2nd half Domination

Since Nebraska has joined the Big 10, there has been one team that has been a pain in their ass.  This team always appears beatable, but come Saturday is always a tough out.  This team is NU’s latest opponent the Northwestern Wildcats.  The Cats just seem to bring out the worst in the Huskers.  For a half, that held true Saturday night.  The Big Red fooled around, screwed around and otherwise flubbed around for the duration of the 1st half.  The Cats were moving the ball while the Huskers could not seem to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.  Nebraska trailed 17-14, I felt like the world was falling apart.  I figured the Huskers would play around with Northwestern in the 2nd half and drop a very important game.  I was dead, freaking, wrong.  Bo Pelini’s squad came out and scored 24 unanswered points in the 2nd half, in a work-man-like fashion, to take this one with ease.  It was an impressive half for sure.  The Big Red ground out a solid W on the road.  It was an uneven, imperfect effort, but this crew came out and got it done.  Its a win the Big Red faithful can surely be proud of.

Nebraska Offensively was a mixed bag for the first half.  3 times in the first half Nebraska started a possession  near mid field.  On all 3 drives, NU went 3 and out.  It was infuriating.  One of those drives included 3 passes, another included a run, a penalty and 2 passes.  There is no reason why field position that favorable cannot be taken advantage of and yet NU failed all 3 times.  The 2nd half was much more productive.  The Big Red shuffled its Offensive Line and the results were fantastic.  The Huskers took control of this game with a dominant run game and timely passing by Tommy Armstrong.  Armstrong was pretty damn good.  I have been critical of Tommy all season, but Saturday night he took control.  Armstrong never made the big mistake, did not turn the ball over and was effective in both the run and pass game.  He nearly made a ridiculous, acrobatic TD run in the 3rd.  He took a zone read darted forward and then attempted to scale 2 defenders on the way to the end zone.  He came up just short, but the effort was outstanding.  Im sure his teammates took notice.  Ameer Abdullah’s stat line looks pretty typical, but he found the running space scarce in the 1st half.  Northwestern defenders were all over him.  It was only after the 2nd half adjustment to the O-line that Abdullah was able to find the room necessary to have a 4 TD day.  Overall this was a very up and down performance by the Offense.  There was the awkwardness of the first half, followed by the effectiveness of the 2nd.  It makes one wonder what this unit could do if it played 4 quarters like it did the final 2 Saturday night.

NU’s defense took the role  of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde.  On Northwestern’s 3 scoring drives, the Wildcats amassed 231 yards.  On their other 9 drives, they accumulated 59 yards.  As annoying as it was to watch Nebraska miss tackles and otherwise fool around with the Wildcats, Nebraska stepped it up in the 2nd half.  The pass rush in that half was impressive.  The Huskers got after Trevor Siemian and made him antsy.  This pressure came from the front 4, who had a terrific 2nd half.  The Blackshirts just whipped the man in front of them in that half and made life miserable for anyone wearing a NW uniform.  It was fantastic to see.  Northwestern RB Justin Jackson gave the Blackshirts fits with his quick, yet tough, runs to the perimeter.  It was a tough 1st half for Nebraska defensively, but NU came out and kicked ass in the 2nd half.  The staff deserves substantial kudos for this victory.  Like the Offense, the adjustments at half made the 2nd half domination possible.  Only 2 of Northwesterns’s 6 2nd half possessions lasted longer than 3 plays and Northwestern gained just 28 yards on 26 plays in the 2nd half.  That is domination!!  That is a credit to the Blackshirts pass rush and locker room adjustments.  This group was good, even great, at times.  A more even keeled performance will be necessary as Nebraska approaches the rest of its opponents. .  I would like to see what this unit is capable of if it were to play an entire game the way it did the 2nd half Saturday night.

This is a good win, a damn good win in fact. Based on the last 3 years, its safe to say that Northwestern brings out the worst in the Huskers.  Nebraska always seems to fumble and fool around with this opponent.  The last few years have been riddled with turnovers, penalties and an overall lack of execution against Northwestern.  Saturday night Bo Pelini’s club put a stop to that as they beat the pants off the Wildcats in the 2nd half.  It was excellent to see NU defeat the Kitties 24-0 in the 2nd half.  In the end this is just another check point for this squad.  The ultimate goal of a B1G West, and potential Big 10 title are still in play.  The Huskers need to learn from this victory and move forward.  Championships are not won in October in suburban Chicago.  There are still 5 more games and they all appear much more difficult than one would have previously thought.  Rutgers could be a bitch, Purdue appears much better than anyone would have thought a year ago.  Wisconsin has returned to its senses and have gone with a decent QB, and Iowa is well, Iowa.  The road to Indy will not be paved with patsies.  The Big Red will have to earn it every week.  Can they do it?  Absolutely, but NU fans had better realize there will be  dog fight each and every week.

