Nebraska's Problem

[unoHawkeye]

Husker fans, feel free to chime in:

Nebraska's problem (And one reason I expect Iowa, Wisconsin, etc. to continue to have success over them) is that they evidently don't understand the value of having quality line play in the Big 10. And no, I'm not saying their coaches are idiots and believe that line play isn't important (even though that's basically what I said, I get it).

My point is that this isn't the Big 12 or ACC where you can get a bunch of 4/5* receivers, running backs, QB's, and DB's and expect them to win you games. Beating teams like Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, and even Minnesota involves winning the battle at the line of scrimmage. And that's why I worry for them (not actually, I like Nebraska tears) if they bring in a coach like Leach, who has only coached in the Big 12 and ACC. The air raid style offense won't work in the Big Ten, and you need to play defense, while winning the battle at the line of scrimmage.

It was interesting during the broadcast today when the announcer said that Iowa was like 20 something and 1 when they ran for over 100 yards in a game (I probably misheard that stat, so correct me if I'm wrong) as it further supports my belief. Look at Iowa's losses this year. We lost the LOS battle to Michigan State, got manhandled by Wisconsin, I'd argue we lost it to Purdue given we got nothing going on the ground (except for Stanley, who spent far too much of the game on the ground). I didn't get to watch much of the NW game, although I know they held us rushing, and we should arguably have beaten Penn State, so I'm selectively choosing to ignore that game.

So over all, it'll be interesting to see what NU does in their coaching search. If I'm the AD, I'm looking for coaches who either coached or played in the NFL, Big Ten, or SEC, and staying away from coaches like Leach or even (yes, I'm saying it), Scott Frost.

 

[unoHawkeye]

FWIW, and there is no way anybody in L-Town would ever go for this, I think Bielema would be a good coach for Nebraska. He knows what it takes to win in the Big Ten, has recruiting ties in the Midwest, and is already proven as a P5 coach.

The only problem I see with him is the same one he had at Wisconsin and the same reason Solich and Pelini got fired: consistently solid results, but never really a player for a natty

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

As fun as the game was for Hawkeye fans today, I am just befuddled at what's happened to Nebraska football. Fun for us most of the past 5 years, but the B1G can't be happy. When they joined the conference they weren't quite what they had used to be, but were still a solid program. Now they are approaching Illini status.

I'm a Hawkeye fan first and foremost, but I'm also a fan of the B1G (predates my Hawkeye allegiance, actually), and B1G football will have a hard time staying elite as a whole if programs like Michigan and Nebraska don't at least approach their former glory. We're starting to look more and more like the ACC of the 90s.

 

[sultanofsuede]

Tired and didn't read the entire post. Reacting to your first critisicm. Didn't Nebraska have some amazing lines in the day? Seems they could again sometime soon

 

[unoHawkeye]

As fun as the game was for Hawkeye fans today, I am just befuddled at what's happened to Nebraska football. Fun for us most of the past 5 years, but the B1G can't be happy. When they joined the conference they weren't quite what they had used to be, but were still a solid program. Now they are approaching Illini status.

I'm a Hawkeye fan first and foremost, but I'm also a fan of the B1G (predates my Hawkeye allegiance, actually), and B1G football will have a hard time staying elite as a whole if programs like Michigan and Nebraska don't at least approach their former glory. We're starting to look more and more like the ACC of the 90s.

Not worried about Michigan, they lost like their entire defense, and Harbaugh still hasn't had much solid QB talent to work with.

Nebraska has no identity. They are a pseudo-pro style team who is recruiting for a spread offense, and the same could really be said about the defense, which is actually the larger of Nebraska's problems. Diaco is weird as hell and likes making excuses, but accurately pointed out that there are probably few P5 teams as consistently bad at tackling as Nebraska

 

[unoHawkeye]

Tired and didn't read the entire post. Reacting to your first critisicm. Didn't Nebraska have some amazing lines in the day? Seems they could again sometime soon

I really just expanded further on the line play so you caught the gist of my post.

