Brutal Honesty

[jlb321_rivals110621]

With the exception of 2012, that's still a decent amount of four stars.

there are as many 2 and zero stars during that time span as 4 stars

 

[mgbreeze]

Believe whatever you want to believe, no skin off my ***.

But since we're talking smart takes, ask Nick Saban what he'd think of it. Or maybe Wistrom or Jason Peter. You think Urban Meyer would like it? No. Winners who are with a team wouldn't pull that move.

Edited to remove the word "trash". I jumped on Nikki calling Adrian a bum, not fair to use that word to describe one of our players.

 

[huskerj12]

I agree totally....the Frost apologist are using the ole "they aren't his guys" line to take any of the culpability for this current dumpster fire off of him.

In my opinion the main problem doesn't lie with the guys Riley recruited who are still on the team, it's with the guys Riley recruited who left the team, or the positions Riley failed to recruit at all like the OL, which left us with giant gaping holes all over the depth chart. I think we could and should be able to do better this season with what we have left, but make no mistake the pieces aren't there yet and we can't fast forward all the young guys' progress to will them to be ready to play when they shouldn't be expected to be.

So when people say we're in this mess partially because of Riley's recruiting, I don't think they necessarily mean the upperclassmen who came in as Riley recruits having ****** attitudes or being awful, it's more the fact that we don't have nearly as many upperclassmen as we should on the roster. So we're left relying on a young and undeveloped team right now with certain spots being filled by guys who don't have the talent level we want or don't have a capable backup, and we have to figure out how to make incremental progress the rest of the year while we stockpile (hopefully) talented newcomers and develop them consistently.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

Last 3 games the offense has managed one TD in each of those games. Two of the games they were garbage time TDs.

Count me out on blaming the defense for this team's shortcomings. It wears on you physically and mentally to constantly be trying to prop up an offense like that. I'm not saying they're an elite defense, they're not, but they're sure as **** not as bad as the offense.

They've been asked to erase SO MANY offensive f-ups that I think they finally got demoralized. They looked like a team that got in their feelings and went to, "Nothing works, what's the point?" mentality.

Scott knows it, he called out their effort in the post-game. We'll see what he's got for that in two weeks.

My thoughts are that when building or rebuilding a team, you should always start with defense, specifically defensive line. 80% of defense is effort and attitude, 10% knowledge and 10% skill. If you have an offense that isn't designed to be a power offense that knocks people off the ball, such as Wisconsin, Iowa or Nebraska of old, you have to have a defense line that takes the lead in that area.

I get that Frost has said he wants to combine the old Nebraska toughness and power to his version on the Oregon offense, but until he gets that accomplished, this offense is still predicated on getting athletes in space. Nothing about the UCF or Oregon offense under Kelly, Helfrich and Frost was about pounding the ball and the guys up front winning 1 on 1 match ups of strength and power.

I am just saying, that if it were me, and I know it isn't, as an offensive minded coach, I have all the confidence in the world that I can get the offense going. So my first year, I do everything I can to make sure the area on the other side of the ball is the focal point in my transition. If I can get the defense to be where it needs to be, then it doesn't matter if I run wing T. I will be in every game with a chance to win. If I am as good of an offensive coach as I believe I am, I will get the offense where it needs to be. If I spend the transition period, trying to get my offense where I want it and the defense takes a back seat, then I run the risk of being below average at both for a longer period of time.

Just my opinion and a few thoughts. Take if for what it is worth.

 

[phoenix4nu]

My biggest disappointment is Farinok. I thought he was this awesome get. His foundation, drive and motor would help restore the pipeline. WRONG! Don't get me started on Jurgens...

I'd put Raridon in that category too. A huge disapointment.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

In my opinion the main problem doesn't lie with the guys Riley recruited who are still on the team, it's with the guys Riley recruited who left the team, or the positions Riley failed to recruit at all like the OL, which left us with giant gaping holes all over the depth chart. I think we could and should be able to do better this season with what we have left, but make no mistake the pieces aren't there yet and we can't fast forward all the young guys' progress to will them to be ready to play when they shouldn't be expected to be.

So when people say we're in this mess partially because of Riley's recruiting, I don't think they necessarily mean the upperclassmen who came in as Riley recruits having ****** attitudes or being awful, it's more the fact that we don't have nearly as many upperclassmen as we should on the roster. So we're left relying on a young and undeveloped team right now with certain spots being filled by guys who don't have the talent level we want or don't have a capable backup, and we have to figure out how to make incremental progress the rest of the year while we stockpile (hopefully) talented newcomers and develop them consistently.

