Well, it is starting to feel like a story as old as time itself. Thousands upon thousands of Husker football fans invade enemy territory, spending their time and hard earned money to support their team. Only to leave the LA Coliseum, seeing their team fall short, yet again. Punctuating a troubling trend, as Nebraska is now 0-8 under Matt Rhule in bowl eligibility clenching games. Yes, that is where Husker Nation is at right now...tracking bowl eligibility wins.
A game of hot potato broke out in the Coliseum. Both teams appearing to do everything in their power to lose the game. Maiava yelling "JACKPOT" before hurtling balls into the air, only to watch Husker defenders misjudge jumps, have interceptions slip right through their hands, and have literal footballs bounce off their helmets into opposing player's waiting arms. Ultimately it lead to the inevitable one possession game that Nebraska seems to find itself in each and every time they take the field.
Now, was there an egregious missed pass interference call on Banks in the endzone? Without a doubt. The mugging inflicted upon him when that ball was in the air would have landed that man in jail in any other state than California. But at this point, we just have to assume that these B1G officials are going to faulter. Sometimes it feels as if the moment gets to big for them. The sad part is, it seems that the moment was too big for our beloved Huskers as well. Nebraska has got to quit putting itself in position for things like this to happen. How many opportunities did this team have to throw what felt like a knockout punch early in that game? I would go to say that Maiava threw six balls that could have been intercepted. There were some wide open receivers that were flat out missed. A whole lot of green grass in front of running backs was left unexplored. A shoelace was tugged on preventing a scoop and score. The list goes on and on, and the record continues to be stuck on repeat.
Man...5-1 feels like such a long time ago. Does it even feel like that was real? You blink, and the Huskers are staring down the exact same barrel they were in 2023. Ending the season on yet another six game skid can only be characterized as unacceptable. Lucky for the Huskers, they will get yet another opportunity to stop the bleeding and seize an opportunity. No more shitting down our legs. We're all out of clean pants.
The Wisconsin Badgers will be limping into beautiful Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon in a clash of two wounded 5-5 teams, each clinging to the hopes of bowl eligibility. But a team that nonetheless has been a barbed hook in Nebraska Football's side. The Huskers have not beat a Wisconsin football team in 12 years, including one of the most embarrassing losses in Husker football history in the 2012 Big Ten Championship game. I think Melvin Gordon and Montee Ball are still running. But, it is safe to say, this is not your same ole Wisconsin team of years past. The Phil Longo air-raid experience in Madison appears to be over as Longo is gonzo. Wisconsin's offense has been sputtering all season long like a stale fart in the wind, and in many ways this game is shaping up to be two teams lining up against each other and feeling like they are staring in a mirror.
As bad as it has been, the football God's don't give two shits about who is injured or who may have the flu. They don't care about two fragile teams meeting at what seems to be a seminal moment for both programs' coaching staffs and futures. Toe will meet leather at 2:30 pm on a cool Saturday afternoon in Lincoln, Nebraska. One team will come out the other side with a post-season birth clenched and an eye to the future. The other...well let's not think about that. So what are some of the things the Husker Football team needs to do to lift this dark cloud? This is the Professor's Cheat Sheet - Wisconsin Week. For the love of God, take some notes:
Stop the Press - The drawback to being the only show in town? It's a fucking pressure cooker. The noise can be loud at times, and it can come from all directions. The message this week seems to be to "go out there and get one for the seniors." That's a fine line to walk. Too many times when games get close, you can feel through the TV this team pressing, trying to play hero ball, many times leading to errors and missteps. That must stop. Execute. Do your job. Nothing more, nothing less. Stay within themselves and just play football.
Let Tony Cook - Tony White may need to get into his bag. Like a typical Wisconsin offensive line, they have held up well against opposing pass rushes this season, only allowing approximately 1.5 sacks/game (ranking 15th in the country). It might be the game to show some exotic looks, bring some exotic pressures. Braedyn Locke has shown a propensity to throw an interception or two, and if we can heat him up more than usual, the Blackshirts will have him right where they want him. It can't be forgotten that the east sideline is going to have a new play caller this week as well. Make 'em panic. Don't let 'em settle in.
Quit Chasing 3, Start Chasing 6 - As good as it is for all of Husker Nation's heart health that John Hohl has seemingly found a bit of a grove in the place kicking game, this offense has to quit settling for field goals. The Huskers must start punching that ball into the endzone, especially on trips inside the redzone. Nebraska currently ranks 126th in redzone offense. That is just not going to get the job done by any stretch of the imagination. Let's see what kind of creative calls Dana may have up his sleeve for just those moments this week. Get the man a visor and let the skullet flow!
Win 3rd Downs - If you want to pick on Tony White's defense, and I think he would admit this himself, it has at times really struggled to get off the field on third downs. It is imperative that the Blackshirts find a way to stifle the Badgers on third down. Keeping Wisconsin in third and long to medium can keep whoever is calling plays on that sideline flustered and out of their comfort zone. Just as imperative will be the offense's ability to convert third down and keep series alive. This Husker offense can use as many possessions as possible as they aren't exactly known for their quick strike ability.
Mano a Mano - Nebraska needs to win its one on one matchups. Whether that is beating a man in coverage, breaking a tackle it the open field, or winning on your blocks. It's one of the things Dana Holgorsen mentioned in his presser. It's been echoed by the head man as well. Lets see maximum effort. Big heart. A will to win that cannot be broken. Can't be beat. Won't be beat.
Deep in the heart of Husker Nation, it sure feels like this is a must win. As gross as it sounds, the sentiment is that most have already chalked up the Black Friday game in Iowa City as a loss. There is no such thing as patience in the college football world anymore and without a win on Saturday, the parasites will start coming to the surface. The voices will start to get louder. The time is now. Does it call for a youth movement down in Lincoln? Maybe. But, no more waiting for something to give. For a call to go our way, or a ball to bounce to us. It is time for this team to stop wishing for good luck and to start making their own luck. The beautiful thing about football is that nothing is ever given. If you want it, you have to go take it. I see a few fellas out there laying it on the line (I see you Ceyair Wright). But the Huskers are going to need a whole team out there that is hungry. Long gone are the days when teams would roll over just because the vaunted Huskers stepped on the field. Everything must be earned. The warriors must become the weapon. The time is now. 1-0.
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