will be michigan's highest pick in a while
Revision of 2012 Opponent Preview: Nebraska from June 14th, 2012 at 12:31 PM
Filed under:
Previously: Purdue, Illinois, Michigan State
Nebraska
Dear Brian Santa, Ace and I thought it would be great if we could go to this game. We promise to be extra good this year.
Obligatory make-fun-of-Taylor-Martinez's-throwing-motion Youtube clip:
If you ever want to know how to throw like this, grab a football and pretend there's a foot-long string connecting it to your ear.
The actual preview part.
1000-foot view.
I would get the presser transcripts done so fast if I were there.
Nebraska's B1G debut in 2011 didn't go completely according to plan. They lost three conference games -- at Michigan and at Wisconsin in spectacular blow-outs and vs. Northwestern in game that even Brady Hoke couldn't believe happened. Other than that they had the singular highlight of clobbering Michigan State. They also beat Ohio State, but I'm sure Huskers fans talk about what happened during that game the way Michigan fans talk about what happened during the Sugar Bowl.
If the Huskers want to prove that their are truly of the B1G elite as they were billed to be, they need to put on a more convincing show and reach Indianapolis this season. They need their defense to stop underachieving, and they need their offense to learn how to deal with adversity. Nebraska was frankly underwhelming on defense last season despite the number of star players, and their offense crumbled often on the road whenever they fell behind in the count. Much of that can be attributed to problems in leadership and coaching, so whether or not Bo Pelini is worth his paycheck, his evaluation period begins now.
Schedule.
- Sept 1, Southern Miss
- Sept 8, @ UCLA
- Sept 15, Arkansas State
- Sept 22, Idaho State
- Sept 29, Wisconsin
- Oct 6, @ Ohio State
- Oct 13, WIFEDAY
- Oct 20, @ Northwestern
- Oct 27, Michigan
- Nov 3, @ Michigan State
- Nov 10, Penn State
- Nov 17, Minnesota
Part of the problem last year was the scheduling -- Nebraska's B1G slate was ... shitty. The Huskers played all five of the Bigs: Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Ohio State, three of which were away games. No other B1G team faced more than four upper tier teams, even if you count Nebraska itself as one.
The matchups don't get any softer this season, but Nebraska will benefit marginally by having just two of those teams on the road and eight home games total. A well timed bye after Wisconsin and Ohio State should help the Huskers regroup for the bulk of the conference schedule.
Even with a visit to UCLA in week two, I see Nebraska sweeping their nonconference opponents. They'll likely lose to Ohio State and one of the Michigans, but any more than three B1G losses would surprise me.
This schedule is as favorable as:
X's and O's, Jimmys and Joes
Offense
"What was that?" "Idunno I've never seen that before."
Style: Spread/option, but a lot more option than spread
Key losses: backup RB Aaron Green (105 yards, 4.4 ypc, 2 TD) , WR Brandon Kinnie (257 yards, 1 TD), C Mike Caputo, LT Yoshi Hardrick, RT Marcel Jones.
Top returners: QB Taylor Martinez (56.3%, 2089 yards, 13 TD, 8 INT), RB Rex Burkhead (1357 yards, 4.8 ypc, 15 TD), RB Ameer Abdullah (150 yards, 3.6 ypc, 3 TD), WR Kenny Bell (461 yards, 3 TD), WR Quincy Enunwa (293 yards, 2 TD), TE Ben Cotton (189 yards, 0 TD), TE Kyler Reed (257 yards, 1 TD).
Last season
This offense is as frightening as:
Defense
Style: 4-3
Key losses: DT Jared Crick, LB Lavonte David, CB Alfonzo Dennard, S Austin Cassidy (61 tackles, 2 INT)
Top returners: DT Baker Steinkuhler (25 tackles, 2 sacks), DE Cameron Meredith (56 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 INT), DE Jason Ankrah (17 tackles, 1 sack), LB Will Compton (69 tackles, 1 sack), LB Sean Fisher (21 tackles), CB Andrew Green (38 tackles, 1 INT), S P.J. Smith (33 tackles, 1 INT)
Nebraska's disappointing defense in 2011 was much weaker against the run (158.5 ypg, 64th) than expected. A lot of this could be blamed on the absence of Jared Crick, who tore his pectoral muscle against Washington and eventually sat out the remainder of the season after Ohio State two games later.
This defense is as frightening as:
Special teams
Loses ball in 3 ... 2 ...
