CBS Sports: Huskers are a possible 2016 football playoff Cinderella

[1fansopinion]

From CBS Sports:

4. Nebraska: It's hard to think of Nebraska as a Cinderella in football because it's Nebraska. It's won five national titles after all. Still, even with that illustrious history, it's been nearly 20 years since that last title (1997), and it's been nearly as long since the Cornhuskers even won a conference title (1999).

So whether it feels right or not, Nebraska reaching the CFP would be a Cinderella story at this point. And I haven't even mentioned the fact that the Huskers went 6-7 last year.

What works in Nebraska's favor this year is that it's the second season under Mike Riley, meaning the transition process should be over. Also, the Huskers play in the Big Ten West, where Iowa showed us all last season how quickly you can turn things around in a division without a dominant power. Throw in a schedule that includes some nice resume games (vs. Oregon, at Ohio State) and nothing too incredibly difficult outside of that road trip to Columbus, and it's not entirely out of the question Nebraska finishes the regular season at 11-1 and plays for a Big Ten title. If it wins that title, well, it's never going to be easy to keep a 12-1 Big Ten champ out of the playoff.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...-college-football-playoff-cinderellas-in-2016

 

[newAD]

Quick, someone send this link to the Board of Regents!

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

Using what Iowa did last year as part of your reasoning as to why we could do it this year is seriously flawed. Compare the teams Iowa played up to the B1G title game then look at our upcoming schedule this year. There were no Oregon's or Ohio States in there anywhere. In fact, the more you look at their schedule, the more you have to laugh.

 

[whiteshoes97]

Using what Iowa did last year as part of your reasoning as to why we could do it this year is seriously flawed. Compare the teams Iowa played up to the B1G title game then look at our upcoming schedule this year. There were no Oregon's or Ohio States in there anywhere. In fact, the more you look at their schedule, the more you have to laugh.

Agreed. Lazy writing

 

[baseball31ne]

Last writing for sure. NU can split the Oregon and osu games then the team can get to some lofty goals.

 

[ellobo]

Using what Iowa did last year as part of your reasoning as to why we could do it this year is seriously flawed. Compare the teams Iowa played up to the B1G title game then look at our upcoming schedule this year. There were no Oregon's or Ohio States in there anywhere. In fact, the more you look at their schedule, the more you have to laugh.

Well if you reread the article the writer says it would be hard to keep a 12-1 (note: the 1 part) B10 champ NU out of the playoff. He also notes your games against Oregon and tOSU implying your game with tOSU is the loss.

Thus I read it as besides those two games the rest of the schedule puts NU in an Iowa like situation in that you don't have to be a great team to run the table (in their division). So all NU needs to do is beat Oregon at home (getting a signature regular season win) and it could find itself in the CCG on a neutral field where anything can happen.

 

[baseball31ne]

Big if's but they are possible.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

Well if you reread the article the writer says it would be hard to keep a 12-1 (note: the 1 part) B10 champ NU out of the playoff. He also notes your games against Oregon and tOSU implying your game with tOSU is the loss.

Thus I read it as besides those two games the rest of the schedule puts NU in an Iowa like situation in that you don't have to be a great team to run the table (in their division). So all NU needs to do is beat Oregon at home (getting a signature regular season win) and it could find itself in the CCG on a neutral field where anything can happen.

You sure took the long way around the barn to agree with me Iowa's schedule sucked last year and shouldn't be used for forecasting our results this year.

 

[jeans15]

I agree with the article

 

[huskerbux]

Actually the writer didn't mention Iowa's schedule at all as a comparison. He wrote that You can use Iowa as an example of how you can turn things around in a division WITHOUT a power and he's correct. Then he says "throw in a schedule that includes...." To me says our schedule is much better given the likes of Oregon and Ohio St which would make it hard to keep a 12-1 team out of it.

So I don't see the lazy writing

 

[red rover 70]

From CBS Sports:

4. Nebraska: It's hard to think of Nebraska as a Cinderella in football because it's Nebraska. It's won five national titles after all. Still, even with that illustrious history, it's been nearly 20 years since that last title (1997), and it's been nearly as long since the Cornhuskers even won a conference title (1999).

So whether it feels right or not, Nebraska reaching the CFP would be a Cinderella story at this point. And I haven't even mentioned the fact that the Huskers went 6-7 last year.

