Husker Extra live chat: Steven M. Sipple, 10.31.16

Talk Huskers with Steve Sipple during his weekly live chat, every Monday.

@CDS: That's right, Nebraska has allowed only six sacks this season, fewest in the Big Ten. And yes, Riley did mention Armstrong's athleticism as being a leading factor. As for the "YOLO Spin" ... that is genius on your part. OK, genius is a stretch. But you get high marks for originality. I'll end the chat on that note.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 8:02:48 PM

3rd & 7 37yd

OK, ready to roll.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 6:36:34 PM
Sip, keep me sane here because I still haven't gotten over my depression attack yet. I actually walked off the golf course on the 12th hole yesterday because I was still too upset to play. As I see it, the two things Neb does worst, is run up the middle, and straight drop back passing. Why on the last drive of regulation and in OT, those were the 2 things they tried to do?

by Gary 10/31/2016 6:36:37 PM
@Gary: Langsdorf said after the game that the draw play had worked previously. As for the passes, it looked like Jordan Westerkamp may have been interfered with on the third-down play. As for the final pass, Langsdorf thought Stanley Morgan actually broke open for a splint second. There was pressure on Armstrong from T.J. Watt, which affected the throw.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 6:40:04 PM
"...Westerkamp may have been interfered with". A bit of an undersell, no?

by CDS 10/31/2016 6:42:14 PM
@CDS: I think it was interference.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 6:42:49 PM
Sip, I've got a comment and then two questions and I'll start with the comment...

I loved the way they played and am really proud again to be a Husker fan. It's been a gloomy decade or so, so it's nice to see Nebraska in national conversations again. In regards to the game, it's so very easy to be a Sunday morning QB. I didn't think the final drive had poor play calling as NU started to pick up chunks up the middle, so I don't have issues with those two runs. A pass was needed on third down and what happened there was unfortunate but no calls tend to happen in tight games, so what happened happened. I don't think Stanley saw they safety or Intruly believe he would have adjusted more and would have come down with the ball. It was unfortunate, but it happened. Now, the easy part of being a Sunday morning QB...

Tommy is the most competitive offensive player we have, maybe on the entire team, and maybe on the entire field Saturday. Could you ask Riley or Langsdorff if they ever thought about just running Tommy on every play until they crossed the goal line? I can't fathom Tommy not getting several first downs and then a TD.

My last question is about the 30 for 30 with the 95' team. I haven't heard anything about that and would like an update if it will or won't be airing.

by Calihusker 10/31/2016 6:42:51 PM
@Calihusker: I like your idea about running Tommy on every play until a touchdown is scored. I think we make this stuff way too difficult. LOL. As for the 30 for 30, I have heard nary a word as to when it will be aired.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 6:45:25 PM
How thin are we getting on the O-line? For all the grief that gets tossed at TA, it sure seems that half the time he's having to run for his life or somebody missed a block/got beat. I put that on the O-line and their injuries.

by Robin 10/31/2016 6:45:34 PM
@Robin: I think Nebraska's lack of consistency on offense can be traced to a lot of elements, but line injuries have played a major role. Bottom line, the key numbers on offense -- points and yards per game -- have dropped precipitously in the last four games.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 6:47:54 PM
Follow up to what Gary said about running up the middle. What is the reason we are so poor with running inside the tackles most times. Is it scheme, o-line just isn't experienced enough, o-line injuries? I don't doubt their effort, but that's a key factor in winning games in this league particularly, in my opinion.

by John 10/31/2016 6:47:58 PM
@John: Wisconsin had the nation's 10th-ranked rushing defense, so Riley and everyone else knew it was going to be tough sledding, as he calls it. Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said inconsistency was an issue against Purdue. His guys have to finish blocks, he said. There simply haven't been many running lanes since the Northwestern game, and that's primarily a line issue.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 6:51:58 PM
With the O-line injuries shouldn't we use the full back more for run blocking?

by Buster 10/31/2016 6:52:01 PM
@Buster: If the fullback is a good blocker, yes.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 6:52:26 PM
Does the B1G release info on if the officials involved in such a bad call are disciplined? And what the discipline was?

by Robin 10/31/2016 6:52:29 PM
@Robin: The B1G seldom releases information of that sort.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 6:53:10 PM
I am ready to say goodbye to TA and welcome a new QB into the fold. For a four year starter, TA played like a freshmen at times against Wisconsins defense and is still throwing off his back foot and missing open receivers.

by Matt 10/31/2016 6:53:13 PM
@Matt: There is no doubt Armstrong struggled in that game (12-for-31, with two picks). He needed to play well for his team to win, and didn't. But he did make a few clutch plays, and he was far from the only issue. As has been pointed out, he seldom has had much time to throw in recent games.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 6:55:45 PM
Why throw to Westerkamp in ot where he has double coverage when two other receivers only had single coverage?