Key losses: No one that important.
Top returners: K/P Brett Maher (44.5 ypp, 19/23 FG), KR/PR Ameer Abdullah (29.3 yards/kickoff, 7.1 yards/punt)
They should be really good! When they're not fumbling.
Predictions:
Record:
Against Michigan:
Their chances of winning the B1G are as good as:
June 18th, 2012 at 5:40 PM | 
"This defense is as
"This defense is as
June 18th, 2012 at 5:43 PM |
I thought the same thing
I thought the same thing
And then he throws Phelps in there! Good preview.
I will be attending this game and the inside the stadium panorama picture looks as though it was taken from just about where I will be sitting. The night sky in the background got me so jacked to be there for what should be an amazing experience.
"Yep"
June 19th, 2012 at 10:00 AM |
Bravo!
Bravo!
An apt comparison...Blackshirts = a kid with a conduct disorder on his way to developing vendetta-laden sociopathy. Guess Al Borges will have to set firm limits and enforce consequences.
/psychnerdiness
MMB Bones '94-'97
June 19th, 2012 at 11:08 AM |
Or disturbing.
Or disturbing.
MGoBlog: More serial killer comparsions than your average college football blog.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
June 18th, 2012 at 5:45 PM |
Are you missing a game?
Are you missing a game?
I only count 11 opponents... Didn't the Big Ten create an end of season rivalry game for them with Iowa?
June 18th, 2012 at 6:45 PM |
Yeah
Yeah
That schedule only shows 7 B1G games.
Denard's 2010 was spent redefining what one man can do.
June 18th, 2012 at 6:29 PM |
So you said that their OL was
So you said that their OL was
So you said that their OL was bad, they lose three starters from that unit, and you think it will be better next year? Do they have some super recruits coming in? Because losing three starters from an OL usually does not make it better, especially if it was thin to begin with.
June 18th, 2012 at 6:37 PM |
According to Rivals...
According to Rivals...
they bring in two OL recruits, one four and one three star. Going back to 2011 they have four four star OL and one three star, I'm sure Ace commented on the redshirt situation, but I didn't double check before posting this reply.
Go Blue!
June 18th, 2012 at 7:25 PM |
Memorial is awesome, but
Memorial is awesome, but
Memorial is awesome, but remember Northwestern ran all over them.
2011 Nebraska State Champ "We're Michigan." @tannerwooten not that funny, though.
June 19th, 2012 at 11:09 AM |
The only time it's great to have a team play Northwestern
The only time it's great to have a team play Northwestern
The week before you play them: when they lost to them the previous year and can't ignore them.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
June 18th, 2012 at 7:33 PM |
"Lots of offseason fluff has
"Lots of offseason fluff has
"Lots of offseason fluff has been devoted to his throwing mechanics and accuracy, which is silly"
Huh? You just said Nebraska's offense is similar to ours, and a lot of our offseason fluff has been Denard improving his mechanics and accuracy. Is that silly?
June 18th, 2012 at 7:43 PM |
Not to speak for Ace...
Not to speak for Ace...
but it seems like he meant that Nebraska isn't going to go out and throw a ton next year, so the fluff on Martinez'[s?] arm is silly. His next sentence is describing how Nebraska will be an option running team no matter what, and then he evaluates TM's (there, that's better) skills in those areas, which seems like he's saying are much more important.
For Denard, it seems pretty clear that Borges would like Denard to throw, and throw deep, so the hype about him becoming a better passer is actually pretty relevant to how we'll play football this season.
Go Blue!
June 18th, 2012 at 7:58 PM |
You shouldn't speak for Ace.
You shouldn't speak for Ace.
You shouldn't speak for Ace. Especially since Ace didn't write this.
June 18th, 2012 at 8:20 PM |
Good point.
Good point.
I don't know why I thought Ace would be writing a preview.
Go Blue!
June 18th, 2012 at 8:29 PM |
Right-o. Martinez's ability
Right-o. Martinez's ability
Right-o. Martinez's ability to make the right reads in the option game will carry their offense much further than how pretty his throws are. While his accuracy is important, missing a wide open receiver in ther system is less detrimental than mising a receiver in coverage.
So that's why I think the reports on Denard's improving mechanics are more relevant in comparison.
June 18th, 2012 at 8:47 PM |
Sorry about that Heiko...
Sorry about that Heiko...
It must have been a traumatic experience, being called Ace, my condolences.
/s if it's really necessary
Go Blue!
