It is possible to play this game, even with lesser talent, and compete against the best?
We have two example from the past 3 weeks alone and we only have to look one state to the east (Iowa > Ohio State, Iowa State > OU and TCU. And we can look one state to the south to find a team with far less talent (KSU) that generally plays disciplined, inspired football and rarely gets blown out.
So what does Nebraska lack that it had in the 90s? Here are just a few things that come to mind...
#1- Discipline. Since Callahan stepped on campus, the Huskers continue to make more costly mistakes (bad penalties, interceptions, fumbles, poor tackling, etc...) than just about any team I've seen (ok, not counting Kansas).
#2- Accountability. I don't often agree with Jason Peter, but let's face it, today's Huskers aren't very demanding of their teammates. This is most evident along the offensive line but the attitude (or lack of it) permeates the team. How many complete blocking whiffs does it take to remove a guy (any guy) from a game? I'm sure this happens elsewhere, but Nebraska sure seems to have a lot of good football players that sit on the bench in obscurity until the guy ahead of them gets injured.
#3- Leadership. This somewhat relates to accountability. It's supposed to start at the top, but who would you feel confident following into battle?
Given numbers 1-3 above, how could you possibly feel confident when you take the field? Those that question the Huskers effort and attitude, can you really showcase those traits if you aren't confident?
What has changed since the 90's? A lot!
We have two example from the past 3 weeks alone and we only have to look one state to the east (Iowa > Ohio State, Iowa State > OU and TCU. And we can look one state to the south to find a team with far less talent (KSU) that generally plays disciplined, inspired football and rarely gets blown out.
So what does Nebraska lack that it had in the 90s? Here are just a few things that come to mind...
#1- Discipline. Since Callahan stepped on campus, the Huskers continue to make more costly mistakes (bad penalties, interceptions, fumbles, poor tackling, etc...) than just about any team I've seen (ok, not counting Kansas).
#2- Accountability. I don't often agree with Jason Peter, but let's face it, today's Huskers aren't very demanding of their teammates. This is most evident along the offensive line but the attitude (or lack of it) permeates the team. How many complete blocking whiffs does it take to remove a guy (any guy) from a game? I'm sure this happens elsewhere, but Nebraska sure seems to have a lot of good football players that sit on the bench in obscurity until the guy ahead of them gets injured.
#3- Leadership. This somewhat relates to accountability. It's supposed to start at the top, but who would you feel confident following into battle?
- Riley? A simple question... Does he look like he's in charge? When he's on the sidelines, is that a look of confidence or do you see confusion, fear, defeat, or PTSD? And, I'm not sure why it bothers me so much, but I can't stand the fact that he doesn't lead the team onto the field. Hip, Hip !!
- Langsdorf? How many times does it take for a guy to make a play call that snatches defeat from the jaws of victory before you question his judgment? Since Danny Langsdorf has been here, I've lost count of the number of interceptions the Huskers have had on passes thrown into the flat at or near the goal line. Not kidding. Think about it.
- Diaco? Let's face it. The guy has a personality disorder. If he can't conduct a coherent conversation with the media, how are the players supposed to figure out what in the hell he wants them to do. What area of the defense do you feel confident about? Proper alignment? Sure tackling? On field decision making? Where have the Huskers improved on D since (gulp) Mark Banker?
Given numbers 1-3 above, how could you possibly feel confident when you take the field? Those that question the Huskers effort and attitude, can you really showcase those traits if you aren't confident?
What has changed since the 90's? A lot!
