Inconclusive Evidence: Smack, Strategery and Redlegs

1 comment so far October 8, 2008 by Brandon Vogel

After the dual demolition of the Cubs/Huskers on Saturday night, I’ve been unable to think in anything but short bursts of ideas. I either don’t know what to believe or don’t believe in anything. I’m not sure.

But here are a few things I feel relatively confident about:

--For the record, when Bo Pelini answer’s a question about his preparation for Missouri by saying, “We’re going to play the best we possibly can and try to shut them out.� That’s much different than the answer many people in Missouri—and, shockingly, many members of the national media—heard.

Somehow that statement got twisted into “we’re going to shut them out,� and now it’s part of the historical record as absurd pomposity out of a first year coach at a rebuilding program. Eighty-five years from now, when Tiger fans want to call up the game stories of Nebraska’s worst home loss in 50 years, they’ll think Pelini popped off.

He didn’t. For the record. A goal isn’t a guarantee.

--Indiana and Michigan State play every year for the Old Brass Spittoon, but what’s a bell if not an upside down spittoon? Wouldn’t it be appropriate for the Tigers to modify the Missouri-Nebraska Bell for next year? Flip it over and put a base on it? I don’t like to give Mizzou credit for much, but a jab to the ribs like that? That’d be truly sporting in the most collegiate sense.

While Pinkel and Pelini are done talking about “The Expectoration Incident,� I’ll still say this: Looking at the number of penalties, specifically personal fouls, and the general discipline level of this team on the field would it be more surprising for you to find out it did happen or didn’t happen?

--At least in theory, I liked Nebraska's "special" defensive game plan for Missouri. Essentially, Pelini Bros. & Co. elected to give Missouri anything they wanted on the ground. While usually not a recipe for success, it would've kept the clock moving and, again in theory, it's much more difficult to score from 60 yards out on the ground than through the air. Keep the clock moving and everything in front of you. While not nearly as exciting as the magical mystery plan Ekler had alluded to on Friday morning, it was at least prudent.

Of course, for this to have worked Nebraska would've had to a) move the ball on offense and hope to match every score, b) defend the pass and c) tackle. You have to take something away but the Mizzou offense hummed along unhindered.

Forget dividing it up by team at this point, Nebraska needs a calling card, be it offensive or defensive. What is it that you do well? This team and staff is still looking. But, based on Bo's comments yesterday, I think you can scrap the crazy schemes for the rest of the season.

--While it's not much of a reason to get excited to face the Red Raiders in Lubbock, it will be nice to see the red pants for the first time this season.

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