Nebraska Preview: Texas Offense vs. Nebraska Defense

by Scipio Tex on Oct 12, 2010 5:08 PM CDT in Texas Longhorns and Other Football

With respect to our offense, either you get it at this point, or you don't. Still, let's see if we can find a few match-ups that might get us some points.

Nebraska Defense

This is a well-coached, well-coordinated group that does a great job of matching up to the passing game and overplaying the running game. They have size upfront, quickness in their linebacking corps, and a secondary that they're more than comfortable leaving on an island so they can outnumber the offense at the point of attack. The Pelini's are man coverage adherents and they blitz less frequently than one would imagine. When they do blitz it's effective, because it's generally not well-accounted for as the opposing offense tries to put more and more receivers into routes to counteract the layers of man-coverage.

Their weaknesses are not really something we can readily exploit and their strengths are matched to what we're probably going to be doing. Fortunately for us, as our offense does no single thing well, Nebraska probably has no idea how we'll try not to attack them.

These guys are all big and physical and their inside guys play with a real motor. DE Pierre Allen is a pretty good player who has been there forever and has never seemed to make the jump, He's a big physical force outside, but a one move pass rusher. Steinkuhler and Crick are the best DT pair in the conference, though I think Kheeston Randall is a better player than either one of them. Both are very active, strong guys inside and we've not seen anyone like them yet so far this year. I expect them to destroy our zone blocking with their activity level, but we might have some success running right at them. They're very adept at bringing pressure from inside (6 combined sacks in 5 games) and they play sideline-to-sideline. Cameron Meredith is the other DE and he has been more of a run stopper than pass rush force.

Their front goes 6-6, 6-6, 6-6, 6-4 so batted balls will be an issue, particularly if we're running a succession of four yard hitches and Gilbert has to flatten the plane of his delivery.

Very undersized, very quick, very active. And a huge aid to what they're doing in pass coverage. They're very comfortable manning these guys up with RBs or TEs. I'm convinced that you can make a living running right at them if they have to play your passing game with honest numbers, but they may not face an opponent in the Big 12 who can execute that. Lavonte David - their 210 pound MLB - has been a revelation and he completely dominated the Kansas State game. He is averaging 12 tackles a game and he reminds you of the undersized Miami sprinter LBs of the 80s and 90s. Eric Hagg is the peso - a hybrid nickel/SS/LB - and he's a solid tackler at 210. The other LB, Alonzo Whaley (from Madisonville), is, at 225, the giant of the LB corps. I've watched Nebraska play twice and I've yet to see this dude make a play.

Nebraska's weakness - a power running game between holes 0-4 with outside receiving threats to force honest coverage - is precisely what we're least capable of executing.

This is the best passing defense in the country, per Huckleberry's adjusted stats ratings. They play a lot of man coverage and they have excellent cornerbacks paired with ball hawking safeties. Good size across the board as well and they're not shy about rocking a receiver. CB Prince Amukamara is an All-American level player and the underrated safety Dejon Gomes is a spicy Dejon mustard of turnover-causing mischief. He has a crazy knack for stripping balls, as we saw in the Big 12 title game last year. Ricky Thenarse is a solid safety who will mix it up and Alfonzo Dennard is a quality #2 CB who is adept at press-man coverage. 6-2 210 pound safety PJ Smith also gets heavy snaps and I think Nebraska considers him more or less a starter as we do Kenny Vaccaro.

Really good group and they're the centerpiece of everything Nebraska does on defense.

How do we attack them?

I thought about leaving this blank, because calculating Greg Davis' learning curve is almost impossible. But here's the old college try:

1. Attack man coverage. Nebraska mans up hard and, if last year's Big 12 title game is any indication, they aren't frightened of our receiver corps. What they did to Kirkendoll at the LOS was particularly amusing, if dwarf-tossing is your sort of thing. However, playing that much man is fraught with risk and Kirk did have an opportunity to score on an easy 70 yard TD. Which he dropped. The point is: big plays are available, but you have to make them. And you need to have more than one opportunity happen per game. Nebraska's secondary is big and talented, but even talented big guys struggle in space with smaller men who can water bug. So let's get them in space, for one thing. Crossing routes, verticals, pick plays, post-corner. Real offense.

