Rethinking your 8-4,7-5,6-6 predictions for the season???

[nebcountry]

IIRC, I was in the vicinity of 8 or 9 wins. I thought we could beat Oregon, and we did. So from my perspective, I'm sticking with my original guess. The wheels would have to fall off for us to lose 5 games this year. We have the weaker half of our conference schedule coming up, we need to take care of business there first.

For quite a few of our conference opponents, if we don't come to play and play relatively error free, we'll lose the game. I just don't know if we're past getting into a funk.

Our completion pct is around 54%, and our rushing ypc is in the bottom half of the conference. We are winning games, and that is the most important stat.

 

[chicolby]

I said from the very beginning that we would beat Oregon.
I also said that my head said 10-2 this year.
My gut told me 8--4 because it's been punched too much.
9-3 was the average.
I was more worried about the Northwestern game than the Oregon game, but now I'm really not concerned about NW...they suck.
I'm still hoping my head is correct.

Northwestern will play tough and that game (likely) won't be a walk in the park. I think Nebraska has too much talent in this one, but I also wouldn't be surprised if Nebraska doesn't take a deep breath of relief after Oregon (it is human nature) and is trailing early in this game, maybe even at half.

 

[8675309husker]

We could go undefeated.. OSU can be beat. Screen passes, runs right at them.

 

[red rover 70]

IIRC, I was in the vicinity of 8 or 9 wins. I thought we could beat Oregon, and we did. So from my perspective, I'm sticking with my original guess. The wheels would have to fall off for us to lose 5 games this year. We have the weaker half of our conference schedule coming up, we need to take care of business there first.

For quite a few of our conference opponents, if we don't come to play and play relatively error free, we'll lose the game. I just don't know if we're past getting into a funk.

Our completion pct is around 54%, and our rushing ypc is in the bottom half of the conference. We are winning games, and that is the most important stat.

The biggest stat is Tommy playing smart with the ball.

 

[Nebraska Fan]

THATS RIGHT; Oregon scored a two point conversion, then finished 1/5 on basically a 2 yard play. Oregon is thought of as an offense that is hard to defend. Can you imagine the odds you could of gotten in betting they would only convert 1/5 against our young d-line. Pretty incredible.

They seemed slower at getting the play called and getting to the line without Frost.

 

[red rover 70]

We could go undefeated.. OSU can be beat. Screen passes, runs right at them.

We should look at that game as a dress rehearsal to work out the kinks game plan wise. But mentally and physically we need to go in there and play loose and fast and just let it all hang out with nothing to lose.

 

[nebcountry]

The biggest stat is Tommy playing smart with the ball.

I haven't really been a TA detractor or cheerleader. I like to think the formations we're using now are more suited to his skillset, and we're running more (#runthedamnballguy, had to get that in there). I'll give kudo's to the coaching staff, because it's really helped with the interceptions.

My point above. What are we doing really good at? What are we taking into the rest of our schedule from a domination standpoint. If the other team plays a sound game, what's our ace in the hole. That's why I'm sticking with my original guess.

 

[red rover 70]

I haven't really been a TA detractor or cheerleader. I like to think the formations we're using now are more suited to his skillset, and we're running more (#runthedamnballguy, had to get that in there). I'll give kudo's to the coaching staff, because it's really helped with the interceptions.

My point above. What are we doing really good at? What are we taking into the rest of our schedule from a domination standpoint. If the other team plays a sound game, what's our ace in the hole. That's why I'm sticking with my original guess.

The offense is really the same except for one aspect that I can see. And that's designed runs for Tommy. Except for that the plays are the same... the difference is Tommy is going underneath and that is moving the chains. Remember how Brett Favre work with Tommy Last Summer? That maybe was the worst thing that could have ever happened to our quarterback. Being influenced by somebody with the Gunslinger mentality just probably warped his sense of the playbook. Moving the chains is more important in a game then big plays. How many offenses that rely on big plays end up having a wore out defense??? Moving the chains shortens the game keeps the ball in your hands and wears down your opponent which is all pluses. The new Tommy is exactly what we need to win games... The old Tommy lost games.