What works in Nebraska's favor this year is that it's the second season under Mike Riley, meaning the transition process should be over. Also, the Huskers play in the Big Ten West, where Iowa showed us all last season how quickly you can turn things around in a division without a dominant power. Throw in a schedule that includes some nice resume games (vs. Oregon, at Ohio State) and nothing too incredibly difficult outside of that road trip to Columbus, and it's not entirely out of the question Nebraska finishes the regular season at 11-1 and plays for a Big Ten title. If it wins that title, well, it's never going to be easy to keep a 12-1 Big Ten champ out of the playoff.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...-college-football-playoff-cinderellas-in-2016

This could be a very nice year. If we're undefeated after the Oregon game we could go on a nice little run for the next few years. Riley could very well be building a major player in the college football world with the right mix of recruiting and coaching. I'm not surprised to hear rumblings from Bo supporters and closed door meetings.

 

[Bill_Callahan2.0]

This could be a very nice year. If we're undefeated after the Oregon game we could go on a nice little run for the next few years. Riley could very well be building a major player in the college football world with the right mix of recruiting and coaching. I'm not surprised to hear rumblings from Bo supporters and closed door meetings.

That's the dream

 

[NikkiSixx]

2016, nope, not unless they actually commit to play to Tommy's strengths.
2017, nope, it will be a new QB, assuming redshirt freshman
2018, nope, sophomore QB, assuming it's POB
2019, ok, now you have a chance.. Jr QB, but will HCMR be around? it will be year 5 of his original contract, and he will be 67.

I've always thought time was of the essence, and unfortunately, because of differences in the systems and personnel, we will have wasted 2 good years in a Jr and Sr QB, by making him (TA) run a system that isn't his strength.

We heard all the talk last year, then saw what they actually did in the games. Only in one game, against UCLA, where they actually played to his strengths, and then came out and said it was just a UCLA game plan and not a recipe going forward.

That glass slipper, while it would be great if it magically fits, probably doesn't exist.. it's a unicorn, great for stories and fairy tales.

Since we are talking fairy tales, have you ever wondered what the offense would have looked like with Urban Meyer coaching Tommy last year?

Anxious to hear your GBR fantasy...

 

[otismotis08]

Can they fix TA's decision-making? That is the key to this season.

 

[NikkiSixx]

Can they fix TA's decision-making? That is the key to this season.

isn't it sort of related to the type of offense being run?.. an offense with less options reduces decision making.. more check downs is not a good recipe for TA.

 

[otismotis08]

isn't it sort of related to the type of offense being run?.. an offense with less options reduces decision making.. more check downs is not a good recipe for TA.

Partially.

 

[timnsun]

2016, nope, not unless they actually commit to play to Tommy's strengths.
2017, nope, it will be a new QB, assuming redshirt freshman
2018, nope, sophomore QB, assuming it's POB
2019, ok, now you have a chance.. Jr QB, but will HCMR be around? it will be year 5 of his original contract, and he will be 67.

I've always thought time was of the essence, and unfortunately, because of differences in the systems and personnel, we will have wasted 2 good years in a Jr and Sr QB, by making him (TA) run a system that isn't his strength.

We heard all the talk last year, then saw what they actually did in the games. Only in one game, against UCLA, where they actually played to his strengths, and then came out and said it was just a UCLA game plan and not a recipe going forward.

That glass slipper, while it would be great if it magically fits, probably doesn't exist.. it's a unicorn, great for stories and fairy tales.

Since we are talking fairy tales, have you ever wondered what the offense would have looked like with Urban Meyer coaching Tommy last year?

Anxious to hear your GBR fantasy...

I agree that this year looks to be daunting... But to say it won't happen with POB until he's at least a junior? That seems like a stretch to me... The list is quite long of sophomores who have played in playoff like atmospheres... Jameis Winston, Tommie Frazier, Eric Crouch, Marcus Mariota, Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett, AJ McCarron, Vince Young, Sam Bradford, etc. Saw this from a CBS article as well...

"But the truth is, first-year starting quarterbacks have never been more successful than they are today. As the game evolves with more specialized teaching and conditioning at young ages and spread offenses that simplify decisions, the notion that you can't win big with a new quarterback is gone.

