Boy, another close Northwestern game with Nebraska on the losing end of this one. And of course everyone is still calling for heads to roll and what not. But let's look at this game closely. Losing by 2 at home to a formerly 5-0 team (albeit again Nebraska should be close to undefeated themselves) is still something to be looking up to for next year as they'll be keeping most of the same key parts as the team finally understands Riley's system. Here's what I liked about the Northwestern game, Nebraska honestly outplayed Northwestern for the majority of the game. Aside from 2 big QB scrambles, the defense kept Northwestern in check through the entire game (except for their last possession where it looked like the defense shit themselves). But they got a freakin safety. A SAFETY. Haven't seen great things like that from our defense in a while (or as one of my friends puts it, "since the war" that she has never been a part of). So why did they lose? Could we blame Armstrong as usual? Eh we could, he threw an extremely foolish pick-six. But our receivers had butterfingers for a pre-game snack so maybe its not entirely on Armstrong. But that question could be answered this Saturday...
The Big Red Throwdown:
So if Nebraska lost all 5 of their games thus far by a combined 13 points while still figuring out a new system, I think that's something to look forward to. Or is it? This year Nebraska has yet to face a ranked team (upon facing them. BYU was eventually ranked, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Northwestern were ranked, but were not when Nebraska faced them) and as it stands (and will probably hold) Nebraska has two ranked teams on the schedule (Michigan State and Iowa). Everyone gives Pelini a bad rep for getting blown out of the "big ranked games". So lets take a quick gander at the past, highlighting ranked wins and any ranked losses more than 13 points under Pelini:
2008 (Faced 3 ranked teams)
#4 Missouri, Home, Lost by 35
#4 Oklahoma, Away, Lost by 34
2009 (Faced 5 ranked teams)
#24 Missouri, Away, Won by 15
#22 Arizona, Bowl Game, Won by 33 (and shutout)
2010 (Faced 4 ranked teams)
#7 Missouri, Home, Won by 14
2011 (Faced 5 ranked teams)
#7 Wisconsin, Away, Lost by 31
#9 Michigan State, Home, Won by 21
#20 Michigan, Away, Lost by 28
#10 South Carolina, Bowl Game, Lost by 17
2012 (Faced 3 ranked teams)
#12 Ohio State, Away, Lost by 25
#20 Michigan, Home, Won by 14
#6 Georgia, Bowl Game, Lost by 14
2013 (Faced 3 ranked teams)
#16 UCLA, Home, Lost by 20
#16 Michigan State, Home, Lost by 13
2014 (Faced 3 ranked teams)
#22 Wisconsin, Away, Lost by 35
So I say it's still too early to judge Mike Riley, but those games against Michigan State and Iowa will be critical for evaluation for the future. Then again, the counter point can be if for whatever reason both Michigan State and Iowa become unranked, it'll be "We lost 5+ games against non-ranked teams wtf is this bs" Which we can save that conversation for a later time.
But you know what else is an evaluation for Nebraska? The game against Purdue on Saturday. Why? Its just Purdue? Exactly! It is just Purdue. 1 of the 3 clearly-worse-than Nebraska teams in the Big Ten this year which means no matter what Nebraska does, they should be able to win, right? Such as start their back-up QB...right? Well that's what Nebraska has to do against Purdue because Armstrong is out with a foot injury, which means its Ryker Fyfe time! So even though it is Purdue and its on the road, starting a back up QB on the road can be skeptical, so I will give Ryker and Purude some faith and say that this should be a closer game than if Armstrong was starting. But here's the thing folks, if Nebraska completely dismantles Purdue with Fyfe under the gun, then maybe some of these losses we can tab to Armstrong instead of blaming Riley completely. If its a close win or Nebraska loses, then it might be Riley's fault after all and we can evaluate if his head needs to roll or not.
Nebraska O vs Purdue D: Advantage Nebraska. Seriously even with Fyfe under the gun, there shouldn't be much of a backwards trend facing Purdue in this aspect of the game
Nebraska D vs Purdue O: Advantage Nebraska. Seriously, its just Purdue folks.
Special Teams: Its just Purdue. Release the Demornay!
Nebraska 38, Purdue 20
Expected Score if Armstrong was starting: 52-17 (meaning that if Ryker gets close to this score, its Armstrong's fault)
(This is Ryker Fyfe by the way, the new face of the Cornhuskers, courtesy of the Journal Star)
The Rest of the Week in College Football:
Again, the data is outdated because busy life is busy. We'll be up to speed next week I swear.
AP Poll:
1) Ohio State
2) Baylor
3) Clemson (Up 3)
4) LSU (Up 1)
5) TCU (Down 1)
6) Michigan State (Up 1)
7) Alabama (Up 1)
8) Stanford (Up 2)
9) Notre Dame (Up 2)
10) Iowa (Up 2)
11) Florida (Up 2)
12) Oklahoma State (Up 2)
13) Utah (Down 10)
14) Oklahoma (Up 3)
15) Michigan
16) Memphis (Up 2)
17) Florida State (Down 8)
18) Houston (Up 3)
19) Ole Miss (Up 5)
20) Toledo (Down 1)
21) Temple (Up 1)
22) Duke (Up 1)
23) Pittsburgh (Up 2)
24) UCLA
25) Mississippi State
Dropped: Texas A&M, California
Trending: North Carolina, BYU, Georgia, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Appalachian State, Washington State
Again, kind of a bland week for predictions; but there is a very interesting game:
Notre Dame @ Temple - Notre Dame 27, Temple 21
Temple is having a very fantastic season, all of that hinging on their defense. If that defense can show up against a spotty Notre Dame team, then this'll be quite the upset.
Meanwhile, In the NFL...
Sun Night: Packers @ Broncos - Packers 26, Broncos 19
This'll be a fun game. High octane offense versus a brick wall. Normally the brick wall wins, but when the offense is guided by A-aron Rodgers and the brick wall is supplemented by a struggling Peyton Manning, think we're giving the edge to the offense.
Mon Night: Panthers @ Colts - Panthers 30, Colts 17
The Colts are slowly getting it together, but it is sad to see one of the pre-season Super Bowl favorites struggling so much, whereas the Panthers are trying to keep pace with the Falcons in the NFC South, and they are doing quite a fine job of that. The Panthers shut down defense will be able to stifle the struggling Colts, even when on the road
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