What did we learn UNI edition

Moiraine said:
I've said something similar but there are really 2 convos here. Are we wondering if we're a 10-2 or better team or a 7+ win team? IMO, we've been tested enough for me to be confident we're a 7+ win team. I'm more confident than that but I still want to see us play some B1G teams first, based on what you are bringing up. It was nice to see Colorado handle CSU in that at least they were able to win another game. We haven't been tested enough for me to feel confident we'll win 10 games. If we go 7-0 then I'll assume we can beat UCLA, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
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Pretty much this.

I would add that I'm not sure that we've played a particularly good team yet.  But I think we've been "tested" a decent amount, at least on defense.  We played a team that wants to go hyper speed, a team with significant offensive weapons and can hurt you throwing and a team that is a physical running team.  So our defense has gotten a pretty good look and what they'll see this season.  And come through pretty well.

Not sure if we've played much for defenses yet.  But our offense has done what you should do against inferior defenses - score early and often.  Obviously the second halves leave plenty to be desired but that's been more dictated by game situation (and penalties) than anything.

 
Undone said:
Or maybe let's just not have our generational arm talent QB be asked to run on the goal line at all.    :)     Seriously though, let's not do that. No reason to risk injury to him there.
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That’s fair. But for what it’s worth he would have been untouched if he didn’t decide to try and cut it back in

 
The Dude said:
You predicted Nebraska to only win by about 18.  They didn't struggle with this team nearly as much as you predicted.
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First off it is good to find plenty to nitpick about a 31 point win, and after a decade trust me I'm beyond happy.

But I'm sure you're attempting to go at my post in the game thread.  First I said a score like that(never throwing out any poinst) and was it that far off???  One could say the EJ TD was almost in "garbage time"  and they had scored only 27 at that time.  Also one could point out coming out of the half, instead of gifting a pick to Hartzog, their QB hits the wide open WR and score.  They have 10 and NU turned that pick into a FG.  Playing Devil's Advocate I can rebut by going with NU left points on the field by turning it over on downs right before the half.  All said the "what ifs" didn't happen and the score what it was, but what I posted was pretty close in line.

Second part of that post was pretty spot on.  UNI was not overwhelmed by the moment and atmosphere and they were very successful at controlling the ball with their run game the first half and never strayed from their identity.

Again props for finishing the game, it could have been a lot more in doubt for longer(see Iowa vs Troy).  

 
Mavric said:
I would add that I'm not sure that we've played a particularly good team yet.  But I think we've been "tested" a decent amount, at least on defense.  We played a team that wants to go hyper speed, a team with significant offensive weapons and can hurt you throwing and a team that is a physical running team.  So our defense has gotten a pretty good look and what they'll see this season.  And come through pretty well.
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This is verry valid.  Illinois will be a hybrid of the last two.  Schiano will bring Rutgers to town with a UNI type mindset and then after the bye you'll get the teams that will incorporate all three to some extent.  The RPO/get our skill guys the ball in space plays coming off of some kind of zone read look.  Just with far better lines and skill guys  Which is why one hopes the defense that played the best assignment sound, great open field tackling game vs CU returns more as the season continues and last night was a slight hick up

 
PaulCrewe said:
First off it is good to find plenty to nitpick about a 31 point win, and after a decade trust me I'm beyond happy.

But I'm sure you're attempting to go at my post in the game thread.  First I said a score like that(never throwing out any poinst) and was it that far off???  One could say the EJ TD was almost in "garbage time"  and they had scored only 27 at that time.  Also one could point out coming out of the half, instead of gifting a pick to Hartzog, their QB hits the wide open WR and score.  They have 10 and NU turned that pick into a FG.  Playing Devil's Advocate I can rebut by going with NU left points on the field by turning it over on downs right before the half.  All said the "what ifs" didn't happen and the score what it was, but what I posted was pretty close in line.

Second part of that post was pretty spot on.  UNI was not overwhelmed by the moment and atmosphere and they were very successful at controlling the ball with their run game the first half and never strayed from their identity.

Again props for finishing the game, it could have been a lot more in doubt for longer(see Iowa vs Troy).  
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I mean yeah, had things turned out differently, then it's possible Nebraska wouldn't have comfortably exceeded your expectations like they did.

What actually happened is much closer to what Vegas predicted. 

 
PaulCrewe said:
One could say the EJ TD was almost in "garbage time"  and they had scored only 27 at that time. 
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One could, yes, or you could say that this is exactly how Rhule wants to win - grinding the other team down in all respects and then tearing off big runs in the 4th quarter. You know, old skool Husker ball.    :)

PaulCrewe said:
Second part of that post was pretty spot on.  UNI was not overwhelmed by the moment and atmosphere and they were very successful at controlling the ball with their run game the first half and never strayed from their identity.
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That is true. But when they didn't get into the end zone on that first drive, any chance of them winning the game plummeted to near-zero odds. This game is a great example of just how meaningless of a stat time of possession actually is in football.

The game is really about keeping the other team out of the end zone. They were completely unable to do it to us, and we did it to them. And it all resulted in a 31 point blowout.

 
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The Dude said:
I mean yeah, had things turned out differently, then it's possible Nebraska wouldn't have comfortably exceeded your expectations like they did.

What actually happened is much closer to what Vegas predicted. 
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And i've always have said I am the second coming of Nostradamus and a better line predictor than Vegas. :facepalm:

 
Everyone talks about the defense, rightly so, but this offense is going to be really good. We have 3 true freshman impact players in Raiola, Barney, and Nelson. It will be wild to watch them develop together. 

 
Scofrosghost said:
Everyone talks about the defense, rightly so, but this offense is going to be really good. We have 3 true freshman impact players in Raiola, Barney, and Nelson. It will be wild to watch them develop together. 
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I saw plays I haven’t seen called in a long time.  And they worked.  I think they are holding back a little right now.

There were a couple of screen passes that looked to be perfectly executed.  How they are trying to get Barney the ball.  Exciting times.

 
gobiggergoredder said:
I saw plays I haven’t seen called in a long time.  And they worked.  I think they are holding back a little right now.

There were a couple of screen passes that looked to be perfectly executed.  How they are trying to get Barney the ball.  Exciting times.
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Yeah still kind of pinching myself to make sure I’m not dreaming but the offense is finally executing the basics. 
 

I would agree on the play calling. The common thread this year is once they get the lead they are keeping it pretty vanilla. Not sure if it’s to not give opponents a lot of tape or if it’s to protect Raiola. Probably a combination of the two 

 
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I agree with some of what has been said- UNI was going to come in run heavy and they came in and were run heavy. Didn't love what I saw from tackling and the gains that they had but the defense was able to shut them down once they reached the NU side of the field. 

I haven't seen this brought up (especially for those who felt that this wasn't a good performance): NU did not punt in this game. When is the last time that happened? 

GO BIG RED!

 
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