A long time ago, Tom Osborne said something to the effect that if you start a true freshman, you will lose at least one game a season you were expected to win.
That has stuck with me for a long time. Nebraska has been in the position to start a true freshman many times in the last 15 years. More often than not, it’s because that was the best player at that position. However, that hasn’t been a big benefit in most cases.
That’s what makes this season with Dylan Raiola playing so intriguing.
I don’t consider Raiola in the same class as say a Cody Green, Adrian Martinez, Tyler Moore or an Earnest Hausman. All of those players started games as freshman at Nebraska and all but Adrian Martinez didn’t make it all four years in Lincoln.
You have others that have started, like Wan’dale Robinson, Maurice Washington or Gabe Ervin that you thought may be ok, but only Ervin has been on the Husker roster throughout his career and Ervin still has eligibility left so you never know.
So where does that leave Raiola? His closest comparison is probably to Adrian Martinez, but unlike Raiola, Martinez had no veteran on the team that started the prior season, like Heinrich Haarberg. Raiola also played his senior season of high school, which Martinez did not and certainly cost Martinez valuable repetitions at a position that needs them. Martinez started out getting hurt in the first game of the season and the Huskers were 0-6 before we knew it in Scott Frost’s first year, so this season clearly is not like that one.
Raiola sticks out, unless you want to count Tommie Frazier. Frazier didn’t start the first few games of the season but took over for a veteran Mike Grant. Frazier of course lost a heartbreaker against Iowa State that season. That’s why the Osborne quip came up in my mind this season. Was Raiola’s loss to Illinois his loss? He likely played his worst game against Rutgers so far this season. The easy part of the Husker schedule is now over. Arguably the Huskers have three games remaining that they will be favored in, but for the most part, they will be underdogs a lot going forward. Dylan Raiola has played way better than even the most rose-colored glasses fan would have guessed. It’s only natural to wonder if the Rutgers game was a speed bump or a precursor for the rest of the season?
ON WITH THE REWIND…
Last game prediction was Nebraska 28, Rutgers 24 (OT). The actual score was Nebraska 14, Rutgers 7. Nebraska played a great first half and held on for a ride in the second half. Rutgers was so physical, yet Nebraska absorbed the absurdly high temperatures and the Scarlett Knights running game. Nebraska has yet to give up a rushing touchdown on the season, as they are the only team in the country that can make that claim. Rutgers came into the game with a top-notch rushing attack and the Blackshirts took their steam away from them. The offense played great ball control in the first half, but Dylan Raiola’s first game where he didn’t play great certainly influenced that side of the ball. Hopefully Raiola got his clunker out of the way.
Quick Notes:
Rahmir Johnson…Every week it seems like the Husker’s third back in the rotation ends up making the biggest plays. Johnson had a huge catch on a screen pass that set up Nebraska’s first touchdown and he also had the longest rush of the game, an 18-yard scamper. Nebraska needs more out of its running game, eventually Johnson, Dowdell and Emmett Johnson are going to need to break out for Nebraska to hit their ceiling.
James Williams…The Blackshirts were the main story in this game and the lead of that tale was Williams. Williams applied pressure to the Rutgers quarterback the entire second half. He finished with 2 sacks and 2 tackles for loss, but more importantly, he was in the defensive backfield consistently. If Williams can supply that sudden pash rush, Nebraska could have a field day in games that they have the lead in the second half. Williams doesn’t play all the snaps, but when he out there he has been a game changer.
Ty Robinson…Big *** Ty continues to create havoc for opposing teams. Robinson had another sack and a couple of tackles for loss. It is amazing how well he and Nash Hutmacher play each week. Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano said that the Husker defensive line is one of the top five in the nation. Robinson leads the way, not just by is vocal role, but his active play and terrific motor. Robinson has been the best player up front all season, which is no small feat considering Hutmacher is playing right next to him at a high level.
Ceyar Wright…What can you say about Wright? He has been the best cornerback on the field since he became a starter for Tommi Hill. As great as Hill had been last season and this season before he hurt his foot, Wright has been even better as of late. If they can ever get Hill back on the field, we could see the most dominant set of cornerbacks Nebraska has had since Prince Amukamara and Alfonzo Dennard roamed the defensive backfield for the Blackshirts.
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| Bleed Husker Red |
Score Prediction: Nebraska 31, Indiana 24
This is probably the only prediction that has A. Nebraska winning and B. Nebraska scoring 31 points. Indiana has arguably been a top 3 offense in the Big Ten this season and for good reason, they have killed everyone they have played. What hasn’t happened yet is that they haven’t played anyone that has a defense as good as Nebraska’s. On top of that, if Dylan Raiola is healthy after a bye week and Nebraska starts to go with a bigger run package that includes Micah Mazzccua, I expect the Husker offense to break out against an Indiana defense that is undersized for the Big Ten. Nebraska’s physicality will show on the road, and I predict a big Husker upset! GBR!!!
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