Do you think TJ gives us a better chance to win than a healthy Dylan?

[jaihawk]

Once again, reminds me of the guys in front of me at the game that were openly celebrating DR getting injured. They were proclaiming to anyone that would listen that TJ was going to play so well, that DR would be transferring out at the end of the year because he would know he wasn't going to start again...

 

[BIGSTICK67]

My yes is a potentially. I'm much more in the maybe category.

My thought...Can it be that much worse?

25 ppg
312 ypg
196 pypg
116 rypg


Basically in our effort to be great at everything we are great at nothing.

LaTeef may just fail. But I argue that the result might have ended up the same. I think we should have some grace in our expectations for an inexperienced freshman playing his first meaningful minutes on the road in the Big 10.

As I replied to you in another thread, I could see us being tougher to defend due to TJ's running threat. Does that mean the numbers are better, and does it really matter if yardage/starts are at a higher level? If we win it might.

As @gtlacey mentions, it's tough to play P4 as a freshman and not expect mistakes such as turnovers.

 

[V-Doub]

Once again, reminds me of the guys in front of me at the game that were openly celebrating DR getting injured. They were proclaiming to anyone that would listen that TJ was going to play so well, that DR would be transferring out at the end of the year because he would know he wasn't going to start again...

 

[...TrueColors...]

UCLA is dead last in the conference in sacks. If there was a good game to have a kid start his first game it’s this one.

 

[djw004]

My goal for Lateef is:

1 - remove the careless ball handling. He had a fumble and a fumbled snap. If you can remove all that for a 60 min game we can beat UCLA.

2 - overall TOs. If he could somehow keep it to just 1 vs UCLA I think we can win. He'll fumble or throw a pick for sure. If he could keep it to 1 TO overall that would be huge.

3 - find the right mix of running plays, QB run plays and pass plays. I don't think Lateef is built to do 12 running plays/game. I think you're gonna have to pick your spots. I'm not counting the coverage breakdown scrambles either & he'll probably do 4 of those

He was credited with 3 fumbles in less than a half. That's my large fear.

 

[V-Doub]

UCLA is dead last in the conference in sacks. If there was a good game to have a kid start his first game it’s this one.

Also, if it has to be on the road, it’s a good 1st road start. Nebraska will have as many or more fans in the stands and the weather should be pretty decent. Plus TJ will likely get to perform in front of family and friends.

 

[That SOB Van Owen]

Well I am pleasantly surprised by the results. Thought it would be around 10% yes.

 

[ShortSideOption]

I will prefer a more mobile QB like Lateef most days, but Raiola is a superior QB at this time.

Glass is half full heading into UCLA, our OL is so bad and injured right now, getting someone who is a run threat back there may actually help things rather than a "statue" (for lack of a better word).

 

[LNKinLNK]

New starter > "This guy is going to be really good" > "Coaches need to learn how to call plays to his strengths." > "This guy sucks. The backup shows a lot of promise." > New Starter.

This is a never ending loop which we have just restarted. Question is, how many quarters before fans start calling for Gramstad. I predict 5.

 

[SlumpBuster]

UCLA is dead last in the conference in sacks. If there was a good game to have a kid start his first game it’s this one.

They're gonna have 10 prob

 

[Cavalot]

As I replied to you in another thread, I could see us being tougher to defend due to TJ's running threat. Does that mean the numbers are better, and does it really matter if yardage/starts are at a higher level? If we win it might.

As @gtlacey mentions, it's tough to play P4 as a freshman and not expect mistakes such as turnovers.

I would expect some mistakes. DR made lots and has continued to this year. His broken ankle was a result of not throwing the ball away soon enough which then led to a turnover.

I would hypothesize that if the numbers get better in every category it would result in more offensive scoring. Our red zone offense has not been good. Could it get better with a more mobile qb? I would say yes.