 

[jimbosc]

We should win the next 4 - none of the teams has looked good - Illinois loss this last weekend explains why Lovie Smith is not coaching in the NFL any more. 7-0 and riding high. Then we drop 3 of the next 5 - probably the 3 road games. Riley may stub his toe in another game as well. 8-4 is what I said before the season. We have a good chance to get to 9-3 in part based on beating Oregon and weaker B1G teams than expected. Ohio State is going to abuse us.

 

[timnsun]

We should win the next 4 - none of the teams has looked good - Illinois loss this last weekend explains why Lovie Smith is not coaching in the NFL any more. 7-0 and riding high. Then we drop 3 of the next 5 - probably the 3 road games. Riley may stub his toe in another game as well. 8-4 is what I said before the season. We have a good chance to get to 9-3 in part based on beating Oregon and weaker B1G teams than expected. Ohio State is going to abuse us.

What did Illinois have to work with before you throw smith under the bus? As we saw last year, there can be bumps in the road when it comes to new coaches.

 

[dockentwo]

"I told you so" isn't what my OP was about. Check out my stuff yesterday directed @jlb321. Now that was "in your face" and I admit it. That Hawkeye boy can go lay an egg as far as I'm concerned.

I have to agree with you R R; nice troll attack on you. Maybe the omnipotent troll; or so the voices say

 

[dockentwo]

If Oregon had simply lined up with its normal offense and run wide 5 times, I'll bet you that at least convert two of those five conversions - likely more.

And thats the point; pre-game a high percentage would guess they would convert 4+ . They converted one and had momentum; our BLACKSHIRTS shut them down from there. Not sure I buy into your implied version, that there was no plan and while randomly running in circles they tripped up the ducks.

 

[TheNewNU]

Sticking with 8-4 for now. Losses to one of Northwestern, Illinois, Indiana, Purdue then losses to Wisky, OSU and Iowa. Lines are both still big liabilities. Hope I'm wrong and we win the west.

 

[steelclaw]

I'm a 7-5 guy, and I'm not rethinking it. Given the same information I had at the time, I'd make the same call again. We didn't win the super bowl last Saturday either. There is a lot of football left to be played. I do think it's a good thing for this team to keep getting better and keep winning. But it should be about them, not about what us fan's predictions were going into the season.

The common denominator of people who didn't predict a good season this year is the fact that they failed to see the progression last year. We played so much better late in the year once the players started to grasp the systems on both sides of the ball.

 

[bigboxes]

The common denominator of people who didn't predict a good season this year is the fact that they failed to see the progression last year. We played so much better late in the year once the players started to grasp the systems on both sides of the ball.

There was a lot of cancer on that team. Bo going scorched Earth on his way out didn't help, either.

 

[NikkiSixx]

The common denominator of people who didn't predict a good season this year is the fact that they failed to see the progression last year. We played so much better late in the year once the players started to grasp the systems on both sides of the ball.

We didn't play well against Iowa at all.

For me, it doesn't make sense to go back and re-evaluate or guess what our season prediction will be. I believe it will be better than I thought it would be, but I think it defeats the purpose of a prediction in the first place. Are we all going to re-think it every couple of weeks? That's just silly. So I'm not going to change my prediction just cause we won a tough game.

I mentioned in another thread that people need to not act silly if we win.. like we have done that before. It's been crazy talk in many of the posts the last few days. You would think the Huskers just won the freaking lottery. I mean it's cool to beat a #22 ranked team and all, but there are some people that are reading way too much into that win.

 

[inWV]

Saw my eye doc this AM. Iowa grad. Was at the debacle in Iowa City last Saturday. Not a Ferentz fan and said they'll be lucky to win 7 games. I think we beat Iowa, lose at Camp Randall and the Shoe, and possibly a game we expect to win.

