Ohio State is scoring 50 points a game and is top-5 in total offense. You think Nebraska, when healthy, is that good? That seems like a little bit of an exaggeration to me. Ohio State's offense is the most explosive in the country from top to bottom.
No, I don't think Nebraska is just that good. I think their offense is better.... when healthy. Ohio State has more depth and can absorb injuries better than Nebraska. That's the result of elite recruiting. But Nebraska has some very talented front line players with far more experience.
Nebraska has the most balanced offense in the Big Ten. They're throwing it for 238 yards and running it for another 234 per game. They protect the QB, with only 3 sacks allowed in 5 games. They're leading the Big Ten in 3rd down conversion percentage at 53%. Nebraska has 107 first downs, without the aid of penalty this season. 53 have come by run. 54 have come through the air. And Nebraska still hasn't had a healthy compliment of their wideouts all in one game yet.
When Nebraska has the full compliment of their roster, you have to defend every possible scenario from any formation.
If Moore and Reilly are on the edge, with Westerkamp in the slot and Carter at Tight End/ H-Back, even an elite defense has to worry about every possible skill player on the field. Ohio State, in Tim Beck fashion, are a beat of a feast or famine offense. They're also a bit predictable. When you play bad teams that can't handle your athleticism, that doesn't matter. Watch them vs. Wisconsin, and watch Nebraska vs. Wisconsin. I don't think Ohio State knows how to handle someone punching them back in the face.
Vs. The Huskers You can try to cover Carter with a LB, but you will be succeptible to the Zone Read or outside zone. If you try to use a Safety or a Nickel on Carter, he will eat you up. You can try to use a Nickel on Westerkamp, but he's going to expose your 3rd best cover corner. If you take your number 1 guy and cover up Westy, you're leaving your self exposed on the edge vs Moore and Reilly. If you use a Safety for support on the back end, you're basically conceding Nebraska to go 5 to 7 yards a pop in the running game. If you cheat a safety in to stop the run, Nebraska is going to kill you in play action.
But it doesn't stop there. Morgan can replace any of the receivers out on the edge. Pierson - El is deadly in short to Intermediate routes. EVen if Nebraska subs their wideouts, they have enough depth to always force attention from the back 7. Somewhere Bill Callahan cries.
Nebraska can grind out the clock and put together long drives. They can get vertical. They have roughly 4 dudes who can carry the football on any play. They have a head spinning series of plays they can run out of any formation. The Buckeyes can run the ball on anyone, but also get a LOT more help from a devastating defense. That's where Ohio State is soooo much better than Nebraska.
So let's compare my comments to Ohio State. The Buckeyes are extremely talented. They are loaded. They are feasting on inferior and bad defenses. YOu can argue Nebraska hasn't played a good defense. That's fine. But The Buckeyes are explosive to a fault. You can't always rely on the big play, and you can't always rely on opposing defenses making terrible mistakes. Indiana slowed them quite a bit because the Hoosiers don't make mistakes on that side of the football.
They do have a better running back than anyone on Nebraska's roster though. Barrett won't make the occasional dumb play like Tommy. But from skill set standpoint, Tommy has a stronger arm and he's a better runner.
