Prepare Yourself Husker Fan!

We are in the last quarter of a Husker football season that has been beyond brutal when compared to preseason expectations.  Nebraska is fighting to get to six wins and a bowl game. I’m not convinced that all the players on the team are “all in” to get there.

I won’t call out specific players in the Purdue game but there was some false efforts by some players. Nebraska came back and took the lead in a fourth quarter game. They had done so many things right to get there, but had so many things they did wrong.  They looked great in blocking two punts. The defense had moments where they looked like they had the game in hand. Then the final Purdue drive happened and like so many other games this season, defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory.

Unfortunately, Nebraska failed to capitalize in a game on the road.  They had a double digit lead, but this time it really felt like it didn’t matter.

The issue with losing, once you do it a few times, it becomes easy.  Winning is hard. Doing the right thing all the time is hard. Nebraska, for years, never had to worry about playing out the string in a season because there was always something on the line for them.  The last three seasons, in November, there just hasn’t been much to play for in Lincoln.

That can wear kids down.  Think about this, if Nebraska fails to make a bowl game this season and possibly next, this will be the first class in most fan’s lifetimes that a recruiting class at Nebraska has failed to play in a bowl game.  I never thought in a million years that would happen. Nebraska has too many things in their favor. The fan support is the biggest thing. Fans continue to fill Memorial Stadium. Tradition and input are next. Nebraska is second to none in tradition and with the announcement of new facilities this fall, they are making sure that they won’t be left behind when it comes to providing the best athletic experience in the country if they can.

Scott Frost has not coached like a wunderkind the last two years.  Nebraska has failed to win more than one game on the road. There have been multiple games Nebraska has given up double digit leads.  There have certainly been questionable decisions throughout.

All that being said, Nebraska has a chance at home to shock Wisconsin.  You get the feeling based on interviews that the Badgers aren’t all that concerned about Nebraska.  Wisconsin is chasing Minnesota and they are much better stocked to thump Nebraska in Lincoln than most teams.  If Frost is honest with his team and they come out and play hard, it might still not be enough for this group of Huskers to come out victorious.  Based on early preseason, it’s quite a deflating look at where Nebraska football is right now.

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 ON WITH THE REWIND…

Last week’s prediction was Purdue 33, Nebraska 31.  The actual score was Purdue 31, Nebraska 27. Nebraska’s road woes continue.  This time with a 3rd string quarterback leading a last minute drive and Nebraska overrunning a reverse and allowing a go ahead touchdown.  Nebraska has a hump that they continue to fail to get over.

Quick Notes:

Adrian Martinez… Martinez was really rusty against Purdue.  He turned it around in the second half and led two touchdown drives, but the poor play in the first half probably kept Nebraska from winning.  Martinez hasn’t found his spark from last season. If he would happen to find it the last three games, they could be exciting. I think he will get it turned around, but I will be interested to see if he has to sit out he spring to heal up.  I don’t think he has been healthy all season.

Darion Daniels…. This kid has been the best transfer I can remember at Nebraska.  He plays hard all the time, has a lot of talent and is a leader of the team.  I felt horrible for him that he didn’t score against Purdue. It might have completely changed the game.  Nebraska failed to capitalize on that turnover with a touchdown. Daniels may not play again this season due to injury.  That will really hurt Nebraska’s chance of sneaking into a bowl game. I hope he comes back. He has been a joy to watch this season.  

Special Teams…There are so many times that Nebraska’s special teams could help them out, but haven’t.  Against Purdue, they were able to block two punts. Unfortunately, Nebraska couldn’t capitalize on both of them.  They also struggled on returns again. The kicking game has been poor and below average most of the season. If Nebraska is going to get back to winning tight games, they will need to make some major changes in the off season.  Special teams might be the biggest needed change.

Linebackers…No sugar coating it, Nebraska’s linebacker play has been really bad in the Big Ten.  I’m not sure why they have struggled so bad. It’s a veteran group, but unless you have great play at linebacker, the 3-4 doesn’t do much to stop anyone.  This is a position group that has some serious soul searching to do this off season. Blown assignments, bad coverage, failure to make any big plays and a lack of pass rush has made this group easy to exploit by opposing teams.  Purdue consistently used the tight ends in the passing game to burn Nebraska. Those are coverages that linebackers are responsible for and they simply couldn’t do it.

Score Prediction: Wisconsin 38, Nebraska 21 

I’m going to hope I’m really wrong on this prediction.  Nebraska has played well at home for the most part and the crowd should help if the Huskers can strike early.  I worry that the offense won’t be able to do much, especially if Wan’Dale Robinson is out. If Nebraska can create turnovers and take care of the ball, they will have a shot.  I just think the Huskers are firing on about 2 cylinders on offense and will struggle. Let’s hope I’m wrong! GBR!!