I agree with this, but I also saw our left tackle get blown by on the outside multiple times for losses in the backfield on run plays. I think the problem runs deeper than just interior linemen.It's the run blocking...more so the interior run-blocking...
IMO pass blocking is fine. You can just sense it - the difference this year vs last year at this time Luke scrambling for his life on seemingly literally every drop-back.
The 2 tackles also seem to be fine. Struggles are on the interior...
Agree, but I’ll shift NU to one we should win. They don’t look great, and that isn’t a road game in any meaningful sense … it will be at Wrigley in front of a hell of a lot more orange than purple, especially if we are still above .500 at that point.Great start 3-0.
My goal is to go 8-4 regular season. The schedule favors us.
We should be favored at home vs Purdue Minnesota and Michigan State which gets us to 6 wins.
All we have to do is steal 2 wins vs @ Nebraska, Michigan @ home, @ Rutgers or @ NW. I think that is very doable.
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Nobody thinks that way. But if it makes you feel better.My wife is also from Omaha. She thinks most Nebby fans still think it's 1995 and Tom (Jesus H.) Osborne is still the coach. Just sayin......................
1) Not winning the point of attack. Need to be able to get your hands on a smaller Dlinemen, otherwise they're winning the leverage battle.So what’s up with the offensive line. Why are they struggling?
We're 3-0. I like our chances for at least 7 or 8 wins.This might be a hair too pessimistic for me but I prefer this sentiment over people taking about how there’s not a game left on the schedule we can’t win. Is it possible that we are team that can go into the stadiums of 2 of the top 10 programs and beat them? Yeah, I guess. But we haven’t run the ball effectively against anyone yet, and we have absolutely no depth dang-near anywhere. Our offensive line isn’t where it needs to be and our QB had some notable flaws that will be exacerbated against better competition. You can look at this as as optimistically as you want and there’s plenty reason to do so, but there are plenty of things cutting the other way too. We rant don’t know what this team is yet.
Tl;dr - going into this season, landing somewhere between 5 to 7 wins was the expected range of outcomes. Let’s not get so high on the early returns that 6-6 is a letdown.
Possibly. Michigan still runs the ball as good as anyone, and if they have time to figure out their QB situation.....So are we pretty much of the notion that this game is more tough than home scUM?
I mean...that's not necessarily something we would've claimed at the start of the year, and only thing that's happened is them losing to the #1 team in land. Certainly does seem like they have some issues though...particularly the QB spot.
We're ranked purely as a function of preseason expectations for Kansas.
I am a strong, strong supporter of a vibes-based AP Poll. That's part of what makes college football fun. Enjoy it. But don't confuse it for a reliable prognostication of the quality of the team.
It will be a miracle if we're 5-3 when the calendar turns to November.
KFord gives us a 33% chance against Nebraska and a 29% chance against Michigan. Though, I imagine preseason rankings are still factored into that percentage and Michigan has been dropping in KFord after every game they play. So that might look a little different by game day.So are we pretty much of the notion that this game is more tough than home scUM?
I mean...that's not necessarily something we would've claimed at the start of the year, and only thing that's happened is them losing to the #1 team in land. Certainly does seem like they have some issues though...particularly the QB spot.
Dang boy, you would give Mel Kiper a run for his money. Thanks for the information. Good luck by the way.Neb fan here.
Nice to read through this, you guys seem much more level headed than most fan bases haha!
I've always liked Bret, I think he's an excellent coach. You guys will always be solid with him in charge. Excited to see a ranked matchup in Lincoln for the first time in a WHILE
Your WR (Bryant) scares me a bit. We have one NFL corner (#6 Tommi Hill, who did a great job limiting Travis Hunter...he had his catches, but nothing explosive whatsoever) but Bryant is going to be one of his toughest tests. I think Bryant is one of the most underrated skill position players in the B1G. He's a Sunday dude for sure. Our other DBs are good but not great IMO.
Our defense overall is our strength. Going back the last 10 or so contests, we've given up 17+ only twice (24 to Wiscy and 20 to MSU last year). We've given up a total of 20 points so far, 10 to Colorado. The strength of the defense in the d-line. I would argue we one of the best DT combos in the country with #9 Ty Robinson and #0 Nash Hutmacher. Ty will be in the backfield A LOT. He's a monster and he's very fast for his size (6'6" 310). Both DTs could have gone pro last year but decided to come back and help NU get back on track. You will see a lot of pressure up the middle.
