Tangent Thread - Run the Damn Ball!!!

[lo country]

This reeks of rileys montra, look what he did with corvallis what could he do here thinkg.  I know your quoting, just want to throw up every time i think of that stupid attempt to lift up the lame duck we had here for 3 years.

Wasn't there another coach who supposedly could do that?

I am just trying to feel better about the hire.  Whip seems like a good hire on paper, but I do not like his scheme.  Unsure how previous stops will translate to wins at NU.  I am a "run the damn ball guy".  I just do not see that with Whip. Maybe I am wrong.  Hence the quotes related to comments on him.  Still no RB coach has me concerned that we are sacrificing that position to a degree.  The whole "they are in a bowl or in the NFL" sounds about as assuring as "he does so much more with less" or even the quotes I had mentioned concerning Whip.  Something to make us feel better about an average hire.  The problem is the worst coach we had in my lifetime in Riley, has coached circles around the hire I loved in Frost.....Hopefully this is the staff that finally puts it all together.  Get a guy like Joseph who preaches attention to the big things as there are no small things in football.  In the end, that's why we play the game. 

 

[Stone Cold]

Im with ya, i think everyone wants this thing to be better.  Not even NC better just better.  Everyone has there opinions on things and i dont think ive ran into one right person on this board.  Its not up to us, were just here to complain to eachother about something we have no control over.

 

[lo country]

Im with ya, i think everyone wants this thing to be better.  Not even NC better just better.  Everyone has there opinions on things and i dont think ive ran into one right person on this board.  Its not up to us, were just here to complain to eachother about something we have no control over.

I think you are right with this one.  Better means better and we can build from there.  Winning just cures a host of issues.  I feel like we have been wandering in the desert for way too long.

 

[The Dude]

Wasn't there another coach who supposedly could do that?

There's a lot of similarities between Riley and Whipple.  From what I've seen of Pitt this year, Whipple's playbook was instantly recognizable as Riley's playbook.  Similar looking passing concepts anyway.  That doesn't necessarily mean he's not a better coach than Riley.

We'll see more shotgun and faster tempos than what Riley did.

 

[Jeremy]

I don't get why anyone would bash on the service academies, AT ALL. They literally can't really recruit, and EVERY team they play is miles more talented than they are. Yet, here they are, 2 of the 3 getting 9+ wins. Air Force ended up with 10 this year, with wins over Nevada and Boise State, both of which are loaded with talent. Navy is definitely struggling, but still somehow bested UCF, who has athletes all over the place. The point is that their offense does a lot to cancel out other teams' athletic talent. The proof literally is in the pudding.

As much as everyone is dragging him, Law is right. We aren't going to win unless we go back to a run-oriented offense, simple as that. We want to be B1G champs, right? Who do we have to beat to do that? Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa. 

We can't out-recruit most of those teams, not even CLOSE. We aren't going to get more talented WR's, QB's, or RB's than them, the type of kids you HAVE to have to win running Whip's offense. We don't have, nor are we going to get a Kenny Picket. Just ain't gonna happen. I will concede that we do seem to have some pretty good receivers, but still, no one to throw to them, nor anyone to block for the guy to even TRY to throw to them. 

Ohio State gets the guys we would need to win. Stroud, Olave, Smith-Njigba, etc. We don't get them. Ohio State does. 

So why keep square-peg/round-holing this? Why keep trying to beat Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan for recruits from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan? Why not play our own game, get our own kind of guys for our own different kind of offense?

We would be unique, hard to prepare for, difficult to plan against. It would be the 'Nebraska Identity.' 'They run the ball, that is who they are.' Wouldn't that be great? Something for the team, the program, and the state to get behind. To go CRAZY for a FB bruising ahead for 5+ yards. To deliver some punishment to defenses instead of seeing QB after QB limp out of the game. To eat the clock, move the sticks, keep the defense fresh and off the field. While we can't get many 4 and 5 star guys, the talent we COULD get to run this stuff would be a definite step up from the guys that the service academies get. 

Plus, because we aren't wasting time and resources going after 4 and 5 star QB's and WR's, we could spend time and effort recruiting the kids that will really win games for us- the defense.

