My number one wish for this bye week – get the special teams fixed.
The Huskers special team’s unit has been one of the worst in FBS so far this season and ranks in the bottom of the BIG10 in almost every category. I know there will be a lot of folks saying Nebraska special teams coach Ed Foley should get the boot this week, but to what end? The same folks will tell you there is a proven former Husker special teams coach still in Lincoln doing a weekly radio show. That guy – Bill Busch. Those folks would say hire him.
First, I think it is unlikely Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule would make a change to the position mid-season. He is extremely loyal to his guys and will certainly give Foley every chance to right the ship. Even if Bill Busch is on the short list to coach special teams again at Nebraska, this change would be better in the offseason, where he can shore up any roster issues in the transfer portal and have spring and fall camp to fix bad techniques.
Let’s give Foley a chance to fix things. The bye week is a great time for him to do just that. I like the odds of Tristian Alvano being back after the bye, and the long snapping issues didn’t show up at all against Rutgers. I know they never attempted a field goal, but the extra point long snaps were fine. And the long snap for an extra point and a field goal are the same distance, so we can fairly judge that. Obviously next he needs to work on the two blocked kicks and two blocked punts, and then the leaky punt return yardage. Yeah, it’s a lot.
Still I think back to the Denver Broncos last year. Through the first few games, they had the worst defense in the NFL. They gave up 70 (nope – not a typo) points to Miami. However, Vance Joseph, the Broncos defensive coordinator fixed it. The rest of the year, the defense ranked amongst the best in the league. So far this year, they arguably are the best defense in the league. So, things can be fixed, and I think it’s fair we give Foley that chance. The bye week is the perfect time to do that.
If the second half of the year, the special teams remain the same, then I think there is no question he has to be fired after the season. For now, though, lets remain Nebraska nice, rally behind the guy, and hope he gets it figured out.
