Lee Barfknecht

[Toms Wife]

But are you really "sending" the three linemen? My understanding is that their main responsibility is to tie-up the offensive linemen and subsequently play a lot of two-gap responsibility. Unless you can absolutely man-handle your opponent in Suh-like fashion, it's really hard to get much pressure with that kind of an assignment.
I don't know how well the defense will do or whether our sack numbers will be up from last year. One prediction I made months ago: posters will bitch about the "lack of production" from the three d-linemen, without really understanding what their role is.

This is one reason I am not a fan of the 3-4. The down linemen are there to gobble up the oline and hold ground...especially if we are running the Okie front which I believe Diaco does. That has the potential for getting used against us getting quality dlinemen in the future (although it ought to excite outside backers).

 

[jay-cheese]

Until a coach breaks a bone, it ain't like it used to be....blah, blah. Same ole $@&* and stick from Barfy. Are we going undefeated this year? Not likely. Could it get ugly if our QB play and new D struggle? Yes...but again, not likely.

GBR

 

[inWV]

This is one reason I am not a fan of the 3-4. The down linemen are there to gobble up the oline and hold ground...especially if we are running the Okie front which I believe Diaco does. That has the potential for getting used against us getting quality dlinemen in the future (although it ought to excite outside backers).

I believe Riley's thinking is that there are a lot more possible LBs than there are DLs. Freedom, Mick and Carlos are experienced and will anchor our line for the next two years.

 

[TheBeav815]

The stupid runs deep. The team has been objectively mediocre for years, but any time a reporter dares to point that out multiple posters have a total meltdown and wanna boycott the OWH.

WHATEVER I AIN'T READIN' HIS CRAP HE'S ONE A THEM LIL SISSY BOYS WHAT WRITES WORDS INSTEADA PLAYIN' FOOTBALL!!!

 

[Red I 73]

But he's so bad at it. It should be easy: untested QB, new DC, loss of Jones, lack of depth at certain positions. But instead we get DPE didn't cry after the bowl game and Keyshawn Sr will let his son smoke weed when he's 30. WTF is that?

OK reading comprehension is not the strong point on this board. Barf was not talking about DPE not crying after the bowl game, he was referring to a nameless team mate doing the goofing off behind DPE during the interview.

 

[JohnRossEwing]

The stupid runs deep. The team has been objectively mediocre for years, but any time a reporter dares to point that out multiple posters have a total meltdown and wanna boycott the OWH.

WHATEVER I AIN'T READIN' HIS CRAP HE'S ONE A THEM LIL SISSY BOYS WHAT WRITES WORDS INSTEADA PLAYIN' FOOTBALL!!!

This is the post of the year! So freaking true!

If Lee wrote that Mike Riley walks on water...posters here would complain that Lee doesn't think Riley can swim.

 

[headcard]

The stupid runs deep. The team has been objectively mediocre for years, but any time a reporter dares to point that out multiple posters have a total meltdown and wanna boycott the OWH.

WHATEVER I AIN'T READIN' HIS CRAP HE'S ONE A THEM LIL SISSY BOYS WHAT WRITES WORDS INSTEADA PLAYIN' FOOTBALL!!!

Did you actually read his article? He didn't objectively point anything out, he just threw together a bunch of nonsense that has nothing to do with his 7-5 prediction. Again, nothing wrong with the prediction, as this team as alot of questions, but this article is pure garbage.

I'll link it again, if you actually want to read it.
http://www.omaha.com/huskers/footba...cle_9b5721b5-05c5-5c69-9abc-e98d9eb1186d.html

 

[Pennsyhusker]

Personally, I think too much is made of the 3-4 and what it brings that is better. In fact, I don't really know that it's the switch to the 3-4 per se that has people excited. I think it's Bob Diaco and his style and intensity that people are excited about which is completely different than we had with Banker. I don't think we brought in Diaco because he runs the 3-4 and we wanted to make a change that way, I think we brought him in because of his good track record as a Defensive Coordinator and it just so happened that the 3-4 was the kind of defense he runs.

This. Exactly

 

[Pennsyhusker]

Those of you who are old as dirt like me probably remember Sam posting here years ago before he worked for OWH. I recall his opinions were highly regarded for the most part. But now he seems to be regarded as a fool. Perhaps an oldtimer or two could explain the change?