2. Run well enough. I'm not looking for a 22 carry, 125 yard performance from anyone. Because that's like looking for peace in the Middle East. But is it so much to ask that we see 2nd and 6? Or 2nd and 7? Or convert in the red zone against an undersized Nebraska front 7? Or make 3rd and 1 anything less than an adventure? We just need to run well enough. And that includes Garrett Gilbert converting a couple of 3rd and 7s with his feet that open up against man coverage. Nebraska will play 7 DBs if we let them. We have to impose some sort of honesty.

3. Don't concede before the game starts. The most maddening Cassandra moment I had early this year was my caution that we should run real offense and open it up against Rice, Wyoming, Tech etc so that Gilbert could have a sense of real game management against UCLA, OU, NU. The sandbagging arguments I was met with were amusing. We failed, the results were predictable, and now Davis is commenting that there may have been value to doing just that and not starting every game playing not to lose or avoid a turnover. Basically, I'd like to us behave like a real offensive football team with a QB treated as the talent that he is - the one we saw glimpses of in one half against OU. I know my expectations read like a special needs menu, but that's where I am right now with this offense. Even incredibly basic tactical things are met with wild celebration.

Further, the TE checkdowns are a travesty and if we don't see different check down philosophies on 3rd down, I can promise at least one flip-flop ricocheting off of my television screen.

4. DJ Monroe. He's a playmaker. Give him the opportunity to make plays. Like, more than 4. Preferably in a multitude of ways rather than one formation that screams DJ PLAY! We get it - he can't pass protect. So don't ask him to do so. Motion him out or have him carry the ball. Have Cody Johnson or a TE play personal protector. OFFENSE IS HARD.

5. Limit killer turnovers. If Garrett throws a 55 yard pass that's intercepted, I will shrug. We just punted. If we throw a two yard hitch that Nebraska predictably jumps and brings back for 6, I will not shrug. It's not just turnovers - it's the type and amount. Aggressive turnovers and passive turnovers are different animals altogether.

Davis/Brown have never really understood that a "don't lose" mentality early in a game creates positive momentum for the other team and actually saps your young QB and offense of confidence. Receivers quit doing selfless things like blocking or finishing routes downfield to open up the horizontals, OL adopt a passive herd mentality, and RBs fret about their place on the carnival carousel.

Similarly, turnovers are created with greater frequency than a wide open attack because the defense is able to simplify their own decision making by reading easy keys and jumping routes, running stunts, and pre-planning adjustments. This is basic game theory and without a QB who can pull down the ball and make something happen, our deficiencies are revealed.

Unfortunately, a lack of cohesive offensive philosophy has us executing at a level now that most teams had in late August. We're behind the curve and now it's a struggle to catch up. I don't know if we'll get right in Lincoln, but an effort that doesn't cut the defense's throat would be a good start. Nebraska's D is fully mortal - it just requires a little aggression to reveal it.

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Comments

we need to lose this game and lose BAD. i’ll sacrifice a bad year filled with awful embarassing losses if it means changes for next year. if we’re just going to muddle our way to a shitty record and then come back next year and do it all again, no thanks.

by yojimbox on Oct 12, 2010 5:17 PM CDT reply actions

Greg Davis isn’t going anywhere.