But yeah, from my limited knowledge about NU football history, the wishbone offense and dominating line play was trademark Nebraska football.

And I'm not saying they can't have good lines again, I'm just saying that they need to ditch the "Big 12 run and gun and score 45 points while giving up 44" philosophy and make line play a greater priority again.

 

[Scott559]

I think Nebraska is doing fine, they just need to give M.R. More time to build his type of team!

 

[PlutoDroid]

Nebraska was known for their walk on program and S@C program. They ran the ball down your throat and controlled the t.o.p.

After Osborne retired Solich continued this style with decent results. They had a heisman winner in Crouch . They got rolled by Colorado then rolled by Miami. They canned Solich shortly after and sought a modernized offense. Enter Callahan and zoom......fourteen years later they want their identity back. You know the one they got tired of. Enter?

 

[Alum-Ni]

Preaching to the choir and I've said the same thing over and over. Be physical on the lines first and foremost. Run the ball and stop the run....it's how you win in this part of the country and in the Big Ten.

Nebraska basically invented this style of football, and it's what Wisconsin and Iowa do today. Yet some way somehow Nebraska has completely forgotten how to do it.

Expectations aren't what many on here believe they are: national championship or bust. Be in contention to win your division every year and just be a competitive team. That's it. Do that and everything else will fall into place (chance at a conference title, and in a magical season........a playoff berth)

 

[Blackleaf40]

I personally could care less about Nebraska other than we keep curbstomping them into Oblivion.

Their message board trolls deserve no less.

 

[HROT]

Preaching to the choir and I've said the same thing over and over. Be physical on the lines first and foremost. Run the ball and stop the run....it's how you win in this part of the country and in the Big Ten.

Nebraska basically invented this style of football, and it's what Wisconsin and Iowa do today. Yet some way somehow Nebraska has completely forgotten how to do it.

Expectations aren't what many on here believe they are: national championship or bust. Be in contention to win your division every year and just be a competitive team. That's it. Do that and everything else will fall into place (chance at a conference title, and in a magical season........a playoff berth)

The catch-22, I think a portion of Husker fanbase has fallen in love with the Rivals/247 recruiting rankings. It’s used by fans as some sort of overvalued metric.

Tough sell to recruit blue-bood 5 star that he might be challenged by Nebraska farm kid with chip on shoulder.

Easier for a coach to sell fans on recruiting rankings than with in-house development. Especially with today’s 3-4 year coaching proving period.

 

[Alum-Ni]

The catch-22, I think a portion of Husker fanbase has fallen in love with the Rivals/247 recruiting rankings. It’s used by fans as some sort of overvalued metric.

Tough sell to recruit blue-bood 5 star that he might be challenged by Nebraska farm kid with chip on shoulder.

Easier for a coach to sell fans on recruiting rankings than with in-house development. Especially with today’s 3-4 year coaching proving period.

I basically agree. You have to have athletes....and there is something to be said for highly rated recruits (playmakers). But you have to have a system to recruit to and develop players to play in. Wisconsin has it. Iowa has it. Nebraska used to have it.

 

[Hawkfan5220]

Nebraska is NOT approaching Illinois status, that's just ridiculous.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Bielema would be interesting because he would bring back a power running game and Nebraska's offensive line has been horrible for years, but it seems like Wisconsin was happy to get rid of him so not sure if he would be the right choice.

Pelini was fired for his toxic attitude and even though he won 9 games, his 3-4 losses were always embarrassing blowouts 70-10 or like giving up 500 yards rushing to Wisconsin every year.

Right but let's be honest: as we've learned with coaches like Saban, Meyer, and the like, you can be as big of a d bag as you want if you are winning games. If Bo won one or two more games per year, he's still probably the Huskers' coach

 

[unoHawkeye]

Nebraska is NOT approaching Illinois status, that's just ridiculous.

Yeah Illinois has an identity and it's sh*tty football. Nebraska still needs to find theirs

 

[Muskie5]

Husker fans, feel free to chime in:

Nebraska's problem (And one reason I expect Iowa, Wisconsin, etc. to continue to have success over them) is that they evidently don't understand the value of having quality line play in the Big 10. And no, I'm not saying their coaches are idiots and believe that line play isn't important (even though that's basically what I said, I get it).

