What's there to say? The Huskers got their candied asses whooped last Saturday. I have to put the hand up. Accountability. These plums, they were sour. It wasn't even close. Dominated in every aspect of the game. From the first whistle to the last, Indiana had their way with that team. The Huskers came out in their surrender whites and in many ways, it's exactly what they did. Rolled over and took it.
Who would have thought that we'd be back at this all too familiar place seven games into the 2024 season? Another embarrassment on a national stage. Another egg laid in the big moment. Husker Nation thought we knew what we had with the Blackshirts. Apparently we were wrong. They got gashed. Exposed. Just like mentioned in last week's cheat sheet, RPOs. Tackling. The Blackshirts had to be ready for it. They weren't. And most concerning...it was coming off a bye week. Two weeks to prepare for what Indiana was going to throw the Blackshirts way. The Hoosiers didn't come out and reinvent the wheel. They did what they do, and they took it straight to the Blackshirts.
Then there is the offense. It's been sputtering. It finally blew the tire in Bloomington. There were signs. The inability to run the ball on any defense. The complete stalling of all offensive production for extended periods of time in each game of the season. The lack of explosive plays. The inability to score in the red zone. But when you're winning, the small things can slip through the cracks. They can be overlooked. As we saw though, when the level of competition increases, the small things become big problems. The inability to put the ball in the endzone allowed Indiana to jump out to a huge lead. And as the whole country knows, they never looked back.
It seems like Nebraska Football is stuck in an infinite loop. Taking what seems like one step forward, followed consistently by two steps back. Sometimes inventing new ways to lose games. And when it comes time to take the next step. To win a game that would have the potential to swing the momentum of the program, the team is nowhere to be found. In fact, after last Saturday, 26-straight losses to ranked programs. It continues to baffle how on the surface, average programs, with very little history of success, with far less resources and fan support, can find that lightning in a bottle, while Nebraska can't qualify for a bowl game for seven straight seasons. So what is it? How can the attitude of "here we go again" be shed? A new standard has to be set, and everyone, everyone in the program must be held to that same standard. 49 point losses simply cannot happen anymore if this program wants to be a serious contender ever again.
Matt Rhule has his work cut out for him this weekend. He has a defense and team with a badly bruised ego, a lack of any offensive identity, and what can be classified as one of the worst special teams units in the country. All that said, the Huskers are still sitting at a 5-2 record, and bowl eligibility only one game out of reach. Luckily for the Huskers, they get the number four team in the country next. The Ohio State test. A nice, friendly game in Columbus, Ohio. Up against the the Ohio State Buckeyes, frothing at the mouth after their one point loss to Oregon. Sitting for two weeks looking to avenge that loss. They get the wounded dog that is Nebraska Football as their apparent sacrificial lamb. It's nut cutting time for the 2024 Nebraska football team. What do the Huskers have to do to be competitive in Columbus on Saturday...well here are a few:
Show Up - The Huskers have to move past what happened at Indiana. No one expects this game to even be close, so the team is going to have to bring their own juice. Don't roll over. Don't give in to any team. Play with an edge. Play to the standard we so often hear about. Most importantly, play the players who will go out there and fight. Who aren't afraid to line up against the best in the nation.
Run the Ball - There has to be at least a threat of a run game, or else this Ohio State team is going to tee off on Dylan Raiola. The Huskers need these backs to start making explosive plays. Yes the offensive line isn't mauling guys every play, but watch the tape. There are some running lanes there. The backs must start making some guys miss. Going down on first contact cannot happen if Nebraska wants any chance of winning this game.
Rebound - The defense is going to have to make some stops if there is any chance of victory. Indiana stuck the Blackshirts in a locker and took their girlfriends home. Guess what? This week, they get an even tougher test. The Blackshirts must re-find that swagger that was stolen last weekend. We have to see that Buckeye punter take the field more than once if we even what to be in the ballpark on that scoreboard. Solid tackling, disciplined eyes, and a ball hawking attitude are musts.
Compete - Play to win the game. No Bill Callahan, play not to lose by too many, a la USC 2006. Line up. Take your shots. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best, and it is not every week you get to play one of the best.
One has to assume that there were some long hard looks in the mirror this week. That players and staff were put on notice. As competitors, all they should want to do is lace them back up. Was last week just a hiccup? A blip on the radar? Time will tell. Toe meets leather at noon again this week. Husker Nation is going to see what kind of heart this team has on Saturday. It's a true long shot this weekend, but when have things ever been easy in Nebraska. #GBR.
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