I want to win. All of our games.

by Scipio Tex on Oct 12, 2010 5:21 PM CDT reply actions

Brown and Davis are hard-wired to avoid risk at all cost, even if it means negating all reward in the process. They only understand half of the equation, so we see game plans designed to prevent turnovers and negative plays at all costs, even though the end result is that we have no chance to field a successful offense. This is a core program philosophy, IMO.

by CS on Oct 12, 2010 5:44 PM CDT reply actions

At some point we will discover that some form of aggression is required to move the football and put points on the board, and we’ll see as much uptick as the fundamental limitations of the offense will allow. Then, like Drew Barrymore in 50 First Dates, we’ll forget that fact in time for the beginning of the 2011 season. Thankfully, we’ll fall in love with Adam Sandler by the end of the Oklahoma game.

by CS on Oct 12, 2010 5:47 PM CDT reply actions

“Fortunately for us, as our offense does no single thing well, Nebraska probably has no idea how we’ll try not to attack them.”

So funny and so true. kudos.

by Burnt Orange Wookiee on Oct 12, 2010 6:01 PM CDT reply actions

Usually at this point in the movie the Marx Brothers show up to somehow save the day.

Plus Mack had an off week to perfect the fumblerooskie they’ll never see coming.

by Trickeration, food poisoning, and a harp solo FTW on Oct 12, 2010 6:06 PM CDT reply actions

No light at the end of this tunnel.

Of course the train already left the station in Dallas anyway.

by exuLt on Oct 12, 2010 6:16 PM CDT reply actions

Who decided that a completion that results somewhere in the -2 to + 2 yard range gets the quarterback’s spirits up? It’s like Greg Davis thinks every QB is like that heart warming story of the downs syndrome kid that gets to score a touchdown when the other side concedes.

by PatronSaint on Oct 12, 2010 6:24 PM CDT reply actions

It sure seems quiet on the 40. No talk about how we have no idea what we are going to do against Nebraska like the week before blowu. Against OU, Greg and Mack shot their collective bird and wad at the fans on the first series and I’m sure Mack is not dumb enough to do it again. Two conference championships don’t buy the goodwill that Mack thought it did. I’m sure he’s been told as much.

As much Davis bashing as their was in 99-03, it feels different this time. The natives are more than restless, they wan’t heads to roll. Let’s see if that message has filtered into the confines of Belmont. It is do or die time. I’m curious with his back firmly against the wall if Greg will opt for something different than sideways and backwards. I am 99% sure he won’t, but like the moron that I am, I will watch with optimism.

by Bartoncreek on Oct 12, 2010 6:29 PM CDT reply actions

Dwarf tossing is my thing! But I like Kirkendoll more this year so I guess I’ll have to look for new sport.

by Canuck Horn on Oct 12, 2010 6:35 PM CDT reply actions

“Let’s see if that message has filtered into the confines of Belmont. It is do or die time. I’m curious with his back firmly against the wall if Greg will opt for something different than sideways and backwards.”

The problem is that even if they wanted to make positive changes, the changes our offense needs take an entire offseason to install, teach, drill, etc. A bye week ain’t enough to fix what ails us.

by Texastough on Oct 12, 2010 6:46 PM CDT reply actions

So you are saying there’s a chance?

The Bulldogs losing to Vandy this week would be the deathknell of Mark Richt & Coach BOOM’s voicemail will be blowing up just about the time we hit the field.

by Currently in Rehab on Oct 12, 2010 6:55 PM CDT reply actions

I expect this game to look a lot like ou. The offense will open up after it’s already too late. If DJ Monroe doesn’t get 12+ carries they are retarded and stupid.

by Savage Henry on Oct 12, 2010 6:56 PM CDT reply actions

“I’m convinced that you can make a living running right at them if they have to play your passing game with honest numbers, but they may not face an opponent in the Big 12 who can execute that…Nebraska’s weakness – a power running game between holes 0-4 with outside receiving threats to force honest coverage – is precisely what we’re least capable of executing.”