My point is that this isn't the Big 12 or ACC where you can get a bunch of 4/5* receivers, running backs, QB's, and DB's and expect them to win you games. Beating teams like Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, and even Minnesota involves winning the battle at the line of scrimmage. And that's why I worry for them (not actually, I like Nebraska tears) if they bring in a coach like Leach, who has only coached in the Big 12 and ACC. The air raid style offense won't work in the Big Ten, and you need to play defense, while winning the battle at the line of scrimmage.

It was interesting during the broadcast today when the announcer said that Iowa was like 20 something and 1 when they ran for over 100 yards in a game (I probably misheard that stat, so correct me if I'm wrong) as it further supports my belief. Look at Iowa's losses this year. We lost the LOS battle to Michigan State, got manhandled by Wisconsin, I'd argue we lost it to Purdue given we got nothing going on the ground (except for Stanley, who spent far too much of the game on the ground). I didn't get to watch much of the NW game, although I know they held us rushing, and we should arguably have beaten Penn State, so I'm selectively choosing to ignore that game.

So over all, it'll be interesting to see what NU does in their coaching search. If I'm the AD, I'm looking for coaches who either coached or played in the NFL, Big Ten, or SEC, and staying away from coaches like Leach or even (yes, I'm saying it), Scott Frost.

If you consider blown line calls, blown responsibilities and poor execution losing the LOS battle (on offense), then yes, we lost the LOS battle. No one 'manhandled' us.

 

[HROT]

Personally, I'd call 313 rushing yards manhandling. But I could see how the Wisconsin 500+ yd rushing efforts have distorted that perspective.

 

[Muskie5]

Personally, I'd call 313 rushing yards manhandling. But I could see how the Wisconsin 500+ yd rushing efforts have distorted that perspective.

I was only referring to our OLine. Wisc. was the only game that I would consider that our D-line got wore down, especially in the middle (I think we were minus Matt Nelson), and our 'bend but don't break' defense actually started breaking in the second half.

 

[moondog24]

Tired and didn't read the entire post. Reacting to your first critisicm. Didn't Nebraska have some amazing lines in the day? Seems they could again sometime soon

Nebraska used to have big, dominant lines (the Rimington Award is named after a former Husker). One criticism back in their hay day was their big lines would get outquicked in bowl games.

Didn’t the Huskers hire Dave Rimington as interim AD? Maybe he will reach out to a coach that stresses big boy Football.

 

[ISPHawk]

Nebraska's problem is their arrogance. I get they want to be where they once were...who wouldn't? Their fan base doesn't have to patience. Doesn't matter who they hire (even Frost), it won't be good enough. Imagine what it'll be like when they run their home state kid out of town. Soon, they will be paying for 3 coaches and 2 AD's....destroying their program, not making it better.


http://www.omaha.com/huskers/footba...cle_21b633ac-3d4c-542c-ba92-e080e854d441.html

 

[unoHawkeye]

If you consider blown line calls, blown responsibilities and poor execution losing the LOS battle (on offense), then yes, we lost the LOS battle. No one 'manhandled' us.

I'm not arguing with you and letting you hijack what has been a solid thread over the word "manhandled"

 

[Muskie5]

I'm not arguing with you and letting you hijack what has been a solid thread over the word "manhandled"

Fair enough. It has been a good thread, and I think my point is valid.

 

[jdv77]

I think that Nebraska has to reevaluate their recruiting philosophy. Iowa has recently recruited Cole Fisher, Drew Ott, Nathan Bazata, and Noah Fant from within their border. All of those guys were worthy of a Nebraska offer, and some of them got late offers after Iowa was already established as the favorite.

But I hear a lot of husker hand-wringing about the small number of D1 players that their state produces. That may be true, but if you aren't identifying and locking up the local talent that exists within the state, you are compounding the problem.

