An Ethical Question
OK, perhaps it's really a sportsmanship question, but a fun one to explore. Nebraska is favorite on the road against Baylor. The Huskers have been having offensive problems. One could argue that if they get rolling offensively, they might want to leave their starters in a bit longer both to build their confidence and to help them maintain a rhythm (in hopes of some carry over to the next game). The question is, at what point would running up the score too much?
If you think raising the question now is a stretch, take a look at what Kansas State and Texas A&M have done after humiliating losses this year. They scored 60+ on their next opponent. With what these players are enduring this week to prepare for Baylor, you can expect that mercy won't be on their minds and you'd suspect it wouldn't be top of mind for Pelini either (despite his complaint about running it up in the Kansas State game of 2003).
So how much is too much? Is it less about the absolute score and more about the situation? For example, if you're playing your starters and calling pass plays with two minutes on the clock in the fourth quarter when you're up three touchdowns, is that over the line? Is it just a number? When Kansas was abusing the Husker defense in 2007, it was overheard that Mangino would not pull the starters until they reached 70 points. The Jayhawks got to 69 points late in the third quarter (Nebraska had 31). On KU's next drive (with offensive starters on the field), they attempted a 51-yard field goal (which they missed). On their next possession (now into the fourth quarter), they scored a touchdown with their starters still on the field to make it 76-31. Was that over the line? Similarly, in the 70-10 beatdown in Lubbock in 2004, the Red Raiders still had their starting offense in as they led 49-10 in the fourth quarter.
It's not like the Huskers have never been accused of running up the score themselves. Following the KU debacle in 2007, the Huskers lit up Kansas State to the tune of 73-31. Joe Ganz was still in the game when the Huskers led 59-17, but you might argue that he needed the experience. There are plenty of other examples from the Solich, Osborne, and Devaney days you could cite as well. But so far, Pelini hasn't really been in that situation. He could have run up the score against Kansas State in 2008, but once he was up three scores in the fourth quarter he put in the reserves and called nothing but running plays. But offense wasn't an issue in 2008. It is now. Should he be allowed to let his team keep rolling if they can get rolling?
No amount of scoring in the first half of a football game should be considered running it up. If one team can score that much then so can the other, conceivably. The third quarter can be a bit of a gray area. For example, it hardly seemed necessary for Colt McCoy to take the field in the second half against UTEP with his team leading 47-7. Had he sustained a season-ending injury, Mack Brown would have been crucified. But as an opposing coach, you certainly couldn't complain out loud about an opponent using offensive starters in the third quarter, regardless of the score.
So it really comes down to how you behave in the fourth quarter. Do you have your starters in or do they sit? Do you call running plays exclusively or do you throw passes as well? As a Husker fan, you hope these will be relevant questions this week. If the offense can't find some life against Baylor, what hope do they have against Oklahoma?
10/27/2009
OU scored 33 and Okie lite scored 34 against Baylor, both respectable offenses. It is ridiculous to think NU has a chance to run up the score.
10/27/2009
Baylor’s defense is solid. They have 2 tackling machines in LB Pawelek and S Lake. The way the Husker offense have been playing lately they make anybody’s defense look like the best defense in the country.
Kansas City, MO
10/27/2009
You’re starting to sound like Texas Tech’s “fat little girlfriends” according to Mike Leach (best Big 12 coach comment of the year).
10/27/2009
Steve,
I had to laugh at your column about running up the score. How about we just get a win and leave it at that. A win will do wonders for our confidence and right now there are no easy ones on our schedule.
10/27/2009
I’m not a proponent at all of leaving starters in. I would rather see younger players or second and third stringers see playing time in a game to help develop depth. Part of why NU was very good in the 80’s was the experience that younger players got on the freshman and jv teams. My belief is that repetition of doing something over and over builds confidence, and doing it during an actual game is even better. I don’t see how practicing a 300 page or play playbook helps with anything, granted all those plays aren’t ran everyday, but why cloud or confuse players with numbers. I’m also of the cloth that simpler is better if done very well.
10/27/2009
There’s an easy answer to this question. Give your offense the emotional boost it needs by letting them go crazy. Drive up and down the field all day long. If we’re worried about running up the score, just turn the ball over every time you get inside the 5. That should help the opponent’s ego a bit. It helped ISU’s.
Man, I’m still frustrated about that game. I can’t believe it even happened. I love NU and ISU (Long story… We don’t chose who we love). I hate this game every year because one of my teams has to lose. But this year, I had to route for NU. It seemed like a must-win game for them. But, that didn’t happen. And what’s worse? I couldn’t even get any satisfaction in my Cyclones winning. Why? Because they needed every one of those 8 turnovers to pull off the win. Somehow, I feel like both my teams lost.
10/27/2009
Husker offense can’t score at all, and you’re talking about them running up the score on Baylor? To say that’s a litttle premature is the understatement of the year. We were supposed to blow out T-Tech and ISU. The offense couldn’t score against other middling Big 12 defenses, getting in their own way much of the time. What other team really needs to play defense when the Nebraska offense is pretty much an effective substitute? It stops itself.
10/27/2009
After not showing up for 11 of the last 12 qtrs, the offense needs a major breakout game. Could this be it? There are no sure wins left on the schedule. I’m sure the opportunity to run up the score would be welcomed by Watson and Pelini. However, let get real. This offense is getting less productive each week. They’re pushing and making mental errors. I’m sure they look at themselves and are as dumbfounded as most fans. They need to take that first drive into the endzone. If that happens I think they’ll relax, the game will open up for them and they’ll put together four solid qtrs. Winning against Baylor is not a bragging right since the Huskers have never lost to Baylor, but it would be a step in the right direction. GBR!
10/27/2009
Running up the score?? I’m not sure we’re going to come away from Waco with a win. This is a 6-6 or maybe a 7-5 team at best this year. I got suckered into believing things that were written about this team being back when I should have listed to Pelini saying that it’s going to get worse before it gets better. We’re not back, we’re average. Plain and simple. We don’t create turnovers. I don’t see our defense stripping the ball and recovering, bodies flying to the ball like ISU did.
As bad as this may sound I’ll be happy if we score two touchdowns in Waco.
10/27/2009
Seriously?...you are talking about running up the score? Seriously??? I’ve the same advice for you as I would our offense…FOCUS.
10/27/2009
Wow…someone should nominate you for the Guiness Book of World Records because you must be the most optimistic person in the world!
To be honest, I only read the front-page intro to this story. I was laughing so hard by then that I knew I couldn’t take any more.
Keep up the good work. The world needs more humor.
10/27/2009
A ‘hypothetical’ question, maybe.
Baylor is not the pushover I once thought they were.
10/27/2009
Cody,
You read the first paragraph but you didn’t digest what this post actually positions itself around. Doesn’t anyone understand reading comprehension any more? Are some of these posts over the past few days a product of our public school system today? The article doesn’t have much to do about optimism. Read. Comprehend.
10/27/2009
Pulling for clean assignments, a lack of mental breakdowns, and a major reduction in penalties. Do that and the offense takes care of itself. . .
10/27/2009
I would have no problem leaving the starters in for the whole game. They need the work.
10/27/2009
Steve,
Really?! You’re talking about is it ethical to score a lot of points on an opponent? REALLY?!!! What about NU leads you to believe that running up the score on an opponent will be a problem this year? This topic has NO relevance for NU this year!