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Week 7 Primer

Last Saturday was beautiful.  There is no other word to describe all of the wonderful action that took place for nearly 12 hours Satuday.  The early game included the most impressive team in the country, Miss State.  Then came the loaded 2:30 time slot with 3 matchups between ranked teams, all of which were riveting.  In particular the Ole Miss/Alabama game was perhaps the best this year.   To make the action even better, most of the favorites, Alabama for instance, were defeated.  It was unlike any Saturday I have ever witnessed.  This Saturday is also terrific.  I don’t think we will have the kind of excellence seen last Saturday, but there is plenty of meat on the bone.  Lets have a look:

#2 Auburn @ #3 Mississippi State– It gets no easier for the Bulldogs as Gus Malzahn’s Auburn Tigers come to Starkville for a top 5 showdown.  We will see is the Dogs can put last weeks monster win in the rear view and focus on the Tigers.  This is going to be a hell of a game.  I enjoy the styles of these two teams better than last week.  I really liked what I saw from the Bulldog defense last week against A&M.  They rattled and turned Kenny Hill over 3 times.  Nick Marshall is far more seasoned than Hill and the MSU defense will have to be up to the task.  MSU QB Dak Prescott has been marvelous to this point and he will have to be again if MSU is going to win this game and take over the #1 spot.  Ive doubted Dan Mullen’s team all season.  I think I am done with that.  Give me the home team in this most excellent of games.

#9 TCU @ #5 Baylor– This game is likewise going to be fantastic.  These 2 teams truly despise one another.  This rivalry goes back a long, lon g way.  TCU is coming off an impressive win over Oklahoma.  I gave the Frogs no chance, but was greatly impressed with what I saw.  TCU Offensive Coordinator Sonnie Cumbie’s offense has really taken flight in Fort Worth. Trevone Boykin threw for 318 yards and ran for 77 yards against a Sooner Defense that I smothered in praise.  Can he repeat such an impressive performance this weekend in Waco?  I’m anxious to see.  Meanwhile Art Briles team leads the nation with 51 points per game and have cruised up to this point, including a 21 point victory in Austin last weekend.  The Frogs will be far and away the best team they have faced.  I’m not sure how the Bears will respond.  I have no clue who will win this game, but whoever does has the inside track on a league title and a spot in the playoff.

#12 Oregon @ #18 UCLA– This is a survival game for 2 teams that had playoff aspirations a week ago.  This week’s loser is out of the playoff picture entirely.  UCLA has been maddeningly inconsistent this year.  One week they thump Arizona State, the next they get upset at home by Utah.  A team that I felt was loaded to the gills with talent has played in 4 one possession games thus far.  That is ridiculous.  Oregon was thought to be amongst the very best teams in the country prior to losing to Arizona last weekend.  Now they face a survival game in the Rose Bowl.  I like Marcus Marriota and the Ducks in this game.  Oregon has won 5 in a row in this series and I prefer the way they have played to this point.  The Bruins have been far too inconsistent for me to just believe they will turn it on Saturday night.

#3 Ole Miss @ #14 Texas A&M– Its a bounce back game for the Aggies, after getting beat up by Mississippi State.  In comes the Rebels with their speedy, blood thirsty, Defense.  That Defense is only allowing 10.1 points per game.  That figure is impressive but I smell a massive road let down for Hugh Freeze’s club.  Bo Wallace and Company are highly suspect on Offense.  I think the Aggie Offense will put up too many points for the Rebels to counter.  Kyle Field will be swaying, and A&M will play lights out behind Kenny Hill, Trey Williams and Josh Reynolds.  The young Rebels will still be thinking about Alabama and the Aggs will slap them around.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

USC @ #10 Arizona– The Arizona Wildcats might be 2014’s feel good story.  Rich Rodriguez’s tale of redemption is pretty cool.  His tenure at Michigan was a total train wreck, but when he got the Arizona job, I was confident he would have success.  Its good to see.  This Saturday the feel good story will continue as the Wildcats get past the USC Trojans.  I cant figure out Southern Cal.  They beat Stanford in Palo Alto, and then lose to Boston College and then blow a late lead to Arizona State.  Give me Nick Wilson and Terris Jones Grigsby, who both average over 5 yards per rush, to pace the Wildcats in a defeat of the Trojans.  This game will most likely be tight, but I like what I see from Arizona.  They have confidence of playing in a lot of close games and talent to burn.  I’m not sure what the rest of the season holds for this team, but I am excited to see the program Rich Rod has put together in Tuscon.

