This week’s report comes in short form, due to a cap overload with the NBA this week, but a topic near and dear to my heart, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are on the table this week. As an alum, and living in Lincoln, the fallout is plentiful with a gruesome 40-15 loss at the hands of the Kansas Jayhawks last week, another first in the Bill Callahan era at Nebraska. The first time in 36 years that NU lost to KU, and I’m talking about football here, not basketball, which is always a given. So what’s wrong with Nebraska, the once mighty dynasty and the premier bowling game?
It’s a long list, but I’ll shorten it. A learning curve for the west coast offense is the excuse, no talent at skill positions and especially at QB is another excuse, loss of NFL caliber talent on defense from last year’s class, another excuse. Lots of scapegoating no fixes for this week’s next crucial bottom feeder title game in the Big 12 North division which is clearly Colorado to win or lose in the next 2 weeks with Iowa State on the road and then Nebraska in Boulder the day after Thanksgiving, which should be a piece of cake for the Buffs.
The once powerful, well-oiled blitz option offense feared by everyone at Nebraska’s College Ball is gone, and in the last 3 games they have attempted 75 rushing attempts for 35 total yards. To say that it is embarrassing is an understatement. Nebraska is a run-of-the-mill team with no shredding attitude like days gone by, and frankly, the players aren’t responding to a tough West Coast offense by former Raiders coach Bill Callahan, whose leash is short at Lincoln right now. along with AD Steve Peterson. Remember, the Huskers AD fired Frank Solich, a 19-year assistant and 3-year head coach after a 10-3 season!
The Huskers are young and not everyone is on the same page, such as fundamental mistakes in terms of pass route rushing, pass coverage, blitz schemes against teams that run, don’t force turnovers, lack great playability and the offensive line isn’t anywhere near where it needs to be in terms of run blocking. We are talking about Nebraska, right? Last week they looked lethargic and lacked a sense of urgency against a beatable Kansas team. Look for NU to sit at home in December unless a miracle happens, and if for some reason they can pull off 1 win in the next 2 weeks, they may have a chance to be buried in a bowling game on national TV, which always help in recruiting the best talent. Let’s do it with this week’s game.
NEBRASKA vs. K-STATE (+6)
Nebraska starts 2 freshmen at offensive line tackle this week. They’re out for a 25-point loss at the hands of Kansas, and their QB is banged up. The Huskers are 3 straight losses including a huge loss to the hated Missouri where Tiger QB Brad Smith had nearly 500 rushing and throwing yards against the once highly ranked Husker defense alone, a defense that he gave up more than 428 yards to a Kansas offense. that’s deplorable, and they managed less than 150 yards of their own total offense in the process. Is this team giving someone 6 points?
Kansas State, on the other hand, isn’t much better, but with a decent offense that can at least rack up 200+ yards of offense and beat Nebraska last year 45-21, it looks like a good game between bad teams. K State has had big problems on the road being beaten at Oklahoma, Iowa State, and Texas Tech, and they have no running game at all, but neither does Nebraska. A comedy of errors in Lincoln this Saturday and while Nebraska slides fast, with a simple win they become bowl eligible, because there is no way NU can win Colorado so winning on senior day is a must in lincoln. Lesser of two evils here, taking NU to win but not covering in what could be a low scoring affair, even lower than my prediction.
NU 17 K-State 14
Back up next week with a full report and season finale for the folks in the North and South Divisions, and it looks like Texas is the national title game. I’ve reintroduced the Big 12 Game of the Week this week, so be sure to visit my page and win some more money. as I am 6-3 ATS this season with my Big 12 features!