Let's Run It Some More!!!

Can Nebraska hold it Together One More Week?

Nebraska goes to Iowa City this week after Thanksgiving to settle a score from last season, but can they do it?  The Huskers managed to survive Maryland with Ryker Fife playing quarterback last week, but Ryker broke his wrist and Tommy Armstrong is still recovering from a hamstring injury from the previous week against Minnesota.  If ever there was some panic in the streets, it is this week going in to play the Hawkeyes.

So far, so good, Tommy and Ryker have both practiced this week and Zach Darlington, the erstwhile third string quarterback is back taking reps this week.  If I’m Mike Riley (and thank goodness I’m not, he has the hot hand this season) I throw the kitchen sink at Iowa and then some of the bathroom sinks as well.  With a small shot at the conference title game on the line, Nebraska can afford to be a little outside the box if that is what it takes to get it done this week.

Last season, when Nebraska was struggling through one of the worst seasons of the last fifty years, they were able to start to play better at the end of the season and upset a playoff bound Michigan State. Unfortunately it was the Iowa game, at home that they couldn’t pull the magic out.  Iowa came rolling into Lincoln undefeated and attempting to squeeze their way into the national championship picture.  Nebraska was unable to pull an upset that day, as Tommy Armstrong probably played his worst game of the season, tossing four interceptions and basically gave Iowa great field position all afternoon.

Tommy certainly has improved since that time and is by no means the same quarterback he was during that game last year.  However, how much we can expect Tommy to play and be his normal self, no one clearly knows.  Nebraska out everythinged the Herkys last season, gaining more total yards and had more than double the amount of first downs Iowa did.  All of it was for not though because anytime the Husker felt like they were back in the game, Iowa simply allowed Nebraska to play themselves into trouble and Iowa left Lincoln headed to Indianapolis.

I bring all of this up, because I felt like Nebraska could have beaten Iowa last year.  They certainly didn’t do a good job keeping turnovers down. They also failed a couple of times on big runs that Iowa clearly caught Nebraska in defensive formations that were susceptible to outside zone runs.  Nebraska simply beat themselves and Iowa was very content in letting it happen.

If Nebraska wants to return the favor this year in Iowa, they need to not turn the ball over.  Nebraska has surprisingly had no turnovers the last couple of weeks.  The Huskers have not turned the ball over since the Ohio State game.  On the season, for the first time in a long time, Nebraska is plus in turnover margin at +5.  Iowa does what Iowa does and they roll in with a +7 margin.  As Michigan found out a couple of weeks ago, if you get down in a dog fight with Iowa they will roll you around in the mud like an old crocodile until you suffocate and drown.  

This year’s Nebraska defense is much better than the 2015 version, even without two NFL players at defensive tackle.  This defense plays much better together, clearly accepting Mark Banker’s defensive plans, where last season, they seemed to buy in for small stretches at a time.  Nebraska should be able to limit Iowa’s spotty passing game and hopefully unload against the run.  Iowa is feeling their oats right now and nothing would make their season any sweeter than to curtail a Nebraska team that is clearly on the upswing.  Iowa would like nothing more than to keep Nebraska at bay as long as possible.  Iowa knows that should Nebraska ever get the machine rolling again, that they will be playing at best for second place in the west division most seasons.

So what happens if Armstrong and Fife aren’t able to play up to their normal stature?  I think Terrell Newby and Tre Bryant will have to put this game on their stout shoulders a little bit.  Nebraska has slowly gotten healthy on the offensive line.  Along with Cethan Carter, Nebraska is about as healthy on offense up front as they have been since Oregon.  Nebraska will have to show their dominance in the trenches because they simply must establish the run to beat Iowa.

Nebraska has to take care of the ball.  If they do that, they can finish this season with 10 regular season wins and an outside shot to play in the Big Ten title game if Minnesota can pull an upset against Wisconsin.  It’s a lot to ask with a banged up QB situation, but Nebraska is more poised in 2016 on the road, than they were in 2015 at home.

