Husker Preseason is over - Worse, Same, or Better than you thought?

[Blakejc]

We struggled with Cincy's mobile QB, and now there's one on a way better team we are getting ready to play. That's my concern.

Agreed. Hopefully they learned some lessons from Cincy.

 

[ShortSideOption]

Agreed. Hopefully they learned some lessons from Cincy.

I think Butler wasn't wanting to show a lot on film, we have some things in the toolbox for him. But schematically or just from a personnel standpoint I'm a bit worried.

 

[Cornicator]

I mean this with respect, just asking the question, but does anyone really take anything from these in September with how small the sample size is? Cincy and Nebraska are the common opponent with respect to what's trying to be represented, and then both of them played 4 (2 each) absolute cupcakes to pad their stats and ratings.

Conversely, Michigan already has a top25 opponent under their belt skewing their stats more negatively, and playing probably the best opponent of the remaining with New Mexico, who is 2-1 with a win over a B1G team. New Mexico and Cincy are probably the same team, New Mexico beat a B1G team by more than what Cincy beat Bowling Green. On the other hand, New Mexico struggled with Idaho State a bit and Cincy put away Northwestern State.

Again I mean this respectfully, but where people rank nationally probably doesn't matter at all until October to get a true feel for things. That goes for these dumbass AP polls too that will keep South Carolina ranked this week.

I've followed FPI for years. It's very accurate by week 3 and 4. There is very little deviation beyond that point in the season, outside of major injuries. It's a joke in the preseason and even after week 1, but 3 games worth of data usually doesn't lie.

But keep in mind efficiency ratings don't mean "better." They measure game control and competence while weighing the caliber of opponent.

Even after the dominant Colorado game last season, Nebraska's offensive and special teams efficiency ratings were terrible. The computer had them pegged.

By week 4 last season, we were all chuckling about Indiana throttling terrible teams. But FPI had them in the top 20 because of their efficiency.

Oh and you mentioned New Mexico and Bowling Green, they are ranked 86th and 88th nationally. Bowling Green just beat Liberty.

UCLA is below both of those teams and even ranked lower than teams like Jacksonville State, Utah State, and Colorado State.

Lastly, I watched the Cincy vs Bowling Green game. The Bearcats dominated them for 3 quarters and removed all their starters with a 31-6 lead in the 4th. BG put up roughly 180 yards and added 14 points vs their back ups.

 

[herbsinator]

I think Butler wasn't wanting to show a lot on film, we have some things in the toolbox for him. But schematically or just from a personnel standpoint I'm a bit worried.

Yeah, I guess we’ll see in 6 days, but I’d be very surprised if we’re running the same shit we did against Cincy. I think they were trying to get a little too cute in that game and it almost bit us.

 

[ShortSideOption]

Yeah, I guess we’ll see in 6 days, but I’d be very surprised if we’re running the same shit we did against Cincy. I think they were trying to get a little too cute in that game and it almost bit us.

For me, I think our base philosophy is the same against Michigan as it was against Cincy. I think butler has a ton of packages to help get pressure and other things, but my concern is we can't stop the run anyway so we will have to knife and it will create lanes whether that be for the RB or Underwood.

 

[ShortSideOption]

I've followed FPI for years. It's very accurate by week 3 and 4. There is very little deviation beyond that point in the season, outside of major injuries. It's a joke in the preseason and even after week 1, but 3 games worth of data usually doesn't lie.

But keep in mind efficiency ratings don't mean "better." They measure game control and competence while weighing the caliber of opponent.

Even after the dominant Colorado game last season, Nebraska's offensive and special teams efficiency ratings were terrible. The computer had them pegged.

By week 4 last season, we were all chuckling about Indiana throttling terrible teams. But FPI had them in the top 20 because of their efficiency.

Oh and you mentioned New Mexico and Bowling Green, they are ranked 86th and 88th nationally. Bowling Green just beat Liberty.

UCLA is below both of those teams and even ranked lower than teams like Jacksonville State, Utah State, and Colorado State.

Lastly, I watched the Cincy vs Bowling Green game. The Bearcats dominated them for 3 quarters and removed all their starters with a 31-6 lead in the 4th. BG put up roughly 180 yards and added 14 points vs their back ups.

I just think you have the cart so far in front of the horse here... can we look at rankings that happen with Nebraska, Cincy, and Michigan the next two weeks (3 due to a bye)? I promise you Michigan will move up where they are at playing Nebraska and Wisconsin next two weeks. Nebraska plays Michigan then a bye but then a 3-0 MSU team, Cincy plays Kansas and Cockeye State next two weeks.

I appreciate what you are trying to do, everyone on Twitter is doing it. but it won't even be close to the same after Oct. 4th. There's zero that needs to be looked at as far as national rankings, team stats, AP polls on September 14th. You keep quoting where people are ranked now to prove your point like Bowling Green compared to New Mexico after week 3. Let's just hold off on some of these things.

 

[Eaton Beaver]

Same. I have to see us against some better competition yet. Great start!
Still have a few questions.

Can we run block?
Can Raiola throw people open when coverages get better.
Will we be able to stop the run or will LB's get swallowed up?

We'll learn a lot this weekend and if they had their head coach I'd be super nervous. Hope we take advantage of it.