Law is right. Nebraska needs to be Nebraska again. Run the ball.

 

[runningblind]

I don't get why anyone would bash on the service academies, AT ALL. They literally can't really recruit, and EVERY team they play is miles more talented than they are. Yet, here they are, 2 of the 3 getting 9+ wins. Air Force ended up with 10 this year, with wins over Nevada and Boise State, both of which are loaded with talent. Navy is definitely struggling, but still somehow bested UCF, who has athletes all over the place. The point is that their offense does a lot to cancel out other teams' athletic talent. The proof literally is in the pudding.

As much as everyone is dragging him, Law is right. We aren't going to win unless we go back to a run-oriented offense, simple as that. We want to be B1G champs, right? Who do we have to beat to do that? Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa. 

We can't out-recruit most of those teams, not even CLOSE. We aren't going to get more talented WR's, QB's, or RB's than them, the type of kids you HAVE to have to win running Whip's offense. We don't have, nor are we going to get a Kenny Picket. Just ain't gonna happen. I will concede that we do seem to have some pretty good receivers, but still, no one to throw to them, nor anyone to block for the guy to even TRY to throw to them. 

Ohio State gets the guys we would need to win. Stroud, Olave, Smith-Njigba, etc. We don't get them. Ohio State does. 

So why keep round-peg/square-holing this? Why keep trying to beat Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan for recruits from Ohio, Penn State, and Michigan? Why not play our own game, get our own kind of guys for our own different kind of offense?

We would be unique, hard to prepare for, difficult to plan against. It would be the 'Nebraska Identity.' 'They run the ball, that is who they are.' Wouldn't that be great? Something for the team, the program, and the state to get behind. To go CRAZY for a FB bruising ahead for 5+ yards. To deliver some punishment to defenses instead of seeing QB after QB limp out of the game. To eat the clock, move the sticks, keep the defense fresh and off the field. While we can't get many 4 and 5 star guys, the talent we COULD get to run this stuff would be a definite step up from the guys that the service academies get. 

Plus, because we aren't wasting time and resources going after 4 and 5 star QB's and WR's, we could spend time and effort recruiting the kids that will really win games for us- the defense.

Law is right. Nebraska needs to be Nebraska again. Run the ball.

View attachment 19372

Would you just give it up? This is never going to happen, nor should it ever in any universe. There is a reason no major conference school has done this (I don't give a crap about Georgia Tech). It's a gimmick that will never work week and and week out against great competition, it's too easy to pidgeon hole. Schools like the academies use it to overcome disadvantages against much lesser competition, but nothing like the Big Ten.

We are in a mess right now because of Scott Frost failing as a head coach and having some very poor quality assisntant coaching, not because of his scheme.  If we had a decent offensive line, good quality ST, and a HC/team who doesn't panic we would have won 9 games last year with the exact same scheme. 

 

[lo country]

I don't get why anyone would bash on the service academies, AT ALL. They literally can't really recruit, and EVERY team they play is miles more talented than they are. Yet, here they are, 2 of the 3 getting 9+ wins. Air Force ended up with 10 this year, with wins over Nevada and Boise State, both of which are loaded with talent. Navy is definitely struggling, but still somehow bested UCF, who has athletes all over the place. The point is that their offense does a lot to cancel out other teams' athletic talent. The proof literally is in the pudding.

As much as everyone is dragging him, Law is right. We aren't going to win unless we go back to a run-oriented offense, simple as that. We want to be B1G champs, right? Who do we have to beat to do that? Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa. 

We can't out-recruit most of those teams, not even CLOSE. We aren't going to get more talented WR's, QB's, or RB's than them, the type of kids you HAVE to have to win running Whip's offense. We don't have, nor are we going to get a Kenny Picket. Just ain't gonna happen. I will concede that we do seem to have some pretty good receivers, but still, no one to throw to them, nor anyone to block for the guy to even TRY to throw to them. 

Ohio State gets the guys we would need to win. Stroud, Olave, Smith-Njigba, etc. We don't get them. Ohio State does. 