by Zadi 10/31/2016 6:55:48 PM
@Zadi: The game is moving quickly. Our vantage point is obviously much different than the quarterback's. Watch tape of an NFL game. You'll see that quarterbacks failing to see open receivers is more common than many people think.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 6:57:04 PM
Hello Sip, call me crazy or delusional, but I believe the Huskers beat 'The' Ohio State Buckeyes with defense and the passing game..

by Merle 10/31/2016 6:57:06 PM
@Merle: I'm not going to call you crazy because I also believe it could happen. Both Penn State and Northwestern showed Ohio State is flawed and very beatable. I like the Huskers' chances.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 6:58:22 PM
Sip....I was curious if you knew the schedule of the open scrimmage for the men's basketball team tomorrow at 5:30? I went to the last one and they had both the women and men scrimmage. As well as some skill competitions. I wanted to plan my arrival time accordingly around just watching Miles' team. Thanks.

by Trashman 10/31/2016 6:58:24 PM
@Trashman: The women's team isn't involved. I know that for sure. I'm guessing there will be elements to the production other than straight scrimmaging.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:00:20 PM
After what I saw from this weekend I'm kind of curious why OSU opens up at 15.5? They haven't been that impressive at all the last 2 weeks (losing to PSU and struggling at home to NW) I would almost say this game is more winnable for us than the Wisconsin game. Thoughts?

by Aaron 10/31/2016 7:00:23 PM
@Aaron: I was also very surprised by that early line, but I think you'll see it's already been reduced significantly. Is the game more winnable than the Wisconsin game? I wouldn't go that far, in large part because of my regard for J.T. Barrett. He obviously poses a much more significant threat than, say, Wisconsin's two ordinary quarterbacks. Along those lines, Ohio State is averaging 46.2 points per game, while Wisconsin is averaging only 24. The Buckeye offense is much more formidable.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:04:42 PM
Mr. S: Not to be a Pollyanna, but it hurts a lot less to discuss a close loss to a quality team, rather than a blowout. That said, while Northwestern showed you can go into the Horseshoe with a "lesser" team and play well, it's a fair assumption that NU will lose. Even so, at the start of the year, I think most fans would have settled for 7-2 after 9 games. Win out after OSU, and the B1G West championship is still a decent possibility.

by Steve UofN 1964 10/31/2016 7:05:34 PM
@SteveUofN1964: @Steven M. Sipple: I think the chances of Nebraska finishing first in the Big Ten West will increase dramatically Saturday when Wisconsin loses at Northwestern and falls to 3-3 in the league. I saw signs Saturday of the Badgers wearing down. What's more, Clayton Thorson, the Northwestern quarterback, is playing exceptionally well right now. If the Wildcats win, they would stand a decent chance of finishing 7-2 or 6-3 in the league.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:11:06 PM
Did you see where Pro Football Focus, who rates both pro and college players individually by their statistical analysis, has Nate Gerry as their highest rated college safety and placed him on their midseason All-America team?

by Newport Red 10/31/2016 7:11:14 PM
@NewportRed: I did see that. He's playing the best football of his college career.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:12:03 PM
Sip. The last drive of regulation bothered me. NU has the ball at the 50 with 1 minute and 2 time outs left. Perfect time for a QB draw or run to outside. Would have caught them off guard a bit I e believe. And a bomb on 3rd down??? 15 yards and we are in field goal range. That to me was the poor play calling.

by Richard 10/31/2016 7:12:07 PM
Sip is there a reason we are only seeing 1/3 of the Davis freshmen getting snaps? Has Khalil just not impressed as much as Carlos? With our DE's not being much of difference makers it is curious we haven't seen anyone else get many reps there

by Tone 10/31/2016 7:19:20 PM
@Tone: The reason is Mick Stoltenberg, Kevin Maurice and Carlos Davis -- the top three tackles -- are playing at a pretty high level, especially Maurice. At the end position, I'm a little surprised we haven't seen more of A.J. Natter, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound junior. As for Alex Davis, a redshirt freshman, he has played organized football for only a few years and would be squaring off against battle-tested veterans in the Big Ten most of the time. We're talking about guys with families of their own in some cases. He also could stand to add size and strength. He obviously has the requisite quickness and athleticism.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:25:27 PM
Sip u get a sense today that these guys are wore out and devasted leading to a beat down,or are they upset and ready to get over the top and beat osu

by Wonder monds 10/31/2016 7:25:32 PM
@Wondermonds: Good question. I got the sense that Nebraska remains hungry and eager to prove themselves -- really not much different than its demeanor entering Camp Randall. This is a team with a great attitude and excellent unity/chemistry. The Huskers may be even hungrier this week, come to think of it.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:28:38 PM
Sat night stung. I'm one of those calling it a missed opportunity, and I'm struggling with those who call it growth. One local writer even compared it to the 94 Orange Bowl, good grief. Nebraska had 17 seniors on the 2 deep, Wisconsin had 7. I still think Riley is pretty discouraged with the O this year, especially considering the veteran talent on that side of the bowl. He fired Langsdorf once as play caller, would he do it again?