Wow, how confusing. I thought I was posting to a Sam bashfest and now the title has been changed to another writer. Oh well, OWH hate seems to be the general topic.

Sorry, that was my mistake. I said the article was by McKewon originally. Had to change it

 

[TheBeav815]

Did you actually read his article? He didn't objectively point anything out, he just threw together a bunch of nonsense that has nothing to do with his 7-5 prediction. Again, nothing wrong with the prediction, as this team as alot of questions, but this article is pure garbage.

I'll link it again, if you actually want to read it.
http://www.omaha.com/huskers/footba...cle_9b5721b5-05c5-5c69-9abc-e98d9eb1186d.html

Yes, it must be that I haven't tried enough thoughtful breakdowns on this board. I'm sure today will be the day that my point by point analysis is met with, "You're right, I didn't notice that the first time," instead of, "I'm not gonna read all that but you're a libtard and I hope you choke on something."

 

[Huskercigar]

Did you actually read his article? He didn't objectively point anything out, he just threw together a bunch of nonsense that has nothing to do with his 7-5 prediction. Again, nothing wrong with the prediction, as this team as alot of questions, but this article is pure garbage.

I'll link it again, if you actually want to read it.
http://www.omaha.com/huskers/footba...cle_9b5721b5-05c5-5c69-9abc-e98d9eb1186d.html

I disagree. I think it was an excellent article although taboo in some ways. Not real popular airing dirty laundry. It goes to the very heart of all the arguments on these boards regarding MR and whether you believe he is the guy or not. He objectively pointed out a lot of things but if you don't read it objectively or refuse to read it objectively you won't see it.

There are a lot of dynamics going on that the general public never knows about it and quite frankly....reporters have more access too. Many of these COULD lead to a rocky road as he predicts but doesn't mean they WILL. He is merely pointing out some candid challenges that are presenting themselves to this staff. Kudos to the coaches if and when they do overcome them.

 

[maplesyrup95]

IIRC, Barfknecht wrote something similar last year at about this time. He said that our team looked "soft" and our practices came off "like a PAC-12 team." What he really should have mentioned was the amount of depth we didn't have last year. We got off to a 7-0 hot start due to a poor first 7 opponents, then we intermittently had injuries to key defensive players and (literally) 2 QBs, not to mention we practically started a walk-on OL against Ohio State. So of COURSE we looked soft. We basically only had a 1-deep. The same can be said about a lot of the rest of our team. It might sound like excuses but had we not (1) had injuries and (2) almost beaten Wisconsin, this entire hype around the 2017 season would be different.

Fast forward a year later and it's a similar story, except he does show slight hope in Diaco and Tanner Lee—unlike last year's article. He undertakes the same tone as that pre-season article last August. Yes, it's not flattering to hear DPE to be joking around after a loss, but who honestly thought we were going to beat Tennessee without key talented starters out? I'm amazed we scored 24 points with so many players out/nonchalant about playing that game in general. Lee has solid points but he completely failed to publicly recognize the depth that Riley and the staff has been building. Anyone can criticize right now. Whether the season ends up 7-5, 5-4 or not like Lee is predicting (I see us 8-4 with a good chance of being better than that), the OWH is good at getting eyeballs with stories like this. Yes it very well might be a bumpy road this season, but Riley's staff is recruiting leader/influencer types of athletes and re-building talented depth that was left barren. This article was designed for the instant gratification crowd so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[headcard]

I disagree. I think it was an excellent article although taboo in some ways. Not real popular airing dirty laundry. It goes to the very heart of all the arguments on these boards regarding MR and whether you believe he is the guy or not. He objectively pointed out a lot of things but if you don't read it objectively or refuse to read it objectively you won't see it.

There are a lot of dynamics going on that the general public never knows about it and quite frankly....reporters have more access too. Many of these COULD lead to a rocky road as he predicts but doesn't mean they WILL. He is merely pointing out some candid challenges that are presenting themselves to this staff. Kudos to the coaches if and when they do overcome them.

