Are the Stars Aligning for the Cornuskers?

[Chris]

We'll hopefully know more after today's match against Sparty and as the other B1G's get a conference game under their belts. Thus far, however, the B1G has been less than impressive or mercurial at best this season. Nobody currently looks unbeatable. Nobody would have predicted Oregon and tOSU already having a stroke in the loss column. Indiana barely got by Northwestern last night and lost their starting running back.

It'll take more than significant improvement on both sides of the ball for the Cornhuskers to contend, having the competition come back down to Earth can't hurt.

 

[Hunchback Johnny]

If Aiden Chiles can look that good against indiana Colandrea gonna hang half a hundy on their ass.

 

[SUHnami]

If Aiden Chiles can look that good against indiana Colandrea gonna hang half a hundy on their ass.

Have to get by Fitz and Sparty first.

 

[Husker99]

If Aiden Chiles can look that good against indiana Colandrea gonna hang half a hundy on their ass.

Funny you should mention that. As I watched the NW vs IN game last night, the play of Aiden Chiles in the first half made me so irrationally angry. Taking huge sacks, not throwing the ball away, and just making bad decisions. I found myself telling the television that it was so ridiculous that a QB going into his 3rd year as a starter is still making "freshman" mistakes. Even now, I'm puzzled as to why I was so upset. I don't have a snail in that race, so why was I concerned? I still, even as I type this, don't know why.
@Doc Fumble do you have any analysis on this matter?

 

[Doc Fumble]

The Scene: Doc Fumble's Sports Psychology Clinic. Husker99 is laid out on a sofa. Fumble sits nearby with a notepad in hand...

As I watched the NW vs IN game last night, the play of Aiden Chiles in the first half made me so irrationally angry. Taking huge sacks, not throwing the ball away, and just making bad decisions.

Fumble: Tell me, how do you FEEL about this? (Doc pretends to take notes while doodling in his notepad.)

I found myself telling the television that it was so ridiculous that a QB going into his 3rd year as a starter is still making "freshman" mistakes. Even now, I'm puzzled as to why I was so upset. I don't have a snail in that race, so why was I concerned? I still, even as I type this, don't know why. Doc Fumble, do you have any analysis on this matter?

I think it was a subliminal reaction.

You vaguely remembered that the Huskers invited Aiden Chiles to campus for a visit after the season. At the time, our whole BHF gang was gagging at the thought that Chiles was poised to become our new QB1. The mere sight of him on TV set off that unique mixture of nausea and anger again.

Time's up. That'll be an extra 20 bucks this session for that brilliant insight!

 

[Husker99]

Time's up. That'll be an extra 20 bucks this session for that brilliant insight!

The check is in the mail!

And actually, the whole subliminal angle, might actually be plausible. You really are some kind of Doc. Maybe more Doc Brown than Doc Hollywood, but you got the spirit.

 

[Hunchback Johnny]

Funny you should mention that. As I watched the NW vs IN game last night, the play of Aiden Chiles in the first half made me so irrationally angry. Taking huge sacks, not throwing the ball away, and just making bad decisions. I found myself telling the television that it was so ridiculous that a QB going into his 3rd year as a starter is still making "freshman" mistakes. Even now, I'm puzzled as to why I was so upset. I don't have a snail in that race, so why was I concerned? I still, even as I type this, don't know why.
@Doc Fumble do you have any analysis on this matter?

It's a crazy game. I started watching in the second half and NW was down 12-0. I was one of those Husker fans last season horrified at the thought of Chiles being our next QB. Anywhays, Chiles looked like a 1st team All-American in the second half. Finished 22-29 for 293 yards and 2 touchdowns. I'm curious what his first half stats looked like when NW was shutout. He was solid in the 2nd half.

 

[Husker99]

It's a crazy game. I started watching in the second half and NW was down 12-0. I was one of those Husker fans last season horrified at the thought of Chiles being our next QB. Anywhays, Chiles looked like a 1st team All-American in the second half. Finished 22-29 for 293 yards and 2 touchdowns. I'm curious what his first half stats looked like when NW was shutout. He was solid in the 2nd half.

The results for Northwestern in the 1st half were:

* 0 points
* 51 total yards
* -5 yards rushing
* Gave up a safety on their opening play of their first possession
* Lost 21 yards on their final offensive drive before halftime on an intentional grounding penalty.

