Pre-season Drills for Fans: "Would You Rather..."
14 comments so far
August 14, 2009 by
The Huskers embark on two-a-day practices today. The intensity is high and the competition for spots and playing time is fierce. Coaches and players can't afford to lose focus for a second. They take it one play at a time and one drill at a time, just like they take 'em one game at a time.
It's a bit different for fans. For them, "two-a-days" means twice as much thinking about football; twice as many stories and posts read; twice as much debate. One of the debates that brews up pretty hot right about now concerns expectations for the season. One poll ranks the Huskers in the top 25. Another one puts them lower. Some pundits say the Huskers are coming back in to form. Others say they will take a step back. Fans read the hype. They drink the cool aid. They have reality checks and moments of worry.
One of the "fan 2-a-day" drills that a fret-filled fanatic might consider is an exercise I like to call "Would you Rather..." Lets get started. Hit!
Who Would You Rather Beat?
Okay, the drill starts with some simple snap judgements. Answer the question - who would you rather beat? I'll offer two teams. You tell me who you would rather beat. Don't think too hard. Just answer with your guts. Ready... hit!
Virginia Tech or Oklahoma?
Don't think. Answer!
Okay, most of you said Oklahoma. Good, good. That's a big game against a great team and a rival. More importantly its a conference game. Remember, all conference games count the same. Somehow beating the Sooners sure would go a long, long way to helping the Huskers win a division or the conference.
For those of you who said Virginia Tech... good effort, good instincts. That's a big game too. Of course winning would be good. But, we need to work on some fundamentals. I doubt very much that "Beat Virginia Tech" is a goal on the Husker board this year. Sure, they want to win them all. I hear that. But winning the conference is a key. It's the fundamental. Conference games should count for more, even against potentially great teams like Virginia Tech.
Next rep. Ready...Hit!
Virginia Tech or Kansas?
Don't think. Answer!
Okay, a little tougher, I know. That's how it goes, folks. Many of you said Virginia Tech. I understand that. That's because you might be craving that oh-so-tempting "signature win" for coach Pelini. Again, "signature win" probably isn't on Coach's goal sheet, nor is it written in to his contract. Don't get me wrong. I want to beat Virginia Tech, too. We all want to win 'em all. But, is beating a highly ranked team from another region really all that valuable?
Those brave souls who instinctively said Kansas are more in tune to my brand of "coaching". Kansas is the team most others see as likely to win the division. The game is on the road. It comes at a critical time of year. If I could only have one of those games be a win, it would be Kansas. Now, on to the next part of the drill.
All You Should or One You Shouldn't?
Alright, this next drill is designed to check your expectations for the season as a whole. Just answer the question. Then, we'll discuss. Ready...hit!
Would you rather the Huskers win every game they should and lose just the games where they are the under dog, or... win a game where they aren't favored but drop one where they are supposed to win?
Not so easy is it? The drill is to check if you are thinking with your head or your heart. There's no right or wrong, 'cause you need 'em both. I ask 10 fans and get 5 on each side.
Those of you craving an upset win for the Huskers are more emotional, I think. It is okay to trade a loss to Kansas State or Baylor if it nets the high that comes with beating OU or Virginia Tech. You folks are the wide receivers. You make big plays, grab contested catches and are the life of the party (or the big downer, if it is a loss). You are the straw that stirs the drink.
Others who might be a bit more rational seek the quest for 9 wins and consistency. There is nothing wrong with a little predictability. Consistency is a good thing, right? It is comforting to anticipate a win over Iowa State and safer to brace for a likely loss in Blacksburg. You folks are the linemen, the grinders, the steady Eddies that Husker nation needs to get back to where it is used to being.
The key for both kinds of fans is to keep working on that skill set. Keep getting better. Compete every day. You never know when an office debate might break out. Alright, grab a quick drink of water and then lets hit the next drill.
At What Cost, the North?
