Spartan Accomodations

     I love being right, well, kind of right. In my pre-game post, I indicated that Nebraska should employ the base nickle defense instead of the 4-3 they've been running all year. Carl did me one better. He utilized Green Bay's 'Psycho' defense in obvious passing downs, which for Michigan State seemed to be third-and-greater than 3.
     Old-school, smashed mouth, slobberknockin' football is my favorite. Sure the kids are bigger, faster, and stronger than the kids in the long, long ago, far away time. but the principles are the same. Get there the fastest with the mostest and you win the engagement before it even starts.
     For having a really cool mascot, and an outstanding legend to build a football team and athletic department around, MSU sure does seem to have a lot of  ass-holes on the team. I'm not saying you shouldn't be edgy, or try to get into the other guys head, but play with some control to that edge. To be fair, if you want to be an ass-hole and cost your team fifteen yards, that's fine, I'll take it, swing away at the guy wearing a helmet, genius.
     Herodotus should be required reading for every football player. Why? Check him out for yourself.
     Blackshirts should be in lockers this week, at least in my humble opinion. Best performance of the season, and Bo pretty much let it slip during the post-game conference that they had been earned. In that vein I want to congratulate Ankrah, Steinkuhler, Rome, Cameron, Compton, Fisher, David, Dennard, Stafford, Austin, and Jean-Baptiste. I want to toss a couple extra shirts in the lockers of Evans, Thorell, and Green for not giving up and growing into their roles, even when surrounded by negativity. Plus one more for Jared Crick, who has more than earned his.

     Check out Coach Carl presenting the Blackshirt

     Rex Burkhead may end up as one of he all-time best running backs in NU history. He may not end up with the numbers of a Rozier or a Green, or have the highlight reel of Phillips or Jones, and I will pretty much guarantee he never gets the cover of Sports Illustrated, but play-for-play, pound-for-pound, this guy is one of the best and I would want him on any team I was coaching. Which is probably why 85,000 fans were holding their collective breath when he didn't get up after a third quarter play. This is a guy who always gets up. Leg cramps. Two plays later he caught a 27-yard TD toss from Martinez. Bo calls him a warrior. I dare anyone to disagree.

     I-Backasaurus Rex in action

     I like this big, physical, tough Big Ten Conference. It suits Nebraska and the way they play. I especially like how defensive linemen look in the fourth quarter when they are out of gas and keep looking at the clock wondering when it's going to be over. I especially like how Yoshi smiles and helps a defender up after all 320 pounds of him have been crushing him into the field turf.
     If Taylor Martinez comes Trick-or-Treating, tomorrow. I want to slip a guide of proper throwing mechanics into his treat bag. He's got speed, he understands the offense, he is a leader, but I really, really, really wish he would learn to step into his throws.
     Nebraska may have to play Penn State twice in four weeks. Their offense isn't that impressive, but their defense looks to be almost as good as Sparty's. Hmmm. They are 5-0 in B1G play and have the pole position for the LeaderS. If Nebraska wins out, Penn State would have one loss and could win their division with a 7-1 record. That would make a re-match for the B1G Championship game. But, get this. If Ohio State wins out, and Nebraska wins out, then there would be a Nebraska-Ohio State re-match. There is also still a possibility of a Nebraska-Wisconsin re-match, but a lot would have to happen, now that they have dropped two straight, to teams Nebraska beat.
     Nebraska should be back in the Top 10, now that Clemson, Michigan State and Kansas State each got dropped, yesterday. The University of Nebraska's Geological seismology department recorded a spike at 5:33 p.m., yesterday. Leading theories indicate that it was the sudden impact of Wildcatfans expectations meeting reality.
     I got to watch some Stanford and Andrew Luck. Based on what I've heard, I'm hoping that I saw the worst game of his career, because he did not look like future #1 draft pick against USC.
     Going to the Northwestern game, this Saturday. It's on the 5th of November, Guy Fawkes Day, or Bonfire Night. I have to get a 'V for Vendetta' mask and paint N's on it. I'll be sitting in the faculty section, so you'll probably be able to hear me. I'll be the only one cheering...loudly, anyway.
     Husk-husk and on the qb.