First game

[Ewooc]

The hype train is running at full steam the closer we get to the start of the season. I know it is South Alabama and none of us believe we will lose this game. In years past we haven't always looked great against these type of teams. What are you looking to see that gives you hope for the rest of the year and that the hype train will turn from hype to results?
Me personally, I have no doubt our offense under Frost will put up points. The offense really doesn't concern me. What I want to see is on the D side. That first game I want to see consistent pressure on the QB, getting 3 or 4 turnovers, stuffing them at the line and not getting shoved back 5 yards, and holding them to under 20. Bottom line we should dominate this game from start to finish. We need to start putting these type of teams away right from the start.

 

[Gravitron]

Well said. I want to know that we can stop the run and pressure the QB.

 

[Sinomatic]

Not sure the defense is designed to be one like we had in the 90's. I think that is what I'd like too, but the rules of the game have changed to favor offenses and is Chins known for that style?

Enjoying the ride over from here on out.

 

[ZJSARENOTFREE]

The D needs to start well right away. I know it's South Alabama, but they need to make a statement until the backups come in late in the game. CU will be the first real opportunity to see how things are going to go.

 

[HominidHusker]

Clean execution. No penalties. No turnovers from the offense. No fumbled snaps. No dropped passes. Solid tackling. Good special teams.
Score at least 60 pts.

 

[DudznSudz]

Not sure the defense is designed to be one like we had in the 90's. I think that is what I'd like too, but the rules of the game have changed to favor offenses and is Chins known for that style?

Enjoying the ride over from here on out.

I think you are right. The 3-4 style that has come back into vogue has done so because its more flexible, and it tries to play to the way offenses are very multi-faceted right now (for the most part, not all teams of course). Ours is designed for speed, hurrying or harassing the quarterback, and take-aways. It assumes our offense will score, so its basically just trying to get the ball back quickly, not bash the **** out of players down after down after down.

That actually was brought up in a different thread, and I think it is worth mentioning here: Teams like Iowa and Wisconsin use a permutation of our old style of football: grind teams down and control the clock. It was pointed out that our fast, flexible offense that relies on good timing and lots of attempts at crazy, innovative plays doesn't match well against a team that is intentionally taking their sweet-*** time, 3 yards at a clip, to put 7 points on the board in a 10 minute drive.

Thoughts?

 

[Bigredhunter]

#1. The offensive line has to hold its own. Preseason predictions have been based on the offense being explosive. If the OLine does well this season, the offense likely will be exceptional.

#2. DLine/LBs need to get to the QB.
I'd love to see some sacks but QB hurries often are just as important because they force turnovers. We have lacked pressure for years which has made our average pass coverage look terrible.

#3. Turnovers.
Forced fumbles or interceptions. Frost says it constantly. If the defense can steal a few possessions, our offense should be able to win games for us.

If we see all three of the of the above listed points, I'd expect this to he a really good year!!

 

[Ewooc]

Not sure the defense is designed to be one like we had in the 90's. I think that is what I'd like too, but the rules of the game have changed to favor offenses and is Chins known for that style?
Enjoying the ride over from here on out.

Oh, I agree with this. We aren't going to consistently see a top 10 D under Frost or Chin. However we should be able to keep teams like South Alabama under 20 and pretty well dominate them defensively. Especially if we want to compete for the BIG title. Now for most of the teams in the BIG probably not going to be able to keep them under 20 with the style of offense we play.

 

[huskerfan1414]

South Alabama will struggle this year.

Lost on offense: Quarterback, to rusher, top 2 recievers.
Lost on defense: 3 members of starting secondary, leading tackler at LB

Return on offense: 4 starters on O Line, two scat backs, 3rd leading receiver
Wildcard on offense: perhaps their top receiver who missed games last year due to suspension...juco QB and juco WR
Strength on Offense: O Line
Weakness: everything else

Return on defense: two of the better DTackles in their conference, a few linebackers
Wildcard on defense: return a few injured players, juco DBs
Strength: run defense and defensive line
Weakness: pass defense was horrid last year. Losing three starters could actually be a good thing in this case.


This game should be over by halftime. Looking to run the ball well against their good run defense and get pressure against their solid O Line. Injury free.

