the Solich/Bohl regime.
Under Bohl, NE started showing the occassional D meltdowns the likes of which had pretty much never been witnessed before. CO '03 was the start followed by the MIA NC game. MO/KSU also ran it up a few times.
Now under COZ the same trend has continued for the blackshirts. TTech, MO, KU, OSU, USC, Ball ST. have each made the D look silly at times.
So, the deal is, the state fan base has been factionalized since Calli and Coz came on the seen, with perhaps a 60/40(maybe more) split, the majority in disfavor of these coaches; just haven't liked 'em from the start, especially Coz who is viewed as a 'carpetbagger', 2nd rate DC, who coached mainly at WI, a team that has mostly been 2nd tier in the Big X. NE fans know good D play and Coz's Ds just don't seem to be living up to Blackshirt standards. I don't think there's been 1 shutout under Coz and you can almost expect a meltdown about every 3-4 games, followed by the 'the players were outta position/aren't tackling well/we;ll fix it' rationalizations.
So, I view Sat.s episode as a direct 'comunication' by some disgruntled fans to COZ himself, not so much the players. The run D was completely porous vs SC and then the passing D was just ridiculously bad vs Ball. And, Wake burned them over and over with the same perimeter running play. Last year OU exploited the corners over and over with simple passes to Malcolm Kelly. Fans question Coz's ability to adjust, they questions the 'softness' and over complication of his schemes.

We know we have good players, though the D line is weak.

So, this episode is definitely an extreme case; the fans ARE very patient at NE, but it was sort of like enough's enough during the Ball game.

I really hope Coz can get it turned around, but into his 4th season he hasn't shown that he can.

P.S., that blows me away that OU fans would boo at the Tulsa gam--in a blowout. And Tulsa had a pretty good team. OU Nation has nothing to boo about right now.

P.s.s, I wonder what Boone Pickens is paying Roger Staubach to wear Cowboy Orange; did you see that?!

OU7times Sep 25 07

Ze, I was referring to OU fans behavior at the Tulsa game as being flat ass rude. No one was booing (including Tulsa fans). Ahead by 40 points and some idiot kids behind be were wanting Tulsa players to get "killed". You know, like 40 pts isn't enough? Anyway, no I didn't see R. Staubach in orange. That's wierd.

ze Sep 25 07

OU7, Check!

Well, I think there won't be any booing this week unless NE happens to lose to the Clones and it's perceived to be the D's fault.

I'm confident they'll win by a least a couple of TDs though.

Coming into the season, the fans had higher hopes though--more blowouts. We're just used to that, like at OU.

OU7times Sep 26 07

I hope you are right about winning by 2 touches,Ze. I have OU minus 15 and NU minus 14 in a 2 team teaser. I think NU will get it into gear this weekend. NU is running short of home games and they will need this victory to go and get out to the road games and be succesful. I've got a lot of money riding on NU to win the North and they'll do it.

ze Sep 27 07

I seriously doubt we'll win the north at this point. The D is too inexperienced as a unit and I wouldn't say they are athletically any better than MO, KSU, and KU.

NE is the BYU of the north right now, WCO and no D. We'll have to outscore everybody.

This week's game will tell alot about the D.

doombob Sep 27 07

I still think we'll win the North because Mizzou will have a second half meltdown just like last year. I disagree about the athletes. We have better athletes, they just aren't playing with heart. On paper, we have the D to win games, but just can't seem to make plays and pressure the QB.

ze Sep 27 07

db,

Even if I thought NE's D was athletically equal to MO's O, which I don't think is the case, the D line has done nothing the last 3 weeks, and in general they don't have much chemistry yet since there're so many new faces on the field. Some of the juco guys are essentially in their first year of the system.
I suppose anything's possible, but I usually don't count on long shots.

The O could score enough to get the win since MO's D isn't that good either. Another track meet.