You know what? We wait all year long for Nebraska football and are only guaranteed 12 games. Then we make our selves miserable because of over inflated expectations. Or maybe they are reasonable expectations but Nebraska just fails to meet them.
Getting embarrassed by Penn State and Iowa certainly does not help.
But even after all of that misery we get extra football tomorrow afternoon and then we are done. No more Nebraska football for almost nine months. So maybe we should just do our best and enjoy
it?
So here are six things I am looking forward to seeing in the matchup against Utah in which the Huskers are a two touchdown underdog.
The Running Back Room: Time for Nelson and Mozee?
After a historic season for Emmett Johnson, and million thank yous from Nebraska fans, he plans taking his shot at the NFL a year early. I don’t blame him and it is smart. Ameer Abdullah even said this season that he wishes he would have gone to the NFL a year early. It would have saved a year of wear and tear on his body.
So now it’s Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee’s opportunity for a ton of snaps. We kept on hearing about these two throughout the season but it’s hard to put them in and take snaps away from Johnson. So now they will get the lion’s share of the carries and I am expecting to see some flashes from at least one of them.
Or what about Kwinten Ives? I’ve been waiting on him as well. Or maybe Kenneth Williams? He’s a great kick-off returner but I’d be interested to see him at running back.
A New Look Defense? Rhule Coaching Defensive Line.
After getting embarrased by Penn State and Iowa, will there be anything that a change in coaching can accomplish on defense and more specifically the defensive line?
Phil Snow is the current interim-defensive coordinator and head coach Matt Rhule (turned his hate backwards) and is a positional coach again as he has focused on the defensive line.
Also add that Mike Eckler has taken on a role as a defensive assistant as well just like he did at Tennessee. Will it be permanent? I am expecting that it will be.
But what I am looking forward to seeing is if we actually notice any difference in the attitude and effort by the defense against one of the best offenses in the country in Utah. If they slow down the Utes rushing attack I think that will go a long way.
Will Matt Rhule find a way to stay as the defensive line coach? He said that he hasn’t been able to “coach” until now because he has been so busy with other issues surrounding the program.
I’m excited to see.
Another Game for T.J. Lateef
I actually enjoy watching T.J. Lateef play quarterback. It’s a style I enjoy. I cannot say the same for Dylan Raiola. That isn’t a knock at him but just when it comes to being entertaining I enjoy watching a quarterback with some wheels.
Now, whether that leads to winning will remain to be seen.
It sounds like he might be close to completely healthy as far as the hamstring goes which would be great news for Nebraska. He could also be auditioning for the starting job next year at Nebraska or maybe somewhere else.
Regardless this is another game for Lateef to get experience and let the staff know that he could be a force to reckon with. What will Dana Holgorsen do in the game plan? More quarterback designed runs?
Lateef is branded as a quarterback who can throw the ball but just enough mobility to make it difficult for defenses.
Change in the Offensive Line?
New offensive line coach Geep Wade is already in there coaching the offensive line. It sounds like the technique and style of the offensive line will be different but I am wondering if, like the defensive line, we will be able to see a markedly different group just through the bowl game.
While at Georgia Tech the past three seasons his crew ranked seventh nationally in sacks allowed (1.0 per game), ninth in rushing yards per carry (5.3) and 13th in rushing yards per game (197.8). Georgia Tech ranked third among Power Four programs in rushing yards per game during Wade’s three seasons.
I am excited to see what differences we can see in the bowl game.
If we can somehow find a way to run the ball over and over again against a team like Utah then we will likely win the off-season championship again.
Opportunity to Exceed Expectations
Right now Nebraska is a fourteen point underdog and fan expectations for this bowl game are pretty low.
Jocko: “Good.”
This is an opportunity for the Huskers to exceed expectations and maybe pull off an upset.
Should we expect it? No, but you never know what will happen with a bowl game.
Surprise Players: Who Will It Be?
Bowl games are perfect opportunities to play younger players. I think we will see multiple players make plays tomorrow afternoon that we have not seen all season long.
The most obvious one would be Justyn Rhett as Deshon Singleton will not be playing because of an injury. But who else? Maybe we will see some young linebackers splash or a wide receiver here or there.
Who do you think it could be?
So here are six things I’m looking forward to watching in Nebraska’s last football game of the season. What are you looking forward to watching? Might as well enjoy it as we will have no Nebraska football for nine months.