 

[John_J_Rambo]

excited to see us impose our will on an opponent for the first time in what seems like an eternity

run for 250+ yds, score 50+, cover the 5 TD spread, dominate the line of scrimmage on offense and defense

 

[Cornicator]

South Alabama runs a 4-3. Three of their defensive linemen have never started a game. Their linebackers and safeties combine to average 6'0 207 lbs. I'm bet Nebraska runs for 350+ yards in that game.

Offensively, USA was terrible last season, but they do return 10 starters with a second year coaching staff. I think they will take some shots and probably find the end zone a few times at least early.

 

[Cornicator]

South Alabama will struggle this year.

Lost on offense: Quarterback, to rusher, top 2 recievers.
Lost on defense: 3 members of starting secondary, leading tackler at LB

Return on offense: 4 starters on O Line, two scat backs, 3rd leading receiver
Wildcard on offense: perhaps their top receiver who missed games last year due to suspension...juco QB and juco WR
Strength on Offense: O Line
Weakness: everything else

Return on defense: two of the better DTackles in their conference, a few linebackers
Wildcard on defense: return a few injured players, juco DBs
Strength: run defense and defensive line
Weakness: pass defense was horrid last year. Losing three starters could actually be a good thing in this case.


This game should be over by halftime. Looking to run the ball well against their good run defense and get pressure against their solid O Line. Injury free.

Tyree Turner is a very good D-tackle, but their other two returning defensive tackles have only started 3 combined games in 3 seasons.

I also think Tylan Morton, the JUCO QB from Hinds CC might earn the nod to start at QB. Either way, it will be a new starter behind center. However, both players will be extremely athletic.

 

[Headcard]

I think you are right. The 3-4 style that has come back into vogue has done so because its more flexible, and it tries to play to the way offenses are very multi-faceted right now (for the most part, not all teams of course). Ours is designed for speed, hurrying or harassing the quarterback, and take-aways. It assumes our offense will score, so its basically just trying to get the ball back quickly, not bash the **** out of players down after down after down.

That actually was brought up in a different thread, and I think it is worth mentioning here: Teams like Iowa and Wisconsin use a permutation of our old style of football: grind teams down and control the clock. It was pointed out that our fast, flexible offense that relies on good timing and lots of attempts at crazy, innovative plays doesn't match well against a team that is intentionally taking their sweet-*** time, 3 yards at a clip, to put 7 points on the board in a 10 minute drive.

Thoughts?

I don't agree with that train of thought. It is just as easy for a team like that to get sucked into our style of play. Say we score early and then then the boring ***, leather helmets team has to punt, we score again and they are down two scores trying to play catchup and they are totally unequipped to do so.

 

[little a]

“If you will it, it is no dream”

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

I don't agree with that train of thought. It is just as easy for a team like that to get sucked into our style of play. Say we score early and then then the boring ***, leather helmets team has to punt, we score again and they are down two scores trying to play catchup and they are totally unequipped to do so.

It definitely goes both ways. Yes, you can force them into a playing catch up game, But if the defense is unable to stop the ball control teams and they keep the ball away from our offense, that puts huge pressure on our offense to score on almost every drive.

 

[Headcard]

It definitely goes both ways. Yes, you can force them into a playing catch up game, But if the defense is unable to stop the ball control teams and they keep the ball away from our offense, that puts huge pressure on our offense to score on almost every drive.

Sure, whichever team imposes their style and pace, will have an advantage.

 

[Redscarlet]

It definitely goes both ways. Yes, you can force them into a playing catch up game, But if the defense is unable to stop the ball control teams and they keep the ball away from our offense, that puts huge pressure on our offense to score on almost every drive.

I would say Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ioway and at times Northwestern fall under your category who will use ball control against us this season..

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

Sure, whichever team imposes their style and pace, will have an advantage.

You saw it it games when Oregon played Stanford, sometimes 17-16 and sometimes 64-45

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

I would say Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ioway and at times Northwestern fall under your category who will use ball control against us this season..

I'll be interested to see what Northwestern does this year.

 

[whoboppin_rivals53480]

Score 70 points and get 700 yards, get the backups reps in middle of 3rd.

 

[o_Hit]

52-17 Nebraska

 

[SkerInCo]

Reps for 2nd string, especially qb.
+2 or better in turnover margin.
7 or fewer points allowed 1st half.

 

[mgbreeze]

Teams are going to move the ball on us, I want turnovers and sacks. Game changing plays.

