*** Official Nebraska vs. Rutgers Game Day Thread ***

[SalinaHusker]

This is two games in a row where we had a player put a hit on a guy and send him into another dimension.

This week it was Grant punishing to finish a run. I love that hard hitting attitude even though with current rules I get worried we'll draw a flag.

Grant is the kind of player I want everyone on this team to take a page from.

 

[ramelbm]

This is two games in a row where we had a player put a hit on a guy and send him into another dimension.

This week it was Grant punishing to finish a run. I love that hard hitting attitude even though with current rules I get worried we'll draw a flag.

Grant is the kind of player I want everyone on this team to take a page from.

I loved that hit real time. In the replay, I saw he had stepped out already, which may explain why the defender let up and was open to get knocked out. I’m worried there may be a punishment coming from the league.

 

[redfred]

Whipple still makes very questionable play-calls. I get no OC is going to be perfect, but that "jet sweep" on 4th & 1 was beyond the pale of dumb. Line the QB under center and sneak it. Or hell, give the ball to Grant to see if our weak a** OL can get us 1 yard. It may not work, but it has a higher probable success rate than that jet sweep.

Now, for a bit of a rant: Our OL, particularly the OTs are weak, this has been well documented. Here is my problem with OC Whipple, for suppsedly being such an "experienced" playcaller, he sucks at adjusting. What I mean is, yes, our OTs are struggling but there are a lot of schematic things the OC can do to help our OL and the OTs out:

1. Bring in TEs to help the OTs out.
2. Put two RBs in the backfield to help with pass pro.
3. Use Wagggle action to change the launch point of the throws.
4. Use more motion to help our WR and TEs get open.
5. Throw more to the RBs out of the backfield.

I mean, these are all small, schematic changes thst literally ANY competent OC could make. Does OC Whipple do any of that? Nope. Just leaves our below mediocre OTs out there to struggle on their own and get ridiculously owned by even average DEs and OLBs.

Interesting post. My feeling is that Whipple’s calls are predicated on having a decent offensive line. He’s going to have to modify in dealing with a below average line unless it makes some strides. You’ve given some good ideas. He did implement some things in the second half…. eg quicker shorter routes and throws to the TE’s, a screen, shorter drops etc.

Imo we need at least a passable running game. Two RB’s would give whip a lot of options…….many you mentioned…..extra blocker, another option for rb release passes, a situation where the defense can’t focus on just one runner etc

 

[Husker99]

Schiano coached Rutgers teams have had 66 blocked punts.

Someone here may know the stat for game outcomes for teams that have a blocked punt.

Something like 90% of teams that block a punt win.

This is a good win for the Huskers.

Given the circumstances around this game, short week, travel, night game, odd officiating.

Considering where this team has been, this win should not be discounted, under the previous leadership this game would most likely been a loss.

I will take it a step further and say that under previous leadership this absolutely would have been a loss.

We have some fans who totally pooh-poohing these two wins because they just Indiana and Rutgers. Which perplexes me cause we lost, at home, to Georgia Southern which was our most embarrassing home loss since Northern Illinois.

I am starting to think some of our fans actually enjoy us losing and all the misery it brings.

 

[HuskersNC949597]

I will take it a step further and say that under previous leadership this absolutely would have been a loss.

We have some fans who totally pooh-poohing these two wins because they just Indiana and Rutgers. Which perplexes me cause we lost, at home, to Georgia Southern which was our most embarrassing home loss since Northern Illinois.

I am starting to think some of our fans actually enjoy us losing and all the misery it brings.

I'm not convinced Northwestern could beat Georgia Southern Nebraska fans were calling our team the worst in P5, and they may have had a point after that GSU game, but not anymore.

 

[Removed Spleen of Jordan]

Well since I had to be up to catch a 6 AM ET flight on Saturday I went to bed when they were trailing 13-0 and things did not look good. I was pleasantly surprised to wake up very early the next morning to find out that they had found a way to pull out a close one. It doesn't matter right now if we think they should have beaten Rutgers by more than 1. They just need to stack wins if they can now by any means necessary.