Nebraska needs the guys that bleed red, not only for play on the field, but also for the off season strength and conditioning work. Nebraska needs to be more aggressive with in state scholarship offers or Iowa will continue to steal those guys. I suspect that Nebraska will figure this out with its next coach, but I hope not.

 

[Monzon]

Nebraska was known for their walk on program and S@C program. They ran the ball down your throat and controlled the t.o.p.

After Osborne retired Solich continued this style with decent results. They had a heisman winner in Crouch . They got rolled by Colorado then rolled by Miami. They canned Solich shortly after and sought a modernized offense. Enter Callahan and zoom......fourteen years later they want their identity back. You know the one they got tired of. Enter?

Agreed. Epley instituted a S&C program based on Olympic lifts and strength, or 'fast and slow' days. It's great for most sports, and especially translates for football.

 

[unoHawkeye]

I think that Nebraska has to reevaluate their recruiting philosophy. Iowa has recently recruited Cole Fisher, Drew Ott, Nathan Bazata, and Noah Fant from within their border. All of those guys were worthy of a Nebraska offer, and some of them got late offers after Iowa was already established as the favorite.

But I hear a lot of husker hand-wringing about the small number of D1 players that their state produces. That may be true, but if you aren't identifying and locking up the local talent that exists within the state, you are compounding the problem.

Nebraska needs the guys that bleed red, not only for play on the field, but also for the off season strength and conditioning work. Nebraska needs to be more aggressive with in state scholarship offers or Iowa will continue to steal those guys. I suspect that Nebraska will figure this out with its next coach, but I hope not.

Good call, however even Iowa has let top in-state talent slip away in past years. Pierschbacher, Darboh, Dykstra, O. Martin, etc. I think Iowa's success with underrecruited guys in Nebraska may be more a credit to Iowa's coaching staff than a failure by Nebraska, but yeah, I agree with your post

 

[JDarwin]

Husker fans, feel free to chime in:

Nebraska's problem (And one reason I expect Iowa, Wisconsin, etc. to continue to have success over them) is that they evidently don't understand the value of having quality line play in the Big 10. And no, I'm not saying their coaches are idiots and believe that line play isn't important (even though that's basically what I said, I get it).

My point is that this isn't the Big 12 or ACC where you can get a bunch of 4/5* receivers, running backs, QB's, and DB's and expect them to win you games. Beating teams like Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, and even Minnesota involves winning the battle at the line of scrimmage. And that's why I worry for them (not actually, I like Nebraska tears) if they bring in a coach like Leach, who has only coached in the Big 12 and ACC. The air raid style offense won't work in the Big Ten, and you need to play defense, while winning the battle at the line of scrimmage.

It was interesting during the broadcast today when the announcer said that Iowa was like 20 something and 1 when they ran for over 100 yards in a game (I probably misheard that stat, so correct me if I'm wrong) as it further supports my belief. Look at Iowa's losses this year. We lost the LOS battle to Michigan State, got manhandled by Wisconsin, I'd argue we lost it to Purdue given we got nothing going on the ground (except for Stanley, who spent far too much of the game on the ground). I didn't get to watch much of the NW game, although I know they held us rushing, and we should arguably have beaten Penn State, so I'm selectively choosing to ignore that game.

So over all, it'll be interesting to see what NU does in their coaching search. If I'm the AD, I'm looking for coaches who either coached or played in the NFL, Big Ten, or SEC, and staying away from coaches like Leach or even (yes, I'm saying it), Scott Frost.

I agree with you on the line play being important. However, when Nebraska was steamrolling teams in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s they had among the best offensive and defensive lines in college football.

That went downhill quick after Osborne and Solich. It’s not a Big Ten vs Big 12 thing as their line play went downhill 10+ years before leaving the Big 12. But the line play of the Huskers was the key to their success over their dominant stretch.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

Nebraska's problem is their arrogance. I get they want to be where they once were...who wouldn't? Their fan base doesn't have to patience. Doesn't matter who they hire (even Frost), it won't be good enough. Imagine what it'll be like when they run their home state kid out of town. Soon, they will be paying for 3 coaches and 2 AD's....destroying their program, not making it better.

