Husker Extra live chat: Steven M. Sipple, 9.12.16

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

I gotta run. Now that was an excellent chat. Thanks a ton for all the questions.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:52:56 PM

3rd & 7 37yd

OK, sorry a bit late. Ready to roll.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 6:37:11 PM
Afternoon Sip,
Been a while. I have been catching a lot of local radio there in Nebraska and Im starting to think many Husker fans will never be happy. Does Run the Ball Guy, and Pass the Ball Guy hang out at the same bar? Okay so what's the the deal with the Punt& Punt Return teams? NU is paying an assistant coach a lot of money for a product that isn't producing. Lightbourne appears to be struggling.

PS I am enjoying this season so far. Hopefully Tommy and the rest of the Seniors are as well...

by Nish500 9/12/2016 6:37:13 PM
@Nish500: Awesome to hear from you. Riley played down the punt-return issue today. He said there haven't been many good opportunities for returns. And if you think about it, he's probably right.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 6:40:18 PM
I noticed that Nebraska is a 3 point favorite over Oregon. For entertainment purposes only, given NU's slow start against Wyoming, the injury report and Oregon's convincing win over Virginia do you think that's realistic?

by Benchwarmer 9/12/2016 6:40:28 PM
@Benchwarmer: I absolutely think it's realistic because Oregon's defense is ordinary, at best. You could make a case that it's just flat awful. Look at last year's numbers -- 115th in scoring defense, 125th in passing defense, 73rd in rushing defense, 116th overall. I watched a bad Virginia offense rack up 28 first downs Saturday. In other words, I don't think the Ducks are any better defensively than they were last year.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 6:43:27 PM
While it was disappointing to see us not quite able to impose our will on Wyoming on the ground, do you think it bodes well that our offense and the coaches are capable of going with what works?

by Robin 9/12/2016 6:43:28 PM
@Robin: I think most any defensive coordinator in the nation would tell you it's difficult to defend Nebraska because of its balance.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 6:44:26 PM
Do you think a Nebraska win turns the heat up on Mark Helfrich?

by Robin 9/12/2016 6:44:32 PM
@Robin: I don't think there's any doubt about that.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 6:44:47 PM
I am still pinching myself trying to believe we actually have a shot this week end. IMO a lot of things that have not happened yet need to happen for us to have a shot. I really hope we can stay with their speed. Also we need to play ball control to keep their offense off the field. Not sure our O line can do that against their speed. But we are favored by 3 so I must be nuts.

by PT HUSKER 9/12/2016 6:44:50 PM
@PTHUSKER: I think you're giving Oregon far too much respect. Yes, Oregon is good -- borderline top 25 team. But did you watch the Ducks' collapse in last year's bowl game? Did you notice UC Davis scored 21 second-half points in this year's opener? Oregon and Nebraska have a similar talent level overall.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 6:47:56 PM
I've got a coworker (Oregon alumn) flying into Lincoln from Eugene Friday night. It's been a while since I've been in Lincoln on game day -- where should I tell him to go before the game? Taking suggestions from everyone!

by Scorch 9/12/2016 6:47:57 PM
@Scorch: I'd send him to the Railyard. It's just gorgeous down there. Great energy. And then I'd send him to Misty's in Havelock. So, the game plan: First, Railyard. Second, Havelock. Your friend will get to see two distinct parts of Lincoln.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 6:49:44 PM
Sip, do you think Tommy sees something no one else does when a pass play is called at the 5? If it only happened once in a while one could overlook it, but it happens quite often. Additionally, you have to give TA some praise since he now hold the TD passing record. I still think running the ball is a must.

by No Nothing 9/12/2016 6:49:46 PM
@NoNothing: Tommy said he thought he could get that pass over the defense to a receiver at the back end of the end zone. Even Armstrong's foremost detractors must acknowledge his ability to make big plays. He does it both as a runner and with his exceptionally strong arm. I also like the fact Armstrong meets tough questions from media head-on. He's very mature in that regard.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 6:53:18 PM
Sip, not to call you out, but you only addressed half of Nish's question. What about the punt team? Field position will be important in BIG play (see Paul Chryst, Ferentz, et al) and the punt game plays a big part. If I was making $450K a year and had 6 weeks (because I acknowledge things changed when #27 was lost) to put together a finished product, and I went non traditional, something different (referencing that punt formation), and it resulted in being the worst in the industry and had a major breakdown (blocked pump), I'd be sitting in someone's office wondering if I was going to lose my job.

by JimNE 9/12/2016 6:53:23 PM
@JimNE: I think that part of special teams obviously needs work. Nobody needs me to point that out. But I think it's premature to put any coach on a "hot seat" two games into a season. Seems like a massive overreaction. Special teams were OK last year -- good in some areas, not-so-good in others. But nothing that warrants a firing discussion.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 6:55:06 PM
I believe for Nebraska to win this game they will need a similar performance as the UCLA game. Control the clock with the run game and create timely turn overs with these creative blitzes from Banker. The one thing that concerns me is the lack of a pass rush Nebraska has generated. Can't give their receivers to much time to work in the secondary.

by AARON 9/12/2016 6:56:51 PM
@AARON: I don't think you could have said it (or wrote it) much better. I do think Nebraska can get its run game going Saturday.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 6:58:08 PM
Your thoughts on the ending of the Okie State game. Even though it was a misinterpretation of the rules, A top 20 caliber team should be upset with themselves for letting it come down to that against Central Michigan. Agreed?

by Pete 9/12/2016 6:58:11 PM
@Pete: Yes, I agree. The MAC has some good teams. Ask Pat Fitzgerald.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 6:59:08 PM
Do you get the sense that there's not a total player buy-in to what this staff is coaching? I see a lot of "me first" mannerisms and actions.

by TW 9/12/2016 6:59:10 PM
@TW: I wonder how many teams can say there is a "total player buy-in."

