Expectations were high this year but when it was all said and done Nebraska had an average team this year, at least from our standards. Yes, we ended up ranked at 23rd or so but the ratings also included an averge Penn State.
What happened?
Well, first of all we could have used a healthy Jared Crick all year. His loss was bigger than a pesona realizes. He really never was healthy all year, it appeared. His past play in a game like Northwestern may have made the difference in the game. A strong pass rush was hardly ever there. Any quarterback can find receivers if he has seven to ten seconds to find an open receiver.
We no doubt have some very skilled players, just not enough of them. When you watch an Oregon or West Virginia or an Alabama or the #1 LSU team, you realize we are just average right now.
Part of the problem is adapting to the new Big 10 and adapting to stronger linebacker play. Lavonte David was awesome and Will Compton played well most of the year but we didn't have overall strong defensive play. Our defensive backs were probably better at the end of the season than we gave them credit for. They can't stay on a guy forever when there is no pass rush.
Offensively we just can't keep the tempo going for four quarters. We show we can get the job done but then we fold. The offensive line played well at times but not to the level we need to be a Top 10 team.
Fortunately we have a bulk of the key players on offensive coming back next year. Will we get an identity on offense. Will we decide what kind of offense we want to be and get really good at it. Tim Beck called at great first half in the bowl game. We kept them from getting us in a 3rd and ten situation in the first half. WE mixed things up real well. Then after a couple of bad breaks and we got down the South Carolina defense had us where they wanted us and it all fell apart. Their defensive line is too good and when they know we have to pass, watch out.
WE were an average team this year and that is all there is to it. We were the type of team that could beat anybody when we were rolling such as Michigan St. When things didn't go well we could lose to anybody like Northwestern.
Nebraska football may become like being married. Lower your expectations and everything will go better. But as a Nebraska fan, we just can't do that!!
Recruiting is going slow if you look at numbers but it appears we have some strong defensive players coming in. Hopefully we can add another seven top quality players in the final days of recruiting. That's where it all starts. Recruit and develop players.
I am one that likes the coaching changes and I look forward to the new season. But before I get thinking we are a Top 10 team next year, they have to prove it to me.
As a season men's basketball ticket holder I was pretty excited about seeing the new teams in the Big 10 play this year. I thought Nebraska would be competitive. I was wrong. Injuries have hurt and our talent level of who we are playing right now, as a whole, is way below teams in the Big 10. Something has to change. Go out and see the basketball teams, men or women. Support them and let's see how the season ends up.
The women's team is pretty fun to follow. They have a young team and they are playing well. Lindsay Moore and Jordan Hooper are really scorers!!
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