Alright...last one. This is about how you measure winning. Just answer the question. Ready...hit!
Would you rather the Huskers go 8-4 and win the North Division or 10-2 and not?
Oh, tough call. I'm not trying to be hard on you. But, you need to get emotionally ready for either. Gotta work it out.
In today's media heavy world, doesn't 10 wins establish some very good things? No doubt, a 10 win Husker team in the regular season would be higher ranked and more positively regarded than one that won just 8. Right? Didn't I just argue that NU beating all the teams they are "supposed" to beat has real value? If that's the case, then 10-2 sound pretty darn good. This scenario would also mean that one of the Big 12 North schools had one heck of a year, at least in conference. Having a 10-2 NU squad and another big-time winner in the North might be worth likely restore more competitive balance to the conference divisions and shut up some people in the Republic of Texas. Not bad.
Personally, I crave a division title. For many, success in this conference is defined by getting on that field at the title game in December. Winning the North is a tangible accomplishment. It puts the Huskers in position to possibly win the conference (hey, upsets happen...). And, perhaps more than anything, it gets NU back to a degree of normalcy or re-establishes its place in the pecking order.
This is something that got accomplished in 2006 (hey, not that long ago), and why it hurt so dang bad to fall apart in 2007. So, not only do I want that division title, but it would also be nice to have a measure of consistency. Win the North. Then win it again, and again, and again. Win it so much I'm sick of writing about it. That would stamp Nebraska back in to relevance.
Alright, I've kept you here too long already. Good effort today. Let's break it down... "1-2-3- Team!"
Now, hit the showers. Or, uh, get another cup of coffee or do whatever it is you do while reading this site.
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Dwayne Aug 14 09
Oh, the scenarios. I love this game. To me those you offer are obvious. You're spot on in your analysis. I offer these two:
1. Kansas or Missouri
2. Texax Tech or Baylor
darren Aug 14 09
Dwayne - thanks for jumping in to the drill.
Those are both tough toss ups. I'd say Missouri, because NU (in my opinion) should be favored to win that game. They need to win the ones they are supposed to.
In the other, I'd honestly say Tech, because the game is at home and NU needs to hold steady there.
But, those are some tough ones. I'll take all 4, thank you very much.
caveman99 Aug 14 09
1. OU
2. KU (Need to restore order in the Big XII by beating KU every year, and get a little payback for the 76 they hung last time)
3. Win every game they should, a good team always does that. It would show me progress as a program to do that, have a let down in lesser games means the team isn't as tough mentally as they need to be. The way to eventually pull off the big wins is by being mentally tough.
4. 10-2 and this one isn't close. Yes winning the Division is a major goal, but 10-2 gets you a higher rank, a much better bowl, much more publicity and that all leads to a much better recruiting class. Going 8-4 and getting into the Big XII title game means that the pundits will be talking about how badly NU will loose instead of the positive talk of a 10 win program going into a big bowl.
5. MU, simply because I hate them more.
6. TT, they have had our number lately and I still cringe over that Interception to win the game in Lincoln that actually didn't win the game. OUCH!
Brandon Aug 14 09
1. OU
2. KU
3. Just give me the damn win! I'm so sick of the "Nebraska and Duke are the only two teams without a Top 20 win" stat that I'd easily give up a loss to KSU or the "upset du juor" Baylor. With a win to hang your hat on you can take a loss elsewhere and the nation quickly forgets.
Really, what was the difference between 9-4 Ole Miss last year and 9-4 Nebraska? The Rebels lost as home favorites twice (Vandy and S. Carolina) but they beat two of the three highest ranked teams on their schedule (Fla. and TT) and one year later they're consensus top 10.
4)This one's tough as it means the entire power base of the conference had to have shifted. For NU not to win the North at 10-2 you're potentially looking at two BCS teams from that division assuming that the North champion, presumably an undefeated KU squad, doesn't lose in the title game. I'd rather win the division and keep control of our own fate rather than give it to the Jayhawks. Worst case scenario either way, KU or NU loses in the championship game depending on which you chose, the Huskers are probably Cotton/Holiday bound.