Pick of the Week- My struggles continue as Oklahoma loses to TCU and my record fall to 1-4.  Oh brother.

This weeks Pick is Northwestern +4.5, winners of 2 in a row, to go to Minnesota and beat the spread.  After a miserable start, Pat Fitzgerald’s team has gotten its bearings, beating Penn State and Wisconsin in consecutive weeks.  Minnesota is inferior to both of those teams.  I really cant see why they are an underdog at Minnesota.  Seems like a good pick, but you’ve heard that before.

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2:30 dilemma

I cannot recall a time slot as absolutely loaded as 2:30 Saturday.  There are several very good games on at that time.  I don’t believe in constantly channel surfing.  In my opinion, you never get into the flow of a ball game by constantly switching from game to game.  I typically have a primary game, which I am always tuned in to minus the commercials.  Then I have a secondary game which occupies the commercial breaks of the primary game.  Saturday at 2:30 I have a real dilemma.  Which game do I put in which position?  Alabama @ Ole Miss will probably occupy the primary slot, but should it?  I’m every bit as interested in Notre Dame and Stanford.  The game of local interest is Oklahoma @ TCU, I also bet on that game.  Additionally there is a B1G 10 West battle between Wisconsin and the Huskers upcoming opponent Northwestern.  I also want to see Baylor slap around Texas.  There are simply too many interesting games in a single time slot.  Which game fits where?  Certainly some tough calls will have to be made.  Stay tuned…

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Big 10 Picks

The Big 10 gets a bad rap.  Its become something of a punch line for fans around the country.  Folks regard the brands and style as bland and out dated.  The talking heads over at the worldwide leader don’t help matters.  Big 10 football is tough, rugged, hard nosed football.  It warms my heart.   Im here to tell you this conference is pretty good, and getting substantially better.  Urban Meyer has turned Ohio State into a perennial National Title contender, Mark Dantonio’s Michigan State squad finished 2013 with a Rose bowl victory and a top 5 ranking.  Nebraska has won 9 or more games in each of the last 6 seasons, a claim only a few programs can make.  James Franklin and Gary Andersen are both poised for successful runs at Penn State and Wisconsin respectively.  Even traditional cellar dwellers like Minnesota and Indiana are improving.  This league is full of teams that are trending upward.  I suspect this trend continues in 2014.  Making these picks was quite difficult, considering the number of contenders and new divisions.  I may have egg on my face by seasons end.  Regardless, here goes.

In the East its a battle between the league’s 2 best teams.  Michigan State and Ohio State are the clear class of this conference.  The Spartans do it, primarily, with defense.  They play a tough, physical, fast brand of defense.  This unit is flat out nasty.  Last season they lead the conference in points per game, rushing defense and total defense.  Defensive Coordinator Pat Narduzzi is as good an assistant as there is nationally.  The Spartan defense looks like a pack of wolves in green.  Its a beautiful sight.  What made the Spartans so great last year was the fact that the offense figured it out.  QB Connor Cook went from being a caretaker to a playmaker.  His even keel nature and sharp accuracy paved the way for an offensive breakthrough.  This transformation made the Spartans one of the best teams toward the end of the season.  Cook returns, along with top rusher Jeremy Langford who ran for over 1400 yards last season.  The offense’s experience, and the return of Marcus Rush, Kurtis Drummond and Taiwan Jones on defense, could make Sparty scary good in 2014.  Unfortunately for MSU, they will be ousted by the Buckeyes.

Ohio State too is coming off a terrific season.  The Buckeyes averaged an astounding 6.8 yards per rush in 2013.  That was the best in the nation.  QB Braxton Miller should again be fantastic.  Last year he ran for over 1000 yards and threw for over 2,000.  Urban Meyers offense is predicated on spreading out defenses and then exploiting that weakness.  He is pretty damn good at it, particularly when he has superior personnel.  Look for WR Dontre Wilson to have a breakout campaign in 2014.  Wilson has speed to burn and will be used in a wide variety of ways, much like Percy Harvin was at Florida.  However, it will be the defense that will vault the Buckeyes to the conference title.  Noah Spence and Joey Boza will wreek havoc up front for Ohio State.  These two are a couple of animals.    The key date for is November 8th when the Bucks go to East Lansing for a monster showdown.  This game will ultimately determine the division champ.  Sparty may be at home, but I like the Buckeyes to go in there and steal one.  It will be payback for last seasons Big 10 title game that cost the Bucks a shot at the National Title.  Both Sparty and the Bucks are serious contenders to play in the inaugural 4 team playoff, but Ill hold off on those predictions until another day.

