Is Nebraska Back (Part 3)
Just kidding with the headline there. Part 2 got such a powerful response, I couldn't resist. It's now one week to the huge game at Missouri, yet we haven't truly dissected the opponent here at the Big Red Network. Time to fix that.
We can start by looking at how Missouri's performed through the preseason, they dominated an Illinois team that had gotten a fair amount of respect nationally. But when you look at Illinois' performance through three games, statistically speaking, they suck. Jeff Sagarin's predictor ratings put them at 90th in the country behind even some lower subdivision teams like William and Mary. Blaine Gabbert had a field day but Derrick Washington, their 1,000-yard rusher and touchdown machine in 2008 was held to just 61 yards and 0 touchdowns. Wideout Danario Alexander looked like the real star as he caught 10 balls for 132 yards against the Illini without scoring. He's the guy that was going to keep Jeremy Maclin on the bench before an injury sidelined him. Wide receivers Jared Perry and Wes Kemp had big days as well. The defense forced two turnovers in the opener and held the Illini to 9 points. The Tigers looked as good as ever that day.
Then came the scare against Bowling Green, a team that is now 1-3 and ranked 83rd by Sagarin's predictor. This time Gabbert struggled a bit more, netting less than 5 yards per pass attempt but Derrick Washington came alive with 120 rushing yards to save the day. Gabbert also settled down to throw two touchdown passes to pull Missouri even before Washington scored the winning touchdown. The same trio of receivers led the way, but their production was about half of what it had been the week prior. The Tigers failed to force a turnover and committed two of their own. They allowed Bowling Green running back Willie Geter to rush for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Missouri played a get well game against lower-subdivision Furman, who Sagarin's predictor ranks 119th. Derrick Washington was limited to just 45 yards on fifteen carries but did manage an one-yard score. Gabbert again had a big day as did Perry and Alexander. Wideout Jerrell Jackson got into the act with 4 catches for 64 yards. The defense allowed 12 points and forced two turnovers while the offense took care of the football.
Nevada, a team Sagarin ranks 93rd in the country, gave Missouri a bit more of a contest. Derrick Washington was held to 75 yards on sixteen carries, one of them a 42-yard burst (meaning the rest of the time he averaged two yards per carry). Gabbert and Alexander had huge games again with Kemp and Perry also coming up big. The defense yielded over 200 rushing yards to Nevada but did force two fumbles to offset one by Mizzou.
The total picture thus far is that while Washington can be productive, he doesn't frighten you the way a Roy Helu would. Gabbert's numbers and production are hard to ignore. He's averaged over 310 total yards and produced 13 touchdowns in 4 games, without an interception. That's impressive even against weak opposition. Danario Alexander is scary and so is Jared Perry and to a lesser extent Wes Kemp. We've said it before, but this is not a great time to have your secondary banged up, like NU's is. The defense has some bright spots in linebacker Sean Weathersppon and defensive end Aldon Smith, but it doesn't overwhelm you. The environment is sure to help Missouri, but how much worse can it be than Blacksburg?
On paper, Sagarin would make Nebraska a slight favorite if the game were played today. The NU defense will need to find answers to the Tiger's passing offense and the Husekr offense will need to score points. But this appears to be Nebraska's game to win. They just need to get it done.
Then Nebraska will be back...in Lincoln that is, for a home game against Texas Tech.
10/1/2009
Nice one Steve…
We’re Back!!
Well maybe, maybe not.
Kind of.
Depends on what ‘back’ means.
Let’s wait and see shall we.
As far as the Tiggers are concerned I for one will be disappointed if we don’t handle our business even in their house. We are better in the trenches on both sides of the ball. We ‘should’ win this game but then again that’s why they play them.
10/1/2009
While readers may get tired of that word, “back”, almost every week brings a litmus test to see if that is the case.
The game against Missouri will be one of the bigger ones. Way to drive the debate toward a productive preview and discussion of MU.
Huskers vs. Tigers - is it time to let the smack talk begin? Or does it have to wait until this weekend is over? It’s fair to say I want NU to take a big shot at MU.
10/1/2009
This is finally the “statement” game we FINISH. The conf schedule is looking more and more favorable with TTU looking squirrely and R Griffin out at Baylor. But first things, first. Take care of this game and F-I-N-I-S-H IT.
10/1/2009
I am a transplanted Mizzou guy living in Omaha. I don’t really have a problem with the Skers, and I would consider them my third-favorite team. But in the spirit of getting some smack-talk going, here’s something I posted elsewhere in response to Mizzou fans being classless, arrogant, and rude…
Husker fans have their own arrogance. “We are the classiest fans in college football. We cheer for the opposing team as they leave the field.” Blah, blah, blah. It’s easy to be nice to a team that you just blasted by 6 TDs. I was in Lincoln last year for the Mizzou game, and there was very little “Cheering for the other team,” and the Husker jerk was the norm on the way out of the stadium. It’s funny how things change when the shoe is on the other foot.
52-17 last year in Lincoln would mean one of the biggest turnarounds in history for you all to win in Columbia next week. You lost to an overrated VT team that beat an overrated Miami team.
How’s that for a start? Head on over to http://www.rockmnation.com and send some back at some of us! Can’t wait for next Thursday…
10/1/2009
Of course you will have that at every stadium you go to, the classless fan yelling obscenities. Did you hang around the Mizzou tunnel last year? If you did, I’m sure there were fans clapping.
