If you could have drawn up a worse opening game outcome for Nebraska, I’d love to hear how it would turn out. Nebraska simply repeated the same bone headed mistakes that they have churned out for the last four year, even if this time they found new ways to do it.
I can probably count on both hands, specific plays that have cost Nebraska victories in the Scott Frost era. Almost all of them have been blunders that were simply inexplainable and had to be watched with your own eyes.
Players like Cam Taylor-Britt, Adrian Martinez and Connor Culp need to lead by example. Nebraska won’t have success until the players that the team counts on for that success, learn to play clean and play within themselves. Going into season four of the Scott Frost era, it looks like Nebraska is still a long way from that.
Don’t get me wrong, Nebraska will have some ups this season. Nebraska looked like the better team most of the first half of the game in Champaign. The defense played exceptionally well in the first half. On Nebraska’s lone first half touchdown drive, the offensive line looked like they were going to be solid this year, even if it was only one drive of the game, you could see the potential.
That is really what is so frustrating with this team. They will probably win five games this year, but it will be the four close losses that will stick with you when Nebraska likely misses another bowl season. Scott Frost can’t seem to get them over the hump, and to be honest, I don’t know if anyone outside of seasoned football people know what he needs to do different.
We don’t go to practice. We don’t see why certain players play one week, then don’t play another. We have no idea what special teams practice looks like. How on earth do you explain two missed extra points by an All Big Ten kicker? It’s bizarre.
We all wondered how this team would come out and play in week zero, and most of us were skeptical, but hopeful. Now that we have seen the same outcome that has been the story of the Scott Frost era, it’s right to question whether he will ever figure out the way to maximize his team. Unfortunately, none of us know the answer, but we all feel like we know where the road leads.
ON WITH THE REWIND…
Last game prediction was Nebraska 31, Illinois 24. The actual score was Illinois 30, Nebraska 22. Same old story. A horrible decision on a punt return gives away a possession and points. Nebraska has an interception and a chance to take over the ballgame, overturned by an unnecessary penalty. A late first half fumble gives the opponent what would be a devastating touchdown that clearly influenced the defense to start the second half. It’s hard to be a solid team when your supposed playmakers kill you with the worst possible decisions. Nebraska continues to shoot themselves in the foot.
Quick Notes:
Adrian Martinez…I don’t know if he has ever fully overcome his shoulder issues that plagued him the last couple of seasons. His inconsistency throwing the football is maddening and it really has put Nebraska in precarious positions. There is no question he can be a dynamic playmaker when he is playing well, but at this point, you have to squint really hard to figure out if he is helping or hurting the team. People bag on the Nebraska offense and the effectiveness of it, but rewatching the game, open receivers are continually missed and simply have to make too many plays on the ball when they do get it. It’s likely never going to change.
Running game…I guessed on Sevion Morrison starting, but he didn’t even see the field last week. He couldn’t have done much less than the players that were out there. It’s not all on the running backs, the offensive line couldn’t get out of their own way on the run scheme. Gabe Ervin looked like a freshman. Markese Stepp looked like he will be solid, but you will have to commit to running the ball. When Nebraska had the lead, they simply didn’t try to impose their will. Once they were behind, they simply couldn’t afford to try and develop a running game and that was that.
Oliver Martin…Probably the player of the game on offense. Martin made some big catches and looked like he will be really good for Nebraska this year. Omar Manning and Samori Toure had some nice catches as well. It looked like Nebraska wide receivers were having some trouble getting open, but going back, they were open quite often. Either Martinez didn’t see them, or he was under too much pressure. Nebraska has good options at wideout. They need to take advantage of that.
Cam Taylor-Britt…The punt return was bad, but a reversed interception was even worse, and it wasn’t Taylor-Britt’s fault. The defense played well for 3/4s of the game. They did give up a couple of long, time consuming drives, but they forced the starting quarterback out of the game and made enough plays to win. The defense will need to lead this team if they have any hope of going to a bowl game. I expect Taylor-Britt to be one of the main guys doing that as the season moves forward.
Score Prediction: Nebraska 30, Fordham 10
This game should be a blowout. If it is not, Nebraska has worse problems than they showed in week one and that was bad enough. One thing I thought about after last week’s loss is that kids are resilient. They want to play, and a loss probably doesn’t carryover for the players quite like it does for the fans. Once practice starts after a loss, they have to let go and move on. You don’t go play football at a major university if you can’t get over a loss. I expect the team to do that. Nebraska needs to get an easy victory this week. Hopefully they can take advantage of a lower division opponent and get some of the young guys some plays. It’s the first time in two years Nebraska will have played an out of conference opponent. That’s crazy to think about. GBR!!
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