Last Friday night, almost a week after Oregon, my Nebraska football world finally fell back in sync. After a meltdown and a reboot on my part, I’m back to where I was pre-Indiana. Thank goodness reality slapped me in the face and woke me up. Then week 8 happened and Nebraska lost the bye week. The results only further reinforced my reset.
Before the season started, I said Nebraska would go 8-4. The big-time pundits all said 7-5. Then the Huskers played Indiana at home and even with a late game collapse I was convinced this team was better than I thought. Oregon wasn’t Oregon and I talked myself into believing the Huskers could go west and whip the Ducks. Maybe this was a 9-3 or even a 10-2 team. Just maybe they could make the CFP.
For three quarters against Oregon, I thought I was right. Then the fourth quarter collapse hit again, and I came crashing back to reality. It was ugly. So, I’m back to thinking this is a 7-5 team and if we’re lucky, 8-4.
Before the season I counted Indiana, Oregon, Ohio State and Iowa as losses. And then I said if they had any kind of team at all they would defeat Michigan State, Maryland and Rutgers. Washington and Illinois were the pivotal games and if they won those, I’d tell myself they had a shot at Iowa.
Then week 8 came along. It was as if every game that had the opportunity to kick the Huskers in the gonads did.
Illinois defeated Oregon 21-10 and rushed for 5.8 yards per carry and 225 yards. The Illini made Nebraska’s rushing game look even more inept. Was it better coaching or better game planning?
Minnesota kicked a last second field goal against Iowa to win 13-10, completing their best Iowa imitation and forcing the Hawkeyes to play the role of Nebraska. Iowa wasn’t Iowa, allowing a blocked punt, throwing 3 interceptions and fumbling 4 times, losing 1.
Michigan took Indiana into overtime, held them to 212 total yards and 4/14 on third down only to lose 13-6. “If that’s the No.6 team in the country, then we’re pretty good,” Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham said after the game. Sounds eerily familiar to Matt Rhule after losing to Indiana. Michigan is now 4-3, and I’ll say it again, Indiana has taken a step back.
It all boils down to questioning how good this Nebraska team really is. Stop and think about it. Yes, they are 5-2, but what is their best win this season. Is it 5-2 Ohio, whose best win is over Kent State? Doesn’t exactly give you the warm fuzzies about what this Nebraska team has done thus far.
So, here we are, Washington week and the Halloween blackout. Will the Huskers win? For me, it’s 50/50, and that’s the way I need to keep it. Don’t get too high, don’t get too low, because this year’s Big Ten is a jumbled mess and this Husker team is too inconsistent to expect anything different.
GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!
Photos courtesy of the Falls City Journal Home - Falls City Journal - Falls City, NE
Stats gathered from ESPN - Serving Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.
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