They may play a team that has sort of a power running game with outside receiving threats in the B12 CG.

by quigley on Oct 12, 2010 7:05 PM CDT reply actions

Mack and Greg are as soft as their bellies. Always have been and unless there are personalities on the team sufficient to overcome their softness, Texas is also soft

by The Replacements on Oct 12, 2010 7:33 PM CDT reply actions

Alonzo Whaley. That last name sounds so familiar. Weird.

by Kasey on Oct 12, 2010 7:49 PM CDT reply actions

“is it so much to ask that we see 2nd and 6? Or 2nd and 7? Or convert in the red zone against an undersized Nebraska front 7? Or make 3rd and 1 anything less than an adventure?”

So sad. So true.

It almost seems like we’d have a better chance converting 3rd and 5 (Greg Smith on the out route- MONEY!) than 3rd and 1 or 3rd and 2 (Cody getting savagely raped as O-linemen watch with glistening lips). Shit is backwards.

by kittentits on Oct 12, 2010 7:53 PM CDT reply actions

quigley strikes again with the passive aggressive comment. This is why I will never date a sooner. Can’t man up and actually say what they want. Have to go around like some sniveling weasel jabbing at people from a distance in attempts to make himself feel better. Like a “real” man.

I have decided that I will not wear my burnt orange underthings again until we get a win. In fact, thanks to signing up for some charity softball tournament, I might not even get to watch this game, which will probably be a good thing for my health.

I don’t think a man could ever break my heart as much as the Texas Longhorn Football team can. Sigh.

by Sasha is a Longhorn Dog on Oct 12, 2010 8:14 PM CDT reply actions

I buy it, I buy all of it. Buttttt we have an edge that isn’t probably enough, but I’ll throw it out there. Texas has NU’s numeral

by Orange River on Oct 12, 2010 8:28 PM CDT reply actions

We’re fucked.

by Thujone on Oct 12, 2010 9:19 PM CDT reply actions

What’s this “fully mortal” crap?

by LouisvilleHusker on Oct 12, 2010 10:08 PM CDT reply actions

“Nebraska’s weakness – a power running game between holes 0-4 with outside receiving threats to force honest coverage – is precisely what we’re least capable of executing.”

This sentence captures the perfect storm of suck that is our offense. Take a talented young QB and surround him with mediocre WR’s who fail to block for one another or get consistent separation on pass routes. Give him a “running game” (extremely loose use of term) characterized by poor design, random implementation, and moderately talented OL and RB’s poorly suited to the bad design. Keep the talented young QB straight-jacketed in a chickenshit, risk-averse offensive game plan that actually succeeds in amplifying risk with its predictability.

Another of the many ironies is that we don’t have to be all-world at those two offensive goals to effect massive improvement. Merely decent straight ahead running and competent attempts at downfield passing will make us far better. Make a few yards running, mix in the occasional draw to Monroe, hold on to the ball, take some shots down the field and hit just a couple. As Scip points out, a deep INT is as good as a punt.

It is maddening to have this be so blindingly obvious to everyone but the only two people who can implement it.

by hopefulhorn on Oct 12, 2010 10:16 PM CDT reply actions

Does anyone else feel that if we were to start with 4 wide and Gilbert were to fake that WR screen on the first offensive play of the game to one of them, when he then turned to look downfield he would see 3 receivers running completely uncovered down the field (of course we wouldn’t send all three, but they would be if we did)?

I would be happy just to see that done on the first play and something similar done 3 or 4 other times in the game, even if we reverted to the random screen generator for the rest of our offense. I was ecstatic to see the one pump and go in the B12CG last year, but it didn’t come until late in the game after they had been jumping every route for what seemed like days (and of course Kirk booted it).

by tdwalsh on Oct 13, 2010 12:23 AM CDT reply actions

If we’re lucky, the defense will score so we avoid getting shut out

by ransomstoddard on Oct 13, 2010 6:15 AM CDT reply actions

“Receivers quit doing selfless things like blocking or finishing routes downfield to open up the horizontals, OL adopt a passive herd mentality, and RBs fret about their place on the carnival carousel.”