Bottom line... Holgerson has to mitigate the risk with his young qb while not hamstringing LaTeef or the rest of the team. That's what great coaches do. I wouldn't say Holgerson has been masterful thus far this season. Maybe mobility and athleticism will help with this. Remains to be seen.

 

[betsch]

Sorry, I was thinking about head.

 

[Cavalot]

Yes, it can be much worse. The main category being turnovers. Dylan improved greatly in that category this year and we're positive on the year, the first time 2016. (we were even in 2019)

Our YPG and PPG might increase under Lateef but so might the turnovers, and that's usually not a worthwhile trade-off.

And yet here we sit with 6 wins regardless of the turnover ratios. One might argue that getting sacked 5 times a game might be just as hamstringing.

We don't know what we don't know. So until this saturday we will just have hope that a young qb can protect the ball as well as possible while perhaps igniting a stagnant offense.

I would ask the question....Where would we be without EJ? He is the difference maker on this offense in big 10 play. Not our QB. So with that there is a possibility that we could be as affective if not more with mobility at qb.

 

[Irv]

He was credited with 3 fumbles in less than a half. That's my large fear.

The three fumbles is terrifying. But didn’t they mention during the game that DR leads the big 10 in turnovers?

There is at least potential to improve in this area (if, you, know he can receive a snap and switch the ball to his outside hand).

 

[RedSavage]

He was credited with 3 fumbles in less than a half. That's my large fear.

He was also thrust into his first real game action (HCU doesn't count) with the task of a 4th quarter game winning drive. I can only imagine how nervous he was which I can also only imagine played at least some part in what we saw.

 

[gtlacey]

And yet here we sit with 6 wins regardless of the turnover ratios. One might argue that getting sacked 5 times a game might be just as hamstringing.

We don't know what we don't know. So until this saturday we will just have hope that a young qb can protect the ball as well as possible while perhaps igniting a stagnant offense.

I would ask the question....Where would we be without EJ? He is the difference maker on this offense in big 10 play. Not our QB. So with that there is a possibility that we could be as affective if not more with mobility at qb.

We sit at 6 wins in early November, something we haven't said since 2016, the last time we were positive in turnovers. Do you think that's a coincidence?

We give up 3.4 sacks per game, not 5.
3.4 sacks is not equal to a negative turnover margin. The sacks are definitely hamstringing, though! Something we need to address.

Also, it's "effective", not "affective."

 

[djw004]

He was also thrust into his first real game action (HCU doesn't count) with the task of a 4th quarter game winning drive. I can only imagine how nervous he was which I can also only imagine played at least some part in what we saw.

(then why has he been anointed as the savior that's better than Dylan every time Dylan throws an incompletion?)

 

[RedSavage]

(then why has he been anointed as the savior that's better than Dylan every time Dylan throws an incompletion?)

If i've learned anything as a Husker fan, if the starter is struggling, the backup is always better and the solution, regardless of position

 

[TampaBaySkers]

If i've learned anything as a Husker fan, if the starter is struggling, the backup is always better and the solution, regardless of position

Insert any school choice - hardly just a Nebraska thing

 

[Cavalot]

We sit at 6 wins in early November, something we haven't said since 2016, the last time we were positive in turnovers. Do you think that's a coincidence?

We give up 3.4 sacks per game, not 5.
3.4 sacks is not equal to a negative turnover margin. The sacks are definitely hamstringing, though! Something we need to address.

Also, it's "effective", not "affective."

No. I realize that winning the turnover margin is important. Our weak schedule has helped with this also. I stand corrected on the sacks. Assumed that we had to be close to 5. But I bet if you look at just our Big 10 games it would be closer to 5.

25/27 sacks in big 10 play = 4.17 sacks per game.
5 interceptions in Big 10 play
10 TD passes in Big 10 play
3 Fumbles 1 lost all in big 10 play.
-87 yards rushing on the season.

I contend that 6 wins a this point is more about our team play, EJ, and our weak schedule than DR's prolific qb skills.

Hopefully this EFFECTIVELY makes my point.