 

[NYC-Husker]

I was thinking ~8 wins this season going in, and am sticking with that for now. I will re-examine it as the season goes on.

I am more excited about the team than I've been in years, I just don't think all of the issues that have plagued us over the years are now in the past. I think we'll probably drop one or two that we should win, and then split Wisconsin/Iowa and lose to OSU.

It does feel great going into conference play undefeated with a win over a ranked team!

 

[Jason R Ward]

I was leaning 8 or 9 now 9 or 10

 

[Cornicator]

I was thinking ~8 wins this season going in, and am sticking with that for now. I will re-examine it as the season goes on.

I am more excited about the team than I've been in years, I just don't think all of the issues that have plagued us over the years are now in the past. I think we'll probably drop one or two that we should win, and then split Wisconsin/Iowa and lose to OSU.

It does feel great going into conference play undefeated with a win over a ranked team!

For me, the highlighted portion above is the next step in Nebraska's progression towards becoming a top 10 program again. With all due respect to NW, Indiana, Illinois, Purdue, Rutgers, Minnesota, and Maryland, those teams should never beat Nebraska. And that's not due to Husker fan arrogance. Nebraska has too many resources, too much financial backing, too much appeal with facilities and tradition as a blue blood to be losing games to those teams more than once in an upset blue moon.

You go 3-0 in the NON con and win those 7, you have 10 wins.

 

[SnohomishRed]

You wanna know what??? In the sense of attitude we did win the Super Bowl. John Parrella and HIS defensive line has come to play right outta the gate!!! Oregon was stylistically the worst possible matchup imaginable for a young defensive line. Remember all the talk that we would have to struggle till the line grew up???? HOLY CRAP!!!! And Ross is playing like a madman! I really was hard on him and he has proven me 100% WRONG!!!! GREAT JOB!!!! Things are only going to get better boys and girls.

I dont want to down play the win because I really loved and I think Oregon is a good team - however to say the Dline was great this game is to forget they piled up 322 yards rushing we need to do much better than that to be competitive in the big10

 

[HskrD]

I dont want to down play the win because I really loved and I think Oregon is a good team - however to say the Dline was great this game is to forget they piled up 322 yards rushing we need to do much better than that to be competitive in the big10

Indeed Nebraska does need to do better than giving up 322 yards rushing, but at the same time that was an Oregon offense they just played. Ohio State is the only other Big Ten team Nebraska faces with a comparable offense to Oregon's talent and speed . The defense made the stops when needed to win the game that is what mattered Saturday. They have some things to clean up for sure, but I expect them to correct that and be ready this coming Saturday.

 

[SnohomishRed]

Indeed Nebraska does need to do better than giving up 322 yards rushing, but at the same time that was an Oregon offense they just played. Ohio State is the only other Big Ten team Nebraska faces with a comparable offense to Oregon's talent and speed wise. The defense made the stops when needed to win the game that is what mattered Saturday. They have some things to clean up for sure, but I expect them to correct that and be ready this coming Saturday.

I did not say it was all bad - but 322 is not good no matter who you are playing

 

[HskrD]

322 is not good, but it was one game and it is not like Nebraska will be facing several Oregon type offenses in the coming weeks. If Nebraska gives up huge rushing yards in games to come then there is something to worry about, until then it can be chalked up to some very fast and athletic Oregon players making plays and some Husker defenders missing some tackles.

 

[HuskerNorm]

The defense played darn well even by statistics when you consider the offense they were facing.

In 2015 Oregon averaged 538 yards per game. They averaged 43 points per game.
In 2016 prior to playing Nebraska they averaged 577 ypg and 48 ppg (granted, against horrible competition).

Against Nebraska they had 482 yards and scored 32 points. Well below their average. It's tough for me to look at those numbers and be concerned about our defense. Even if 322 of those yards did come on the ground. It was fairly obvious that the defense this week focused on stopping the pass as opposed to stopping the run. It worked for the most part. We won and we kept a team who had 80+ straight games of scoring a passing TD from putting one up.

