Going Bowling

Sorry for the lack of posts here, life is very demanding for me lately outside of things I actually enjoy doing! Now that the Huskers are set to play Auburn in the Cotton Bowl on New Years Day (why does that phrase get capitalized?), I am excited I will get to watch them play once more this season. The bad part of that is the game is on at 11 am, so there may be some aspirin and pepto bismol involved in that tailgate party...

I will post back a couple times in the next few days leading up to the game, with some (very) brief analysis and my ever so misinformed prediction (here's a hint, I may pick Nebraska to win)

I am also considering starting a blog where I can discuss my experiences with online-dating sites...I could write a fascinating paper on this topic, there are definitely some interesting things to say! But that is for another day...

Back from the Dead!

Wow, I guess a lot has happened since my October 2005 post- Mack Brown finally got his national championship, Gary Barnett is selling pre paid phone cards in Denver, gas is now approaching $4 a gallon and highly touted, under utilized Harrison Beck is driving around the state of Florida looking for someone named Bowden or Coker to cry on their shoulder. Sorry for the enormous gap in posts here, I have been, well, kind of busy lately (standard excuse also found on my Match.com profile when I don't respond to winks).

Unless you live under a rock (or outside the state of Nebraska) you have no doubt heard by now that the next golden boy, Harrison Beck, has left the Big Red for greener pastures, and a little playing time to boot. Note to Harrison's mom- when players perform better than other players, they traditionally will see more playing time. Perhaps instead of worrying about his latest blog entry or when the next kegger is your son could have cracked the playbook open (even if it is thicker than both the old AND new testaments) once in a while and brushed up on his passing skills, which by the way, are why he was asked to come to Lincoln in the first place. But, I digress- it is much more productive to focus on the players who want to be here than fuss over the egos that do not.

I will have some (rather uninformed) previews posted in the next few days- yeah, I know I wrote that last year too and skipped it- starting with the offense and culminating with some predictions about the 2006 season, which appears to be quite promising for Husker Nation.

By the way, imagine Curt Dukes and Harry Beck sitting in a canoe right now somewhere on the mighty Mississip, and try to imagine what the conversation would be... I will think of something for my next entry. Until then, keep seeing red.

Scott

Offense Finally Clicking?

"Nebraska quarterback passes for 431 yards" sounds a bit like telling someone the tooth fairy is running for congress- it simply does not happen. Well, get ready for some loose teeth in Washington, because this past Saturday in Lincoln, Zac Taylor showed why some in Huskerland are so high on him, passing Nebraska to a thrilling 27-20 double overtime win against 23rd ranked Iowa State. The win over the Cyclones put the Huskers atop the Big 12 North standings with a 4-0 record. Iowa State continues to struggle in Lincoln- the Cyclones have not won there since 1977.

The game started off sluggish for the Husker offense, although Taylor looked sharp. Typical to the west coast offense, the Huskers piled up yardage but had trouble once they reached the red zone. Settling for field goals will not cut it against the likes of Oklahoma or Texas Tech, the Huskers' opponent this week, especially with a freshman placekicker who missed a chip shot against Iowa State. Before anyone gets to carried away, remember that Texas Tech beat up the Huskers last season in Lubbock, 70-10, Nebraska's worst loss in school history. Perhaps the revenge factor will come into play this week, although Tech still looks to be virtually unstoppable on offense. The Husker defense will have its hands full, and this will be the key matchup in the game. If the Nebraska D can stop- or at least limit- the Tech O, the Huskers could make a game of it. Kansas "held" the Red Raiders to 30 points last week, so at least we know they won't score over 50 points every week this season.

One factor that will be easy to overlook in this matchup is the Red Raider defense- Tech has been untested so far this season, playing perhaps the softest non-conference schedule ever, and did not look very impressive in the Kansas win. Perhaps coach Mike Leach is taking scheduling tips from Bill Snyder at Kansas State- we have all seen the damage his scheduling methods have caused to the success of Wildcats' program of late. Tom Osborne faced similar criticism in the 80's when Nebraska regularly rolled up huge scores on patsies, only to lose in a bowl game to a school (pick one) from Florida.

