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Armchair Coaching for the Husker Holiday bowl game

By Kelli Anne

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Interim Head Coach Barney Cotton said, “they are a physical bunch.”  But he also said so are the Huskers. Check out our injury report for the latest updates on who is watching from the sidelines and who will be competing.

Nov 15, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive end Randy Gregory (4) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 59-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Huskers are playing against an 8-4 team but to me that means we are pretty evenly matched up. Check out our EDGE article for the stats. My question is which team will be showing up to play? This is the Mental part of the game. Even without all the changes this was a team that could show up and look great (see the Miami game) or be lost on the field (See the Wisconsin game). And the biggest unknown is how will Cotton do as a head coach? This leads you right into other questions like can Beck do better without Pelini. Can Papuchis handle the defense without Pelini? These are the things that sit in the back of my mind as you watch the Huskers enjoy their bowl game week.

The X’s and O’s. The good news is that Ameer Abdullah has seemed to benefit from the time off, as has Randy Gregory. Kenny Bell will be playing his last game in a Husker uniform. I suspect there will be a lot of balls thrown his way because I don’t think Tommy Armstrong can help himself.  Abdullah will have his hands full too as USC is ranked 26th in defending the run. Put in a fullback and see where things flow. I think the cumulative effect will be critical and Abdullah being healthy is key to that part of the puzzle.We are going to need all 4 of those guys to play dang near perfect ball to come out on top.Vegas is still picking USC by 7 points.

Nov 28, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Kenny Bell (80) celebrates with his team after scoring a touchdown in overtime to beat the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Nebraska beat Iowa 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Key to the game. I may be oversimplifying things but we are going to need to disrupt their QB Cody Kessler. Being thin at linebacker is going to really put it on Gregory to create some havoc. Kessler loves to throw the ball and I’m hoping our defensive backs have really done their homework and can keep things limited. Nate Gerry could pick off a couple and I’d be doing a happy dance or two. I’m a firm believer in you don’t have to defend the pass if he can’t throw the ball.

Nov 15, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 59-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

I know I’m one of about a million Armchair coaches for the Huskers. Where I’m different is “at the end of the day” I’m just glad we are in a respectable bowl game against a very reputable opponent. I’m OF COURSE hoping for a victory but regardless, I’m still a fan, first and foremost. These kids have been through a LOT this past month. They deserve a chance to go out there and forget about all of that for a little while and coming home with a “W” would go a long way to easing into the new Riley era . So good luck and GO BIG RED!!

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