I guess I don't see how it is an "excellent" article, looking at it objectively. He provided no actually context to his predications. Who cares what Keyshawn Sr said in May? How is it relevant if Kevin Steele had more energy than Bob Diaco? The whole article is just a bunch of random "get off my lawn" moments thrown together that have very little to do with football.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

IIRC, Barfknecht wrote something similar last year at about this time. He said that our team looked "soft" and our practices came off "like a PAC-12 team." What he really should have mentioned was the amount of depth we didn't have last year. We got off to a 7-0 hot start due to a poor first 7 opponents, then we intermittently had injuries to key defensive players and (literally) 2 QBs, not to mention we practically started a walk-on OL against Ohio State. So of COURSE we looked soft. We basically only had a 1-deep The same can be said about a lot of the rest of our team. It might sound like excuses but had we not (1) had injuries and (2) almost beaten Wisconsin, this entire hype around the 2017 season would be different.

Fast forward a year later and it's a similar story, except he does show slight hope in Diaco and Tanner Lee—unlike last year's article. He undertakes the same tone as that pre-season article last August. Yes, it' not flattering to hear DPE to be joking around after a loss, but who honestly thought we were going to beat Tennessee without key talented starters out? I'm amazed we scored 24 points with so many players out/nonchalant about playing that game in general. Lee has solid points but he completely failed to publicly recognize the depth that Riley and the staff has been building. Anyone can criticize right now. Whether the season ends up 7-5, 5-4 or not like Lee is predicting (I see us 8-4 with a good chance of being better than that), the OWH is good at getting eyeballs with stories like this. Yes it very well might be a bumpy road this season, but Riley's staff is recruiting leader/influencer types of athletes and re-building talented depth that was left barren. This article was designed for the instant gratification crowd so take it with a grain of salt.

I think you hit on something very important. We have more depth this year ar QB, on both lines, at tight end (yes I said tight end, despite our losses there) and, I would say, at running back, than Riley had in his first two years

 

[inWV]

Said I wasn't going to read Barfy but did. His point
1-what happened in Dec is now irrelevant
2- took a shot at Banker and Riley
3 - Steele > Diaco. What is the point? Bringing up Steele is a real antique.
4- Lee is the starting QB at NU. Welcome to the fishbowl.
5- I am sure other coaches from lesser programs have thought the same. And they have been wrong for the most part.
6- I doubt any recruits care what KJ Sr says about weed. And their parents are probably more concerned about Rileys opinion.
Garbage article.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

Said I wasn't going to read Barfy but did. His point
1-what happened in Dec is now irrelevant
2- took a shot at Banker and Riley
3 - Steele > Diaco. What is the point? Bringing up Steele is a real antique.
4- Lee is the starting QB at NU. Welcome to the fishbowl.
5- I am sure other coaches from lesser programs have thought the same. And they have been wrong for the most part.
6- I doubt any recruits care what KJ Sr says about weed. And their parents are probably more concerned about Rileys opinion.
Garbage article.

Amen.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Sam, Barfy, Sipple...what is up with these guys bringing these assessments two weeks before the season. The only thing I can think of is they need to write contrarian stuff to increase their readership.

Ask your hubby about this stuff.

 

[maplesyrup95]

I think you hit on something very important. We have more depth this year at QB, on both lines, at tight end (yes I said tight end, despite our losses there) and, I would say, at running back, than Riley had in his first two years

A lot of people on social media (Facebook comment sections, Twitter replies to the Nebraska football journalists, etc.) go ridiculous for every headline that reads "Nebraska Football Bad" or "Tanner Lee Good." Whether a fan is on one side of Riley & staff or the other, it gives the OWH relevancy. I personally think Lee's article is far-fetched overall because he completely fails to mention the depth that Riley is building. I mean, honestly, all you have to do is look at today's revealing of the roster. It was a total instant-gratification crowd article.

To your point with the TEs, our former staff was screaming bloody murder for tight ends under Tim Beck. Other than the 3 Cottons and Mike McNeil (who was recruited by Billy C), they somehow convinced Kyler Reed to switch over to TE. After the Cottons, we had no TEs. We have a lot of young guns right now, and that's credit to Tavita Thompson who I hope we somehow put on the payroll sometime soon. I agree with all of what you said. Lee completely neglected the depth that Riley has been building.