We have a carousel??

by nordberg on Oct 13, 2010 8:26 AM CDT reply actions

We should all get it that Davis isn’t going anywhere as long as Brown is the coach…..so how about a new exclusive title for Davis? Quarterbacks Coach? he already has this title and does this in addition to his OC responsibilities, and maybe he was pretty decent at being a QB coach given the progress of Major and Vince and Colt?

Maybe have Co offensive coordinators, similar to when Brown had Co Defensive Coordinators? Obviously Applewhite would really run the offense as Co Offensive Coordinator, but maybe Brown and Davis save face this way? Davis still has the title of Co Offensive coordinator but it is merely in title only?

by bewildered on Oct 13, 2010 8:28 AM CDT reply actions

“Mack and Greg are as soft as their bellies. Always have been and unless there are personalities on the team sufficient to overcome their softness, Texas is also soft”

Yes, only soft teams play in the MNC.

by dood on Oct 13, 2010 8:37 AM CDT reply actions

Can we recruit LaceDarius Dunn at Safety?

Dude knows how to hit.

by dood on Oct 13, 2010 8:44 AM CDT reply actions

Ah Scipio, this:

“Fortunately for us, as our offense does no single thing well, Nebraska probably has no idea how we’ll try not to attack them.”

Echoes the great Douglas Adams, who once wrote:

“It floated, suspended in the air, just like bricks don’t.”

Nicely played.

by jonestopten on Oct 13, 2010 8:52 AM CDT reply actions

Our respective fan-bases couldn’t be more doubtful and riven with inferiority complexes. You guys have offensive coaching issues, and I can’t tell you what Nebraska’s creativity in losing to Texas has done to me over the last 14 years. I fully expect your offense to come out blazing, doing things it hasn’t tried or seemed capable of to date, and just completely shocking the shit out of the Blackshirts, gashing us with six and seven yard runs up the middle, while making plays in space and down field. I also see our O putting the ball on the field turf a time or three for one Acho or another to pick up and hold up to the gods like a W. African voodoo doll, mixed in with effective containment of Taylor Martinez. That’s all you need to beat us. The anticipation of how we’ll accomplish a loss is killing me.

by greentrees on Oct 13, 2010 8:56 AM CDT reply actions

In 2004, Texas was shut out for the first time in almost 30 years, with Vince Young, Cedric Benson, David Thomas, Limas Sweed and a good O-line featuring future pros. That 30-year period included some really, really bad offensive units manned by greats like Shannon Kelly, Mark Murdock, Donovan Forbes, et al. In yet after all of that, there was no hint that Greg Davis’ job was in jeopardy.

Anyone hoping Davis will be retired after this year is delusional.

by Eskimohorn on Oct 13, 2010 9:04 AM CDT reply actions

“At some point we will discover that some form of aggression is required to move the football and put points on the board . . . "

I don’t know what you’re talking about. We have thrown downfield in the second half of every game in which the opponent has been up by two or three scores.

I just hope we can survive the surge.

by JUICE on Oct 13, 2010 9:12 AM CDT reply actions

Every Texas team starts with the same goals: win the first game, win the Big XII South, win the Big XII, win the bowl game.

Mack plays not to lose. Period. That is, at least until winning the the Big XII South is no longer in his hands. After the loss to UCLA, we still had all of our goals except winning the national title in play. Mack did not change his plans. At all.

Now, winning the Big XII South requires outside help, and he knows (especially after seeing how Texas played in the second half versus OU) to let the kids play.

Texas does not lose in the state of Nebraska against the Children of the Corn, and they know it.

by uthookem on Oct 13, 2010 9:19 AM CDT reply actions

If we’re lucky, the defense will score so we avoid getting shut out

Seriously, this is how UT wins this game. NU has fumbled a shitton this year but haven’t paid for it yet. Two defensive scores by UT and it’s anybody’s ball game. You also need Shipley to come back and return a kick for six. I may be misremembering, but so much of last year’s “scoring offense” (a misnomer stat considering it counts all TDs scored) included the D and ST. Whenever an opponent made any noise, there was Shipley to answer. Damn, he was good.

