Tell me what is so bad about the scheme. Please, everyone wants to bash the coaches/scheme. Tell me what they're trying to do and what is wrong with it. Quit making generic platitudes and talk football.
What I saw was a lack of speed on the edges and the back 7 that created situations that required guys to make one on one plays in space and we couldn't do it. We were in position to make plays but just weren't good enough to get it done. Our linebackers and defensive backs were chasing wr's and running backs all game long. We were too slow and not athletic enough to stop Northwestern's skill players.
On offense, our offensive line got BEAT UP by the NW defensive line and Tommie Armstrong couldn't make enough throws to keep the offense going. Everyone clamors for us to "RUN THE BALL!!" but when we did that, we were getting hit for 5 yard losses because our o-line couldn't stop them from penetrating up field.
Someone tell me how a coach overcomes poor athletic ability at linebacker and the secondary as well as on the offensive line and at quarterback. I've yet to hear a single one of you people blaming Riley/Langs/Banker speak up as to how to fix it. Let me hear it. Drop some specifics.
I am not going to bash on this staff, because I thought the defense actually performed much better. I think late in the game the lack of depth caught up with Nebraska's defense.
For most of the game, the defense performed very well. They essentially only gave up two long plays-both were QB runs. I thought the defense got out of position and had poor angles which resulted in the long runs. I don't think Nebraska's defense is slow or not athletic enough to stop almost anyone.
Offensively two things I would personally do better.
1. I would be playing more or different running backs.
2. 94 was killing Nebraska. Northwestern secondary could not stay with Nebraska WR. TA does not always play well when under pressure (as most QB's don't). These are three facts. That tells me either chip 94 with a rb or te or run more max protect to give TA some more time.
This game was probably more about lack of execution than it was coaching--although at the end of the day it is their job to get them ready to play. Defense lost contain a couple times which led to 10 points. TA made a terrible decision which led to a pick six. TA got sacked later that almost took Nebraska out of field goal range-when he should have thrown the ball away-that mistake didn't cost Nebraska.