 

[Harry Caray]

The stupid runs deep. The team has been objectively mediocre for years, but any time a reporter dares to point that out multiple posters have a total meltdown and wanna boycott the OWH.

WHATEVER I AIN'T READIN' HIS CRAP HE'S ONE A THEM LIL SISSY BOYS WHAT WRITES WORDS INSTEADA PLAYIN' FOOTBALL!!!

I've been plenty critical of Riley, but this article was mostly garbage. Kevin Steele's personality, one player goofing around after last year's bowl game, and a parent saying his son can smoke weed when he's 30 - none of these things are "telltale signs" that this year's team will have a bumpy road.

Alabama's starting DE got shot outside a bar the other night and didn't cooperate with investigators. Barfknecht must think that Saban has lost control of the program.

 

[inWV]

I've been plenty critical of Riley, but this article was mostly garbage. Kevin Steele's personality, one player goofing around after last year's bowl game, and a parent saying his son can smoke weed when he's 30 - none of these things are "telltale signs" that this year's team will have a bumpy road.

Alabama's starting DE got shot outside a bar the other night and didn't cooperate with investigators. Barfknecht must think that Saban has lost control of the program.

We may have the record Barfy predicts but none of what he wrote is relevant to that possibility. Really lazy sports writing. The Steele and Big 8 skywriters bits had to cleared of cobwebs before use.

 

[Charlie Marlow]

Lee has been writing a version of ths every Fall for over thirty years. He tries too hard to be the 'objective non-homer' by talking up other teams and downplaying Nebraska at every turn. Its not one article. It's a series of them stretching back to him picking Penn St to beat Nebraska in the 1983 kickoff classic. Good call Lee

 

[WestCoastCornhusker2]

Lee has been writing a version of ths every Fall for over thirty years. He tries too hard to be the 'objective non-homer' by talking up other teams and downplaying Nebraska at every turn. Its not one article. It's a series of them stretching back to him picking Penn St to beat Nebraska in the 1983 kickoff classic. Good call Lee

He also needs controversy, he could have said 9-3 ho hum, next. It's working people are worried and are reading the article.

 

[Hoosker Du]

I have made a distinction between putting pressure on the passer and blitzing in a 3-4 and a 4-3. The biggest difference is in the disguise and deception. In a 4-3, the front 4 are going to be rushing almost every time in a pass situation. If you blitz a linebacker or safety you will be sending 5 and dropping 6 in coverage. If you blitz a LB and drop a lineman into coverage the deception may be there but you aren't creating mismatches with numbers. In a 3-4, you can send any 1 of 4 linebackers in addition to the 3 linemen. So even without "blitzing" and still sending 4 there is an advantage in disguise. If you decide to send 5, then you are in even better position for disguise and deception with how and who you blitz.

I think the front 3 guys are going to be playing run first, since they are all mostly going to be playing 2-gap. I would suspect the DT will play head up on the tackle, and the ILBs will have cover A and B gap as needed.

 

[Thor4NU]

As the only AP voter in the state, Barfy voted for Michigan over Nebraska in 1997. Guy is a tool. Pretty much everyone at the OWH covering Huskers is as well. That's why sites like this and other online media are crushing newspapers.

 

[NikkiSixx]

It still might be a rocky year.

Defensively, it's going to be better. I agree that there will be some blown assignments, and there will be changes in the starters as BD tweaks things week to week. His enthusiasm and fire alone, are going to make improvements.

Offensively, we should be better as well. However, I am very concerned with the offensive line. They will try to help out the line, by running the screen game to death. I don't trust the core group of RB's to really be that effective, and the opposing defenses will just put a lot of people in the box to stop it. We are going to need to be able to throw the ball deep to have a good offensive season.

So, it will be a question of being able to read the defense, and for Lee to get them out of bad plays and into good ones. I expect them to tic and tock back and forth between deep and screen plays all year.

Too many moving parts for a first year unit to be that effective. I hate to only go with 6 wins because I feel we should be better than that.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

It still might be a rocky year.

Defensively, it's going to be better. I agree that there will be some blown assignments, and there will be changes in the starters as BD tweaks things week to week. His enthusiasm and fire alone, are going to make improvements.

