Nebraska Tailgate Talk: Our Aussie is better than your Aussie

The Akron Zips are headed to Lincoln to play against the Nebraska football team in a 6:30 night game, televised on BTN Saturday. Just what is a Zip? Akron has a kangaroo mascot named "Zippy." Not to brag toomuch but OUR Aussie, (punter Archie Wilson who was stellar last week in Arrowhead) is better than Akron's Aussie native. I didn't have that statement on my college football bingo card, but it should have been there. The weather will be BEAUTIFUL for tailgating with the highs in the low 70's and not much movement in temperature for game time at 68 degrees. Bring a hoodie for 4th quarter.

The Cornhuskers are 1-0 coming into Saturday's much-anticipated first home game. I'll admit that the game against the Bearcats had way too much of a pucker factor at the end of the game for my comfort zone but I'll take the win and keep moving. They always say the most improvement happens between games 1 and 2. I hope it's true but I also think there are going to remain a lot of questions until the end of the month.

Nebraska Football Tailgate Talk: Our Aussie is better than your Aussie

A bright note in Thursday's performance was a healthy Teddy Prochazka on the O-line. He played the entire game and said after the game that it was "a great feeling." There was also praise for him from his QB. Raiola said, "(he) sets the standard for the entire O-line." There may have been some injury ghosts that were exorcised for Prochazka after that full first game. I look for him to keep improving as the season continues.

Another bright note from Thursday's game was the emergence of reliable wide receivers. I know the cover 3 defense from the Bearcats had things in the oh too familiar dink and dunk pattern but the in stride catch and touchdown by Husker Wide Receiver Dane Key was a reason to shout "BINGO!" Another box checked off. The other hard-fought touchdown by Nyziah Hunter was GLORIOUS.
Fighting for a 50/50 ball and winning the fight WAS on my bingo card and it was nice to be able to finally mark it accomplished.

Sad news out of last week's game is the season-ending loss of Huskers junior pass catcher Janiran Bonner with a torn ACL. The Cornhuskers will see an injection of more Heinrich Haarberg and Carter Nelson. Don't forget that Nelson had hip labrum surgery on both hips in the off season. The plan to bring him along slowly may have just been stepped up. Don't get me wrong, Luke Lindenmeyer is gritty, tough and wonderful when he catches the ball in stride and drags opposing team players along the ground for a few more yards like toilet paper on your shoe, but Big Red needs to have more than one option.

Speaking of options, I look forward to seeing a #2 Nebraska running back emerge over the next couple of weeks. After Isaiah Mozee and Mekhi Nelson were as effective as a glass hammer last week, someone needs be the "next man up." I suspect we see more of Husker Junior Kwinton Ives as well. The running back room is full of freshman and redshirt freshman. How does that happen? If I'm the GM of the team or Head Coach Rhule, I may be making a short list of new coaches at the running back position. E.J. Barthel has been on borrowed time for a while in my book.

I want to see the Blackshirts show up in a big way on Saturday. I'm definitely looking for improvement in the run defense like everyone else. Even Defensive Coordinator John Butler said he was wanting to see his defense "get off blocks" better going forward. It's a lighter D line than before but that needs to translate into getting to the QB. Only two Tackles for losses and Zero sacks last game makes me nervous. These next couple of games need to help distinguish linebackers other than Vincent Shavers, Jr. as well. (my 2 cents).

With the lovely weather, the Nebraska football tailgates will be in full swing. The food and beverage choices will be as plentyful as the Emmett Johnson carries from last week. In honor of the Kangaroo mascot, I'm having a jello shot that packs a punch at my Husker tailgate. The secret is that instead of water, I made Jolly Rancher green apple drink mix to add to the jello. One cup of the juice to 3/4 cup of the Crown Apple liquor to a package of green apple jello. I'm hoping this is the ONLY pucker factor in the game Saturday night.