Can the Huskers Survive?
While legions of Husker fans are debating whether or not Kevin Cosgrove is a worthy defensive coordinator, Buddy Wyatt a worthy defensive line coach, etc., the real question surrounding the defense might be whether there are going to be enough healthy bodies to get through a tough schedule.
Going into the Ball State, the Huskers already had a “pegged-legged� defensive line. Ty Steinkkuhler, Zach Potter, and Barry Turner all had various leg injuries yet played because they were needed. Behind them Lance Brandenburgh left the game with an injury, and Corey McKeon's play makes you wonder about his health. We've seen McKeon play better so has he forgotten how to play or is there something else going on?
It's not just the front seven that's gimpy. Zack Bowman sat out with a hamstring injury. Larry Asante came off the field during the game. Grixby was absent late in the return game. And perhaps in response, the Huskers pulled the redshirt off of Prince Amukamara. Four weeks ago, the Huskers seemed to have depth for the first time in years. After four weeks, that depth seems all but depleted.
If college football truly has become a survivor series, where it's no longer about a few good teams dominating everyone but rather about which teams are deep enough to stay competitive week after week and string together wins, then this is a concern. The Huskers won't get a bye week until November. In two weeks, they face a Missouri team in Columbia coming off a bye.
That's why, it's imperative to take Iowa State out early. Don't get into another close game and wear out your starters. Make it a laugher and get guys some rest. That's easier said than done, sure. But if the Huskers can do that, they'll be in much the same place they were a year ago after five games. That is, they were 4-1 with an 18-point loss to USC, with some defensive concerns after a shootout (against Kansas) and were headed to play the team anointed in the preseason as the top challenger in the Big 12 North. Let Iowa State be like the Troy game of a year ago. With some confidence restored, the Huskers can march into Columbia ready to defend their Big 12 North title.
9/24/2007
Interesting points. I think we are going to see shootouts the rest of the season.
Can we outscore the likes of Missouri, etc.? I like out passing game, QB, receivers, and o-line. The run game is serviceable, but not dependable. The defense is pretty much a lost cause. I foresee lots of 42-40 games the rest of the way. Here’s hoping NU’s on the top of the scoring line. Maybe we’ll get to start calling our QB “Slingin’ Sammy Keller.” Go Big Red.
9/24/2007
i would stop short of declaring that the sky is falling. it’s hard to remember a time when the defense seemed so vulnerable, but i agree with ruud’s comment in the LJS that we’ve yet to see their true potential.
sooner or later i think we’ll see the D come around, and then we can resume criticizing the O-line for it’s failure to protect keller/open holes for lucky.
if there is anything for which the coaching staff deserves some serious criticism, i believe it is its misuse of players/burning redshirts. while i like the idea of true freshmen earning their stripes on special teams, i think it’s a waste unless the coaches seriously expect the kids to contribute on offense or defense (NOTE: “contribute” does not include fourth quarter trash time in blowouts).
-alex
9/24/2007
I’m hoping the defense can show us their potential sooner than later. If anyone thinks Iowa St. is going to lay over for us think again. NU could very well finish in the middle of the already weak Big 12 North.
If I was going to make a prediction on the Missouri game today I would say Missouri by 2-3 touchdowns. I hope they can get it together in the next couple of weeks and prove me wrong. Think the Tigers remember last year???
9/24/2007
hey i know cosgrove is under alot of fire along with the rest of the defense. I was wondering if they all got fired or alot of them who might replace them like is there some defense geniuses out there that are unemployed or maybe can be paid to leave. I was wondering if you could research this like possible people that could replace them.
If not its cool i just like to know what huskers options are.
Great site keep it up
kyle
9/24/2007
I think the Iowa State game this week will be even more telling for the NU defense and where we are at… Since, I live in Iowa, I have watched Iowa State beat Iowa and lose to Northern Iowa (1aa school) Northern Iowa dominated both sides of the ball, and against Iowa, Iowa State won with 5 field goals (no touchdowns). In other words, I would expect NU to limit Iowa State to 1-2 touchdowns.
On another note, lets not forget NU faced a very talented NFL bound QB last Saturday. It reminded me of another game in 1997:
Dante Culpepper, playing for UCF, stunned the sixth-ranked Huskers by going into half-time with a 17-14 lead in Lincoln! The UCF Golden Knights were 42-point underdogs, but they forced the Huskers to scramble for a 38-24 win. Culpepper completed 24 of 35 attempts for 310 yards and scored a touchdown on a ten-yard run. Osborne told Sports Illustrated: “If he were at a more prestigious institution, you’d probably hear more about him for the Heisman.”
9/25/2007
NE will have to hold ISU to 14 points or less and win by 3 tds to qwell the mounting angst within Husker Nation. But after that, NE appears to be in a big time struggle for the rest of the season.
ISU represents another border war, similar to their intra state rivalry with IA. All bets are off, it’ll be anybody’s game—unless the Blackshirts ‘show up’.