Well 3 of the starters on the current OL are Riley recruits that he only worked with for 1 year as starters. Now there were huge misses, but

Barnett
Decker
Gaylord
Brokup
Raridon
Wilson
Farniok M
Jaimes
Sichterman
Bando

Many of those players were high 3 and 4 star players with multiple P5 offers. Many didn't get but 1 or 2 years with Riley and are still not performing under Frost and Austin.


Edit - Also, when Riley took over, the OL was already a mess because of the huge attrition numbers from Pelini.

 

[huskerwa_rivals80749]

Anyone have the season stats for yards wiped out due to penalties? Plus yards lost due to penalties? It seems like we kill ourselves everytime we do something right. It's hard not to get down, as a player, when this constantly happens. It's a 'here we go again' kind of attitude.

 

[Solana Beach Husker]

I don't disagree, Im just very confused. All of MR classes were in the 20s. I know we lost some players when Frost was hired. It still amazes me that of all those players almost all were "busts". The odds of that are astronomical. I haven't looked but would be interesting to know of the MR guys who are left what was their ranking coming out of HS.

We lost some players...how a bout 34! The kids that are here on offense were recruited for a zone blocking, pass protection, single back run scheme...we don't have any backs left but our oline is all holdovers who can't get down field to take on their assignments. The reason the coaches **** all over Jurgens is because he can move to the 2nd level...the RTO is predicated on Run game screens...let the dline up field, out maneuver them, and your oline takes on the safeties and linebackers...if your oline can't get to the backers then you basically have a wall of unblocked defenders. We are better in man on man blocking in the run game but it isn't our offense...so better to take our lumps now and wait until the 7 oline freshman are ready...

 

[Solana Beach Husker]

That wasn't what I was saying. Just pointing out that the majority of the higher ranked players from that time are gone and most of the other have failed to develop and contribute in a way we need. Probably a lot of factors that go into, including things that have nothing to do with Mike Riley like Frost finding the right fit for them, getting the most out of them and so on.

Frost is not going to find the right fit because he thinks he needs to recruit now for the future. It is a risk...Bo completely sacrificed his offensive recruiting in 2009-2010 to win games...and the offense was still pretty mediocre...we ended up with 6 years of a Safety at qb....and no consistent line play because we moved from west coach, to pass spread, to run spread, to pass spread...on paper, matching your talent to your scheme seems smart, when recruiting it is a nightmare because certain olineman are good with one scheme and not another. And certain olineman don't want to be in a certain scheme or would rather be with their HS scheme.

 

[King Kong]

I believe he wanted to win this year. I think we need to realize that he's still very young as a head coach, and maybe when he hit UCF with a 13-0 record, he had all he needed to do so.

He's had to rebuild here and will continue to have to. There's a lot of emotion playing here, more pressure too - and he'll go head to head against much better coaches.

My take, he's been stubborn to a fault. The things that worked at UCF don't here with the talent, competition, style, etc

It's either adapt or we sit back and wait till he gets exactly the players he needs and hope that works.

I want him to adapt. I watched NW, they are seriously void of talent and banged up. As bad as their record is, they show up to play every week and their coach has a scheme that gives them a chance.

Purdue is another. They have some serious excuses - last week a guy in his 2nd or 3rd start broke records at QB.

We need Frost to evaluate what he's got and scheme us the best chance to win. Not stick to a stubborn scheme that doesn't work

Couldn't agree more!

 

[WoodRiverJennings]

there are as many 2 and zero stars during that time span as 4 stars

Sounds like a Bo class



:Cool:

 

[SillFontaine]

Meh - Benning has watched this team and players throughout fall camp and the first 6 games this year.

He predicted we would beat Minnesota.
The only member of big red wrap up to do so.

He’s had plenty of opportunities to be “brutally honest” prior to this game.

In full spin mode to provide cover for his buddy as bowl eligibility may be in question.

Nailed it

 

[timnsun]

Nailed it

Whew! Iowa fan here to confirm what he thinks we need to know. I thought their loss might have kept them away longer. Guess not.

 

[TheBeav815]

in addition to the scholarship losses Penn State also had an additional 15+ guys leave the program as a result of the sanctions

the average rivals ranking of the classes you cited (2013-2016) was 25
25 4 stars and 1 5 star during this time -- that lone 5 star was Christian Hackenberg

Nebraska average ranking (2016-2019) - 20
31 4 stars

We're not comparing the same things. Sanctions were announced July 2012. Five seasons later Franklin won a CCG. 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 he wins the B1G.