 

[RedMyMind]

 

[jeans15]

Win the game

 

[GeorgeFlippin]

The D needs to start well right away. I know it's South Alabama, but they need to make a statement until the backups come in late in the game. CU will be the first real opportunity to see how things are going to go.

Yep, defense. AND special teams!

 

[oldjar07]

Not sure the defense is designed to be one like we had in the 90's. I think that is what I'd like too, but the rules of the game have changed to favor offenses and is Chins known for that style?

Enjoying the ride over from here on out.

At the same time, teams like Alabama and Clemson can stifle just about any offense. And they do it the same way it's always been done. Citing rule changes as a reason we can't have a great defense is a poor excuse.

 

[oldjar07]

I think you are right. The 3-4 style that has come back into vogue has done so because its more flexible, and it tries to play to the way offenses are very multi-faceted right now (for the most part, not all teams of course). Ours is designed for speed, hurrying or harassing the quarterback, and take-aways. It assumes our offense will score, so its basically just trying to get the ball back quickly, not bash the **** out of players down after down after down.

That actually was brought up in a different thread, and I think it is worth mentioning here: Teams like Iowa and Wisconsin use a permutation of our old style of football: grind teams down and control the clock. It was pointed out that our fast, flexible offense that relies on good timing and lots of attempts at crazy, innovative plays doesn't match well against a team that is intentionally taking their sweet-*** time, 3 yards at a clip, to put 7 points on the board in a 10 minute drive.

Thoughts?

Probably the fastest and certainly the most reliable way to get the ball back to your offense is forcing 3 and outs. Even if your defense is designed to get turnovers, they are still a rare occurrence. Can you rely on your defense to get a stop when it needs to? I think that's a much more reliable way to get the ball back to your offense than hoping you force a turnover.

If you have a defense that's able to stop the ball control game and not just get run over every play, that will quickly get them out of their comfort zone. Combined with our high scoring offense, that other team should have a very bad day.

 

[Sinomatic]

I think you are right. The 3-4 style that has come back into vogue has done so because its more flexible, and it tries to play to the way offenses are very multi-faceted right now (for the most part, not all teams of course). Ours is designed for speed, hurrying or harassing the quarterback, and take-aways. It assumes our offense will score, so its basically just trying to get the ball back quickly, not bash the **** out of players down after down after down.

That actually was brought up in a different thread, and I think it is worth mentioning here: Teams like Iowa and Wisconsin use a permutation of our old style of football: grind teams down and control the clock. It was pointed out that our fast, flexible offense that relies on good timing and lots of attempts at crazy, innovative plays doesn't match well against a team that is intentionally taking their sweet-*** time, 3 yards at a clip, to put 7 points on the board in a 10 minute drive.

Thoughts?

My thoughts are I like huge hits, which are according to new rules all but extinct, and I love turnovers more.

If it works in getting turnovers....I'm gonna be a happy happy man

 

[Sinomatic]

At the same time, teams like Alabama and Clemson can stifle just about any offense. And they do it the same way it's always been done. Citing rule changes as a reason we can't have a great defense is a poor excuse.

Well lets just head to Wal-Mart and pick up a "Clemson/Alabama-Boa Constrictor"(TM) defense and be done with this screwing around.

We all know Frost and Chins, came as a pkg deal. That's reality no excuses from me.

 

[timnsun]

At the same time, teams like Alabama and Clemson can stifle just about any offense. And they do it the same way it's always been done. Citing rule changes as a reason we can't have a great defense is a poor excuse.

And conversely, those same defenses can give up 40-50 points in a game. 3 and out isn’t quite so easy as you suggest in today’s game... 44 points for Clemson against Alabama if memory serves me correctly...

And before you tell me that’s an outlier, which I grant, Nebraska doesn’t have near Clemson/Alabama talent on defense to stifle opponents, as you suggest, with 3 and outs. Will we get there? Maybe so. But we aren’t there yet. Not very close in fact...

 

[Sinomatic]

Oh, I agree with this. We aren't going to consistently see a top 10 D under Frost or Chin. However we should be able to keep teams like South Alabama under 20 and pretty well dominate them defensively. Especially if we want to compete for the BIG title. Now for most of the teams in the BIG probably not going to be able to keep them under 20 with the style of offense we play.

The good thing is people can adapt, hopefully this defense eventually becomes what Oldjar and really all of us want, an all business defense. But I'd still rather have a turnover every series out of our opponents because those Blackshirts are going all Blackbeard on the opposition.

