Greg Morrow Sep 06 08

"The NU offense has got plenty to work on. Avoiding false start and holding penalties, better run blocking, and assignment sound pass protection all come to mind."
I mean, other than that...

In year five of this offense, as much as ever, it occurs to me that this is a "fragile" offense, at this level. Watson has to out coach his opposing side, every time. Ganz has to out execute and be practically error proof against any defense. At the college level, I think that asks too much. Not only do you have to out skill teams, you still have to match the intensity of your most bitter rivals. I mean, if you aspire to win every game.
The design doesn't lend itself to ruthless consistency, imo. Fun to watch though, I guess. I won't know until the Hokies visit.

The defense is vastly improved, this year. Even if national statistics still put it in the average category. Last season, once an opponent got a sniff the the 20 yard line, Nebraska was as much the "Matador" there as the previous 80. Not now, at least with these lower tier teams. I surmise that the staff is still installing the complete defense. I got a hint of that when Pelini mention more communication problems, during practice this week. Communication means interpreting what you see, as much as making the right call adjustments in response to it. I'm guessing that has to do with Asante, O'Hanlon and Dillard. I hate to mention them, though. They have a complex defense to learn and their efforts will pay off, in conference play.
After game two, a lotta "it is what it is".

Also, looks like the defense has "dibs" on timeouts. Usually you like to save those as much as possible, for your offense. Still early. That will probably change, once the "D" has it's Blackshirts.

J Sep 06 08

it was a real surprise to see so many mental mistakes from a bo pelini team.
whatever happened to allowing running backs to get a rhythm within the game? switching rb's every darn series will not get the job done. nevermind running back egos...this offensive strategy will only breed disatisfaction and instability among the group and between the offensive line.
let's not "take what the defense gives us"; instead, let's take what we want from their defense. this is the Osborne attitude.

Dywane Sep 06 08

I recall the collective sigh from Husker Nation when Bo annouced Cotton as the Offensive Line coach. The collective sigh is becoming collective husker angst. Maybe I reading into something not here but it seems the performance of the O line in the first two games fairly mirrors the historical performace of Cotton's O line teams.

I say if the Huskers do not rush for over 100yds against NMSU, the O line has to run 20 minutes of gassers, Cotton included.

Greg Morrow Sep 06 08

Brandon, thanks!

A guy on the gameday blog said the offense was soft. I told him I didn't have an answer for him. Though, I like "finesse" better. An offense that's the "Reggie Miller" of college football.
Watson's a pro, I don't think anyone can logically doubt that. But, when he want's to go "hammer time" and grind out a drive...there's no hammer. Just Reggie Miller.

I still don't want the offense to change into what's in vogue, at the moment. I'd like to see it morph into a vicious mutation of something like a Tom Osborne and the great Bill Walsh collaboration, if they got together.
Anyway, so far, it looks like teams want Joey to beat them. I'm still on board for 8 regular season wins.

Mase Sep 06 08

Yeah, can't say I really know what to make of things so far...it felt too much like last year for awhile there. I guess we'll just have to wait to see how they respond and progress. One week at a time...

Bill in Iowa Sep 07 08

Besides the obvious mental mistakes, I thought Ganz looked a little flustered...not himself. I also wonder why we were trying to run up the middle where there defensive ends were slanting into the play on a regular basis??? If Ganz keeps the ball on the zone read, that play is going all day long...along with the option, swing pass, and toss sweep.

Helu looked great and I agree they need to get those backs in the rythem of the game. Choose a starter and let him get most of the reps.

The line is an enigma. I gave them a pass last week, but now I am starting to wonder. Are they not fired up? Do they need more time to gel as a unit? Is it Cotton's coaching?

This offense has Husker Nation worried. And its starting to remind me of last year's slogan "Pound the Rock". Of course, that's exactly what we did not do. Is this year going to be just another disapointment regarding the promises of a solid running attack?

Austin Sep 08 08

Why not rely more on the passing game? That's what the offense has been good at recently. The O-line was recruited and coached for a pro- West Coast offense... an offense that uses short passes. The line is overall very adept at pass protection. Even last year the line gave up few sacks.

It seemed like the last two weeks Pelini wanted to emphasize the running game by simply going straight ahead. I say use the RBs in space ... short passes when they're split out wide, more option, draws, screen passes to RBs, WRs, and TEs, and better execution on the zone read. All this, the line does, or can do, well in. A lot of players lost weight in offseason and had a focus on agility. That sounds like the making of a quick and nimble line - good for passing and the option, not a slow and heavy line - good for power running.

In the offseason, Pelini said the defense did a greater-than-normal amount of 1-on-1 drills to work on fundamentals. So, hearing that, I would expect a D that is fundamentally sound, but frequently misses assignments. That's how it seems our D has played the past two weeks. I think it's an improvement and the players will become more familiar with the schemes over the season and cut down on the mistakes.