Our LB's have been a pleasant surprise this year too. A few young guys have really flashed and a walkon (Bullock) has been lights out for us as has Gbayor.
On offense we're good not great IMO. We have a decent WR core, but have had trouble at times getting separation. This is a TOUGH matchup for us because Illinois is so good in the defensive backfield. #17 (Barney) is fast AF but small. #18 is our next best who's got some speed and some length and #4 is our big possession receiver. Watch out for true frosh Nelson #29, pretty raw but gifted.
Raiola has been really good, his arm talent is ridiculous and he's only turned it over once this year (on a ball that traveled 50 yards in the air where our WR just got beat), but a couple times a game his throws have been a bit off and he hasn't really been under pressure consistently yet. Our OL has been MUCH improved since the Frost days (especially in pass pro), but I would still say we're good not great here. Not having Mazzccua sucks, but his backup was ok last game. Raiola's not crazy mobile, but he's really good at the "side step to avoid the rush". I think he's only ran the ball 2-3 times this year (excluding sacks and a couple broken plays), both for decent gains but it is not something he's going to do often. Some of you probably know, but he's the son of one of the best offensive lineman to ever play at Nebraska (and we used to have a LOT of good ones) and his name is on the stadium (a modern version of a "retired jersey"). You can tell he's had a lot of coaching from some really high level football minds.
Our main RB (Dowdell transfer from Oregon) is very good. He's a big back and will be a challenge to take down and is a lot more explosive than we expected. He'll get 60-70% of the carries. The other two (R. Johnson and E. Johnson...seems like a Blazing Saddles reference) are solid but not game changing. R Johnson is great in pass pro and receiving out of the backfield, he can really hurt teams there, look for him on passing downs. E Johnson isn't as big as Dowdell, but he is pretty shifty and can break one.
Our kicking game is absolutely our Achilles this year. They kind of split kicking into short (Alvano) and long (Hohl...though he has yet to attempt one) and Alvano only hit like 60% last year. Husker fans are pretty convinced this is going to cost us a game at some point. If it comes down to a field goal, nobody in red will be confident.
Anyway, I am expecting a good game against a well coached team. Definitely our toughest challenge yet. Hopefully we'll come out on top, we are 3-0 ATS this year, but Husker fans are riddled with PTSD
Our main RB (Dowdell transfer from Oregon) is very good. He's a big back and will be a challenge to take down and is a lot more explosive than we expected. He'll get 60-70% of the carries. The other two (R. Johnson and E. Johnson...seems like a Blazing Saddles reference) are solid but not game changing. R Johnson is great in pass pro and receiving out of the backfield, he can really hurt teams there, look for him on passing downs. E Johnson isn't as big as Dowdell, but he is pretty shifty and can break one.
I agree. The best way to not telegraph where we are running it is to have both backs in there at the same time. As it is, when Feagin is in, the D knows there's a 95% chance we're going straight into the line and when Valentine is in there, there's a 75% chance he'll pick the best hole.I think we need to simply use Valentine and run outside more and stop with the Feagin running to the 1 or 2 , and 3 or 4 gaps.
I really think the answer is not that complicated . Feagin can run the ball well, but we can’t telegraph it to the D what downs & where we plan to do it
We run RPOsI agree. The best way to not telegraph where we are running it is to have both backs in there at the same time. As it is, when Feagin is in, the D knows there's a 95% chance we're going straight into the line and when Valentine is in there, there's a 75% chance he'll pick the best hole.
Honestly, with the OL we have, it would be beneficial to have an RPO QB but I'm hoping Luke can pick thier untested D apart with a variety of slants, screeens and other plays we've been holding in the bag.
And when Altmyer gets a lane he is blazingly fast.We run RPOs
Check out the latest illini inquire podcast. They hit on the RPO quite a bit.I agree. The best way to not telegraph where we are running it is to have both backs in there at the same time. As it is, when Feagin is in, the D knows there's a 95% chance we're going straight into the line and when Valentine is in there, there's a 75% chance he'll pick the best hole.
Honestly, with the OL we have, it would be beneficial to have an RPO QB but I'm hoping Luke can pick thier untested D apart with a variety of slants, screeens and other plays we've been holding in the bag.