Nebraska Football: Husker tailgate talk after the bye …

Still not talking about the goodbye to Chinander or Frost. It’s all about moving forward. The Nebraska football team are 0-1 in conference play and it’s time to even up the score.  After the dust settled these past couple of weeks, there is only 1 de-commit. That’s pretty good. And it’s HOMECOMING week! That’s pretty great.

Big Red (ours burns brighter) will take on the Indiana Hoosiers Saturday night at 6:30 and the game will be televised on the B1G Ten network. It’s going to be a beautiful, mostly sunny day with light winds, some gusts, and temps reaching into the upper 70’s in the afternoon. Bring a light jacket for once the sun goes down.

Nebraska football Homecoming brings back memories of tissue-stuffed floats rolling down the street during the Homecoming parade, and various Homecoming competitions between the dormitories, and between the Greek houses. Neighbors against neighbors. It’s kind of been that way in north stadium too it appears.

This week (and last week), according to the coaches and players, was all about competition between each other. The depth chart has opened up (finally) and there is no longer a thick line between walk on and scholarship kids. GOOD! That’s how it should be! Husker Defensive Back, Marques Buford said it correctly, “We all still need to grind to get your spot.” (This is where I would insert the cool Gladiator picture saying “are you not amused?” but lawyers, copyright, blah blah blah.) You get the point.

There was a “good effort in practice” the past two weeks where some Cornhusker on Cornhusker crime was happening. That’s young guy slang for number 1’s going against other number1’s hard and letting the dust settle where it may. Hearing “good effort” somehow seems more trustworthy when it comes out of Coach Mickey Joseph’s mouth. Some players may even be getting their swagger back. GOOD!!

Don’t take my word for it. Brody Belt – notable Omaha walk-on – stated that “Mickey is taking the program in a good direction.” When asked about interim defensive coordinator, Bill Busch, Belt said, “he’s a hard ass, but the good kind.”  When asked to expand on that he said that coach will get on you about something, but it’s to help you be better next time.

It’s almost like some coaches were yelling at the kids without teaching them….nah, that can’t be it. I mean that would be the actions of a coach who was more interested in his next tee time rather than the future of the program. That surely wasn’t happening.

Back to good influences on the Husker roster –Word on the street is that Busch is the Detail King. GOOD! That defense needs a lot of attention to detail this week because Indiana plays FAST on offense. That will be a problem. How fast is fast you ask? They had 114 snaps against Cincinnati defense last week.

We all know It’s been leaky over the middle for this Husker defense. Leakier than a cloth diaper on a newborn. Leakier than Head Coach names for Nebraska Football. However in his radio show, Athletic Director Trev Alberts said none of the names “leaked” so far are accurate. That’s interesting and funny at the same time. Husker fans just can’t seem to do without some kind of drama.

For an expert opinion what to expect Saturday night, this is what the odds makers are saying…click here. I think Nebraska football needs to be better on 3rd downs, on both sides of the ball. Control the pace, control the mistakes. Bottom line, the Huskers need this win. It’s a MUST have to be brutally honest. They need it more than a prom queen needs a date for the Homecoming dance. Husker football needs to build some confidence, some swagger if you will. Some feel good in Memorial Stadium is long overdue.

Speaking of a little “feel good,”  I went with the peanut butter and jelly feel good taste for the shot. It’s grape jello (maybe a little shout out to the K-State Wildcat QB, Adrian Martinez in his win over OU) and Skrewball whisky. It tastes so good you almost want to spread it on toast. Mix 1 cup of boiling water with the grape jello and dissolve. Add in 3/4 cup of Skrewball, stir, pour and chill it up!

The double dose after a bye week is the Peachy feeling you will have after a Husker victory! Peach jello and Peach Crown whiskey. Use the same proportions as with the other recipe. You’re welcome!

Bring your loud voices. Husker Nation on prime time should shine. Let the players know you are behind them, no matter who is leading them. Be courteous at the tailgates. Be patient when you leave the game, as everyone will need to get home safely and celebrate after the Homecoming VICTORY.

Hit me up on Twitter @kelian_NE and share your Nebraska football gameday tailgate adventures or drink recipes. GO BIG RED!