by JimNE 10/31/2016 7:28:39 PM
@JimNE: Jim, Nebraska is 7-1 (4-1 Big Ten). The Huskers have been sputtering on offense the last four games, but it's hardly a train wreck. They're 48th nationally in average yards per game (429.6) and 49th in points (32.0). With due respect, it seems a bit over-the-top to suggest firings.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:35:31 PM
We have no Cupcakes left. Several teams left could upset us. The division is still in our reach but we must find our offense somehow. And somebody needs to beat the Badgers. A win Saturday would be huge but I am not counting on it.

by PT HUSKER 10/31/2016 7:36:06 PM
@PTHUSKER: You mean Iowa isn't a cupcake? ... Kidding.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:36:51 PM
Do Riley and Meyer have any previous coaching battles or working connections from the past?

by Trashman 10/31/2016 7:36:54 PM
@Trashman: None that I'm aware.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:37:08 PM
What's the OSU defense like? Chance to gash them at all or are they particularly stingy?

by Matt K from WA 10/31/2016 7:37:10 PM
@MattKfromWA: Interestingly, Wisconsin put up 450 yards against Ohio State (236 rushing). Northwestern put up 406 (258 passing). If Nebraska can shake out of its funk, the Huskers can move the chains in this game and perhaps score 24 points or more.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:40:54 PM
I'll be cheerin g for NW this week-end as NU has the tie-breaker over them. If Mich. or tOSU (assumin g one of them wins the CC) goes to the playoffs, the runner-up coiuld end up in the Rose Bowl like Iowa last year, sort of backing in, but there none the less

by Boji Husker 10/31/2016 7:40:56 PM
@BojiHusker: Such a scenario is indeed plausible.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:41:47 PM
Not suggesting a firing, Sip, although I do still have issues with Eichorst's hire, and this was a game that mattered. I should have used a different word. Riley gave Langsdorf play calling in 2013 and then took it back later in the season. That's what I meant.

by JimNE 10/31/2016 7:41:48 PM
@JimNE: I sort of figured that's what you meant. I wouldn't say that's out of the question, but I'd be very surprised if Mike were to make that move right now.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:42:49 PM
@Tone: I have to admit I was startled by Nebraska's ultra-conservative approach right before halftime.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:45:14 PM
I'll be cheering for NW this weekend as NU has the tie-breaker over them. With the CC most likely going to the playofss, if NU is the B1G runner-up, could end up in the Rose Bowl with a very good chance to win (assuming Wash. is also in the play-offs), nice consolation prize

by Boji Husker 10/31/2016 7:45:32 PM
@BojiHusker: Pasadena is as gorgeous a "consolation prize" as you'll ever find.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:47:00 PM
With Maliek Collins starting at times for the Cowboys and Vincent Valentine for Belichick, do you think Mark Banker's dismissive comments about their commitment and focus when they were at NU was an attempt to deflect attention from their lack of dominance under the tutelage of Hank Hughes and Banker?

by Newport Red 10/31/2016 7:47:03 PM
@NewportRed: That's a valid question. I never felt for a second that Collins lacked commitment and focus. Valentine was injured much of last season. I'm not ducking your question, but I think it would've been hard to get an accurate read on Valentine/Collins' relationship with the new staff without being around the team on a regular basis -- as in daily.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 7:55:36 PM
I liked your column yesterday but I find it concerning that Husker media, fans, etc are ok with a close loss. We're better than that. What do you say

by Steve 10/31/2016 7:55:45 PM
@Steve: Thank you for the kind words. It's all about context. In 1997, I never would've dreamed I'd be writing a column heaping praise on a Nebraska football coaching staff and team in general ... after a loss. But in the context of the past dozen years, which included so many embarrassments on big stages (dating to before the Pelini years, in fact), such a response to this particular loss seems to make sense.

by Steven M. Sipple 10/31/2016 8:00:04 PM
To add to the o-line commentary: I believe Riley said something to the extent that we have the least amount of sacks in the league? With as porous as the O-line has been this year, that's a testament to Tommy's athleticism, his escapability, and the effectiveness of the YOLO Spin.

by CDS 10/31/2016 8:00:15 PM

Husker Extra live chat: Steven M. Sipple, 10.31.16

Talk Huskers with Steve Sipple during his weekly live chat, every Monday.

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