As I’ve mentioned before, a bunch of us AT guys are going to be in a College Station bar rooting for the Longhorns – give us a reason to have to fight our way out of there. Please.

by Phenomenal Smith on Oct 13, 2010 9:50 AM CDT reply actions

“Anyone hoping Davis will be retired after this year is delusional.”

And memory-challenged, forgetting that he coached in the MNC a scant 9 months ago.

by dood on Oct 13, 2010 9:53 AM CDT reply actions

Scip, I very much appreciate your use of “we” instead of “Texas.” Limits the need for find/replace when I use this in two weeks over at Atomicteeth. I would have appreciated “our OC” instead of “Davis,” but good enough. Thanks.

by Gene Claude on Oct 13, 2010 10:01 AM CDT reply actions

I don’t see a shutout. I see us putting up 13 or 16, with the D getting the TD and the turnovers to promote two or three FGs. The question is whether Boom and Co. can find the wherewithal to hold the Nebbishes below those totals. I can see us winning 13-10 or 16-14, something like that. Unfortunately, I can also see us losing 65-13 or thereabouts if our O is able to replicate its recent performance of three-and-outs against 0u. I think the telling stat from that game was the point where the talking heads showed us 1 for 12 on third downs and that GG was 7 for 7 on those 12 attempts. Our OC must have been every bit as thrilled with that 100% completion average as he was with the opening three-yard drive which also featured 100% completions albeit for an average of one yard per catch.

I heartily agree with our first O-play being a pump fake WR screen, with the (non-)blocking WR going sideline vertical past the DB whom he wouldn’t be blocking anyway and who will certainly be avoiding him. It might very well be successful, and couldn’t hurt even if incomplete. Besides, every Longhorn fan that I know would heartily applaud it. Second and ten, with a message sent to the opponent’s D is much preferable to second and twelve with a completely different message sent. Hell, do it again on second down. Third and ten is incalculably better than third and fourteen.

by Tex Long on Oct 13, 2010 10:05 AM CDT reply actions

Exercises in futility:
The Davis offense.
Speculating about the Davis offense.

Reading this blog post is like continually poking and prodding with the IV needle to find a vein that isn’t there…on yourself.
Much like the upcoming game will be, I fear.
I’ve already decided. I’ll be at work. I won’t take my radio. I’ll leave it to coworkers to keep me updated from time to time. This season has no joy, only morbid curiosity.

by LurkerintheDark on Oct 13, 2010 10:07 AM CDT reply actions

It is not outside the realm of reason that Taylor Martinez has a line of 5/22 passing, 16 rushes for 28 yards and 4 picks against you guys.

I’m not saying you would win in that situation.

by Gene Claude on Oct 13, 2010 10:08 AM CDT reply actions

I’ll take Nebraske -9.5 for a thousand, Alex. Answer: What is a 5 star , super steam play special ?

by mfoshorn on Oct 13, 2010 10:26 AM CDT reply actions

I get the angst and loss of hope from you guys, but the superlatives and faith in Martinez are getting a little silly. He got benched at home against South Dakota State while the game was in doubt. He threw a couple of egregiously bad picks. I would be very much surprised if he doesn’t have at least one enormous FAIL in him this year, and it will probably go to the team that has a super fast defense and strong coordinator, that can shut down his running lanes and a force him to make some decisions. You guys qualify over everyone else on the schedule.

And, if it isn’t too much to ask, could you remove one of his ACL’s, or neck? A gift basket of Missouri pecans and Ozark moonshine is waiting.

by Gene Claude on Oct 13, 2010 10:42 AM CDT reply actions

You know there will be 1, probably 2, WR “screens” in Texas’ 1st offensive series.