5. Mizzou
6. Tech
VA Husker Aug 14 09
1. Va Tech - Obviously I live here in VA. I am soooo sick and tired of hearing how Tech is headed to the BCS Title game. Not sure why, but there are a lot, I mean, a lot of unrealistic fans here. There is some kind of brainwashing that goes on here. I haven't been able to figure it out.
2. KU - We need to win this game to win the North.
3. Lets win all the game that we should. The idea of losing games against scrub teams, is too much to bear. Nothing makes me more upset in a loss.
4. Let's win the North. Although, I think if we were at 10-2 and not winning the north, then the North must be much better than it is today.
Brandon Aug 14 09
Addendum: Jevan Snead. A returning QB--and a good one at that--is a fairly significant difference between Ole Miss and NU.
Probably should've mentioned that, but schedule-wise I think they comparison still works.
Dwayne Aug 14 09
For me KU-MU and TT-BU solely depends on their record and conference positioning. Obviously, in my mind I think MU is a much bigger game and one I'd rather win at this point. It's Thursday night, North defending champs, it opens conference play, and sets the table for the following weeks of play. But one doesn't really know at this point until the season plays out. And VA Husker, we don't need to beat KU to win the North. We can lose that game and still win the North. We do need to beat KU to re-establish NU's dominance.
Dywane Aug 14 09
A 10-2 record without a division title is a "sister-kisser". The division title and a trip to the Big XII title game is huge, big money, recruiting, national stage.
Andy Aug 14 09
Finishing 10-2 and not winning the North doesn't necessarily mean the division has gotten a lot stronger. 2 years ago KU finished 11-1 and got to stay home while Mizzou got white-washed by OU.
Dan Aug 14 09
Boy do we need the season to start. These "non-story" stories are getting thin.
Darren Aug 14 09
I feel you, Dan. I really do. Only 22 more days until they tee it up for real. Though, I wouldn't dismiss this post quite so entirely.
There are lots of places where you can read the non-committal quotes from coaches about the backup QBs and the 3rd string running back.
What I was trying to do here (on a Friday) was give folks a chance to debate or discuss expectations, as well as share my own opinion. Have a little fun.
Still, we'll get focused in on the real blocking and tackling here real quick.
Dwayne Aug 14 09
I love scenario talk. Awesome stuff. It's what analysts do. Like what happens if we get 3 unbeatens from major conferences again...
nu-isu-fan Aug 14 09
This was a fun game. Thanks Darren.
1) OU
2) KU (though it was harder to answer than #1)
3) I guess I’d take a big upset with an unexpected loss. But I want the loss to come early in the season and the win to come late.
4) 10-2 The division win is really important, but not at the cost of 2 wins. I’d especially take this if ISU won the division. I know… I’m really dreaming now. But I’d love life if NU and ISU consistently won their conference games and the NU v ISU game was the division-deciding game. Hey - we don't choose who we love. We just love.
5) KU (this year only)
6) TT
And regarding, “…Win the North. Then win it again, and again, and again.”: Tell me about it. You know for years, Omaha.com listed the Big 12 Championship on the schedule from the start. It was expected we’d be playing that game. I want that again. I don’t want us to seem presumptuous, but having high expectations and desires is different from being presumptuous. I'd like to see the title game on the schedule here too.
Jeff Aug 14 09
Sorry to drift a little, but I live in Texas, lose any other game but beat Texas every time. Just gets so tiring hearing of the "Master Football race".
1) OU, hey I'm old school. grew up in the big 8, can't wish for anything else.
2) KU - take care of your house first, the rest will come.
3) Win every game you should. Consistency breeds wins.
4) 10 - 2. (don't see how we wouldn't win the North with 10 wins) it's Nebraska, we need press and national exposure to get the kids to want to come here again.