 

[bigboxes]

The defense played darn well even by statistics when you consider the offense they were facing.

In 2015 Oregon averaged 538 yards per game. They averaged 43 points per game.
In 2016 prior to playing Nebraska they averaged 577 ypg and 48 ppg (granted, against horrible competition).

Against Nebraska they had 482 yards and scored 32 points. Well below their average. It's tough for me to look at those numbers and be concerned about our defense. Even if 322 of those yards did come on the ground. It was fairly obvious that the defense this week focused on stopping the pass as opposed to stopping the run. It worked for the most part. We won and we kept a team who had 80+ straight games of scoring a passing TD from putting one up.

I was about to post the same thing. We took their passing game away. In the Big Ten we ideally want to stop the run first. But this is Oregon. You take away their quick strike offense and make them beat you on the ground.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

I predicted before the season that we would go 10-2. I stand by that. I have ZERO doubt that Ohio State is going to beat us. But other than OSU there isn't another team we cannot beat. If anything, I am more optimistic now.

Look folks... Since that horrible loss at Purdue last year we have beaten MSU, UCLA, and Oregon. And we outplayed Iowa and should have won. Bo Pelini is no longer our coach. Mike Riley has this team beating some of the best teams in the country. It is time to believe again in our ability to beat the teams we should beat, and to be competitive against good teams.

 

[red rover 70]

I predicted before the season that we would go 10-2. I stand by that. I have ZERO doubt that Ohio State is going to beat us. But other than OSU there isn't another team we cannot beat. If anything, I am more optimistic now.

Look folks... Since that horrible loss at Purdue last year we have beaten MSU, UCLA, and Oregon. And we outplayed Iowa and should have won. Bo Pelini is no longer our coach. Mike Riley has this team beating some of the best teams in the country. It is time to believe again in our ability to beat the teams we should beat, and to be competitive against good teams.

 

[red rover 70]

I dont want to down play the win because I really loved and I think Oregon is a good team - however to say the Dline was great this game is to forget they piled up 322 yards rushing we need to do much better than that to be competitive in the big10

We will be just fine against the conventional offenses in the B1G. Actually we're gonna be better then fine! Oregon is built to move the ball in big chunks and you really need a bend not break defense. You keep everything in front of you and pick your spots to attack.

 

[red rover 70]

Indeed Nebraska does need to do better than giving up 322 yards rushing, but at the same time that was an Oregon offense they just played. Ohio State is the only other Big Ten team Nebraska faces with a comparable offense to Oregon's talent and speed . The defense made the stops when needed to win the game that is what mattered Saturday. They have some things to clean up for sure, but I expect them to correct that and be ready this coming Saturday.

Oregon is more Oklahoma triple option. Ohio State is more like the 80's Nebraska I formation option offense. Oklahoma was really a battle of assignment football. Nebraska you needed to line up and smash. Against Ohio State we need to line up and SMASH!

 

[HskrD]

Oregon is more Oklahoma triple option. Ohio State is more like the 80's Nebraska I formation option offense. Oklahoma was really a battle of assignment football. Nebraska you needed to line up and smash. Against Ohio State we need to line up and SMASH!

There is no doubt about that, the Buckeyes are far more physical on offense than the Ducks. If Nebraska takes care of business and is 8-0 going into the Shoe that is going to be a helluva game to watch.

 

[dinglefritz]

I was about to post the same thing. We took their passing game away. In the Big Ten we ideally want to stop the run first. But this is Oregon. You take away their quick strike offense and make them beat you on the ground.

Freedom was used and abused by Oregon's OT. I dunno if he was hurt or what but he got manhandled when I watched him. We have to be better than that or it will hurt us going forward. That was the biggest issue I saw. Maybe the guy blocking him was an All-American future first rounder. I dunno. I expected more from him this year than what I saw Saturday.