To show the class of Mizzou fans I was working here at our store in Lincoln and there were Tiger fans coming in talking smack and swearing before the game even started. See what I mean?
Are you still upset about “The Kick”? And I think they were referring to Chase Daniel as classless, arrogant, and rude….the fans were okay.
10/1/2009
KD
the tiggers can talk smack all they want but your streak against the Huskers is well…let’s just say its all of five minutes long. I’ve got two words for ya.
Matt Davison….
That one still has to leave a mark.
10/1/2009
You are right, “Keep Dreaming” ... how can NU possibly hope to beat a 4-0 MU team?
Their record and statistics againsts their fearsome foes is just stunning, really. Wait, that’s right, Furman ran all over the Tigers. My bad.
Yeah, we’ll take our chances after facing an “over rated” VT team, since MU has one player who could crack VT’s defensive lineup.
And based on my own personal experience, few places I’ve been to were as obnoxious as MU was in 2003. Miz-zou fans sure can hurl insults - while at the bar, in the parking lot, on the way to the game, in the stadium, while hanging out of car windows driving home after the game… Very impressive and super classy!
Chicago, IL
10/1/2009
Let’s not forget this example of Missou class.
I’m not saying Nebraska fans are perfect. But, I don’t recall seeing anything like that at Memorial Stadium.
Damn, look at that. He specifically said he was trying stir up trouble and we still took the bait.
Fortunately, this argument will be settled on the field. I like our chances.
10/1/2009
I hope NU is back, because it will help MU in the final polls having beat a decent team. The past few meetings have been a tad boring.
As a mizzou fan (and grad) living in Austin I will say the most disappointingly vile fans are those “boomer sooner” yackoffs. NU fans and Nebraskans in general are great people, just like Missourians in the KC area.
Kansas City, MO
10/1/2009
I am a Husker transplant in the KC, MO metro and I don’t mind Missouri fans all that much around here. Usually we have a nice conversation where I educate them who they play this weekend (when it’s not Huskers, K State, or KU).
They really WANT to be fans of their football team, but the media here has too much to cover. TV/radio/print has to keep up with the Chiefs, Royals, KU basketball, Wizards soccer, the new semi-pro hockey team, high school football, St. Louis Cardinals, NASCAR, semi-pro baseball, and the Sprint center trying to get a pro hockey team, followed finally by Tigers football.
It’s just interesting that I’ve lived here for five years and always wear my Husker gear on Saturdays, but it’s only the last two years that I’ve had MU people make “comments” to me about it. I’m not above classless smack talk on occasion, but that’s rarely how I roll.
10/1/2009
I would like for someone to tell me where I can get a Missouri National football championship t-shirt or sweatshirt. Been looking all over but can’t seem to find one. I would like to put it with my Missouri Big twelve championship and Missouri Heisman posters as soon as I can find them as well. Anyone????
10/1/2009
This can’t be considered a statement game when Huskers are expected to win. It would be a good win against a conference rival on the road. The only statement games we have left on the schedule is against OU and the conference championship. If Huskers can get that far, that’s a statement in itself.
GBR!
10/2/2009
I went to the http://www.rockmnation.com and that site is like an unmaid bed…no offense. Thank you to BRN for not setting your site up like that one.
I think this is a statement game for the Big 12 North and puts the winner in a good position. I still have a hard time with NU being favored based on the last couple of visits to Columbia.
Did the Mizzou “fans” sell that game out yet or do the NU fans have to pick up the slack for that one too?
I gotta give that Gabbert some props….he’s a big physical specimen and makes the plays he needs to make, throwing or running.
10/2/2009
Nu 42 Mizzou 10
10/2/2009
Jason, that picture is hilarious. If those were Husker fans referring to Colorado, you would think the same thing.
Missouri opened up in Vegas as a one-point favorite this morning, and in Pinkel’s tenure, we have the second-best record against the spread in all of college football.
RockMNation.com is more just links and stuff, but try http://www.mizzourahblog.com
Funny video. Not sure why it’s in black & white, but Pelini really went off the deep end:
http://www.mizzourahblog.com/2009-articles/september/pinkels-office.html
Mizzou’s passing game is too much for the Skers’ beat-up secondary to handle, and the one-dimensional offense of the Skers will run well but won’t be able to keep up.
MU - 41
NU - 23
10/2/2009
I suppose after you beat someone twenty or thirty something times in a row there has to be some built up frustration. I guess it’s the ultimate compliment when a coach’s major accomplishment is beating Nebraska.
Sorry. Couldn’t resist. I really don’t have anything bad to say about Mizzou fans but I’ve never really been to a game in Columbia either. I know for a fact it can’t be as bad as CU fans. And the pic Jason referenced earlier, I don’t think that’s too bad at all. It’s at least clean and clever and I’ve got to give them credit for that.
10/3/2009
It’ll always absolutely gall wannabe rivals of Nebraska that the Nebraska experience epitomizes the college football experience.
They might win the game, but they can’t win the dignity.
They can only try to concoct a witch’s hell broth of “double double toil and trouble.” Like that tool “AJ.”
The best they’ll ever (ever) be able to do, is pull Nebraska into the black hole of irrelevance, along with themselves.
10/4/2009
Go Huskers and push that line of scrimmage near the goal and contain a fine Tiger passer and we will win!