Now We See What the Coaches Have Been Talking About!

When Nebraska went to Columbus last week to play Ohio State, most Husker fans I spoke with just didn’t want to get embarrassed again.  Nebraska fans for the most part, have handled this stretch of beatings pretty well. None of us like them, we all want to see them end, and the fans have continued to support the team.  It didn’t matter who was coaching, the fans continue to show up on the road and of course at home, even when it didn’t seem like it was worth it.

What was crazy though, was that almost no one gave Nebraska a chance to win the game.  Maybe it’s the battered fan syndrome. Most fans have settled on the fact that Nebraska just can’t win games against superior teams anymore.  I get it, I didn’t think Nebraska would win either, but I also thought if they had a little fortune that they COULD have beaten Ohio State.

That’s the thing with the ride that we are on. Nebraska has yet to beat someone that they weren’t supposed to beat.  Not since Bo Pelini walked the sidelines, with exception of Michigan State in Mike Riley’s first year, has Nebraska beaten a ranked team when they were the underdog.  What is funny is that I know it happened with Bo Pelini, but I honestly don’t remember what game and I’m not sure if there is more than one. I’ll let you do some Google research if you really want to know.  The point is, as fans we are accustomed to losing games that we probably should.

I don’t feel like that is going to be the case much longer.  Scott Frost and his staff have worked so hard this season, changing the culture of the team, implementing their system and changing the mindset of so many players, it won’t be long before Nebraska starts beating teams consistently.  I’m not just talking teams that they should beat, but teams that probably have more talent than Nebraska…ranked teams. That time is coming. It may not be this year, or it might, but it is coming. I no longer fear Nebraska playing anyone.  

You might say that it is wishful thinking and with one or two injuries, it could all be derailed.  I don’t think it is wishful thinking though. I think Nebraska, with solid recruiting, a special offensive system and a team of kids that wants to play hard, is destined to be on the upswing.

That probably isn’t of any comfort to the rest of the Big Ten, but to Husker fans, it’s a 180 from where they were last season at this time.  Now it’s time to show it on the field.

SUNDAY NIGHTS AT 8 CST ON FACEBOOK LIVE

ON WITH THE REWIND…

Our previous score prediction for the Ohio State Game was Ohio State 44, Nebraska 35.  The actual score was Nebraska getting close, but falling short 36-31. It wasn’t the outcome that Nebraska fans wanted, but it sent notice not just in the Big Ten, but nationally, that Nebraska won’t be a doormat anymore.

Quick Notes:

Adrian Martinez…  I’m not saying he is a Heisman candidate yet, but he outplayed one last weekend.  For the rest of the country, they got a glimpse at what Husker fans already know. Martinez is going to be a star, if he isn’t already.  Enjoy the ride. I miss the days of Frazier, Frost and Crouch. We may be looking at a return to glory, barring injury. He is special.

Turnovers…. It’s amazing what forcing turnovers will do for a program.  Nebraska forcing Ohio State into fumbles and an interception kept the Huskers in the game.  It also turned the tide for energy on the sidelines and kept the entire team invested in winning.  That type of energy is contagious. If Nebraska can continue to force turnovers, they may run the rest of the table.

Consistency …Part of what takes bad teams to good and good teams to great is how consistent they are week to week.  Nebraska still has one of the worst special teams units in the country, but offensively and now on defense, the Huskers have started to make plays throughout each game.  If Nebraska can continue to come up big on both sides of the ball, over and over, Nebraska won’t get beat again this year. The offense will make sure of it and now the defense is doing their part.  If the special teams ever get straightened out, look out!

Score Prediction: Nebraska 31 – Illinois 20

I have felt like this might be a bit of a letdown week for the Huskers.  Coming off such an emotional game in Columbus might make for an understandable drop in energy.  Tack on the cold weather of a Nebraska November and I think the Huskers may not score at will. I don’t think the game will be in doubt, but I see Nebraska having some difficulty with a suddenly fired up Illinois team.  The Illini will move the ball on the Huskers on the ground, but Nebraska will have a lead and give up a late touchdown that will make an otherwise regular win seem closer than it is. GBR!!!