 

[Hunchback Johnny]

The results for Northwestern in the 1st half were:

* 0 points
* 51 total yards
* -5 yards rushing
* Gave up a safety on their opening play of their first possession
* Lost 21 yards on their final offensive drive before halftime on an intentional grounding penalty.

That is the kind of stat line I would expect from Chiles!

 

[Doc Fumble]

The results for Northwestern in the 1st half were:

* 0 points
* 51 total yards
* -5 yards rushing
* Gave up a safety on their opening play of their first possession
* Lost 21 yards on their final offensive drive before halftime on an intentional grounding penalty.

WAIT A SECOND...THAT CAN'T BE RIGHT!

That would mean that Northwestern made halftime adjustments and dominated Indiana's defense in the second half.

I've been told by posters here that Curt Cignetti is a coaching savant who always outcoaches his competition.

 

[Husker99]

That is the kind of stat line I would expect from Chiles!

But then contrast that with his second half performance and it is night and day difference.

 

[Husker99]

WAIT A SECOND...THAT CAN'T BE RIGHT!

That would mean that Northwestern made halftime adjustments and dominated Indiana's defense in the second half.

I've been told by posters here that Curt Cignetti is a coaching savant who always outcoaches his competition.

Well considering he took one of the worst teams in the entire FBS, with decades of losing seasons, and won a natty in two years is nothing short of remarkable. It's also quite likely that, as a coach, great players make you look really good and bad players make you look bad. Indiana's new QB this year may ultimately become a good player, but he's definitely no Marcus Mendoza.

 

[Hunchback Johnny]

But then contrast that with his second half performance and it is night and day difference.

Reminds me of the old saying "Sometimes you never know."

 

[Doc Fumble]

It's also quite likely that, as a coach, great players make you look really good and bad players make you look bad.

I am not poo-pooing Cignetti's accomplishments. But it's more about the collection of JMU and returning Indiana players and their chemistry together--plus last season's certain transfer from Cal-- that made up 90% of the difference.

If there's one thing I can say with absolute certainty from my years of watching CFB in general and Husker football in particular, it's this: The more talented the players, the more brilliant their coaches become.

For some strange reason, our OC, Dana Holgorsen has really 'stepped up his game' this season.

 

[SUHnami]

I am not poo-pooing Cignetti's accomplishments. But it's more about the collection of JMU and returning Indiana players and their chemistry together--plus last season's certain transfer from Cal-- that made up 90% of the difference.

If there's one thing I can say with absolute certainty from my years of watching CFB in general and Husker football in particular, it's this: The more talented the players, the more brilliant their coaches become.

For some strange reason, our OC, Dana Holgorsen has really 'stepped up his game' this season.

Im watching most of the game last night Indiana was uncharacteristically undisciplined. They had way more penalties called than normal but the earned all of them. Cignetti even said right after the game they have work to do and he did say he knew all week long Northwesternwould be tough but that didn'tseem to seep into his players or staff. Also Northwestern is a better team than expected. I didn't realize until last night that Chip Kelly was their OC. Knowing that now, I'm not surprised they made adjustments after halftime. Also Indianas RB1 was hurt either late in the 1st quarter early 2nd quarter and his backup put up over 200 yards.

 

[Huusker]

Northwestern is a better team than expected. I didn't realize until last night that Chip Kelly was their OC. Knowing that now, I'm not surprised they made adjustments after halftime.

^^^^^^
This!

Braun and his staff are solid, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Northwestern in a bowl game this year. I still have a lot of doubt about Chiles, but he showed in the second half that he is a capable (but inconsistent) QB.

Full disclosure: I have a degree in journalism from Northwestern and they are my (very distant) second favorite team. There might be traces of wishful thinking in this post.

 

[Husker99]

There might be traces of wishful thinking in this post.

From roughly 2015-2025, if it weren't for traces of "wishful thinking" we all probably would have given up on hope regarding Nebraska football.

 

[Jimbosc]

One thing Nebraska fans can do in the off season is pump sunshine! I've enjoyed watching the 2026 version of the Huskers. Haven't really changed my outlook on wins but I think some of these games against ranked opponents will be interesting to watch.

 

[valiantsailor]

Maryland is nothing, I U is everything throw in Oregon and we are almost there.

 

[Husker99]

Maryland is nothing, I U is everything throw in Oregon and we are almost there.

The part in red: That's a rather bad take. It's that kind of thinking that will get you beat. This isn't the old Big 8 where Nebraska had pretty much guaranteed wins over every team on the schedule except Oklahoma. This is the B1G and any team can beat any other team on any given Saturday.