Offensively, we should be better as well. However, I am very concerned with the offensive line. They will try to help out the line, by running the screen game to death. I don't trust the core group of RB's to really be that effective, and the opposing defenses will just put a lot of people in the box to stop it. We are going to need to be able to throw the ball deep to have a good offensive season.

So, it will be a question of being able to read the defense, and for Lee to get them out of bad plays and into good ones. I expect them to tic and tock back and forth between deep and screen plays all year.

Too many moving parts for a first year unit to be that effective. I hate to only go with 6 wins because I feel we should be better than that.

So we are going to be better on offense and defense than last year, where we won 9 games, but this year we are going to only win 6???? I don't follow your logic

 

[SeaOfRed75]

This is one reason I am not a fan of the 3-4. The down linemen are there to gobble up the oline and hold ground...especially if we are running the Okie front which I believe Diaco does. That has the potential for getting used against us getting quality dlinemen in the future (although it ought to excite outside backers).

Holy crap, for a lady you really know your football. Im not sure if my wife knows the difference between a 4-3 and a 3-4 let alone what an Okie front is.

 

[headcard]

It still might be a rocky year.

Defensively, it's going to be better. I agree that there will be some blown assignments, and there will be changes in the starters as BD tweaks things week to week. His enthusiasm and fire alone, are going to make improvements.

Offensively, we should be better as well. However, I am very concerned with the offensive line. They will try to help out the line, by running the screen game to death. I don't trust the core group of RB's to really be that effective, and the opposing defenses will just put a lot of people in the box to stop it. We are going to need to be able to throw the ball deep to have a good offensive season.

So, it will be a question of being able to read the defense, and for Lee to get them out of bad plays and into good ones. I expect them to tic and tock back and forth between deep and screen plays all year.

Too many moving parts for a first year unit to be that effective. I hate to only go with 6 wins because I feel we should be better than that.

I don't nessicarily agree, but if the barf man had just written something like this, you know actually about football,I would have no issue.

I just don't see all those loses.
Minnesota returns less than us and has a whole new staff, but we are going to lose to them?
We drilled NW at their place, return the same number of starters and we are going to lose to them at home?
I also see Iowa and Wisconsin at home and at Oregon as tossups. We could lose all those games, but I really doubt it.

 

[NikkiSixx]

So we are going to be better on offense and defense than last year, where we won 9 games, but this year we are going to only win 6???? I don't follow your logic

key word 'should' was underlined.. I'm saying the narrative we hear is all good, so we should be better on offense, but my gut isn't buying it. My gut is telling me otherwise. Sorry for being a bit unclear.

 

[B1G RED RULES]

Barfy is a closet Iowa fan who looks like a chimo. Nuff said.

He has spoken more truth about Kirk Ferentz being an overpaid average coach than most.

 

[NikkiSixx]

I don't nessicarily agree, but if the barf man had just written something like this, you know actually about football,I would have no issue.

I just don't see all those loses.
Minnesota returns less than us and has a whole new staff, but we are going to lose to them?
We drilled NW at their place, return the same number of starters and we are going to lose to them at home?
I also see Iowa and Wisconsin at home and at Oregon as tossups. We could lose all those games, but I really doubt it.

I think we beat Minny.
I have the L column for Oregon, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, & Northwestern.

You're right about the home games, it might give us a chance to do better. Granted, my prediction is a worst case scenario. 8-9 wins is prob more likely.

 

[B1G RED RULES]

Congratulations to Dirk on no longer being the pariah at the OWH. Now the cool kids hate Sam for daring to ever say that NU might not win it all this year.

Even when it's not his article.

And yes, I do expect growing pains. They don't have a roster of upperclassmen who are 3-4 guys.

This is the same crew who couldn't get to the QB last year. They're just lined up differently. People act like a 4-3 doesn't have blitzes and a 3-4 does. It's not like they haven't tried sacking the QB.

Name a guy who is a natural OLB and is a proven, game-changing pass rusher. I'll wait. We don't have one, let alone two. We're optimistic about MLB play, but were you thrilled about what we had at MLB last year?

I'm not saying they can't be good, but I've seen this fight every. single. year. about how dare somebody say we won't "shock the world" this season. And yet the team has been average since what...2010? Longer?

Couldn't agree more with this post!

