Bad D Rising

The defense stinks. That’s about as plain as I can put it. It the past three weeks the Blackshirts have allowed over 1400 yards and find themselves as the 77^th rated defense in the country. It’s a far cry from the days of the real Blackshirts consistently staying in the top five in the country. USC was obviously way too powerful and had a mismatch at every position. Ball State may have been a bit of a hangover and a trap game, but they still found a way to win. The first 25 minutes of last Saturday’s game against Iowa State had me thinking that the Cyclones could go into Lincoln and win. Thankfully, the Huskers found a way to win both games after the Trojan debacle.

This weekend could be a flat out disaster. I realized at the beginning of the year that the defensive line would be a little weak due to lack of experience, I just didn’t think it would be this bad. Kevin Cosgrove isn’t doing his squad any favors either by not adjusting to what opposing offenses are doing either.

The one saving grace this weekend against Mizzou will be that Tony Temple has basically been nowhere. I know I haven’t heard much about their running game. Hopefully they don’t find their stride Saturday night. Nebraska’s defense is going to be on the field a lot, just like they have been the last three weeks. If anything, it’s conditioning them quite well.

Despite the fact that Iowa State ran a gaudy 102 plays from scrimmage last week, they were only able to put 17 points on the board. Nebraska also turned the ball over three times in the first half and somehow found themselves up 14-10 at the half. You can’t play like this against a quality opponent and on the road. Faurot Field will be a madhouse and the Huskers will have to do something to keep the crowd out of it and keep Missouri’s offense off the field.

If Nebraska can keep some long drives going, and sustain some semblance of a drive now and again, it will increase their chances of winning. Missouri doesn’t stay on the field long while moving the ball. If the Huskers can wear down the Tiger defense they should be able to put up some points in the second half.

All optimism aside, Missouri is one of the best at third down conversions and Nebraska so far is not playing up to par on stopping teams on third. That’s not a very good stat to take on the road with you. I picked the Huskers to win at the beginning of the year, but I’m going to rescind. Missouri 34, Nebraska 17.