Nebraska and Kansas State Go Back to the Future
4 comments so far
November 18, 2009 by
From 1991 to 2000 the Big 8 champion or Big 12 North champion was always either Nebraska or Kansas State. That might be giving the Wildcats too much credit as their share of that run was just a pair of division titles in 1998 and 2000. Nevertheless both the schools, the faces (Bill Snyder, Tom Osborne, Ron Brown), and even the styles of play are reminiscient of what we saw in the 1990's.
No, Nebraska isn't running the option anymore (at least not nearly like they did in the 90's). But we are seeing the division again tilt in favor of the power run game. Kansas State's Daniel Thomas leads the conference in rushing yards. Roy Helu is third (just four yards behind resurgent Iowa State's Alexander Robinson). Even KSU backup runner Keithen Valentine is a top 15 rusher. Wildcat quarterback Grant Gregory is in the top 20 in the conference in rushing, and Zac Lee is in the top 40. What in the name of Tommie Frazier is going on?
Blame Oklahoma. When Bob Stoops brought the spread to Oklahoma in 1999, it spread like a virus. Texas Tech, Kansas, and Missouri got into the act. And even programs that didn't go fully to spread made it a part of their arsenal. Before long the fullback went the way of dial-up internet. It's not too different from what the Pac-10 looked like back in the day. I remember the backyard smack talk used to be, "your momma plays Pac-10 defense". Defenses that saw almost nothing but pass plays, became soft against the run. It appears to be happening in the Big 12 now too.
Now things are coming full circle. Teams aren't accustomed to the power run game. Fullbacks are as much a novelty as the empty backfield used to be. Is there any doubt that the teams that runs the ball better on Saturday will probably win the game? No, it's not a game where it might be the only loss of the season for either team, but in many ways it feels like old times again.
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WyHuskerFan Nov 18 09
And we want old time results. NU playing smash mouth with a little play action sprinkled in at the right time. Smothering defense and special teams. Mano e mano. Let's line it up and may the best team win. GBR!
Greg Morrow Nov 18 09
http://www.huskerpedia.com/games/2009/files/11ksu_nu_stats09.html
Interesting how closely the teams compare, statistically. The only discernible advantage the Corn would seem to have, is with pass D and total D. The only one K State has is with their scat back, on kickoff returns.
I was surprised that even strength of schedule is virtually the same.
Otherwise, it'd be easier to woof and say Nebraska is so much better. (K State did beat the "Clones," afterall.)
I thought they'd rely a lot heavier on JCs, since so many are on their roster. But there aren't that many, relatively, on the two deep.
Just Snyder workin' his magic, once again.
This week, I think Nebraska gets to play more "base" Defense with it's 'backers.
Btw, Nebraka has a short week, after the game. I don't think that's happened before, with Nebraska. That being Colorado's bowl game; well, hmmm.
There's no "cruise control" built into this team. It's got to be all out effort, even with a conservative plan. The team's resilient, sure. At this point, that has more to do with bouncing back from loses, than finding ways to manufactur a W in adverse scenarios.
Which is still good. There's also no falling apart built into it anymore, either.
New talent like Gomes, are starting to ensure that.
Bill Nov 18 09
How can someone be "workin' their magic again, once again" when Kansas State has NEVER competed for a national title.
EVER.
Magic? Hahaha!
Greg Morrow Nov 18 09
Bill,
That's too simple to bother with.