Lee B has always been a straight shooter and equal opportunity offender. If he thinks the Huskers will be mediocre for another year to add to our incredible mediocre track record, he is not going to hold back to spare some hurt feelings. The cool thing is if he sees something to be excited about - he will say it too.

Let's hope he sees something special for 2018, because anyone thinking 2017 will be a breakout year will likely be sorely disappointed (or maybe, just like some of our players, will be nonchalant).

 

[suhnami]

So we are going to be better on offense and defense than last year, where we won 9 games, but this year we are going to only win 6???? I don't follow your logic

Seriously? It's only been posted on here about 100 times how this could happen...

 

[headcard]

Straight shooter,

 

[steelclaw]

The stupid runs deep. The team has been objectively mediocre for years, but any time a reporter dares to point that out multiple posters have a total meltdown and wanna boycott the OWH.

WHATEVER I AIN'T READIN' HIS CRAP HE'S ONE A THEM LIL SISSY BOYS WHAT WRITES WORDS INSTEADA PLAYIN' FOOTBALL!!!

I'm fine with columns that are intellectually honest. Even ones that are severely negative. This column was breathtakingly idiotic.

 

[steelclaw]

Couldn't agree more with this post!

Lee B has always been a straight shooter and equal opportunity offender. If he thinks the Huskers will be mediocre for another year to add to our incredible mediocre track record, he is not going to hold back to spare some hurt feelings. The cool thing is if he sees something to be excited about - he will say it too.

Let's hope he sees something special for 2018, because anyone thinking 2017 will be a breakout year will likely be sorely disappointed (or maybe, just like some of our players, will be nonchalant).

My favorite part is when the "straight shooter" seemingly blames the current AD and HC for Arkansas state not being intimidated to play us. I have news for Lee. Nobody has been afraid to come to Memorial stadium since circa 2002. Was South Dakota intimidated? Was McNeese state?

 

[headcard]

I think we beat Minny.
I have the L column for Oregon, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, & Northwestern.

You're right about the home games, it might give us a chance to do better. Granted, my prediction is a worst case scenario. 8-9 wins is prob more likely.

That's probably how I see it. 8-9 is most likely, 6 is possible and I would say 10 is also possible.

 

[inWV]

Couldn't agree more with this post!

Lee B has always been a straight shooter and equal opportunity offender. If he thinks the Huskers will be mediocre for another year to add to our incredible mediocre track record, he is not going to hold back to spare some hurt feelings. The cool thing is if he sees something to be excited about - he will say it too.

Let's hope he sees something special for 2018, because anyone thinking 2017 will be a breakout year will likely be sorely disappointed (or maybe, just like some of our players, will be nonchalant).

Wouldn't have any problem with him being a straight shooter and writing a column arguing for his predictions. But he wrote a lazy, hacky piece of garbage that really lends no credence to his win/loss predictions. Took some cheap shots. Maybe the team is closer to the Vegas win O/U. We will have a better idea about that in a couple of weeks. But Barfy's column does not in any way inform that possible eventuality. And you seem "nonchalant" about that.

 

[Wasker77]

says we can expect a "bumpy ride" this year. He says he bases this on information he has gotten from various sources that it usually takes a full year to shift from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4. He also was taken aback by how nonchalant the players were about last year's embarrassment in the bowl loss.

I don't have much respect for Barfknecht nor for football journalists in general. But he does at least raise two questions that have been discussed on this board before that deserve more discussion:

1. How successful will Diaco be in the first year of the 3-4?

My view is that most of what was holding our defense back last year was lackluster coaching. I think we see a more immediate turnaround than Barfy suggests due to a better staff. The weak link is OLB. I say we will surprise at that position and be better than people think. The key will be pass coverage by the OLB. We will soon see.

2. Do we have true leaders on this team and do most players on this team truly buy into a culture of excellence?

I have no clue here and that is important. There might be a small handful of people on this board who have the pulse of the locker room and can validly advance an opinion about this. Barfy suggests that last year this was an issue. Is he right about that? If he is, what was the source of the apathy? Is it still there?

As an outsider you cannot form an opinion on this issue based on articles in the papers. They are mostly inflated, feel-good, bullshit. And in my opinion our season will rise or fall based on this issue. We do have decent talent. And we have a good coaching staff in place. But what will the attitude of the team be at the first sign of adversity?

