Monday Mailbag: Hurtin’ Huskers Edition

Have we established that Huskers are dropping like gas prices in Roswell, NM lately? It’s true. Okay, fresh week, clean slate, we’re feeling good and have solid queries as always. What do you wish to know, O’ thoughtful readers?

Brandon: (Auburn fan asking, by the way. Hence the “your”): No, I’m having a pretty good summer. However, the Angry Iowa Running Back Hating God (AIRBHG as it’s known) appears to be leaking over the Missouri and isn’t concerned with position.

Brandon: Unfortunately, the injuries, they happen. Having watched Saturday’s practice with Bock (Jake Bockoven), it was pretty slow. There was a weird vibe, too. I think a week without major dings would help. Invest in wood and automatic knocking machines.

Brandon: Excellent question. Wheel routes and screens have been seen many a time in practices so far. Not many long bombs have been thrown either, but I think that’s due to something else and I’ll get to that in a moment.

I think the idea’s to basically show the defense that if they want to load the box, that’s fine. Nebraska’s just going to run around the outside where you’re not and pick up yardage that way.

There’s also been a number of short to intermediate passes thrown in practice. Some very poorly thrown, but thrown nonetheless. Playaction should be one of Nebraska’s best friends this year.

Now, about that long bomb comment. Right now, Armstrong’s the only guy I’d trust heaving one deep and he’s not exactly money. There’s going to be some serious need for wide receivers to make plays this season.

Sure, there’s still time to get more reps before Nebraska heads to Fresno, but that’s still not much.

Brandon: Good year, yes. However, I see a flaw in your hypothesis.

For Nebraska to go 10-2, beat a big time bowl opponent and finish that high in the polls while not winning its division seems highly improbable, if not impossible. Let’s say the Huskers lose to Michigan State and Wisconsin.

They’re not going to Indianapolis or the College Football Playoff and if no Big Ten team makes that, they get pushed further down the pecking order.

No Florida bowl’s going to touch Nebraska as that trip’s been played out. In that case, I’d say the Holiday Bowl welcomes Nebraska and I could easily see Phil Steele’s prediction of Southern Cal being their opponent coming true.

The highest the Big Red could hope for in this situation would be No. 16 or 17 to end the season.

With all of that said, if Nebraska won the West, we’re looking at an entirely different (and potentially far more enjoyable) scenario for Husker fans.

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