Thanksgiving and the end of the football season are upon us and it’s time to be thankful for what we have. As an everyday guy that isn’t difficult. The Lord has blessed me with more than I deserve. There are numerous things to be thankful for, my health, a roof over my head, food in my stomach, the ability to work, and friends. But the thing I’m most thankful for is my family. I’d be nothing without them and couldn’t get through a day without their support. They are my strength, loving me when one else should. They are there for me every day and I wonder why sometimes. I mean let’s face it, occasionally I’m miserable to be around. But even at my worst, I know I am loved, and for that I’m thankful.
The are numerous little things to be thankful for and too many to list. But yes, one of those is Husker football. If you know me or follow me, you may question how truly appreciative I am. I can be incredibly critical about the team I love. I’ll tell you like I tell my boss when he points out that I may be a little too passionate about what I’m doing.
“Believe me when I tell you, this is the guy you want. If I didn’t give a crap, you absolutely wouldn’t want me as part of your company.”
It’s true, imagine how bad I could be if I truly didn’t care. Heck, if I didn’t care about Nebraska football …. Well, I’d be an Iowa fan. And as thankful as I am for them, we have enough of them.
So, when I go off, like I more than likely will before the end of this article, it’s because I care so much. I cried over Husker losses when I was a kid, and there was never a time when we took the field against Oklahoma, I didn’t think we were going to win. I’ve never not cared and that still carries on today. But something has changed. Maybe it’s old age. Something has happened because now there are times when I doubt my Huskers. Is it me, the program, or just college football today?
There are numerous key matchups in Iowa versus Nebraska, but none more so than Nebraska OC Dana Holgorsen versus Iowa DC Phil Parker. People are tired of hearing it, but this game is going to come down to Nebraska being able to run the ball and stop the run. Yes, the Huskers can win with the pass, but they must be able to run the ball effectively enough so that Parker can’t tee his guys off on QB TJ Lateef. But the running game can’t be power plays with Emmett time after time either. Holgorsen has been reluctant to use TJ Lateef’s legs and that must change. I’m not saying Lateef needs to be Eric Crouch and run every down, but he must be a threat. We all know he can be, but he’s a weapon that Holgorsen has yet to utilize. Moving TJ on rollouts where he can find receivers and break loose if needed will be required for Nebraska to win this game. Holgorsen must show Parker something he hasn’t seen before and force him out of his comfort zone. Doing so will open up everything else and there are guys who Holgorsen must get involved in the offense.
Where has Barney and the jet sweep gone? Where is Luke Lindenmeyrer, he has zero catches in the last two games. And what about Nyziah Hunter, we’ve seen what he can do in the open field. Turning Lateef loose will open these guys up. Stop and think, you’re losing games with TJ on a leash, why not turn him loose.
I can’t say the matchup between Iowa OC Tim Lester and Nebraska DC John Butler is as key, but it’s interesting to say the least. What threw me this week was Butler saying you could go back several years and see the same Iowa offense that they run now. I don’t doubt that, but Lester has only been Iowa’s OC for two years now. So, is this Lester’s offense or Kirk Ferentz’s offense. It makes a difference, and Butler needs to be careful. I don’t see Nebraska stopping Iowa’s running game, slowing it down maybe, but no stopping it. I do believe however that Nebraska can shut down Iowa’s passing game. Iowa QB Mark Gronkowski has been sacked 16 times this season and has 7 TDs and 6 INTs. He does not do well under pressure. Nebraska needs to send the house and play man to man on the back end. But when the Huskers do apply pressure, they can’t let Gronkowski get free because he’s a good runner.
I’m also struggling somewhat with Matt Rhule saying in his press conference that the key to Nebraska stopping Iowa against the run is getting off blocks. That’s what we’ve been hearing all season. Isn’t the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? Even Rhule said it sounded simple, but it can’t be that simple, something must change.
Last weekend at Penn State Nebraska may have lost their first game in special teams play. What we saw can’t happen against Iowa. We all know Iowa has elite special teams play led by STC Lavar Woods. To say the Huskers have lost due to special teams play the last two seasons would be an understatement. That’s a big reason why Mike Ekeler was hired. To put an end to Iowa’s dominance. It won’t be an easy task and Ekler’s guys must be aware of return man Kaden Wetjen. A 2024 Jet Award winner, Wetjen averages 27.9 yards on kick returns with 1 TD, and 28.3 yards on punt returns with 3 TDs. Archie Wilson will need to show Husker fans why he’s here and keep the ball away from Wetjen. To win the Huskers must at least break even in special teams.
Numbers to know going into this one:
Nebraska Offense
Total Offense – 379.6 yards per game (75th FBS)
Passing – 242.8 yards per game (54th)
Rushing – 136.8 yards per game (87th)
Scoring – 30.5 points per game (47th)
Iowa Defense
Total Defense – 267.9 yards per game (8th FBS)
Passing – 166.3 yards per game (12th)
Rushing – 101.6 yards per game (14th)
Scoring – 15.1 points per game (9th)
Iowa Offense
Total Offense – 309.4 yards per game (122nd FBS)
Passing – 134.8 yards per game (131st)
Rushing – 174.5 yards per game (50th)
Scoring – 27.9 points per game (69th)
Nebraska Defense
Total Defense – 307.5 yards per game (20th)
Passing – 138.8 yards per game (2nd)
Rushing – 168.7 yards per game (97th)
Scoring – 21.5 points per game (38th)
Nebraska’s redzone defense – 135th FBS, allowing opponents to score 96.3%
Iowa’s redzone offense – 12th FBS, scoring 92.9% redzone opportunities
The numbers tell you all you need to know about this one. The Huskers must slow down the run if they want to win this game. So, while I’m thankful for so many things this holiday, please, no Black Friday Turkeys. Let’s make it a ham. Yeah, it would be nice to be able to ham it up with a win over Iowa instead of playing the role of the Turkey yet again.
GO BIG RED!!
Photo courtesy of The Falls City Journal
Stats gathered from ESPN – Serving Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.
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