Carriker Chronicles

ON WITH THE REWIND…

Our previous score prediction for Maryland game was Nebraska 24 – Maryland 10.  The actual score was 28-7 as Nebraska dominated the first half and simply held on in the second half.  Nebraska laid out the perfect plan for Ryker Fife to guide Nebraska’s offense.  They put him in situations that allowed him to complete passes he was comfortable with and used the run to take pressure off of Ryker when they needed it.  The Huskers were one play from pitching a shutout, and did what they needed to do to get to the Iowa game as close to full strength as they could.

Quick Notes:

Terrell Newby MVP.  Newby fell just short of the century mark against Maryland, scoring three rushing touchdowns.  Newby continues to impress me this season.  He has transformed himself into a hard running machine that has finally figured out how to instill his shake with his ability to put his head down and gain the tough yards.  With Tommy Armstrong out, Newby played again like a senior that wants to end his career on a high note. If he comes close to those numbers against Iowa, Nebraska will win easily.

Defense Brings the Goods.  Nebraska should have had a shutout against a Maryland offense that was subpar.  They came close, but a broken play in the fourth quarter really soured what was a great effort against the Terps.  They held them to 207 total yards, which included a 92 yard touchdown pass that could have been about 15 yards with some proper tackling.  Take nothing away from this defense, outside of being overmatched by Ohio State, they have come to play every game this season.

Seniors go out on a high.  Whether it was Jordan Westerkamp, Terrell Newby, Josh Banderas, Michael Rose-Ivey or a surprise like Spencer Lindsay, the Husker Seniors cemented their legacy at Nebraska last week.  These players came back after a rough transition year to push Nebraska back into national relevancy most of the season.  This crew won’t be the one to win a conference title to end the drought, but they will be the crew that got Coach Mike Riley’s feet underneath him in Lincoln.  This group of seniors has been fun to watch and may leave a bigger hole next year than I may have estimated at the start of the season.

Sam Foltz Remembered.  Keep in mind, we have all kept Sam in our thoughts and his family in our prayers all year, but it was extra hard to have Senior Day without the bright light from Greeley.  The tributes to Sam all year have been special and we all miss him dearly.  Seriously, how much did we know that Sam’s presence was at the game?  He sent a deflated balloon to the 27 yard line to let us know he was there with us.  How awesome was that?  We dearly miss you Sam, we won’t forget about you.

Time to Close Up Shop.  Nebraska needs to end this regular season with a bang.  Iowa is the hurdle that you must cross each season, regardless of their record.  Nebraska should beat Iowa regularly.  That’s not a knock on the people from Iowa, it’s just a fact.  Nebraska has more resources, better history and has recruited consistently better than Iowa.  If Nebraska wants to get into the National Playoff conversation, and I know they do, they need to set the bar higher than Iowa and that means beating them at a minimum 9 out of ten years.  Kirk Ferentz is a great coach and he definitely evens the playing field with Nebraska, but the Huskers need to overcome his stability and begin the dominance over this Iowa program.

Cornhusker Meme Tees

Score Prediction: Nebraska 21 – Iowa 17

I don’t like this game.  It would be easy to see Iowa, playing well lately, hang a loss on the Huskers.  Iowa has their chest out after beating Michigan, and they know that they can make 2016 a relative success if they beat their neighbors to the west.  Nebraska must make this a game a priority this week.  The worry comes in the form of quarterback, because we have no idea how healthy anyone on the Husker roster is behind center.  If Tommy Armstrong was healthy, I think Nebraska could win relatively going away in the fourth quarter.  As is, I expect a dog fight all game.  If Nebraska can win the turnover margin, they get to ten wins and probably a chance at an SEC power.  It helps recruiting and builds momentum in the program that is on the way back.  The Defense can win this one on their own, but I expect the Huskers to score at least one unconventional touchdown.  That will be the difference this Friday.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone and as always, GBR!!