Well that looked better. Sure it was against a bad foe, but that's what bad foes are meant for, to work out the kinks before they get truly tested. The run game looked better...
The Big Red Throwdown:
...but it's not quite Miami better. And this is what I'm concerned about, among other things about Nebraska. The only saving grace I have to say is that Miami is similar to Nebraska in a lot of ways, which makes for this awesome rivalry. Speaking of rivalries, did you not go to the Miami game last year? Oh man, hands down on the top 3 of best Nebraska games you should've been at (The other two being "The Northwesterkatch" (Northwestern 2013) and Colorado 2008 (You know, when Henery broke the FG record followed shortly by Suh's pick-six in the last minute of the freaking game. Headaches for ages man)).
And I am fairly fortunate that I was able to watch the Miami game with some of my good friends, we had a hell of a time yelling and screaming and booing our asses off. Oh and people flipped out when they 1) Did the flashback Tunnel Walk and 2) This masterpiece (Image courtesy of Wall Street Journal)
Just simply because it was Miami. The team that Nebraska faced seemingly every damn year in a bowl game, including a few national championship bouts. But enough dwelling in the past, I say that Miami is very similar to Nebraska because of recent success as well...or lack of. Both of these programs have had high expectations, great talent, and post-season aspirations, but yet seem to fall short, thus putting their coaches on the hot seat to do better, one eventually getting fired (Take a wild guess folks)
But as my tagline/this weeks/Miami Week/the student section slogan says: (Source, Boneyard Twitter)
Nebraska's run game looked significantly better, but it isn't Miami ready. I liked that Newby was getting some more confidence in the running game, but the freshman that shined in the BYU game (Wilbon) hardly got any looks if any! The pass defense still smells so Kayaa will have a field day with that, the only hope is if they can score just as much and enter a shootout. Miami is favored by 3, and I will concur to that spread, sadly. It would be a big win though to counter the loss to BYU
Nebraska O vs. Miami D: Edge Miami. The run game will not last against Miami's front line, and that means they will have to rely on Armstrong's...arm. *shudders*. The good thing is the pass game is looking better under Riley. But I would still never put faith into Armstrong.
Nebraska D vs. Miami O: Edge Miami. Has anyone seen Nebraska's pass defense? Or lack of? Now look at the other side of the ball and bring in Brad Kayaa. Praying for a shootout because Nebraska will not stay competitive in the passing game.
Special Teams: This will actually be the first game where Nebraska will see a distinct difference in what kind of team they really are when they do not have Demornay (RIP).
Prediction: Miami 37, Nebraska 31. (Sorry)
The Rest of the Week in Football:
AP Top 25:
1) Ohio State (Not unanimous anymore...)
2) Alabama
3) TCU
4) Michigan State (Up 1, the win over Oregon is a great confidence booster as the Spartans might be more of an offensive team this year. Watch yourself Ohio State...)
5) Baylor (Down 1)
6) USC (Up 2)
7) Georgia (Up 3)
8) Notre Dame (Up 1, only a matter of time before injuries catch up to them, still overrated otherwise)
9) Florida State (Up 2)
10) UCLA (Up 3, still overrated)
11) Clemson (Up 1)
12) Oregon (Down 5)
13) LSU (Up 1)
14) Georgia Tech (Up 1)
15) Ole Miss (Up 2)
16) Oklahoma (Up 3, perhaps the talents of the Sooners are overrated with their struggle against Tennessee...or Tennessee honestly does deserve some credit)
17) Texas A&M (Down 1, still not 100% sold on the Aggies)
18) Auburn (Down 12, finally the AP voters have woken up and have placed the frauds to where they truly belong (maybe still a bit generous, the season is still young). I actually really wanted to see them lose last week to prove my point, but an overtime win is good enough)
19) BYU (NR, sure they play well, but two game winning hail marys isn't quite justifying a ranking entirely, but I'll bite for now. Not bad for a backup anyway I suppose)
20) Arizona (Up 2)
21) Utah (Up 3)
22) Missouri (Down 1)
23) Northwestern (NR, generous?)
24) Wisconsin (NR)
25) Oklahoma State (NR)
Dropped: Arkansas (Yikes...Toledo wasn't one of the 8 ranked teams they face), Boise State, Tennessee (Shouldn'tve been ranked), Mississippi State (Give them time...I still believe)
Trending: Temple (Hmm, they might be on to something), West Virginia, Toledo (Calm down AP voters), Kansas State, Houston, Florida
What to Watch for:
Last Week 7-1 (Mississippi State couldn't quite pull it off over LSU). Overall 10-4.
Auburn @ LSU - LSU 38, Auburn 20
Why oh why is Auburn still ranked...LSU by a mile. Also because LSU looked poised against Mississippi State.
Georgia Tech @ Notre Dame - Georgia Tech 38, Notre Dame 34
Mm, highlight of the week. One of these teams will walk out of this game as a national contender, the other exposed as a fraud *cough Notre Dame cough*. A small fluke if they do pull off the upset.
Ole Miss @ Alabama - Ole Miss 41, Alabama 35
Jk lol this might be the highlight of the week. Who would have ever thought that Alabama's defense might not be enough? Well that's exactly what I am saying. Sure, Ole Miss has only lit up bad teams, but there is a lot of potential to shatter Alabama's defense, mostly because they specialize in run defense...well Ole Miss is getting it done through the air. Bama doesn't quite have enough offense to keep up so hope that their defense does stay with it.
BYU @ UCLA - BYU 31, UCLA 24
The bold prediction of the week...mostly because I can sleep better at night when Nebraska loses to an eventual quality team. And UCLA is overrated. Oh and BYU will win via Hail Mary.
Meanwhile...in the NFL:
Thurs Night: Broncos @ Chiefs - Chiefs 24, Broncos 20
The Broncos did not look so tough against a stout Raven's defense...the Chiefs aren't quite as stout...but they ripped apart the Texans and cost me fantasy points there. Chiefs with home field.
Sun Night: Seahawks @ Packers - Seahawks 24, Packers 21
Neither team looked particularly outstanding in their openers (Seahawks lost...Packers weren't putting away the Bad News Bears) and historically (aka the last two years) the Seahawks have had Rodgers number. Thankfully he isn't my fantasy QB this time around.
Mon Night Jets @ Colts - Colts 34, Jets 17
Colts with a quick fluke against the Bills, but the Bills are also contenders. The Jets meanwhile only beat up on the equally struggling Browns. Luck will be able to bring the air raid brigade Monday night.
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