Husker Football: Hondo Carpenter Weighs In On Michigan State

If you’ve listened to local Husker football talk radio, you probably know the name of Spartan Nation overlord Hondo Carpenter. If you don’t, let me be blunt, because he is. “Hardcore”, as I so lovingly call him, isn’t shy with his opinions.

When I needed a look into the Big Red’s future when it came to meeting up with Sparty, there was only one man to call.

Keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times and be sure to get your two cents in with the poll at the bottom.

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Husker Corner (Brandon): This is quite possibly the most difficult game on Nebraska’s schedule. What must the Huskers do to win?

Carpenter: Last year, Bo Pelini and his staff cost the Huskers this game. Even with so many turnovers, Nebraska had the Spartans on the ropes and had the lead running the ball and they went away from it. This staff isn’t content winning as one B1G coach explained them to me.

He said, “They have to try to prove they are smarter than everyone and that is why every year they have a couple of losses that don’t make sense.” The Huskers must come in and stay on the offensive and hope that Bo Pelini doesn’t make a coaching error like going away from what was working last year in Lincoln.

Husker Corner: Who will cause Nebraska the most trouble on offense and defense?

Carpenter: On offense it is Jeremy Langford and Josiah Price. Langford is an old school runner that gets better with more carries and price is emerging as a major threat at the TE spot this year. That was an underutilized position last year and won’t be this season.

On defense, I think it will be Darian Harris. No matter if he is in the middle or the outside his sub 4.4 speed at a linebacker spot can be a difference maker against a team like the Huskers.

Husker Corner: Are there any weak areas on Michigan State’s team the Huskers can exploit?

Carpenter: On offense, they have to be able to get pressure on MSU with their front so they can blitz when they want to and NOT when they have to. On defense, every Spartan has experience so I think they have to be very balanced and keep the Spartans guessing. Once they find something working they can’t get cute and go away from it.

Husker Corner: Who are some under-the-radar players Nebraska fans should know about?

Carpenter: Josiah Price already mentioned at TE as well as Darien Harris. Ed Davis is an explosive LB who played last year and made plays, but was not a starter.

Joel Heath is a new DT that is incredibly athletic and has a ton of speed. He moves to DT from DE as the Spartans upgrade the speed of the D this year in a major way. On offense, keep an eye on Connor Kruse. A solid OL player that started as a walk-on (Just like LT Jack Conklin) and has a chance to play himself into The League.

Husker Corner: How do you see the Nebraska-Michigan State game playing out?

Carpenter: I think it will be a battle into the fourth quarter and once again Bo Pelini and his staff will make an error and the Spartans will pull away by a late score

How do you see Nebraska’s season playing out?

I have zero faith in Pelini. Nebraska is a top five job in college football and he manages a way to lose four games every year. This is his best team and I think they go 7-5 (4-4) this season. Not because they don’t have the talent to win the B1G West, but because I don’t think they have the coach to do it.

Again, I love the Husker program and they deserve better. The Huskers should be much better, but I know the BoLievers will defend him again this year and the rest of the B1G will thank you.

Stay sleepy Husker Nation, nobody in the B1G wants you where you belong. Sadly that includes many of you who have given up being college football royalty and have embraced the mediocrity that you now have. At least Purdue would love 4 loss seasons, I never thought Husker Nation would.

Someone owes an ICON of the Husker Nation and one of the greatest human beings on earth an apology: Frank Solich.

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