They had 15 players leave initially and only one reduced recruiting class in 2013. So 2013 is their worst roster year, yes? Let's call it -25 for simplicity. They start making up for it in 2014 with a 25-man recruiting class.

2018 was our worst roster year in terms of being short scholarship guys. We started making up for it with a 27-man class plus 3 transfers last year.

A year into the "recovery" PSU went 7-6 or .538 in the 2014 season.

A year into our "recovery" NU is currently 4-3 or .571 in the 2019 season.

 

[f00tball_fan]

Are we saying the culture was so god awful with Riley that most if not all players that were recruited by him that they are broken beyond repair? Serious question.

Does it still smell like a Riley team?

I would identify the players that aren’t giving it 100% and they get a nice warm spot on the bench. Only way to fix this Diva attitude some players have that are not good. I would sit the entire offensive line for next week for sure. Can the backups be much worse? Find SOMEONE that is hungry in position groups and try to trickle that attitude to the rest.

 

[Headcard]

 

[dinglefritz]

You play the kids who are willing to play the game your way. No bad apples on the field. Forget about the redshirts and saving people for the future. You need to have confidence in your recruiting abilities such that you're not worrying about finding the next kid.

I think part of what we're seeing is that the freshmen who are physically ready for the B1G are playing. I don't think he wants to throw a kid out there who isn't physically or mentally ready and destroy their confidence.

My thoughts are that when building or rebuilding a team, you should always start with defense, specifically defensive line. 80% of defense is effort and attitude, 10% knowledge and 10% skill. If you have an offense that isn't designed to be a power offense that knocks people off the ball, such as Wisconsin, Iowa or Nebraska of old, you have to have a defense line that takes the lead in that area.

I get that Frost has said he wants to combine the old Nebraska toughness and power to his version on the Oregon offense, but until he gets that accomplished, this offense is still predicated on getting athletes in space. Nothing about the UCF or Oregon offense under Kelly, Helfrich and Frost was about pounding the ball and the guys up front winning 1 on 1 match ups of strength and power.

I am just saying, that if it were me, and I know it isn't, as an offensive minded coach, I have all the confidence in the world that I can get the offense going. So my first year, I do everything I can to make sure the area on the other side of the ball is the focal point in my transition. If I can get the defense to be where it needs to be, then it doesn't matter if I run wing T. I will be in every game with a chance to win. If I am as good of an offensive coach as I believe I am, I will get the offense where it needs to be. If I spend the transition period, trying to get my offense where I want it and the defense takes a back seat, then I run the risk of being below average at both for a longer period of time.

Just my opinion and a few thoughts. Take if for what it is worth.

I was thinking today that Frost needs to put his hands on the defense for a while. I know he says he doesn't want to interfere with Chinander's turf BUT I think he HAS to right now. Somebody other than the defensive staff needs to evaluate schemes and personnel because for some reason our linebackers in particular are not executing. Unfortunatley our offense isn't clicking either so he's got a lot on his plate right now.

 

[red scowl]

there are as many 2 and zero stars during that time span as 4 stars

A similar amount of talent as Minnesota?

 

[red scowl]

I think part of what we're seeing is that the freshmen who are physically ready for the B1G are playing. I don't think he wants to throw a kid out there who isn't physically or mentally ready and destroy their confidence.

I was thinking today that Frost needs to put his hands on the defense for a while. I know he says he doesn't want to interfere with Chinander's turf BUT I think he HAS to right now. Somebody other than the defensive staff needs to evaluate schemes and personnel because for some reason our linebackers in particular are not executing. Unfortunatley our offense isn't clicking either so he's got a lot on his plate right now.

I think we need a whole practice of Oklahoma drills. Again and again. Let's see who the Alphas are. We need to have a full scrimmage on Saturday also.

 

[bshirt73]

My thoughts are that when building or rebuilding a team, you should always start with defense, specifically defensive line. 80% of defense is effort and attitude, 10% knowledge and 10% skill. If you have an offense that isn't designed to be a power offense that knocks people off the ball, such as Wisconsin, Iowa or Nebraska of old, you have to have a defense line that takes the lead in that area.

I get that Frost has said he wants to combine the old Nebraska toughness and power to his version on the Oregon offense, but until he gets that accomplished, this offense is still predicated on getting athletes in space. Nothing about the UCF or Oregon offense under Kelly, Helfrich and Frost was about pounding the ball and the guys up front winning 1 on 1 match ups of strength and power.