Like it or not, this team quit last year against Iowa and Tennessee. Especially on defense. And don't give me the crap about injuries to our QB. In 94 I watched Nebraska beat a very good K State team in Manhattan with Turman as QB. Yes, yes, we do not have the overall talent of that 94 team. But I stand by my assertion that last year's team quit. Iowa had a very, very average offense last year. And they pounded it down our throats like they were playing Rice. Tennessee had more offensive talent than Iowa, but they were not world beaters by any means. And yet they looked like the most well oiled offensive machine in America against us.

I say this year will be different due to the new staff. Koolaid drinking? I don't know. We will see

Q

says we can expect a "bumpy ride" this year. He says he bases this on information he has gotten from various sources that it usually takes a full year to shift from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4. He also was taken aback by how nonchalant the players were about last year's embarrassment in the bowl loss.

I don't have much respect for Barfknecht nor for football journalists in general. But he does at least raise two questions that have been discussed on this board before that deserve more discussion:

1. How successful will Diaco be in the first year of the 3-4?

My view is that most of what was holding our defense back last year was lackluster coaching. I think we see a more immediate turnaround than Barfy suggests due to a better staff. The weak link is OLB. I say we will surprise at that position and be better than people think. The key will be pass coverage by the OLB. We will soon see.

2. Do we have true leaders on this team and do most players on this team truly buy into a culture of excellence?

I have no clue here and that is important. There might be a small handful of people on this board who have the pulse of the locker room and can validly advance an opinion about this. Barfy suggests that last year this was an issue. Is he right about that? If he is, what was the source of the apathy? Is it still there?

As an outsider you cannot form an opinion on this issue based on articles in the papers. They are mostly inflated, feel-good, bullshit. And in my opinion our season will rise or fall based on this issue. We do have decent talent. And we have a good coaching staff in place. But what will the attitude of the team be at the first sign of adversity?

Like it or not, this team quit last year against Iowa and Tennessee. Especially on defense. And don't give me the crap about injuries to our QB. In 94 I watched Nebraska beat a very good K State team in Manhattan with Turman as QB. Yes, yes, we do not have the overall talent of that 94 team. But I stand by my assertion that last year's team quit. Iowa had a very, very average offense last year. And they pounded it down our throats like they were playing Rice. Tennessee had more offensive talent than Iowa, but they were not world beaters by any means. And yet they looked like the most well oiled offensive machine in America against us.

I say this year will be different due to the new staff. Koolaid drinking? I don't know. We will see

I think you might be drinking a little too much Koolaid. Hope not. Winning is a lot more fun than losing. I hope the defense have a fast transition from a 4-3 defense to 3-4 defense. One of the things you stated is better coaching should help. That is high hopes from a staff who have never proven to be winners on a consistent basis. Riley's staff at Oregon State and his first two years in Lincoln hasn't done anything yet to calm my fears he is not just out for a bigger paycheck. Mike's team flat out quit in the Ohio State, Iowa and Tennessee games last season. You write about a lack of leadership on the team. I think that goes back to the Bo years. I think there was a sharp decline in the leadership and that is on Mike to turn it around. Someone wrote in this thread that we will have stronger leadership under Qb Tanner Lee. I sincerely hope he does great. He seems to be better suited for what Mike wants to do on offense. Until this Saturday I have no idea how he will be and nobody else does either. In another reply to your remarks I read some Husker fan write he wasn't too worried about losing a meaningless bowl game??? Huh? If the Huskers want to end being irrelevant in the college sports world they need to win those games. The thing that really blows my mind the most is another writer of a reply wrote he wasn't too concerned if the Huskers have a 7-5 record this year. Amazing to me that my fellow Husker fans have accepted mediocrity. I guess if all you know is the Solich, Callahan, Pelini and Riley years being ho-hum comes quite naturally. Fortunately for me I was able to enjoy many fine years watching a powerful Husker team play under Bob Devaney and then the great Tom Osborne. GBR

 

[Toms Wife]

Holy crap, for a lady you really know your football. Im not sure if my wife knows the difference between a 4-3 and a 3-4 let alone what an Okie front is.

For a lady? Like football is far too complicated for ladies to understand? It ain't rocket science.