So here we are again. Nebraska is playing Iowa for a chance to close the season on a high note. A win in Lincoln would put Nebraska into a bowl game for the first time in three seasons. Man, that is hard to type. How did it get this way? You can look back at a season filled with what if’s and what could have been’s.
Nebraska held on to win a couple of games, but they have blown double digit leads this season like a Pez dispenser. Colorado, Indiana, Purdue are all games that Nebraska should have won. You can argue that they were lucky to beat Northwestern. The Huskers finally put it all together against Maryland, but you have to wonder if that was a one week wonder, or if they are finally ready to get down to business.
Nebraska has improved somewhat on last season. In some ways, they have regressed. I think the thing that I will take away from this season, no matter the score against Iowa, is how far away the Huskers really are. And yet they are so close. They simply don’t have the depth to bench non-performers from week to week. It forces you to ride or die with the players on the field.
Defensively, Nebraska needs to take a big step forward next season. It will be the third year in this system. The excuse that players are still learning will be out the window. The Huskers will have to replace a lot of players on the defensive line and find someone to take over for Lamar Jackson at corner. Otherwise, a lot of players will be back. You saw a little bit of the young guys on defense against Maryland. I think there is talent in the back-ups, but it will need to make a big jump to play more consistently and actually stop some third down plays to help the offense have a short field.
Special teams have had a few bright spots in the punt block area, but they have struggled mightily in practically every other area. That must improve for the Huskers to have any shot at winning the division in years to come. I don’t know yet how that will happen.
How does that affect this weekend against Iowa? I’m not sure. The offensive line and Dedrick Mills seem to be figuring out what they are good at, and it couldn’t have come at a better time as the Hawkeyes are in the top two teams the Huskers will play on defense. So was the Maryland a precursor to what we will see on Friday, or was it the lone last bright spot for 2019? I don’t know, but what we do know, is this season has been a disappointment. The only way this season comes out as a wash is to beat Iowa at home. That will be the injection that Scott Frost needs to move on to next season.
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ON WITH THE REWIND…
Last week’s prediction was Nebraska 36, Maryland 30. The actual score was Nebraska 54, Maryland 7. If anything could go wrong for Maryland it did. Nebraska played really well and Maryland didn’t have any answers from the first turnover, to trying to slow down the 6th string kicker, one team could do nothing right. Nebraska could do nothing wrong.
Quick Notes:
Dedrick Mills…Mills had his second straight week of high volume yards per carry. He looks comfortable playing now, when often a the beginning of the year, he was just a step the wrong way. I think the offensive line is playing at the level that they expected all year. I expect Mills to have a big game against an Iowa team built to stop the run. It will be an interesting clash of power on scheme.
Adrian Martinez…. I don’t know if he his close to 100% healthy, but he has finally started to live up to the promise that he showed last season. I don’t know that he can throw the ball down field with much accuracy. Some of his play decisions on zone read and passing leaves me scratching my head. All that being said, he is the one player than can make the Iowa game a win for the Huskers. If Martinez plays well at all, I expect the game to be a tight one.
Lamar Jackson…It is crazy to think that this will be his last game in Memorial Stadium. When Jackson committed to Nebraska, I have to admit, I was really stoked. He hasn’t always been the most consistent and he has been maddening with his decision process over the years. In the end, his ability to put his trust in defensive backs coach Travis Fisher has propelled Jackson into the conversation of a first round draft pick. That’s quite a ride. I will miss Jackson when he is gone. I’ve enjoyed his career.
Mohamed Barry…Like Lamar Jackson, this will be Barry’s last game in Lincoln for the Big Red. Barry hasn’t had quite the same success over his career as Jackson, but the thing about Barry, he bleeds red like the players of old. It’s unfortunate that he hasn’t played on better teams during his time at Nebraska. When there is a need for someone to step up to the podium and talk after tough losses, Barry has always stood tall. You have to admire someone that always takes the heat. I hope he closes out his career with a great game. I would love to see him play in a bowl game.
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Score Prediction: Nebraska 28, Iowa 27
I don’t know why, but I have a feeling Nebraska is going to grab this win. The Huskers seemed to have found themselves a little bit against Wisconsin. They realized that they don’t have to lay down when the going gets tough. Last season, with a better offense, the Hawkeyes had to hit a last minute field goal to beat the Huskers in Iowa City. I think there is enough to play for that the Huskers will show up. I also expect Coach Frost to lay all the cards on the table, including playing Luke McCaffrey in whatever position they need to get that speed on the field. If Wan’Dale Robinson can play at all, Nebraska may win by two touchdowns. Frost will get it done and the Huskers will be going bowling. Dress warm and GBR!!
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