This is the correct answer. This post pretty much ends the thread. Not much more to discuss.

 

[BulliesOfTheBigTen]

They're putting all their chips in Frost, but there's no empirical evidence that he can compete in a conference that REQUIRES high level line play and a significant degree of physicality.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

They're putting all their chips in Frost, but there's no empirical evidence that he can compete in a conference that REQUIRES high level line play and a significant degree of physicality.

Frost will be a flop. But I thought Riley would be a flop, so what do I know?

 

[unoHawkeye]

I agree with you on the line play being important. However, when Nebraska was steamrolling teams in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s they had among the best offensive and defensive lines in college football.

That went downhill quick after Osborne and Solich. It’s not a Big Ten vs Big 12 thing as their line play went downhill 10+ years before leaving the Big 12. But the line play of the Huskers was the key to their success over their dominant stretch.

Right but most Big 12 teams weren't running spread offenses in the 70s, 80s or 90s were they?

It seems like the conference style of play disparity is a more recent trend that arrived with more modernized, pass heavy offenses.

 

[cleotishaywood]

Right but let's be honest: as we've learned with coaches like Saban, Meyer, and the like, you can be as big of a d bag as you want if you are winning games. If Bo won one or two more games per year, he's still probably the Huskers' coach

Our recent success against Neb. would be even more enjoyable if Linguini was still their coach!

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

Nebraska is NOT approaching Illinois status, that's just ridiculous.

Well, I suppose that was a bit of an exaggeration, but they're a heck of a lot closer to Illinois than they are to Wisconsin. They didn't go 0-9 in conference play, but they did give up 50+ points in four conference games, which you might have to go back to 80s Northwestern to find in the B1G.

 

[UNIowaHawk]

Nebraska hasn’t been the same since they were forced to compete under the same academic standards as everyone else.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

FWIW, and there is no way anybody in L-Town would ever go for this, I think Bielema would be a good coach for Nebraska. He knows what it takes to win in the Big Ten, has recruiting ties in the Midwest, and is already proven as a P5 coach.

The only problem I see with him is the same one he had at Wisconsin and the same reason Solich and Pelini got fired: consistently solid results, but never really a player for a natty

I agree and think the same thing.

 

[UNIowaHawk]

I agree with you on the line play being important. However, when Nebraska was steamrolling teams in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s they had among the best offensive and defensive lines in college football.

That went downhill quick after Osborne and Solich. It’s not a Big Ten vs Big 12 thing as their line play went downhill 10+ years before leaving the Big 12. But the line play of the Huskers was the key to their success over their dominant stretch.

When Nebraska was “steamrolling” the competition in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s they were doing so with a lot of players who had no other Power5 school offers due to academics (or lack there of). Roughly half of their offense during their last National Championship were prop players. This is the exact reason why TO didn’t want to join the Big12– the only coach to do so. He knew by having to oblige to the higher academic standards that Texas was requiring, ones that leveled the playing field, his gravy train would soon come to an end.

 

[DepressedHusker]

Press conference at Noon. Problem: Chip was supposed to go to UF. The war is on Florida

 

[unoHawkeye]

Press conference at Noon. Problem: Chip was supposed to go to UF. The war is on Florida

Saw that! Kelly to UCLA kind of came out of nowhere

 

[hawkandroll]

Agreed. Epley instituted a S&C program based on Olympic lifts and strength, or 'fast and slow' days. It's great for most sports, and especially translates for football.

Don't forget about the roids

 

[Johnsoda123]

Press conference at Noon. Problem: Chip was supposed to go to UF. The war is on Florida

The thing about the Florida job is, you can be mediocre, get fired, and still go on and get another high profile HC position. Nebraska has been a graveyard for coaches since TO.

 

[DepressedHusker]

The thing about the Florida job is, you can be mediocre, get fired, and still go on and get another high profile HC position. Nebraska has been a graveyard for coaches since TO.

Two of our former coaches are coaching the 7th and 8th best teams in the state of Ohio, high profile right there