What We Know Now - Ohio State/Stay the Course Edition
Seven hours is a long time to sit and think about a 48-17 loss, but that's what we had driving back from Madison. I think it was cathartic and, despite the fact that Bo Pelini only had a one hour flight, it seemed good for him too as he came in calm and confident for his first press conference following a loss this season.
Taylor Martinez? Not so much.
If you have time go watch/read the entirety of Bo's press conference. It was as open and illustrative as he's been this season. Here are the highlights:
--We talked all offseason about what changes Nebraska's defense would have to make to adapt to the style of play they'd see in the Big Ten and Pelini finally acknowledged it today. "In the Big 12, you were spread out a lot. We recruited a lot more hybrids. Now is a bit different with the peso and that type of things. We need to get more linebackers in here for depth reasons. You can't fix that so soon. Our blueprint will change, but it is nothing drastic. You tailor your recruiting to your challenges and opponents." Interesting.
--So Nebraska will probably use the peso at times to deal with that lack of depth, right? "No, I don't think so," Pelini said. "There are other ways to do things, and we have a number of different options. That is something that is available to us because we have safeties that could go up there and play."
--Well, Nebraska will surely simplify things defensively then, yes? The secondary seems to be swimming in it. "Nope. You stay the course. The system works. You stay the course. There is no reason to make drastic changes." It was the theme of the press conference. Hickory High coach Norman Dale shaking his portfolio at the sky. (See it here.)
--P.J. Smith had something interesting to say about the breakdowns. The problem was "overthinking and trying to play too aggressive." Smith said the Blackshirts were "trying to make the play when it is not your play to make. You get beat by doing that and it kills the team."
--Then there was Taylor Martinez. He wasn't in the mood to talk. When asked about what he needs to change, in three different ways on three successive questions, he replied simply "just got to make better decisions." All three times. Not a good week with the number three for #3.
--On how he rates his ability to read a defense: "Good job." Credit to Eric Olson from the AP for pushing him on this. Olson asked if he was aware the "public" would probably rip on him for that answer, Martinez responded: "You guys rip me anyways, doesn't really matter. I don't read nothing you guys say."
--Bo Pelini said, earnestly and constructively, that Taylor Martinez "needs to make reads and not try to make a big play every time." When asked if "better decisions" included making reads and not trying to make big plays every time Martinez replied, "Whatever you just said. I’m not going to answer that question."
So, yeah, stay the course.
10/3/2011
My opinion…Martinez will not last the season as the QB. I do not know why they do not move him to Receiver or Running Back…..
10/3/2011
I am sure that Taylor is a good kid (he IS only 19) but, he needs to step up and be a leader. He is the quarterback for chri$t sake! I am so frustrated at he lackadaisical attitude. I am normally a sane voice in Husker fans frustrations but, even I have had enough. Park his butt on the bench, let Brion start against Ohio State and let the chips fall where they may. I just do not want to see him and his speedy swagger anywhere around the football Saturday. Whew, that felt good!
10/3/2011
Welcome to Big 10 Football! Your visiting fans were pleasant, gracious and a welcome addition to the night. Needless to say, it didn’t turn out the way you had hoped, but then, you hadn’t seen Russell Wilson in person.
I’ve been studying Badger football for nearly 50 years and have never seen such a balanced offense as Wisconsin has right now. I sincerely believe that last Saturday night, they could have beaten anyone, including some of the NFL teams.
You have a good coach and great players and wonderful fans and what happened doesn’t mean that you are bad! It just means that on that night at that stadium Wisconsin was better. Don’t try and get it all back at one time, just try and get it back. Hopefully, we will see you all in Indianapolis in December!
Now, pick up the pieces and beat the Buckeyes! They really deserve it!
10/3/2011
I can remember the days whe Tom Osborne had his critics. That was nothing compared to today.
It’s kind of funny but back when Coach Osborne and Coach Switzer were making probably $90,000 (base) a year as head coaches and the world was expected of them. Now, coaches are paid a zillion times that. Are expectations still the same? I think today’s coaches are not held to the same standards according to what they make in comparison.
Bo Pelini has got it made for what he makes. Someone was correct when they said that he is “stubborn”. He likes to try to make square pegs fit in round holes. Coach Beck left what was working in the Wisconsin game and Coach Pelini never told him to go back to the first quarter offense that was working. It really reminds me of how he rode Shawn Watson’s horse well after it was dead. Wonder what TO is thinking now?
Yea, stubborn is the right word.
10/3/2011
Thanks Bagdger fan for the comments. You represent U of Wisconsin well.
Martinez still has issue with ball security. That has not changed from 2010. It is alarming how poorly he handles the ball.
Oregon Husker. Let’s start the chant. “Bring On Brion”!
10/3/2011
I have been very pleased with the way wisconson fans have been graceful for the most part. I would give my pinky toe to see brion arnes start the next game. I think we all know it won’t happen this soon. I do pray that they don’t throw him in during hostile situations and ruin him like was done with cody green 2 years ago. Martinez chokes next game, it’s time to start brion.
Helena, Montana
10/3/2011
I suspect TM would fare a whole lot better if he would simply throw the ball out of bounds every time he’s tasked with making a pass play. (could be a great strategy…. try to hit the opposing coach in the head with a spiral and move on to the next play)According to the pundits on this forum, that would be making a better read than actually attempting to make a play by attempting to throw out of a collapsing pocket the size of a phone booth amid a host of red shirts belonging to the defense…not to mention that they all weigh 300+ pounds and never missed a tackle in 4 qtrs.
