Buffalo: What Did We Learn?

It was really interesting watching Oregon v OSU before Nebraska v Buffalo. In year 4 now I expected our offense to run more similarly to Oregon’s.  Oregon has a great OL, they protect the QB, their backs get through the holes, the QB is efficient with his throws and can run when needed. They use the TE well and go up tempo as needed.  The WR’s are good and have to be respected downfield but it’s not a big air it out pass offense.

When I watch our offense we don’t base run well. Then it sort of turns into backyard football with what can 2AM do with his arm or legs. This can work ok vs like a Buffalo but is very concerning next week vs OU and going into Big 10 play.

So I’ll take the win but the eye test is we have a long way to go with this offense which by now I would have thought would be more dominant.

 
chamrocck said:
It was really interesting watching Oregon v OSU before Nebraska v Buffalo. In year 4 now I expected our offense to run more similarly to Oregon’s.  Oregon has a great OL, they protect the QB, their backs get through the holes, the QB is efficient with his throws and can run when needed. They use the TE well and go up tempo as needed.  The WR’s are good and have to be respected downfield but it’s not a big air it out pass offense.

When I watch our offense we don’t base run well. Then it sort of turns into backyard football with what can 2AM do with his arm or legs. This can work ok vs like a Buffalo but is very concerning next week vs OU and going into Big 10 play.

So I’ll take the win but the eye test is we have a long way to go with this offense which by now I would have thought would be more dominant.
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Agree...it is like we are watching the JV team

 
The good:

AM played well.  Speed looks to be back to AM 1.0

Toure-Great get for sure.  Need Martin, Manning, Betts, Falck to get back/step up.  Will help a lot to not repeat an offense that is JD, then Wan'dale now Toure

Reimer-Great motor

Henrich- Starting to show why he was recruited

Hickman-Unsure how we hold up at 215 lbs as a blocker, but shouldn't be worse than the rest of the OL.  Stepped up in the passing game

Loved the 2 back said and option when Smothers was in.  Maybe in honor of the game of the century we run that as our base next week with the starters....I guy can dream.

Bad:

OL play-without improvement we have no passing game, no running game, no chance

ST-Let Culp sit.  We can't get worse in the kicking game

THE REFS-The illegal forward pass. The PI against Hickman and on and on

No idea (other than coaches) that D is improving at all 3 levels and O isn't

I'll take the win.  Lowest points allowed since 2011.  Have held last 7 opponents to less than 400 yrds per game.  The defense is improving and will keep us in some games. Hard (if not impossible) to make up for a poorly perfomring offense and no ST play though.  We had 4 plays today over 50 yards.  Those helped a lot.  We can't depend on those to score.  Need the OL/RB  (and play calling) play to get the tough yards when needed.  

 
Honestly........this game is hard to make any judgements going forward.  I think we looked ok, but not dominantating.  I don't know what to think........

It would be different right now if Illinois didin't look so inept since we played.  WE won, which is the main thing.

 
ndobney said:
I just really wonder how good this team could be if our o line and special teams were good
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I think if OL and ST improved, it would be a direct reflection that our coaching has improved.  I think we'd be good for 6-7 wins/season.  Improve play calling (get an offensive identity) and clean up penalties a realistic expectation would be 9-10+ depending on schedule......

 
Frost stayed the course w/play calling.  Run game isn't where they want it or where it needs to be, but they stayed patient, played within themselves, & didn't self destruct.  Many of the winnable games this team has lost under Frost are won w/play calling like we saw today.  

 
chamrocck said:
It was really interesting watching Oregon v OSU before Nebraska v Buffalo. In year 4 now I expected our offense to run more similarly to Oregon’s.  Oregon has a great OL, they protect the QB, their backs get through the holes, the QB is efficient with his throws and can run when needed. They use the TE well and go up tempo as needed.  The WR’s are good and have to be respected downfield but it’s not a big air it out pass offense.

When I watch our offense we don’t base run well. Then it sort of turns into backyard football with what can 2AM do with his arm or legs. This can work ok vs like a Buffalo but is very concerning next week vs OU and going into Big 10 play.

So I’ll take the win but the eye test is we have a long way to go with this offense which by now I would have thought would be more dominant.
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Oregon looked good. They have adopted the personality of Cristobol for sure.  A physically tough team.  On both sides.  They executed well.  As you mentioned, they could execute the run game and passing game very well.  Up tempo or grind if needed.  Complimented the D and vice versa.

In year 4, I thought the O would be carrying the team.  I still have no idea our base or "identity". Back yard is a great description.  I then look at our best receiver is a transfer (in year 4).  We still have no real RB that remotely reminds me of a legit RB threat (in year 4).  The OL still gets pushed around too much.  I saw too many runs in the middle where there were 3 defenders getting off of our RB and  I saw no OL in the pile...

no doubt we have a ways to go.  

 
Offensive line is the unit that has to improve the most.

Huskers got hosed on two touchdowns, and then left a touchdown and three field goals on the field. That's (does math) 30 points. They won by 25. 

So they offensively they legit played rather mediocre and were still able to win by more than 3 scores. That's not bad and what should be done against the Buffalos of the college football world. 

Now, will they do that against OU next week or MSU the following week? I'm not holding my breath. A real opportunity to set a marker these next two weeks. 1-1 and I think we're showing promise. 

 
In hindsight, the one thing I'll add to my original post is if we put up 27 more points (from the 3 TDs called back and the 2 missed FGs) we win 55-3. 

55-3 with a crappy oline and bad special teams. And if I saw any other team beat Buffalo by that margin, I would say 'that's a damn good team.' 

But then again it wasn't another team that put up 55, and I'm a critical Nebraska fan, therefore our o-line sucks and STs leave a lot to be desired.  :lol:

 
Buffalo isn't that good offensively. Their defense is definitely their strength.

On top of the offensive line continuing to underwhelm, our receiving core is getting considerably banged up.

Our defense will continue to carry the load throughout the remainder of the season. Along with Adrian and Samori. 

Our games are mysteriously peculiar. As if I shouldn't have recognized this already. 

 
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