New starting quarterbacks aren't just winning accolades. They're winning national championships at a nearly unprecedented rate."

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...-starters-are-winning-big-in-college-football

Is POB one of those guys above? Maybe not, but to say he won't do anything until he's a junior is not fair either.

 

[scarletred]

We better hope that POB becomes our backup QB in 2016 so he can get some valuable experience in some games would help the transition the following year. I feel this is very important for this program moving forward..

As far as 2016, Oregon is going to be a huge game especially for Riley Win or Lose we still have 2 very important road games at NW and at Wisconsin before we even play Bucknuts in Columbus.

If we're 8-1 or 7-2 after tOSU I'll feel pretty good about winning our division in Iowa City at the end of the season.

 

[red rover 70]

2016, nope, not unless they actually commit to play to Tommy's strengths.
2017, nope, it will be a new QB, assuming redshirt freshman
2018, nope, sophomore QB, assuming it's POB
2019, ok, now you have a chance.. Jr QB, but will HCMR be around? it will be year 5 of his original contract, and he will be 67.

I've always thought time was of the essence, and unfortunately, because of differences in the systems and personnel, we will have wasted 2 good years in a Jr and Sr QB, by making him (TA) run a system that isn't his strength.

We heard all the talk last year, then saw what they actually did in the games. Only in one game, against UCLA, where they actually played to his strengths, and then came out and said it was just a UCLA game plan and not a recipe going forward.

That glass slipper, while it would be great if it magically fits, probably doesn't exist.. it's a unicorn, great for stories and fairy tales.

Since we are talking fairy tales, have you ever wondered what the offense would have looked like with Urban Meyer coaching Tommy last year?

Anxious to hear your GBR fantasy...

First off Urban wouldn't of been able to contain the drama from last year. His coaching style would of caused a total meltdown. Secondly, Tommy finally played within the offense and he executed it perfectly. So... Tommy is capable to do it! Having Patrick right there should give Tommy the correct motivation to make the decisions necessary to succeed.

 

[Redblood23]

Team has a lot to prove before I'd even start to think like that. Still has to prove that they can beat Wisconsin, Iowa and not put out efforts like Purdue and Illinois.

 

[Cornicator]

2016, nope, not unless they actually commit to play to Tommy's strengths.
2017, nope, it will be a new QB, assuming redshirt freshman
2018, nope, sophomore QB, assuming it's POB
2019, ok, now you have a chance.. Jr QB, but will HCMR be around? it will be year 5 of his original contract, and he will be 67.

I've always thought time was of the essence, and unfortunately, because of differences in the systems and personnel, we will have wasted 2 good years in a Jr and Sr QB, by making him (TA) run a system that isn't his strength.

We heard all the talk last year, then saw what they actually did in the games. Only in one game, against UCLA, where they actually played to his strengths, and then came out and said it was just a UCLA game plan and not a recipe going forward.

That glass slipper, while it would be great if it magically fits, probably doesn't exist.. it's a unicorn, great for stories and fairy tales.

Since we are talking fairy tales, have you ever wondered what the offense would have looked like with Urban Meyer coaching Tommy last year?

Anxious to hear your GBR fantasy...

I tend to look at your analysis as over analysis. Look what Nebraska did to Michigan State and then compare that to Ohio State's 160 total yards the following week. The scheme and QB play is only a part of the equation. Nebraska needs to play defense at a completely different level if they ever want to compete for any championship.

 

[TFrazier]

We better hope that POB becomes our backup QB in 2016 so he can get some valuable experience in some games would help the transition the following year. I feel this is very important for this program moving forward..

As far as 2016, Oregon is going to be a huge game especially for Riley Win or Lose we still have 2 very important road games at NW and at Wisconsin before we even play Bucknuts in Columbus.

If we're 8-1 or 7-2 after tOSU I'll feel pretty good about winning our division in Iowa City at the end of the season.

I would agree about giving POB playing time if he earns the backup spot. However, Nebraska actually needs to have a substantial lead in several games to even give him a chance to enter the game. Based on last season that could be a problem getting him into games given the poor defensive play most of the season and our tendency for ridiculous turnovers by the offense.

Unless those areas improve dramatically ...POB will not get much playing time unless TA is injured.

Just being a realist.