10/3/2011
First, I am so pissed, why the hell didn’t we go after some O line coach with experience, Beck is not the guy! Second, Pelini is not getting the job done, I would have Scott Frost as the O line/QB coach! Third, TM will never be anything more than He is at this time, I also think that Carnes should be given the QB start, what have we got to loose!!!!
10/3/2011
@ Badger - thank - you. You and your fans have been nothing but gracious and i hope you can travel to Lincoln next year - we will treat you the same way you treated us.
@ Dennis - Literally laughed my ass off!!
@Dwyane - “BRING ON BRION”!!
10/3/2011
I always thought Jamal Turner was going to end up being the next great thing at the quarterback position at Nebraska. Hmmm…
I don’t think our problems are neccessarily personel problems. They’re coaching problems. These guys are NOT getting the players mentally ready to play, and they don’t seem to have an effective game plan. They don’t seem to know what they’re doing, it’s as simple as that. There is no confidence eminating from this team as a whole. You don’t feel that underlying maturity in the play calling that was once there either. Bo took a huge gamble when he needed new coaches and hired guys who didn’t really have much experience at coaching at any real level at all, and some weren’t even at the college level anymore. No names essentially. Maybe it’s starting to show…the lack of cohesiveness is evident. I always thought Bo should have swallowed his pride and hired a proven commodity…a name. At the time, we could have got Dana Holgerson or any one of a number of guys who are employed by their new schools now.
But can’t we just explain it all away as simply youth showing itself? Well, yes actually. In the players AND the coaches.
10/3/2011
Bo talked about Linebackers and depth. Hmm! he only plays Fisher and Compton and David. He has other linebackers he can play that offer different strengths. David is certainly a major contributor with his speed. He’s really more like a free safety. But what about Roach and Whaley? Can’t get experience just sitting on the side lines and watching Compton and Fisher struggle. Nothing to lose here and everything to gain for the future.
10/4/2011
Badger Fan,
Thanks for the kind words. I look forward to many Nebraska/Wisconsin matchups. I feel bad for you guys. You still haven’t played anybody and will probably run the table to find yourselves on the outside looking in. Fine team you have and many years in the making. Not easy to get to this point so enjoy your season. You’ve got a fine team and program in place. Good luck moving forward. . .
(in general)
I think that Coach Beck is the right guy for this offense, but in watching this past game it just seems that the benefit of the doubt that Martinez gets is simply surreal. Ty Moore makes one mistake, out. And rightfully so. We’ve played musical chairs at CB because people don’t carry out assignments. What if an IB just coughed it up on the turf without end? Do you think that the coaching staff would tolerate that? Brandon Kinnie dropped some balls to start the year, and yup, benched. If a DB, or frankly anyone else made the mental errors Martinez did, they would be benched, and for a very long time. At this point the question I am beginning to ask myself is not so much whether Martinez can do it, but if they feel that bad about Carnes then maybe the problem is evaluating talent, and developing it. IF we end up keeping Armstrong and signing him, and Devin Fuller is brought on board too then the QB competition MUST be opened up next year. If Zac Lee can be benched before his Senior Year and still be positive influence for the program then Martinez should be just as defferential and understanding if one of these young guns beats him out next year. It’s just hard to believe that Carnes, or Armstrong could play worse from an execution standpoint. Three mental breakdowns by Martinez cost us 21 points. That’s just a fact. And he still has ball security issues, in his 2nd year. If this program prides itself on competiton, then it should be for all members of it, and all have to understand you are only as good as your merit you have earned. If Martinez continues to get the benefit of the doubt like this next year, it will be a problem in the locker room that will affect the program. . .
Make no mistake about it, this is going to be a tough outing for us. Despite all the problems Ohio State has had, let’s face it, they have played in a lot more big games than we have and won their fair share too. There are players who will be out on the field Saturday Night who have played in the Fiesta, Rose and Sugar Bowls. And that does count for something. Despite all their problems this year Ohio State has produced time and time again on the field in big game and the blunt truth, for the moment, is that we have not. . .
I think (and hope) that Coach Pelini’s tenure here will be somewhat like Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim. At the beginning of his career Boeheim was a complete kirk out who always seemed on the point of blowing a gasket. But eventually Coach Boeheim settled down, and became a more cerebral presence. Dr. Tom Osborne is going to give Coach Pelini the benefit of the doubt, because if there is anyone who knows the importance of continuity, implementation of culture, and growing from experience it is Dr. Tom. Dr. Tom had to wait a few years to be blessed with The Triplets and the early 1980’s teams. If there had been an internet around during 1988-1992, Dr. Tom Osborne would’ve never made it to The Dynasty Years. The best thing we have going for us is that Dr. Tom Osborne is still involved in the program. Coach Pelini gets some of the greatest Management Advice possible, free of charge, and when he needs it. . .
The point of all this is that Coach Pelini could continue to have seasons like we just had, and (from our perspective at least) muddle around 9-10 wins without getting the big one, for a little while. It could be a few more years when the window really opens up for us. I hope he has a tenure here as long as Coach Boeheim’s because that means that he would have quite a storied career here. But that will take time, and a lot of it. We’re heading in the right direction, but it will take time to get there. . .
10/5/2011
I wonder if Bo made the right decision firing Shawn Watson. Watson had major issues with Martinez’s lack of maturity. Add his idiot father into the equation and you realize Bo is stuck with two immature idiots and NO backup QB since he transferred.. Bo made his bed and now he has to sleep in it… The Big Ten will eat us alive if we throw aimlessly..