Hello Darkness, My Old Friend.
We lost a Big Ten game again.
It was a weak and feeble attempt at playing football. How you rack up over 400 yards of offense only to score 13 points is beyond me, and it was beyond Matt Rhule as well, who sacrificed Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen to the mob.
Let’s face it…we’ve had torches and pitchforks out for weeks.
But on a cold and windy Friday night in Champaign, Nebraska’s offense sputtered. Three drives of eleven plays apiece that resulted in two missed
field goals and a turnover on downs.
Previously, Nebraska could not close out games. Now that epidemic has transmuted to not being able to close out drives with points.
What had worked for the Huskers in previous games was absent on Friday night. Nebraska won the time-of-possession, but couldn’t get off the field on third down, as the Illini converted on 8 of 15 third down chances. And field position also favored the home team, as the Huskers average starting spot was their own 21 yard line. Illinois’ average field position start was their 31 yard line.
Everything went wrong Friday night, and honestly, I don’t know how much longer Matt Rhule has. He has two massive reasons to be retained – the 2027 recruiting class and the $63-million buyout.
That Holgorsen was fired and Brett Maher didn’t go with him is mind-boggling.
Nebraska fans deserve better. We’re sure as hell footing the bill for more than what we’re getting.
So join Jake and Greg tonight at 9pm Central to wallow in misery together.