Since the game is in Lincoln, I give the Huskers a legitimate shot to knock off the Red Raiders, but the defense will have to step it up a few notches if Nebraska is to have any chance. The Huskers will have to score more than 13 points (last week's total before OT) to have any shot in this game- you can bet Texas Tech will not be held to less than 30. If the game becomes a shootout, Tech will have a clear advantage- on the same token, if the game is a low scoring affair, the Huskers should prevail. Initially, I believe this game will come down to turnovers, and the Huskers' ability to keep the Red Raider offense off the field as long as possible.

I will offer more in-depth analysis on Thursday, including any injury updates and weather information that may factor into this game- right now it looks like clear skies in Lincoln for the 3:00pm local start time. Despite a couple blowouts in the early 90's, Texas Tech always seems to play the Huskers well, particularly in Lubbock. Thankfully for Nebraska, this game is in Lincoln- that may be the only chance the Huskers have.

Tuesday's (somewhat uninformed) prediction- Texas Tech 38, Nebraska 20.

Texas Tech at Nebraska
Saturday, October 8 2005 3:08pm CDT
Early Line- Tech (-4).

What ever happened to August?

Well, the Huskers sit at 3-0, despite a less than stellar offense, and I'm not sure what happened to the last 2 months (no preview)!

Perhaps if I keep silent about the team's chances, they will continue to win, although this 3-0 record was built on wins over Division 1-AA Maine, Wake Forest (without Tim Duncan- oh wait, that's hoops) and Pitt, who looks like a bad copy of the Wannstadt-coached Dolphins of recent seasons. Good grief.

In my world, Coach Bill Callahan should be given a 2 year pass- that is, his first two seasons in Lincoln should be looked at for what they really are- a coach trying to implement a difficult offensive system with players recruited to fit something entirely different. Similar to fitting square pegs in round holes (which I used to do as a child) Callahan is using leftover players from Frank Solich's successful option attack, and the players simply do not have the requisite skills to compete in a West Coast-type offense. This is one of the reasons we are witnessing so many struggles on the offensive side of the ball. Procedure penalties and missed assignments, however, can not be blamed on the talent level. That being said, if Callahan does not begin to see offensive success by next season, the administration needs to seriously rethink his role. By next season players will have had 2 years experience in this system and his recruits will be much more experienced. There will be no "mulligan" next Fall for Callahan, you can bet on it.

Luckily, the defense is playing better than it has in years. Players are flying around the field, reminiscent of the mid-90's championship runs. This defense is the fastest I have watched in years, particularly the linebackers and ends. Adam Carriker, the latest in a long line of rush ends to thrive at Nebraska, has already recorded five sacks in the first three games- he is the real deal, and will be playing on Sundays. Players like Corey McKeon, Stewart Bradley and Daniel Bullocks are really setting the tone for this defense. I like what I see- but the defense can't be expected to carry this team for 12 games. Eventually they will have let downs, and it is the offense's responsibility to compensate for these let downs. Right now, I just don't see this happening on a consistent level. We shall find out much more now that conference play is upon us, particularly with matchups against the high powered offense of Mike Leach's Texas Tech Red Raiders, who put a 70 spot on the Huskers last year in Lubbock. Even Iowa State should be a stiff challenge for the Huskers, althought these games are at home. I'm not sure what it means that Nebraska's best player so far has been punter Sam Koch, who boomed an 84 yarrder against Pitt.

Around the Big 12- What happened to Oklahoma? At 1-2, the Sooners are virtually assured of not going to a BCS game for the first time in 4 years. Mike Stoops has no one to turn to at quarterback, although highly-touted Rhett Bomar shows promise. Oklahoma looks beatable for the first time in years, which says a lot about the parity in college football today.

Second ranked Texas appears to have a leg up on the rest of the conference- if they can get by the Sooners and a much improved Texas A&M squad. If not for the dominance of Pete Carrol's USC dynasty, Mack Brown would be staring at a number one ranking for the Longhorns. The Rose Bowl matchup could very well be Texas- USC, although there is a lot of saeson left, particularly for Texas, who must play an extra game if they win the Big 12 South.