So why keep square-peg/round-holing this? Why keep trying to beat Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan for recruits from Ohio, Penn State, and Michigan? Why not play our own game, get our own kind of guys for our own different kind of offense?

We would be unique, hard to prepare for, difficult to plan against. It would be the 'Nebraska Identity.' 'They run the ball, that is who they are.' Wouldn't that be great? Something for the team, the program, and the state to get behind. To go CRAZY for a FB bruising ahead for 5+ yards. To deliver some punishment to defenses instead of seeing QB after QB limp out of the game. To eat the clock, move the sticks, keep the defense fresh and off the field. While we can't get many 4 and 5 star guys, the talent we COULD get to run this stuff would be a definite step up from the guys that the service academies get. 

Plus, because we aren't wasting time and resources going after 4 and 5 star QB's and WR's, we could spend time and effort recruiting the kids that will really win games for us- the defense.

Law is right. Nebraska needs to be Nebraska again. Run the ball.

View attachment 19372

What is concerning is our OL.  They are pretty bad, but abysmal in pass pro per PFF.  Why go to a pass first scheme in a make or break year when pass pro is the weakest of our weak offensive areas.  

I am all about runnig the ball, BUT is doesn't have to be the triple option.  TO was running counters, traps, PA and some triple option thrown in.  As mentioned before, Coastal Carolina is an option that we could succeed with. I'd like us to use an HB instead of 2 RB's and use more 12 personnel as we have the TE's to use for that. Chance Brewington destroyed guys when he was blocking. He'd be perfect as an H-back in that type of O.  IIRC, CC had multiple backs this year over 500 yards (2) with one over 1000.  One WR with 1000+ yards and the TE added over 900.....Yes, the schedule they played was poor, but they moved the ball on the ground or in the air with multiple skill players. Not just a QB who runs.  A lot.  Like NU....They are the flavor of the week, NU went there this year and added their concepts.  I still would've swung hard for this staff....

 

[Jeremy]

Would you just give it up? This is never going to happen, nor should it ever in any universe. There is a reason no major conference school has done this (I don't give a crap about Georgia Tech). It's a gimmick that will never work week and and week out against great competition, it's too easy to pidgeon hole. Schools like the academies use it to overcome disadvantages against much lesser competition, but nothing like the Big Ten.

We are in a mess right now because of Scott Frost failing as a head coach and having some very poor quality assisntant coaching, not because of his scheme.  If we had a decent offensive line, good quality ST, and a HC/team who doesn't panic we would have won 9 games last year with the exact same scheme. 

If it was easy to pigeon hole, it wouldn't work at all. Army wouldn't be getting 9 wins, Air Force 10. The teams they beat aren't stupid. They all knew what was coming, but still couldn't stop it. You don't want to talk about Georgia Tech, and that's fine, but they absolutely dominated a good SEC squad in the Orange Bowl. Gimmicks don't get to, nor do they win Orange Bowls in convincing fashion. Why couldn't we do that? When was the last time we dominated anyone with a pulse?

Do you really think we're going to throw the ball and beat Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin? Not a chance against their elite secondaries. Who's even going to throw these NFL-level passes for us? Who's going to slow down Wisconsin and Iowa's pass rush? Not our guys. 

I'll eat crow if these new coaches somehow pull 9 wins out of a hat, but the chances of that happening are slim and none.

 

[ColoradoHusk]

If it was easy to pigeon hole, it wouldn't work at all. Army wouldn't be getting 9 wins, Air Force 10. The teams they beat aren't stupid. They all knew what was coming, but still couldn't stop it. You don't want to talk about Georgia Tech, and that's fine, but they absolutely dominated a good SEC squad in the Orange Bowl. Gimmicks don't get to, nor do they win Orange Bowls in convincing fashion. Why couldn't we do that? When was the last time we dominated anyone with a pulse?

Do you really think we're going to throw the ball and beat Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin? Not a chance against their elite secondaries. Who's even going to throw these NFL-level passes for us? Who's going to slow down Wisconsin and Iowa's pass rush? Not our guys. 

