Demons exorcised! I don't ever want to hear about another bowl game drought for as long as I live. And for it to come to an end while dismantling the Wisconsin Badgers...icing on the cake. Some of the wet towels out there will say "who cares, they beat a bad 5-5 Wisconsin team." Well I got news for them. No one in Husker Nation gives two shits. 12 straight victories no more! Suck it Fickell and crew! From the ashes, the Huskers will rise again!
Now, I certainly don't want to jinx anything, but did the offense look...GOOD?! Take out the kneel down on Nebraska's last possession, the Huskers finished with six straight scoring drives. Based on what we have seen from this offense the past two years, that is unheard of. We saw an offense that was feeling itself. Playing with confidence. Dylan Raiola in rhythm. Emmett Johnson getting a shot at being the feature back, getting into a groove to the tune of 113 yards rushing and 85 yards receiving. A single player offensive output that we haven't seen in the Rhule era. Sure, it wasn't the Wisconsin teams of old by any stretch of the imagination, but whatever switch Dana Holgorsen flipped seems to be working down in good ole Lincoln, Nebraska.
So, the question becomes can Dana Holgorsen and Co. keep this offense rolling? Playing with that same confidence we saw last Saturday evening in Lincoln? Zoom out to the 30,000 ft. view. Is Holgorsen the guy next year? He was non-committal during his presser this week, but that could be for a number of reasons. What we know is that Dana is a ball coach, man. He loves it, and he loves to be in control. It sure seems like Matt Rhule has given him the keys to this offense, and really wants him to drive it into the future, but will that be enough to satisfy Dana? Can he be happy, like Chip Kelly at Ohio State, just running a high powered offense? Time will tell. Personally, I sure hope to see what a future with Dana pulling the offensive reigns looks like.
First things first though. Nebraska still has a game on a short week. There is no doubt that the Huskers will face a much stiffer test this week traveling to Iowa City as the Iowa Hawkeyes host the annual Black Friday Heroes Game. Yeah, people forget this rivalry game actually has a name and trophy attached to it. One thing you can count on, as long as Phil Parker is in Iowa City, is that the Hawkeyes will have a salty, tough defense. Fundamentally sound, executing their plan and waiting for opponents to make mistakes. For the first time in this series, toe will meet leather at 6:30 pm. A night game under the lights in cold Iowa City. What must the Huskers do to steal one from Iowa on their home turf? Study up. Here's the cheat sheet for the Husker to ride that momentum to another rivalry win. Carpe Diem Boys!
HORDOR!! - Nebraska should be having visions of the Rutgers game. Shutting down Kyle Monangai of the Scarlet Knights was paramount to the victory in early October. Now the Blackshirts get a better version of Monangai in Kaleb Johnson. He is arguably the best back in the B1G, racking up over 1,400 yards, an average of 6.7 yards per carry, with 21 TDs. Iowa is going to feed the man early and often. Don't be surprised if the Blackshirts give up some yards on the ground. Johnson's too good not to get his. But, the Blackshrits best unit needs to play like it on Friday night. Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, Jimari Butler and crew need to play at a high level to contain Mr. Johnson and make whatever scrub Iowa runs out at QB throw the ball. If Iowa is forced to throw the ball 20+ times on Friday night, I like the Husker's chances.
Strike Early & Often - If the Huskers can jump out to a quick start and keep the pedal to the metal, it can help force Iowa into throwing situations. The more Iowa is forced to throw the ball, the better. Play from ahead. Just like last week, put the proverbial foot on the throat whenever the chance presents itself. One thing you have to love about a Dana Holgorsen offense is that it will always be aggressive, always look for ways to score and keep scoring. The Huskers will need it Friday night.
Win 3rd Down - It's a tale as old as time. This team must win third downs. Both sides of the ball. The defense must get that Iowa offense off the field every time the opportunity presents itself. Iowa thrives on holding onto the ball and draining the clock. Force Iowa into 3rd and long passing situations. The more the Blackshirts can limit the long sustained drives by Iowa, the better the chances are for the Huskers. On offense, the best defense against an all-B1G caliber running back is keeping him off the field. Sustaining drives and converting opportunities will be of the upmost importance.
Tops Off! - The offense has to take some shots down the field. If the Huskers can hit a few deep balls, it will loosen up that defense and make them respect the downfield passing game. That will open up running lanes for the backs and allow a balanced attack similar to what we saw against Wisconsin. I would love for nothing more than to see Emmett have another big game behind some more stellar offensive line performances. 150 yards. Get there and good things will happen.
I agree when Matt Rhule says this will be the last time this program celebrates a sixth win. Was it huge for the program and this loyal fanbase? Hell yes it was. Seven straight losing seasons wears on you, no matter the history of success there may be in Lincoln. Friday night in Iowa City is a chance for this program to ride that momentum to yet another win. Take down a rival for the second time in three seasons. Bowl practices are great for development, but bowl practices coming off two straight wins...that kind of momentum cannot be undersold. Proof of concept! The time continues to be now for this team. The six win mark has been achieved. It's yesterday's news. A winning season is within this team's grasp. It's damn time they go out and take it, because Iowa sure as hell isn't going to hand it to them. 1-0.
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