The program that once had the longest consecutive streak of qualifying for a bowl game, has been shutout under an entire coaching regime.
That just goes to show you how deep this hole Nebraska football has dug for itself. This job will be a tremendous rebuild. Not only of depth of quality players along with an increase in better play, but a jolt of self confidence is needed as well.
I say all of this, to get to another point. Is Nebraska that far off?
Northwestern is in freefall. The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and transfer portal has wrecked whatever chance they had of being consistently good. Nebraska lost to them this season, but let’s be honest, a decent coaching staff easily wins that game. Nebraska lost by a field goal.
Nebraska beat Indiana and Rutgers, two programs with newer coaches. They lost to Purdue on a, whoever scores last wins type of game. The Huskers were leading ranked Illinois, prior to losing Casey Thompson. They even were ahead of Minnesota 10-0 at halftime with a back up quarterback and lousy offense.
This weekend will prove how far Nebraska is from playing on a national stage. Michigan is the top dog in the conference, and along with Ohio State and Penn State are playing at a different level than most teams in the Big Ten.
That really doesn’t matter though. Nebraska is already right on the heals of the lower end of the Big Ten. With shoddy recruiting, poor player development, lack of strength and cohesion in the trenches, along with bad coaching, the Husker are STILL not that far off from being in the race for the Western Division in a season where almost everything has not gone well for them.
If I’m selling the program to a new coach, I just say look at what Nebraska has. Starting with brand new state of the art facilities, a stadium that fills every Saturday for one of the worst teams in the conference, money to recruit and develop players, and a team that may not be as far away as everyone thinks.
If the right person steps in, the path back to solid could be taken quickly. (Predictions are at the end if you don’t want to read the rest!)
ON WITH THE REWIND…
Last game prediction was Minnesota 28, Nebraska 14. The actual score was Minnesota 20, Nebraska 13. Oh, to yearn for a healthy Casey Thompson. I know it’s unlikely, but I think if Thompson was able to not get drilled a dozen times a game, Nebraska would have 4 or even 5 wins with three to play. The offense against Minnesota after the first drive was abysmal. Whatever the Husker coaches decided after lining up running it down the Gopher’s throats, it was the wrong decision. Thompson would have put at least 28 points on the board. Another win, just evaporated for Nebraska.
Quick Notes:
Logan Smothers…Whatever you think of Chubba Purdy, he either isn’t ready or isn’t healthy enough to play right now. Smothers has proven that he has a much better grasp of the offense. He also has proven that right now, he is the man for the quarterback job. Purdy has had plenty of reps the last two games and Smothers seems to light a fire under the team. If Nebraska has any chance at Michigan, Smothers will need to be the starting quarterback.
Anthony Grant…I read people saying that Grant misses holes and takes bad angles sometimes. Who cares? He deserves to have more carries and Nebraska should load up with more two tight end personnel to help him. Grant was the man on the first drive against Minnesota, racking up almost 70% of his game total 115 yards rushing. He was basically nonexistent after that. I get that Minnesota was loading the box because Nebraska couldn’t throw, but I don’t understand Grant going into witness protection after the first series either.
Caleb Tannor…I give Tannor a lot of credit. He has been overshadowed on the defense by Garrett Nelson and Ochaun Mathis this season. Tannor came to play against Minnesota. If he continues to play like that and if Casey Thompson comes back after Michigan, Nebraska might be able to play defense well enough to upset Wisconsin or Iowa.
Myles Farmer…After playing arguably his best game at Nebraska, Farmer made a huge error in judgement and got a DWI last weekend. I’m not going to bag on the kid a lot, I’m sure he is going to pay what he needs to pay with the law, but for the football team that was just starting to play with a level of confidence, his absence is a huge blow for the Blackshirts. His actions were selfish for a lot of reasons, hopefully he learns from his mistake and Nebraska can overcome it as well.
Score Prediction: Michigan 38, Nebraska 14
Nebraska had a chance last week against Minnesota. Michigan is not in the same realm of competition. It’s hard to believe that Nebraska was a late fumble away from beating Michigan last year in Lincoln. So much has changed since that game. I really felt like that game was the beginning of the end for Scott Frost. Jim Harbaugh does not let off the gas against opponents. If Nebraska wants to keep from getting blown out, they will have to be able to slow down Michigan’s running game. I hope the Blackshirts are up to the task! GBR!!
MJ is loved by the fans, he puts a fire in the belly of the players, he recruits well and to put it short WE the Big Red faithful just love him. He may not be the next Husker head coach but as it may He is the heart and soul of what Nebraska football is, He may be the nation's best assistant coach. How about keeping him around. Good luck on finding that coach. I believe we are closer than what anyone gives us (Huskers) credit for. Looking from the outside in building better line players is the key for all things good. We need several player's like O. Sue. and the O Line that can flat out push a defense's around
ReplyDeletefor all 4 qtrs. Thank You Coaching Staff,