On the positive side, we're 5–0

We have a great head coach and A.D. Our facilities look great.  A few other things to be appreciative of.  Oh yeah, the uniforms are awesome!

Never let it be said that I don't know how to see the positives, stop to smell the roses etc.  

Now, for the negatives:

Special teams are horrible! In fact, I think Geiger is toast. He has lost his psychological edge which is huge for a kicker.

Surprisingly, even keeping injuries in mind, this is the worst defense we have seen in five years.  I understand that injuries are disruptive and that it takes time for players to gel, but I'm just saying where things stand today. This defense is bad. The defense of line is healthy but is not dominating like it should.

On offense, obviously the injuries to the OL are a factor, but whatever the case no one is going to feel sorry for us. They're moving the ball but they're not converting 3rd downs.

2 or 3 losses ahead at current level of play.  And they're going to be painful losses, because of our high ranking and high expectations, and because we're simply not used to losing anymore.

We look like the third best team in the Big Ten right now after Northwestern and Ohio State. I'm not thrilled with that, but I have to admit there are some problems besides just the injuries. Hopefully we can fix those.

Oh, and looks like we might have the number 1 recruiting class in basketball, so there's another positive!

Doesn't help our football team, but still, very important to look at the positives as well.

Well, we clearly aren't playing elite level football right now. I guess we just need to keep winning and let the chips fall where they may.

We looked pretty good until Finley went down, methodically pushing it to 21-0, other than the continued issue of missing a few tackles. Maybe the nasty injury shook up the team, but that's no excuse for not finishing strong.
I do think the coaches were still keeping everything very vanilla, so play calling didn't help in the second half, but certainly a lot of room for improvement. The field goal situation is quite troubling.

OSU is not up there either. Replace them with Michigan.

I am just happy to be able to still watch football and not be on suicide watch

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:OSU is not up there either. Replace them with Michigan.

Just keep winning.

Folks like the OP need to get to Las Vegas and put their money where their mouth is. Bet on which teams left on the schedule that will beat this team.

From the time this team started practicing n the fall I thought this was a 1, possibly two loss team. They don't get past Ohio State and they could lose in Lincoln. With the recent rash of injuries two losses looks very possible.

Heat Miser wrote:Trailed for 1 minute and 8 seconds thru 5 games.

Fumble on the punt and a 70 yard run made it a game. We won. Moving on...

Heat Miser wrote:Trailed for 1 minute and 8 seconds thru 5 games.

Scrap the program.

Heat Miser wrote:
Nebraska just completed a zero 1st down 1st quarter...at home...against Illinois. They're very average.

.....and tOSU is trailing Indiana at the half 10-6, everybody has their issues.

Heat Miser wrote:

GRR Spartan wrote:Just keep winning.

Folks like the OP need to get to Las Vegas and put their money where their mouth is. Bet on which teams left on the schedule that will beat this team.

From the time this team started practicing n the fall I thought this was a 1, possibly two loss team. They don't get past Ohio State and they could lose in Lincoln. With the recent rash of injuries two losses looks very possible.

Nebraska just completed a zero 1st down 1st quarter...at home...against Illinois. They're very average.

They are on the road and up 10-0 at half

Herbie Green wrote:

Heat Miser wrote:

Nebraska just completed a zero 1st down 1st quarter...at home...against Illinois. They're very average.

They are on the road and up 10-0 at half

They're playing Illinois.

NigelUno wrote:

Herbie Green wrote:

They are on the road and up 10-0 at half

They're playing Illinois.

We played Purdue

NigelUno wrote:

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:OSU is not up there either. Replace them with Michigan.

Not laughing with you

I.B. Fine wrote:

Heat Miser wrote:
Nebraska just completed a zero 1st down 1st quarter...at home...against Illinois. They're very average.

.....and tOSU is trailing Indiana at the half 10-6, everybody has their issues.

I think we're seeing something similar to college BB - more parity. Kids look around and rather than sit go to a school where they can play. Levels the playing field.

NigelUno wrote:

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:OSU is not up there either. Replace them with Michigan.

You were saying?

Herbie Green wrote:

NigelUno wrote:

They're playing Illinois.

We played Purdue

What does that have to do with them playing Illinois?

Regardless, the only way MSU gets to the playoff is running the table.

They can wn ugly or win with style points but they have to keep winning.

NigelUno wrote:

Herbie Green wrote:

We played Purdue

What does that have to do with them playing Illinois?

I figured you were trying to build a false sense of confidence

Herbie Green wrote:

NigelUno wrote:

What does that have to do with them playing Illinois?

I figured you were trying to build a false sense of confidence

What are you trying to build?

Can't do anything about injuries, but here are the issues that concern me:

1. Geiger. We're gonna need a game winning kick at some point soon here.
2. Why the DL isn't absolutely controlling every game. There's talent, experience, depth. QBs have way more time that I thought they would. Is MD holding them back for the big games? I hope so.
3. No rhythm in the passing game. Some good individual catches but no continuity.

NigelUno wrote:

Herbie Green wrote:

I figured you were trying to build a false sense of confidence

What are you trying to build?

Reality

Herbie Green wrote:

NigelUno wrote:

What are you trying to build?

Reality

So, what is the reality with Nebraska, based on them being up 10-0 (at half) on the road at Illinois?

NigelUno wrote:

Herbie Green wrote:

Reality

So, what is the reality with Nebraska, based on them being up 10-0 (at half) on the road at Illinois?

What was the point of your post that Nebraska is playing Illinois in a direct response to a post saying Nebraska was playing Illinois? Were you just trying to confirm that information?

Herbie Green wrote:

NigelUno wrote:

So, what is the reality with Nebraska, based on them being up 10-0 (at half) on the road at Illinois?

What was the point of your post that Nebraska is playing Illinois in a direct response to a post saying Nebraska was playing Illinois?  Were you just trying to confirm that information?

Have a good night.

Heat Miser wrote:

GRR Spartan wrote:Just keep winning.

Folks like the OP need to get to Las Vegas and put their money where their mouth is. Bet on which teams left on the schedule that will beat this team.

From the time this team started practicing n the fall I thought this was a 1, possibly two loss team. They don't get past Ohio State and they could lose in Lincoln. With the recent rash of injuries two losses looks very possible.

Nebraska just completed a zero 1st down 1st quarter...at home...against Illinois. They're very average.

Nebraska is at Illinois, if that makes any difference.

I haven't seen a single team that makes me go "oh there's no way MSU beats them."

Baylor and TCU? Same as last year. Tons of points. Gotta win in a shootout. It's been done. Northwestern looks good on Defense, but I'm not sold on their offense. UM is hitting it's stride, but if both teams are playing A game MSU destroys them. Ohio State desn't look that good. Iowa? Wisconsin? I'm not scared.

Hey Herbie?

Illinois just beat Nebraska.

NigelUno wrote:Hey Herbie?

Illinois just beat Nebraska.

They were playing Nebraska

Northwestern is the only team that has impressed me in the Big Ten through 5 games. I think we can figure things out if we can get healthy, but Ohio State is eventually going to lose.