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:00:48 PM
I don't think TA saw the guy who picked it before he threw. It wasn't going over him. He had a number of bad choices (Slant to Westerkamp was into double coverage...he got lucky, one other pick dropped). A good game over all for him but some question marks.

by Silicon Valley Husker 9/12/2016 7:00:50 PM
@SiliconValleyHusker: I agree. Wyoming could've easily had a pick-6 to tie the game 7-7. I say it a lot: Tommy is an interesting study. He makes some hellacious plays. But he makes some perplexing decisions in the passing game.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:02:39 PM
Sip,
What has surprised you this season, good or bad?

by Nish500 9/12/2016 7:02:50 PM
@Nish500: Because we get to see so much practice nowadays, I can't think of anything that has surprised me all that much. That said, I never would have guessed Nebraska would be plus-7 in turnover margin through two games.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:05:18 PM
I have been stressing about this whole targeting thing and I think I have a solution. Kinda like Flagrant fouls - Targeting 1 you get the personal foul but stay in the game. Targeting 2 you have to play the rest of the game without your helmet. I think it will work.

by TVHusker 9/12/2016 7:05:23 PM
@TVHusker: That could get very interesting. :)

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:05:56 PM
Sip.
I thought it was great to see Tommy finally able to hit the RB on the screen. I'm hopping will see more of those kind of plays as well as getting Carter (TE), into the flow of the game.

by Nish500 9/12/2016 7:05:57 PM
@Nish500: The screen game becomes very important against heavy-blitzing teams. It can be the perfect antidote. We saw that Saturday. Tommy's touch on screen passes (and shorter passes in general) seemingly has improved, as has Nebraska's overall timing on screen plays.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:07:46 PM
What do you think it says about Duck fans that they let their sellout streak end at 110 games, but they haven't had the down seasons that Nebraska has during that same time frame, yet ours' is still intact?

by Robin 9/12/2016 7:07:47 PM
@Robin: I think your question is a commentary on Nebraska fans' passion and loyalty more than anything else.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:10:09 PM
Great job on the report card section. Are you going to be doing it the rest of the season? All of your grades and observations were spot on IMO.

by Pete 9/12/2016 7:10:11 PM
@Pete: Hey, Pete, thanks for that. I'm not sure how we'll handle it going forward. Once we hire Brian Rosenthal's replacement, the report card might be turned over to that person. I really enjoy doing it, though.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:11:22 PM
If you're not all in then you're playing selfishly. Selfishness is exactly what leads to controllable penalties. Not being all in is what causes players to keep doing the exact same thing over and over again without progressing.
So yeah you can ask "how many teams can say they 100% buy in" but those teams that are consistently winning and are able to develop players have buy in from the top down. I don't see it in the ones that NU is counting on to be difference makers

by TW 9/12/2016 7:11:25 PM
@TW: I tend to disagree with you, because I don't make the type of sweeping generalization that you made. Exhibit A: Zack Darlington is heavily invested in the program. He's an excellent teammate. He'll do anything for the team. He's proven that. But he drew a flag in the opener for spinning the ball after his conversion run. Does that mean he lacks "buy-in?" Or was it an isolated case of bad judgment? I lean toward the latter.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:15:21 PM
Do you believe Nebraska has a chance to run with teams like Michigan or Ohio state

by Matt 9/12/2016 7:15:23 PM
@Matt: I'm not ducking your question, but ask me again next Monday.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:15:48 PM
Sip,
Do you think maybe the team is in a lot better physical condition this year ? It appears in the first 2 games they totally dominated the 4th quarter, hadn't seen that for awhile.

by Huskerted 9/12/2016 7:15:54 PM
@Huskerted: Nebraska has outscored the first two opponents 50-0 combined in the fourth quarter. Does that indicate good conditioning? Absolutely.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:16:48 PM
Total points scored between both teams Saturday??? Your thoughts???

by Luke 9/12/2016 7:16:50 PM
@Luke: For entertaining purposes only, I think a good over-under would be 71. And I would take the "overs." For entertainment purposes only.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:17:45 PM
At the beginning of the season it seemed like a lot of national pundits were saying the big ten east is the far superior division. Now with what Wiscy did week 1 and Iowa rolling through their first 2 games Minnesota looks formidable as well as Nebraska hopefully getting the win this Saturday. One could argue that the west division has looked more impressive thus far. Agree? (only real blemish has been Northwestern)

by AARON 9/12/2016 7:18:21 PM
@AARON: I can't say I totally agree with you. Ohio State looked extremely impressive in its opener (but not so impressive against Tulsa). Michigan has looked magnificent. We'll find out a lot more about Michigan State this weekend when it plays Notre Dame. I will agree with you that the West Division has enjoyed a strong start, Northwestern's abysmal 0-2 record notwithstanding.

by Steven M. Sipple 9/12/2016 7:21:46 PM

Husker Extra live chat: Steven M. Sipple, 9.12.16

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

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