I am just saying, that if it were me, and I know it isn't, as an offensive minded coach, I have all the confidence in the world that I can get the offense going. So my first year, I do everything I can to make sure the area on the other side of the ball is the focal point in my transition. If I can get the defense to be where it needs to be, then it doesn't matter if I run wing T. I will be in every game with a chance to win. If I am as good of an offensive coach as I believe I am, I will get the offense where it needs to be. If I spend the transition period, trying to get my offense where I want it and the defense takes a back seat, then I run the risk of being below average at both for a longer period of time.

Just my opinion and a few thoughts. Take if for what it is worth.

As always, a good post from Tuco that's fun to read.

Heh....it seems like NU being great on either side of the ball is a huge, huge sized brutal task. But who knows? But you're quite correct, HCSF does indeed want a smash-mouth line on both sides of the ball. No doubt we're both dying a horrible death waiting for that to happen!

 

[dinglefritz]

Meh - Benning has watched this team and players throughout fall camp and the first 6 games this year.

He predicted we would beat Minnesota.
The only member of big red wrap up to do so.

He’s had plenty of opportunities to be “brutally honest” prior to this game.

In full spin mode to provide cover for his buddy as bowl eligibility may be in question.

Honestly I thought we could beat them too. Unfortunately it was apparent that some of our players didn't think they had a chance after that first couple of drives and just rolled over. I hadn't seen that out of our team before this game and I don't think Benning had either. Obviously he's been famously wrong before. I think he's got it right now.

 

[red scowl]

I don't want Frost fired. I don't want his assistants fired. I won't even talk about how the players don't perform their assignments.

But not being tough is unforgivable. Toughness is a learned trait. It hasn't been taught. Practice needs to change. No more best practice ********. Players should want to quit after practice. It should be a bloodbath.

 

[RednWash]

Oh - I saw Darrion Daniels yesterday. Decked out in Oklahoma State gear. Neat. This team needs some leadership.

Bad look for a team captain. Makes me wonder what's going on with the mindset of this team.

 

[SillFontaine]

Whew! Iowa fan here to confirm what he thinks we need to know. I thought their loss might have kept them away longer. Guess not.

No blowouts so taking the 2 losses in stride.

 

[huskerdude88]

I don't want Frost fired. I don't want his assistants fired. I won't even talk about how the players don't perform their assignments.

But not being tough is unforgivable. Toughness is a learned trait. It hasn't been taught. Practice needs to change. No more best practice ********. Players should want to quit after practice. It should be a bloodbath.

This...As far as I'm concerned the season is over. We need to treat the rest of it as a weeding out process for next year. We should run our practices like Alabama. Scrimmage the hell out of the team. We will lose some along the way due to injuries.

By Iowa we will probably be starting walk ons, sophomores, and maybe even freshman but by the end of the season we would at the very least have instilled a mindset of toughness going into next year.

 

[f00tball_fan]

This...As far as I'm concerned the season is over. We need to treat the rest of it as a weeding out process for next year. We should run our practices like Alabama. Scrimmage the hell out of the team. We will lose some along the way due to injuries.

By Iowa we will probably be starting walk ons, sophomores, and maybe even freshman but by the end of the season we would at the very least have instilled a mindset of toughness going into next year.

Yes please, may I have some more.

 

[huskerj12]

This...As far as I'm concerned the season is over. We need to treat the rest of it as a weeding out process for next year. We should run our practices like Alabama. Scrimmage the hell out of the team. We will lose some along the way due to injuries.

By Iowa we will probably be starting walk ons, sophomores, and maybe even freshman but by the end of the season we would at the very least have instilled a mindset of toughness going into next year.

I get that mindset but in my opinion we'd need to balance that with doing everything possible to get bowl eligible. We need a bowl game this year for the health of the program.

 

[HominidHusker]

Despite being aware of where we could see some struggles, the overall picture this year has looked far worse than I expected.
I’m not giving up on this team- I’ll always support them. While we’re not good, I could see the MN game being a little bit of a fluke. The OSU game represented being completely out of their league, showing how far we have to go. But MN was our team’s bottom from the standpoint of everyone sucking at the same time.
I’m hopeful that we’re not truly as bad as that game was.
But nowadays hope doesn’t mean “sh*t”. Our team seems to have a magnet that sucks them back to rock bottom over and over, year after year.
It’s like we’re cursed and an exorcism is needed.