GD GD is like a kid taunting a lion at the zoo. He knows no one is letting the lion out of the cage, so he will do whatever the f he wants.

by Joetx on Oct 13, 2010 10:52 AM CDT reply actions

"The throwing game has not changed from 1998 through 2010 very much. The play-action changes a little bit, but the concepts we’re throwing have been the same for many, many years. The change is just the quarterback and what can he do."

Haha

by NY Horn on Oct 13, 2010 10:56 AM CDT reply actions

Hey guys Husker fan here….just so you know not all of us cry about the “one second” honestly most don’t. I thought it was a great game w/ an unfortunate ending for the Huskers. As in politics though the loud obnoxious people make the most noise & unfortunately everyone has their group of idiots. My question though & reason for commenting here is I’m just curious if Texas fans question their coaching staff at all…mainly the head coach? It seems to me that just about anyone could win 10+ games a year w/ the talent Texas brings in each year. You guys in my opinion should be able to dominate college football similar to USC over the last decade. Vince Young single handedly won that national championship for Texas & it’s too bad that in many eyes Mack Brown gets the credit & a life long contract because of it. That was one of the most amazing individual performances I’ve ever seen. I feel like if you guys were able to get a coach like a Jim Harbaugh or another young energetic coach Texas would be near unstoppable. Just a thought & curious if Texas fans are growing frustrated w/ Mack Brown…

by huskerfan on Oct 13, 2010 12:15 PM CDT reply actions

If only he were taunting a tiger at the SF zoo. Then there would be hope

by stuckinmn on Oct 13, 2010 12:16 PM CDT reply actions

This shit about an aggressive offense is crazy talk and I wont have it.

Seriously, what is this teams identity other than timid offense and truckloads of mental mistakes?

Ack. Hopeful but certainly not expectant.

by bullzak on Oct 13, 2010 1:24 PM CDT reply actions

huskerfan,

Thanks for dropping by. To answer your question:

Just a thought & curious if Texas fans are growing frustrated w/ Mack Brown…

No. Not at all. We’re all perfectly happy with the status quo, and uniformly believe that our coaching staff is operating at peak efficiency in every aspect of their jobs and, as a result, providing the optimal possible on-field product given the already-substantial programmatic advantages you noted. The consensus here is that is true in all three phases of the game, but especially applicable to the offense.

by BrickHorn on Oct 13, 2010 1:59 PM CDT reply actions

“i’ll sacrifice a bad year filled with awful embarassing losses if it means changes for next year”

I would enjoy seeing something so definitive that Davis leaves or is fired. But it won’t happen. That’s why people are tired of talking about it. Until merchandise sales bottom out below pre-Mack days, which will never happen, Davis has tenure.

by utexs on Oct 13, 2010 2:40 PM CDT reply actions

Hi guys,

We have a lot of respect for your team, your coach and your classy fan base. Your record over the years says Mack is a good coach, and I know you have good talent on your team again this year. The team just hasn’t played up to its usual level of excellence yet in this season, nor with its usual consistency.

We usually manage to have an interesting match-up whenever our two teams play. I expect one again this Saturday. See you then!

by Husker41 on Oct 13, 2010 4:01 PM CDT reply actions

Uhhhh…we don’t run man coverage a lot? We run zone-match, just like Texas and Bama.

by Bo Pelini on Oct 13, 2010 4:39 PM CDT reply actions

Who are you talking to, Bo?

by Scipio Tex on Oct 13, 2010 4:43 PM CDT reply actions

Damn stuckinminn, bad form. But to continue, if it’s the SF Bay Area we’re using then Presa Canario and Mountain Lion attacks would fix the GDGD problem as well as a trip to the zoo.

