As hard as it may be to believe, we have made it halfway through the season. The Nebraska Football team sits at a respectable 5-1, with the only loss of the season in OT, to what appears to be a pretty solid Fighting Illini squad. Thinking of how that one slipped away from us still makes me sick.
The Huskers are coming off a needed bye week following the win over the previously undefeated Rutgers squad. Was it a pretty win? Not at all. Maybe the worst game of young Dylan Raiola's career to this point. But at the end of the day, it was a win. Something that us here in Husker Nation cannot take for granted. And one that the old iterations of Husker Football would have found ways to lose. Although the offense seemed to stall most of the day, it is beginning to look like the Blackshirts have awoken. That taste in their mouth after the Illinois game was motivation enough. If they can continue to play at this level throughout the remainder of the season, this team will be in almost every game. Also, did we break Rutgers, or is Wisconsin getting better. I like to think its the former.
But the past is the past, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1) must turn their attention to another undefeated squad, the Hoosiers of Indiana University (6-0). Curt Cignetti has gone into Bloomington and made this football team an immediate winner. This guy has a proven track record of success, a branch off of Nick Saban's coaching tree, he has amassed a record of 125-35 as a head coach. His team is coming off a bye week, just like Nebraska's next three opponents (WTF is that all about!) so you know that his team will be ready to rock. Toe meets leather at 11am in Bloomington, Indiana. And no matter how you want to slice it up, it's a big game for both teams. If this Husker football cheat sheet is followed, you can bet the Hoosier will be heading home losers.
Off to the Races - The Huskers have to start fast. Put the pedal to the metal, and don't let off that gas. Indiana has yet to play from behind this year. Yet to face much, if any, adversity this year. Line up and hit him hard and fast. Put that inkling of doubt in their minds. That whisper that you know they have been hearing all week long. "They are pretenders, not contenders." Make them believe it. Make them panic. Take them out of their comfort zone.
Keep the Eyes on the Prize - I'm talking eye discipline here. Indiana loves running RPOs. The defense needs to stay disciplined. Do their job. Know their keys. Play at the level we know they are capable of playing at. We all saw the Blackshirts struggle a bit with the Illinois offense. This will be the biggest test the Blackshirts have faced since that night in Lincoln. Let's see what they are made of.
Wrap Up - Leaky yardage has been an issue at times this year for the Blackshirts. It is imperative this weekend that sure tackling is seen. If there was one criticism that can be uttered about the defense, it's that sometime they struggle to get off the field on third downs. A lot of that has been poor tackling and letting guys fall forward for that little extra yardage. We can't allow Ty Son Lawton, Justice Ellison, Elijah Sarratt to get loose. We have to bottle them up. Rally to the ball. Get them on the ground with the first man.
Get Out of Neutral - It sure seems like this offense has been getting stuck in neutral too often this year. The Huskers must avoid this if they want to come off the field victorious Saturday afternoon. Looking at box scores is somewhat deceiving. It appears pretty balanced, but it sure doesn't feel that way when watching the games live. The running game needs to come alive if this offense is to operate at its full potential. Is Mazzuca off the shit list? It may be time to re-insert the big man and get some real road graders out there in the trenches.
Rise to the Occasion - This is a big game. Whether some Husker fans want to admit it or not because it's Indiana. Want to poo poo this Indiana football team for what may be perceived to be a weak schedule. They've done what they are supposed to do. Kicked the ass of lesser teams. Now it is Nebraska in town. Which Nebraska are we going to get? The Nebraska football of year's past that have folded when the lights get brighter. Or will we get the Nebraska team that believes? The team that knows they are capable of greatness. A team that will fight to the bitter end, and bow down to no one. That's what we need to see. A will to win. To snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, instead of finding ways to lose. Get this weight off their shoulders of consecutive losses to top-25 teams. Shine bright, like a diamond.
Extra Credit - For God's Sake. TAKE IT TO THE BANKS! This man needs the ball.
It's another football Saturday in Husker Nation. Another week and another chance to knock a team out of the ranks of the unbeaten. All eyes will be on the Huskers as they take on Indiana. B1G Noon kickoff in enemy territory. Nebraska hasn't won a ranked game on the road since 2011 when they knocked off Penn State in State College and 25 straight losses to ranked opponents. It's time. The streak ends on Saturday. I feel it in my plums!!! 1-0. Beat Indiana. GO BIG RED!
IF WE DIE, WE DIE!
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