These players need to dig deep and figure things out.
We’re gonna get embarrassed again against Wisconsin. I see no way to avoid that if we’re being brutally honest.
It’s the other games left where the team needs to rally snd scrape out some W’s.
Coaches need to figure things out as well. I would currently place blame 74% on players and 26% on coaches.
That 26% is not ok.

 

[NikkiSixx_rivals269993]

My thoughts are that when building or rebuilding a team, you should always start with defense, specifically defensive line. 80% of defense is effort and attitude, 10% knowledge and 10% skill. If you have an offense that isn't designed to be a power offense that knocks people off the ball, such as Wisconsin, Iowa or Nebraska of old, you have to have a defense line that takes the lead in that area.

I get that Frost has said he wants to combine the old Nebraska toughness and power to his version on the Oregon offense, but until he gets that accomplished, this offense is still predicated on getting athletes in space. Nothing about the UCF or Oregon offense under Kelly, Helfrich and Frost was about pounding the ball and the guys up front winning 1 on 1 match ups of strength and power.

I am just saying, that if it were me, and I know it isn't, as an offensive minded coach, I have all the confidence in the world that I can get the offense going. So my first year, I do everything I can to make sure the area on the other side of the ball is the focal point in my transition. If I can get the defense to be where it needs to be, then it doesn't matter if I run wing T. I will be in every game with a chance to win. If I am as good of an offensive coach as I believe I am, I will get the offense where it needs to be. If I spend the transition period, trying to get my offense where I want it and the defense takes a back seat, then I run the risk of being below average at both for a longer period of time.

Just my opinion and a few thoughts. Take if for what it is worth.

Exactly right in my opinion. What makes it worse in this situation is the system is predicated on offensive success with the attacking defense thing. If he doesn't reign in that defense to play more conservatively, we are going to continue to lose games that maybe we shouldn't. That also hurts the team's development and mental confidence. He only now seems interested in doing any defensive recruiting, after it's been picked over already this year. Maybe next year? smh

 

[huskerbaseball13]

No blowouts so taking the 2 losses in stride.

That is such an Iowa thing to say Alex. For the life of me I can’t understand why Iowa fans are okay with second and third place finishes out of Ferentz.

And from a guy that is clearly setting up his son as the next coach. A guy who has churned out some pretty bad offenses.

 

[King Kong]

Bad look for a team captain. Makes me wonder what's going on with the mindset of this team.

I was a little concerned when he was named a captain. A grad transfer? No one else???? What does that say about a "Team".

 

[otismotis08]

I get that mindset but in my opinion we'd need to balance that with doing everything possible to get bowl eligible. We need a bowl game this year for the health of the program.

First and foremost, we need to instill toughness in these kids. If a bowl game happens, so be it. If not, meh.

 

[huskerj12]

First and foremost, we need to instill toughness in these kids. If a bowl game happens, so be it. If not, meh.

I hear ya, I just think Frost missing a bowl in his first two seasons would be pretty crippling for the program and his credibility. The window to sell hope for the future can close pretty quickly.

 

[bshirt73]

I hear ya, I just think Frost missing a bowl in his first two seasons would be pretty crippling for the program and his credibility. The window to sell hope for the future can close pretty quickly.

Damn.....that's scary as hell. Holy Moly, we've simply GOT to make a bowl game. No matter what the price. But very well stated sir!

 

[otismotis08]

IMHO. building a foundation of toughness is more important than going to the BlueBonnet bowl.

 

[TheBeav815]

You all are losing sight of what a tank job does to a recruiting class and the prestige of a coach who needs to sell himself in living rooms around the country. There's not a draft, we don't get higher picks for losing.

Remember how that 2018 class imploded as Riley lost the team and the program? Elite kids aren't trying to play for a loser, it's INCREDIBLE the class Scott put together with a 4-6 record last year. He needs confidence and a step forward in the record books to keep selling progress in December and January.

He would be stupid with a capital S to beat up an already injured team even further just for the sake of going all Junction Boys on them forr looking like they didn't want it in one game. Flat games happen to every team and your #1 problem with Nebraska right now is injuries. Ask 1992 NU about Iowa State. Flat game, no explaining it.

This team needs to get healthy and get back to some basics. They have 2 weeks to figure out what those basics are but they damn well better involve Dedrick Mills running downhill somehow some way.

Here's a refresher on hurt offensive players:

Jaimes (ankle)
Martinez (ankle, knee)
Vedral (lower body)
Washington (ankle)
Wan'dale (ankle)
Spielman (ribs maybe?) Not sure but he has been MURDERED on some catches over the middle
Mazour (dunno but he isn't playing and doesn't seem to be available)
Stoll (lower body)

Sometimes you need the weight room, sometimes the film room, right now these guys need the training room.