Notes: The Big 12 North finished non-conference play at 16-2, while the South wrapped up it's non-conference schedule at 15-3. Last season, the North was 18-30 against the South. The Iowa State- Nebraska game will kick off at 2:36 pm CT Saturday in Lincoln on ABC, with former Auburn coach- and son of Florida State coach Bobby Bowden- Terry Bowden handling the commentary and Dr. Jerry Punch on the play-by-play. The Cyclones are ranked 23rd in the AP poll. Cyclone running back Stevie Hicks played high school football in Omaha for Creighton Prep High School. He was offered a scholarship to play linebacker at Nebraska, but instead chose to avoid linebackers and carry the ball for the Cyclones.

Iowa State at Nebraska
Saturday, 2:30 pm CDT

Prediction-
Nebraska 24 Iowa State 20

Preview postponed until mid-July!

Egads, things have been hectic this summer for sure. I have been unable to compile all the necessary info for my 2005 Husker preview, so I am postponing the first installment until the middle of July, 2005. I will have plenty of analysis, including notes from the 2005 Spring game, as well as previews of all positions and in-depth analysis of the coaching staff. Will 2005 bring the Callahan era to the forefront of college football's elite, or will the Huskers struggle to even finish atop the Big 12 North? Check back in mid-July to find out!

Scott

Quarterbacks preview coming tomorrow!

Ok, I am in the process of compiling info for the quarterback preview, which will now be posted in mid-May. Although coach Callahan insists the depth chart is not yet set, you can bet the farm that Zac Taylor will be the starter in the Fall. The big question will be whether or not Harrison Beck, a true freshman, will be the number two. The jury is still out on this, simply because he has not graduated from high school yet. If gaudy statistics and hype mean anything, look out for this kid. Of course, we all know what hype can do- remember Curt Dukes?

See you soon!

Welcome!

Welcome to Scott's Husker blog, where I will share my knowledge (and totally biased opinions) on Nebraska Cornhusker football. Although I am not a native Nebraskan, nor have I ever even set foot in the state (although I have been to Kansas) I feel I am qualified just enough to comment on the state of affairs that is Nebraska football.

I have been a Husker fan since 1983, when I watched the 'scoring explosion' offense of Turner Gill, Mike Rozier and Irving Fryar run roughshod over the old Big 8 conference all year. The Orange Bowl defeat to Miami that season really stung, and I still remember it as if it were yesterday. Perhaps this explains my intense hatred for anything South Florida has to offer.

Things have been tumultuous in Lincoln over the last 2 years to say the least, with a new staff brought in and the dismantling of the much-beloved option offense that Tom Osborne perfected and used to win 3 National Titles in 5 years. Bill Callahan, the spectacled NFL coach who took the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl in only his second season at the helm, has taken over the controls, and many Husker fans are not happy. The implementation of the west coast offense, which has already chewed up and spit out quarterback Joe Dailey in 2005, has not been the smoothest transition, especially with the fans.

The 'all business' attitude that Callahan has brought with him from the NFL is not exactly being welcomed with open arms in the heartland, where fans are used to corn-fed local boys dreaming about Husker glory as toddlers and growing up and representing the Big Red in annual bowl games and chances at National Titles. With a 5-6 record in 2004, the Huskers worst record since the 60s, fans have already called for Callahan's head on a platter. I am of the thinking that this coach needs another year or even two before he can be judged- this type of sweeping change is very difficult to overcome, and the administration knows it, regardless of what the fans and/or media believe.

Anyway, I shall kick off my Husker blog with a 2005 Husker football preview. Coming Thursday- a closer look at the quarterbacks, who now have to absorb the loss of Dailey, who announced today he wants out of his scholarship. After a 7 for 20 passing performance in the Spring game Saturday (including an interception returned for a touchdown) I'm not so sure this isn't the best move for all parties involved. Dailey just never looked like he was comfortable in this offense, although many will argue that he was not given a fair chance to learn it.

Look for my 2005 position-by-position analysis later this week (hey I'm a busy man) starting with the quarterbacks.

Tentative schedule:
Quarterbacks- April 21
Runningbacks- April 23
Receivers- April 26
Offensive Line- April 30
Defensive Line- May 1
Linebackers- May 3
Secondary- TBA
Special Teams- TBA
Coaching- TBA

Go Big Red, and see you on the 21st for my 2005 Husker kick off preview!