I'll eat crow if these new coaches somehow pull 9 wins out of a hat, but the chances of that happening are slim and none.

Nebraska's offense last year had much more success against Wisconsin and Michigan than most teams in the Big Ten. Iowa's sweet offense scored 3 points against Michigan and Wisconsin only scored 17 points. Nebraska put up 28 points against Wisconsin.  You think the plan to doing better against the better Big Ten teams is to get even more conservative?

 

[Nebfanatic]

Does Air Force even run the triple option? Last I checked they didn't.

Edit:they do run it. Shows how much I've watched AF recently. Didn't they run a spread style offense for a time?

 

[The Dude]

Nebraska's offense last year had much more success against Wisconsin and Michigan than most teams in the Big Ten. Iowa's sweet offense scored 3 points against Michigan and Wisconsin only scored 17 points. Nebraska put up 28 points against Wisconsin.  You think the plan to doing better against the better Big Ten teams is to get even more conservative?

That's the thing with passing the ball all the time.  You put up tons of yards, and you lose tons of games. 

Tom Osborne said it best.  Rushing yards are more valuable than passing yards. 

300 yards passing is impressive until calculate in the 3 interceptions that lost you the game.

 

[runningblind]

That's the thing with passing the ball all the time.  You put up tons of yards, and lose tons of games. 

Tom Osborne said it best.  Rushing yards are more valuable than passing yards. 

300 yards passing is impressive until calculate in the 3 interceptions that lost you the game.

Which is why the best team's can do both. Passing is very helpful between the 20s and then you must be able to run the ball. If we could have done that alone last year we would have made a bowl. You don't need to be, or should ever be, one dimensional in either passing or running. The guys calling for 85% running plays are just as bad as the air raid offenses they claim to hate. Defenses have changed in the last 25 years, you must be able to do both effectively.

 

[The Dude]

Which is why the best team's can do both. Passing is very helpful between the 20s and then you must be able to run the ball. If we could have done that alone last year we would have made a bowl. You don't need to be, or should ever be, one dimensional in either passing or running. The guys calling for 85% running plays are just as bad as the air raid offenses they claim to hate. Defenses have changed in the last 25 years, you must be able to do both effectively.

Which might be a good philosophy at schools who can recruit baller passing QBs, but has proven to be a disastrous at Nebraska. 

Tom Osborne's philosophy is far better at Nebraska and that's a demonstrable fact.

 

[ColoradoHusk]

That's the thing with passing the ball all the time.  You put up tons of yards, and you lose tons of games. 

Tom Osborne said it best.  Rushing yards are more valuable than passing yards. 

300 yards passing is impressive until calculate in the 3 interceptions that lost you the game.

I never said the offense needs to be pass oriented, and being able to run the ball is very important.  However, the notion that NU needs to run the ball 60-80% of the play calling and "only depend" on the run is just foolish.  Not saying that you are saying this, but I was responding to a poster who wants NU to run an option based offense like a military academy.  He keeps pointing to the success of the academies against lesser competition and a couple decent years from Georgia Tech 10+ years ago.

In thinking about Whipple's offense, I like the fact that his QB's tend to have a good/great TD/INT ratio and they are very good at creating passing TD's.  I know we would all love to run the ball into the end zone for scores, but that's not always do-able against great defenses, so creating TD's in the passing game should benefit NU going forward.  

 

[runningblind]

Which might be a good philosophy at schools who can recruit baller passing QBs, but has proven to be a disastrous at Nebraska. 

Tom Osborne's philosophy is far better at Nebraska and that's a demonstrable fact.

That's just not true. We don't need a Heisman finalist at QB to succeed, just a guy who can make most of the throws and make good decisions. Adrian was that easily with some improved decision making.  That is a good philosophy for most any college football team.  Folks keep saying "throwing the ball is the problem!". No people, some terrible administrative decisons and some poor coaches have been the problem,  Scott Frost included so far.

Your second comment tells me you're still comparing everything to the 90s and literally nothing is the same anymore across college football.  It WAS a demonstrable fact, but is not any longer. That era is never coming back and fans would do well to move on.