This is a bigger rebuild from a worse football program than anyone, including Scott, fully realized. It's like rennovating an old house, every time you open something up you find more rot and another setback.

This game sucked but it's not program-defining. Best thing Scott did last year was never show panic and keep bringing the guys back to the plan. You start changing everything now and being a knee-jerk coach and you keep your kids eternal novices like we've seen for the last 10 years.

 

[huskerj12]

IMHO. building a foundation of toughness is more important than going to the BlueBonnet bowl.

Haha hopefully the two end up going hand in hand.

 

[bshirt73]

You all are losing sight of what a tank job does to a recruiting class and the prestige of a coach who needs to sell himself in living rooms around the country. There's not a draft, we don't get higher picks for losing.

Remember how that 2018 class imploded as Riley lost the team and the program? Elite kids aren't trying to play for a loser, it's INCREDIBLE the class Scott put together with a 4-6 record last year. He needs confidence and a step forward in the record books to keep selling progress in December and January.

He would be stupid with a capital S to beat up an already injured team even further just for the sake of going all Junction Boys on them forr looking like they didn't want it in one game. Flat games happen to every team and your #1 problem with Nebraska right now is injuries. Ask 1992 NU about Iowa State. Flat game, no explaining it.

This team needs to get healthy and get back to some basics. They have 2 weeks to figure out what those basics are but they damn well better involve Dedrick Mills running downhill somehow some way.

Here's a refresher on hurt offensive players:

Jaimes (ankle)
Martinez (ankle, knee)
Vedral (lower body)
Washington (ankle)
Wan'dale (ankle)
Spielman (ribs maybe?) Not sure but he has been MURDERED on some catches over the middle
Mazour (dunno but he isn't playing and doesn't seem to be available)
Stoll (lower body)

Sometimes you need the weight room, sometimes the film room, right now these guys need the training room.

This is a bigger rebuild from a worse football program than anyone, including Scott, fully realized. It's like rennovating an old house, every time you open something up you find more rot and another setback.

This game sucked but it's not program-defining. Best thing Scott did last year was never show panic and keep bringing the guys back to the plan. You start changing everything now and being a knee-jerk coach and you keep your kids eternal novices like we've seen for the last 10 years.

Geesh Beav, what's gotten in to you today? Your excellent posts everywhere that are 100% on the money. Great reads!

Keep it rolling compadre'!!

 

[SillFontaine]

IMHO. building a foundation of toughness is more important than going to the BlueBonnet bowl.

When are they going to start on that foundation of toughness?

 

[WoodRiverJennings]

You all are losing sight of what a tank job does to a recruiting class and the prestige of a coach who needs to sell himself in living rooms around the country. There's not a draft, we don't get higher picks for losing.

Remember how that 2018 class imploded as Riley lost the team and the program? Elite kids aren't trying to play for a loser, it's INCREDIBLE the class Scott put together with a 4-6 record last year. He needs confidence and a step forward in the record books to keep selling progress in December and January.

He would be stupid with a capital S to beat up an already injured team even further just for the sake of going all Junction Boys on them forr looking like they didn't want it in one game. Flat games happen to every team and your #1 problem with Nebraska right now is injuries. Ask 1992 NU about Iowa State. Flat game, no explaining it.

This team needs to get healthy and get back to some basics. They have 2 weeks to figure out what those basics are but they damn well better involve Dedrick Mills running downhill somehow some way.

Here's a refresher on hurt offensive players:

Jaimes (ankle)
Martinez (ankle, knee)
Vedral (lower body)
Washington (ankle)
Wan'dale (ankle)
Spielman (ribs maybe?) Not sure but he has been MURDERED on some catches over the middle
Mazour (dunno but he isn't playing and doesn't seem to be available)
Stoll (lower body)

Sometimes you need the weight room, sometimes the film room, right now these guys need the training room.

This is a bigger rebuild from a worse football program than anyone, including Scott, fully realized. It's like rennovating an old house, every time you open something up you find more rot and another setback.

This game sucked but it's not program-defining. Best thing Scott did last year was never show panic and keep bringing the guys back to the plan. You start changing everything now and being a knee-jerk coach and you keep your kids eternal novices like we've seen for the last 10 years.

Speaking of those injuries, has anyone heard anything regarding the severity or prognosis of Wandale's and Martinez's injuries?