Two truths and a lie for Nebraska football after bowl-clinching Wisconsin win
The Nebraska football is almost certainly going to a bowl game for the first time since the 2016 season. The Huskers went out and led the Wisconsin Badgers almost from start to finish in a game they finally won 44-25.
It was easily the best game the team has played since it looked like it was going to go on a roll back in Setpember. With the win, NU gets a giant monkey off its back as it had been 0-8 entering today when they were attempting to get one more win in order to get bowl eligible under head coach Matt Rhule.
Truth: Dana Holgorsen is a massive reason Nebraska football beat Wisconsin
I spent the better part of last year and this year attempting to defend Marcus Satterfield and believing that a lot more of the offense’s struggles were on the players than the coach. I didn’t think he was anywhere near perfect, but I believed the struggles were more on guys not executing.
Holgorsen has been the offensive coordinator for three weeks (2 games) and the difference is remarkable. The offense scored the most points it ever has under Rhule, against a Badgers’ team that might not be great, but statistically is the third best defense NU has faced all season.
Truth: Jacory Barney is going to be a problem for the Big Ten next year
One of the craziest things about Jacory Barney’s season is that he broke the freshman record for receptions today and it feels like very few people realized he touched the ball that often. Today was his coming out party to show what he can do in Holgorsen’s offense. 9 catches for 85 yards and an 11 yard rush. He also had a 45 yard kick return and a 9 yard punt return.
Barney is going to be scary with an offseason to train and learn and grow. Especially with a second-year Dylan Raiola throwing him the ball.
Lie: Nebraska football’s defense is fine
There is nothing more disconcerting right now about this team than the Blackshirts. More specifically, there’s nothing more disconcerting than the way the secondary is playing the last few games.
Tony White has talked about the blown coverages, but for whatever reason, it’s not getting fixed. Chief among the problems seem to be the safeties blowing their help coverage almost all the time. Whether it’s a matter of different guys needing to play, or schemes being simplified the way Holgorsen said he did with the offense, something’s gotta change.
Giving up 25 points to a team that fired its offensive coordinator this week, and that was without its top wide receiver is inexcusable. Especially the way they allowed those points. The Nebraska football team could beat Iowa next Friday, but not if the defense is helpless against any team’s passing offense.