Get in their head with multiple turnovers and they crumble. And they begin to fight each other. The coach gets pissed at his own guys, takes it maybe a bit farther than the dude's thin skin can handle, and then maybe they give up on the game to spite their coach.

It would be beautiful. :Cool:

 

[timnsun]

The good thing is people can adapt, hopefully this defense eventually becomes what Oldjar and really all of us want, an all business defense. But I'd still rather have a turnover every series out of our opponents because those Blackshirts are going all Blackbeard on the opposition.

Get in their head with multiple turnovers and they crumble. And they begin to fight each other. The coach gets pissed at his own guys, takes it maybe a bit farther than the dude's thin skin can handle, and then maybe they give up on the game to spite their coach.

It would be beautiful. :Cool:

That’s a great point... and if the average team gets 8-9 possessions a game (not sure what actual is) and if our defense can get 2-3 takeaways a game, that will bode extremely well for us. Not saying we will, but would be nice...

 

[Ewooc]

I don't agree with that train of thought. It is just as easy for a team like that to get sucked into our style of play. Say we score early and then then the boring ***, leather helmets team has to punt, we score again and they are down two scores trying to play catchup and they are totally unequipped to do so.

Agree with this, I think their long scoring drives favor us. However, we have to be able to put up point when we get the ball. They take 10 min off the clock and score, we have to be able to get a score in return quickly. Odds are they are not going to score every time they hold the ball for so long. We can score rapidly.

 

[cubsker_rivals142943]

52-17 Nebraska

Sounds about right

 

[NorthwoodHusker]

I think you are right. The 3-4 style that has come back into vogue has done so because its more flexible, and it tries to play to the way offenses are very multi-faceted right now (for the most part, not all teams of course). Ours is designed for speed, hurrying or harassing the quarterback, and take-aways. It assumes our offense will score, so its basically just trying to get the ball back quickly, not bash the **** out of players down after down after down.

That actually was brought up in a different thread, and I think it is worth mentioning here: Teams like Iowa and Wisconsin use a permutation of our old style of football: grind teams down and control the clock. It was pointed out that our fast, flexible offense that relies on good timing and lots of attempts at crazy, innovative plays doesn't match well against a team that is intentionally taking their sweet-*** time, 3 yards at a clip, to put 7 points on the board in a 10 minute drive.

Thoughts?

Teams like that dont play well from behind, and arent as consistent, where they rely more upon their defense to make of for their lack of success, they could dread a shootout for instance.

 

[NorthwoodHusker]

At the same time, teams like Alabama and Clemson can stifle just about any offense. And they do it the same way it's always been done. Citing rule changes as a reason we can't have a great defense is a poor excuse.

Loved that domination bamas D showed against Okie. Held them to only 471 yards

 

[HominidHusker]

I remember leading against Wisconsin only to have our dreams crushed when they wore us down.
The potential depth on the DL could be a major storyline for getting those three and outs. However, LB depth also needs to show up.
That front seven staying fresh against the clock sucking teams will be key.

Watched the day 5 HOL practice videos and really liked seeing all the reps of the DL attacking the sled.

I think it’s our time to finally resurrect the Blackshirts.

 

[NorthwoodHusker]

Our D will be more aggressive this year, mainly because they can.
They'll be bigger and in better shape,plus have trained at stripping the ball, punching it out much more this year.
Onus on getting that int and not just breakups etc, and that means sometimes it'll cost us, just like blitzing, if you don't get there, its a strain on the backfield.
But, we get those turnovers, it's worth it and more.

 

[Ewooc]

Probably the fastest and certainly the most reliable way to get the ball back to your offense is forcing 3 and outs. Even if your defense is designed to get turnovers, they are still a rare occurrence. Can you rely on your defense to get a stop when it needs to? I think that's a much more reliable way to get the ball back to your offense than hoping you force a turnover.

If you have a defense that's able to stop the ball control game and not just get run over every play, that will quickly get them out of their comfort zone. Combined with our high scoring offense, that other team should have a very bad day.

Agree, turnovers are great. But if a D coordinator is basing his whole D on getting a turn over vs getting stops it is going to be tough sledding. We have to be able to stop teams on 3rd down. Last year we couldn't. I believe even at UCF 3rd down D was nothing special.