Brickhorn is in fine form of late, what with the CFB = NFL comment on the Eff BCS thread, the how magnets work tutorial on the Brockermeyer podcast, and the fine breakdown you provided the inquisitive Husker fan pertaining our views of our fine offense.

by magnusbleuveigner on Oct 13, 2010 4:56 PM CDT reply actions

Scipio Tex, I am talking to the author of the article. In it he writes

“and a secondary that they’re more than comfortable leaving on an island so they can outnumber the offense at the point of attack. The Pelini’s are man coverage adherents and they blitz less frequently than one would imagine”

I just disagree, we run Zone-match, it can look like man, but it is not. When we blitz we use a 3-seam 5 man zone fairly often. Our favorite blitz uses a cover 0, thus we are manned up, but that is side dish, it isn’t our entree.

by Bo Pelini on Oct 13, 2010 8:12 PM CDT reply actions

This year has been a long time coming. We should have and would have lost a lot more games in the last 6 years with MB/GD coaching duo except for the exceptional talents of VY and Colt. Now we are forced to look at the coaching abilities of MB/GD week after week without an exceptoally talented QB. I think this will be MB’s last year because I don’t believe he can handle the pressure that will come from this truly bad performance of the UT team this year. I don’t think he will be able to man up and admit that their performance is basically due to his poor recruiting and coaching. And if he can’t face reality there is no way that he will be able to turn this program around next year. Given he has recruited talnted players, but they do not fit the system he is trying to have them play. As far as poor coaching, well I will let the results speak for themselves.

by billw on Oct 13, 2010 8:38 PM CDT reply actions

Bo Pelini -

Fair enough, it’s not pure man-to-man coverage but its 80% man principles for most routes. No question that there is a pattern matching aspect to it.

Man coverage doesn’t mean you point at someone at the LOS and say “I have this guy” like in pick-up basketball. Obviously, there is switching so you can avoid rub routes and you adopt zone principles in some instances.

You still have a predominant man assignment rather than a piece of turf though.

It’s man-area-man. Not area-man-area. Right?

I know the Pelinis dislike hearing it called man coverage, but without annoying my readers with a bunch of esoteric shit, the point is that Nebraska is very comfortable leaving their corners manned when and if they have to do so. And there are some opportunities to take a shot when that happens.

by Scipio Tex on Oct 13, 2010 8:52 PM CDT reply actions

I can take that and understand where you are coming from. The Cleti of my fan base though sometimes think I am Charlie McBride over here, manning up and blitzing like crazy. It is very hard for me to stay on forums all day to correct them in between the recruiting and film watching and getting Carl to stop having relationships with the wifes of our favorite boosters, which is a full time job in itself.

by Bo Pelini on Oct 13, 2010 9:18 PM CDT reply actions

Nicely done, Bo. Nicely done.

But I thought it was a daughter?

by Scipio Tex on Oct 13, 2010 9:19 PM CDT reply actions

@BrickHorn

“No. Not at all. We’re all perfectly happy with the status quo, and uniformly believe that our coaching staff is operating at peak efficiency in every aspect of their jobs and, as a result, providing the optimal possible on-field product given the already-substantial programmatic advantages you noted. The consensus here is that is true in all three phases of the game, but especially applicable to the offense.”

Bill Callahan said it much more concisely.

He was doing an excellent job in all areas.

by LouisvilleHusker on Oct 13, 2010 9:21 PM CDT reply actions

Scipio, I hate saying that it was a “daughter”, in reality it was the daughter in law of a booster. Daughter makes it sound like he is some…..well lets not go there. Anyways who can keep track of his who, when and why anymore.

Anyways, next time your up Lincoln, I will discuss my defense in detail with you while eating some Lasagna (Mary Pat makes some good stuff) and Cannoli’s for dessert. Carl will come, but only if he agrees not to bring one a booster’s whatever. I hope you are fine with Peroni or Red Wine because that is all we have.

by Bo Pelini on Oct 13, 2010 9:55 PM CDT reply actions