What did we learn-Game 5 Illinois

I was going to comment about people feeling sorry for sad Riley.  Wasn't it the B1G guys that mentioned a lack of urgency in fall camp?  You can't help but feel that some of what we are seeing is a lack of preparation in the spring and fall.  Then consider Riley's record and nice personality you get a sense that an "Aw shucks, we lost again" attitude has taken over the team.  On the other hand you have a fanbase that hasn't sniffed relevancy for too long.  Something has to give.


Pressure is frequently seen as a bad thing, but it can bring out the best in people. 

 
I learned that Illinois truly is very bad... hence, starting so many true freshman.

Hard to take away anything from NU's standpoint. There are a couple things, though.

Diaco seems to have no faith in our CBs playing press coverage; even if the opposing QB has shown NOTHING in the passing game. We're probably gonna see soft/off coverage the entire season.

Tanner Lee can look pretty good against a team that has no pass rush and runs Tampa-2 80% of the time. (a quick jab, but in all seriousness; he did look good w/o a constant pass rush).

Unfortunately; we cannot learn anything from the O-line from the Illinois or Rutgers games because the talent level of the opposing front-7 is so bare on both squads.

 
Illinois is terrible but if we had beaten Oregon, we're probably sitting at 5-0 right now.  

 
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What do you want me to say, we talked about it all before the game started. The game went as expected. Next game,


Well, Vegas certainly didn't expect a 22-point Husker victory with only 34 points scored.  I hope you put some money on the game, since you knew that was going to happen. /s

 
Honestly, not sure I learned anything this week. The win is nice, but that Illinois team was awful (worst we faced all year). Next week we truly learn what this team is all about and see if there has been any real progress.

 
I learned that there are starters on both sides who shouldn't be.  Some of the back ups, IMO, have played better.

Our CB play is really iffy.

The D, as a whole, have improved.  Regardless of opponent, they are passing the eyeball test as far as better play.

Oz is a beast and plays very angry.

Lee looked better, but receivers have got to catch better.  Still dropping too many.

DPE, at least in the passing game looks much improved.

We have talent on both sides.

Missing Jones. A lot.

 
I learned I don't hate the concept of a NU Friday football game.  I woke up this morning thinking about my usual Sunday routine when I realized it's Saturday.  #FreeDay #YOLO

Parrela has earned his bucks this year.  The DL is playing pretty salty.  Stille had a nice coming out party.

Hopefully the training table pi$$es in Diaco's Cheerios a couple times this week.  They need to be ready for a knife fight come next Saturday.

When Chris Jones and Simon Phoenix (Kalu) come back, hopefully that will give Diaco the confidence to roll up some more press coverage.  OSU's 4x100 team they have cooking @ WR doesn't need a 10 yard head start every play.  Plus, the thought of their King Douche WR coach being able to gloat if his guys have a big day makes me sick.

Nice to see Decker take control @ C.  I know there was lots of talk if he would ever see the field.  Jaimes held up pretty well against Illinois' only good DE.

The Riley era comes down to the next 2 games, if he wants to save his job, they need to find a way to win one of these games.  Going on the road to PSU and snatching a victory seems highly unlikely right now.  

 
I learned that when you protect the QB and open holes for running backs an offense works much better.  (Ok, maybe I knew that one already  ;) )

I also learned that Illinois is a very, very bad football team.

 
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Three things I learned:

- Nebraska had by far their most complete game of the season and it came at a good time with two big opponents coming up

- the defense continues to improve: 11 TFL's and five sacks (the competition may be bottom of the B1G, but NU isn't exactly a top team in the conference)

- Tanner Lee can play pretty well when he has good protection and stays within the game plan

 
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