After Indiana, Matt Rhule suggested a loss is a loss, whether by 49 points or by 1 point. I didn’t agree. I still don’t agree. Football isn’t just about muscle and speed. It’s a ‘Mano a Mano’ attitude, a head game. Without the right frame of mind, you don’t have a chance. That’s why I said losing by 49 points was demoralizing and a confidence killer. Because of that, it was important Nebraska rise to the challenge at Ohio State. And they did. Rhule suggested afterwards, there is no such thing as a moral victory. And this time I agree with him. But a repeat performance of Indiana could have proven fatal to the Husker’s season. As talented as this team is, its greatest weakness seems to be keeping their minds right. From having confidence against Colorado, to being overconfident against Illinois, to getting punched in the mouth at Indiana and saying, “Oh no, here we go again,” to “we can beat this team,” against Ohio State. This Husker team has been riding the waves of emotion all season.
UCLA is the final test. As this game goes, so goes the rest of Nebraska’s season. Why do I say that? Because this season couldn’t be any more identical to last season. A record of 5-3 after eight games and one win needed in the last four games to become bowl eligible. And like last season, the Huskers have shown an inability to run the ball and have played poor special teams. To top it off, their ninth game is against a 2-5 UCLA team. A team reminiscent of Michigan State last season, and we know how that went. Regardless of UCLA’s record, they are dangerous. They’ve lost to 13th ranked Indiana, 16th ranked LSU, 1st ranked Oregon, 3rd ranked Penn State and Minnesota. Those five teams have a combined record of 34-5. UCLA is better than their record indicates.
This game at home is when the script needs to change. Things can’t continue down the path they’ve been on. Not if Matt Rhule wants Husker fans and this team to believe this year is different. That they are in fact improving and on an upward trajectory. This is the game where Nebraska needs to shut down the run, have multiple sacks and create turnovers. Maybe put a goose egg on the scoreboard for the opposing team. This is the game where the offense needs to come to life, rushing the ball for over 180 yards and passing for 300 more. Not allow any sacks, have no turnovers, and score 31 to 42 points. This is the game where John Hohl once again proves he can make kicks, and we see something good happen on a punt or kickoff return. This is the game where Nebraska finally puts all three phases of the game together and looks like the team this coaching staff and the fans expected after Colorado.
Do I believe Nebraska can play a close to perfect game? Yes, and if they were to play as I ‘m suggesting, it would get the bowl game monkey off their back and boost their confidence going into their final three games. This team needs a blowout victory at home and Rhule needs to put his foot on the gas and let them go get it. The rest of the season depends on it.
Good things need to happen.
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All stats gathered from ESPN.com
