This season has been a microcosm of 2020 for me. We all wanted the Huskers to play. We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but damn it if we didn’t want something to drag us away from the hellscape that is this pandemic. Coach Scott Frost made bold declarations that Nebraska would play anyone and anywhere. It all seemed like it was going to be a fun season, regardless of how few games would be played.
Then the Big Ten cancelled the season before it ever got off the ground. I think that was a big loss for everyone, including Nebraska. When the Big Ten relented and fired it back up, some of the steam that was building in Lincoln went out of the tailpipe for a lot of people. National media mocked the Huskers and wondered aloud why Frost would want to play with a team that wasn’t likely to have much success.
From my perspective, I felt like Frost wanted to play, because he knew that there would be no spring season. I think he has been behind the 8 ball since he arrived in Lincoln. Imagine all the things that could going wrong in your first three years. Then imagine that they do go wrong. First game cancelled due to lightning. Players leaving, either of their own accord, or because they were no longer wanted. Second season, you lose a game at Colorado that you shouldn’t lose. Follow that up by playing with multiple kickers that can barely kick off let alone hit a 30-yard field goal for most of that season. Your quarterback is hurt early in the second season and your team never really takes off. You think you have a great incoming recruiting class and 2020 will be better, but then Covid hits and half the four star recruits take off before the season even starts and of those that do stay, they miss spring football, off season workouts and a regular fall.
It has not been easy in Nebraska. Scott Frost hasn’t exactly helped himself out. The offense that is supposed to be the bread and butter of any Frost team has been average to lousy in 2020. Special teams have improved, but not at a clip that any fan would be clamoring for. The defense, while playing above average has imploded at crucial times during the season.
In closing, the Huskers get at least one more chance to play football, this time in New Jersey. We sit back and wonder what could have been, but more likely what should have been. We have seen a lot of games the last three years, but most of it hasn’t been what we were hoping. If Nebraska could close out with a win, that might propel a lot of people to get excited for 2021. 2020 has sucked the excitement out for a lot of us.
ON WITH THE REWIND…
Last game prediction was Nebraska 31 Minnesota 24. The actual score was Minnesota 24, Nebraska 17. In a game that Nebraska not only needed to win, but should have won, this final home game was awful. Nebraska’s offense was chaotic and had one good quarter. The defense bowed up for the most part, but when they needed a stop at the end, they just couldn’t get one. Chalk it up to another one score defeat for Scott Frost. I’m generally an optimist by nature, but if Nebraska continues to lose games that they should win at this clip in 2021, there will be a drastic change in Lincoln next winter.
Quick Notes:
Scott Frost…I write this blog to give kudos to players each week. At this point though, Scott Frost has practically killed any offensive fireworks. For whatever reason, Nebraska’s inability to pass the ball like a Power 5 team should, continues to define the Frost era at Nebraska. Think about it. Since Martinez’s game against Illinois last year, Nebraska has yet to make anyone pay for loading up the line of scrimmage. You can’t win in the Big Ten if you can’t throw unless you have a monster run game. Nebraska doesn’t have that either. Whether it is play calling or quarterback play, Frost needs to have a big improvement next fall. It’s unbelievable that with Frost’s pedigree the Nebraska offense struggles as much as it does. This offseason will define the Frost era at Nebraska. For all our sakes, lets hope it’s for the better.
Austin Allen…He is the most improved player on the team, from 2019 to 2020. With Jack Stoll nursing an injury most of the season, Allen’s performance has risen above what I could have hoped for. Allen is a legit All Big Ten type player. If he continues on this path, I see no reason why he won’t be an NFL draft pick when his college career is over. He really could use a consistent passing game to take his own game to the next level. It’s nice to see from an in-state player. Nebraska could use more like him.
Wan’Dale Robinson…This kid is so special. He needs help though. Nebraska needs another player that can take the stress off Robinson. It could be a running back or another wide receiver, but Robinson is so much better than anyone else at those positions, he is forced to play both. Nebraska needs an offset so teams can’t key on him. He is tough as nails. He takes hit after hit each week and bounces right back up. It’s flabbergasting that he has yet to score a touchdown in 2020.
JoJo Domann…I don’t know if Domann is coming back to the Huskers next season, but he has been a lot of fun for Husker fans to watch this year. He has been a bright spot on a team without many. Domann is at his best using his versatility, either making plays at the line of scrimmage or knocking down a would be catch on a deep route. He will be missed severely next season, if he does leave. His persistence after early career injuries should be admired.
Score Prediction: Rutgers 24 Nebraska 21
Nebraska will be fresh off a devastating loss at home. Rutgers is limping into a final game of the season. Unfortunately for the Huskers, Rutgers plays about as physical on defense as Minnesota did. Nebraska simply wasn’t good enough or smart enough to make the Gophers defense play the run and it was costly. If Nebraska can’t run the ball with their running backs this Friday, it is likely they will come home with another loss. I’d like to tell you that it will all work out, but Rutgers has been playing better football than Nebraska. I hope I’m wrong and the overall talent wins out, but I’ve been burned too many times this season. Yeah, you guessed it, I’ll still be watching the entire game from start to finish, cheering my butt off so, GBR!!
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