June 18th, 2012 at 10:25 PM |
haha its an honor actually!
haha its an honor actually!
haha its an honor actually!
June 18th, 2012 at 10:11 PM |
Who has
Who has
A better arm? Taylor Martinez or Rico from Napoleon Dynamite?
Denard Robinson......They're not going to catch him!
June 18th, 2012 at 10:40 PM |
Rico. Uncle Rico can throw
Rico. Uncle Rico can throw
Rico. Uncle Rico can throw it over a mountain. Martinez couldn't hit the mountain if he was standing on top of it.
June 18th, 2012 at 10:29 PM |
You have to love the Ohio
You have to love the Ohio
You have to love the Ohio icon in Heiko's header. In case you missed it, its the pederast.
And when we play as a team, when the old season is over, you and I know it’s going to be Michigan again. Michigan!
June 19th, 2012 at 1:12 AM |
If Michigan Offense is running well!
If Michigan Offense is running well!
It will be difficult for NE to keep up with the points! This is one of the toss up games for Michigan. If the offense sputters and NE D plays well in front of the home crowd, they could win this game. I think by the end of the year our D will be playing quite well. Just my hunch!
expect the best
June 19th, 2012 at 5:24 AM |
D Overrated at 7?
D Overrated at 7?
My impression last year was that without Lavonte David their defense would have been atrocious. There were numerous plays wherein he got a piece of Denard to stop what otherwise would have been a long TD. His loss plus the loss of a top CB in Dennard makes the blackshirts very suspect indeed.
jbibiza
June 19th, 2012 at 10:52 AM |
Good writeup on the Huskers
Good writeup on the Huskers
Completely agree about the schedule, transitioning personnel and schemes to a new conference, and having an up-and-down QB adjusting to a new OC as being factors working against Nebraska last year. You make some good points about the D underachieving even with star players and the O's meltdowns on the road. And agree we'll likely lose to OSU and either UM or MSU.
Turnover margin has been a problem, the Blackshirts were unable to get two takeaways per game in either 2010 or 2011. Giving the offense a short field to work with once or twice a game would go a long way toward a Big Ten title. A few tackles for loss (NU rated 112th among all major college teams last fall) would be welcome. It would help the Huskers get off the field on third down more often than in 2011, when they rated 64th in that category. Meanwhile, Michigan came in at No. 68 in tackles for loss and No. 36 in third down defense.
On the plus side and where I'd disagree or counterpoint:
This year's team and the defense in particular will have a lot more depth and experience across the board, Pelini redshirted heavily beginning his first year. That should mean more consistency and less meltdowns (UM, Wisconsin) and letdowns (Northwestern). And the schedule, though just as brutal as last year, should be easier to deal with the second time around.
Many rate the receivers rated tops in the B1G, such as BTN's Tom Dienhart and Phil Steele.
Martinez has done a lot better running our offense than you give him credit for, and should be even better this year as a third year starting junior. In his freshman-sophomore seasons, he's already one of Nebraska's all-time leaders in rushing, passing, and total yards, (and would put him with Michigan's all-time leaders as well) with 2 more seasons to go running the same offense for the first time.
You could make a good case for Michigan, State, or Nebraska winning the Legends, all three have their strengths and weaknesses and it should be a dogfight. Wisconsin looks to have a pretty easy path the Conference Title game again.
June 19th, 2012 at 11:14 AM |
This picture-
This picture-
Anyone else glad to see us doing it to someone else, rather than the infamous picture of our O-line standing around and watching guys go right by them? (2008, right?)
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
June 19th, 2012 at 11:46 AM |
I believe it was acutally
I believe it was acutally
2007
It was OSU at the Big House, so it was an odd numbered year. I think this was supposed to be a screen and was totally blown up (I hope it was a screen)
"Over? Did you say, over? Nothing is over until we decide it is!"
June 19th, 2012 at 1:03 PM |
I didn't actually need to SEE it again.
I didn't actually need to SEE it again.
(Particularly the OSU version. Brian's was painful enough). Yeah, it was 2007. The scoreline tells it all. 14-3 in the 4th, and we're ranked #21. The putrid low score and the fact that we're even ranked in November tells the tale.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
June 19th, 2012 at 1:00 PM |
Prediction:
Prediction:
"This defense is as frightening as: a 12-year-old kid who wets his bed, is cruel to small animals, and likes starting fires. You are a 28-year-old woman who reminds him of his mother."
That is inspired!