The Big 10 West lacks a true front runner.  There are a few key contenders, but they all have their share of issues.  There is the Iowa Hawkeyes, whose toughness on the lines makes them a serious threat.  The Hawkeyes pound the ball with a 240 lb battering ram named Mark Weisman.  The problem for the Hawkeyes is replacing their LB core from last year.  Anthony Hitchens, James Morris and Christian Kirksey, these 3 led the team in tackles and formed the best LB core in the conference.  Replacing that production will be a tall order.  They will be sorely missed in Iowa City.  Iowa also lacks a true outside threat.  Kevonte Martin Manley led the team with 388 yards in 2013.  Thats not a lot of production from that position.  The lack of a deep threat will allow Hawkeye opponents to load up on Weisman and the run game.  One dimensional teams typically don’t win Championships.  For these reasons I cannot pick the Hawks as my Big 12 West winner.

Likewise Northwestern appears to have a realistic shot at the division.  The Wildcats Have a talented receiving core with its top 2 receivers returning as well as USC transfer Kyle Prater.  Last year, Veneric Mark was among the hobbled, playing in just 3 games.  Mark is an explosive playmaker at both RB and kick returner.   He is lightening in a bottle for the Wildcats.  The key offensively is Trevor Siemian, who must improve.  If he does, and Mark stays healthy, this offense could be exceptional.  The defense looks solid as well.  NW returns 12 of its top 14 tacklers from a year ago including Chi Chi Ariguzo, who is one to watch.  Last year the Wildcats lost 5 close conference games including to Ohio State, Nebraska and Michigan.  The talent is there in Evanston.  The issue for Northwestern is the schedule.  There are trips to Penn State, Iowa and tough home games against Nebraska, Wisconsin and Michigan.  That is tough road for the Wildcats. They wont be able to climb that mountain.

On paper I think Nebraska might be the best team in the west.  The Huskers return their top 5 tacklers, top 4 rushers and 5 of their top 6 receivers.  There are studs like Ameer Abdullah, Randy Greggory and Michael Rose.  The Huskers have the potential to be amongst the best teams in the conference.  The problems for the Big Red are two fold. First the schedule is brutal.  The Huskers go to Michigan State, Northwestern, Iowa and Wisconsin.  Yowza!!  I think the talent exists in Lincoln to navigate the schedule.  The chief problem for the Huskers lies in the mirror.  The Huskers have led the league in turnovers the last 2 seasons and it wasn’t close.  Nebraska also led the conference in penalties and are known to lay an egg at least once a year.  It seems the Big Red shoot themselves in the foot when they can least afford to do so.  Its an epidemic in Lincoln.  If Bo Pelini can rectify some of these errors the Huskers could be the hands down favorite.  I’m skeptical that will happen.

I suppose all of the preceding means I am picking the Wisconsin Badgers to win the West.  The Badgers have their flaws like the rest of the teams in the West.  The Badgers lose 5 of their top 7 tacklers from last year including my personal favorite Chris Borland.  Additionally UW lost all 4 of their top receivers.  There is also talk of an open QB competition between Joel Stave and converted Safety Tanner McEvoy.  These are all negatives for Wisconsin, but the positives are irrefutable.  First the schedule is as about as soft as it gets.  Wisconsin avoids Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan and Penn State from the East, and gets Nebraska at home.  The schedule maker made life really easy in Madison.    Additionally, the Badgers return 4 road graders, in the form of Offensive line starters from a year ago.  To run behind those bohemoths, All-World thoroughbred Melvin Gordon who averaged nearly 8 yards per carry last year.  8!!  Once again the Badgers should be able to run the ball opponents, which just makes life easier on the rest of the squad.  If Gary Andersen has half of a brain he will ride this Offensive Line and Gordon to a Big 10 West title in 2014.

In the title game I expect the Badgers to put up a hell of a fight, but ultimately will fall to the Buckeyes.

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Northwestern Wildcats

Random Team of the Week- Northwestern Wildcats

One of the more interesting aspects of College Football is the reality that not all teams are created equal.  Schools like Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Stanford,  and Duke are all schools that still live the student athlete experience.  The players at these schools are subject to strict admissions restrictions, just as if they were a regular student.  These schools have smaller fan bases, smaller resources and are much more difficult to be successful.  Considering these factors, Northwestern has developed a damn decent football program.  Prior to this last year, Northwestern had qualified for a bowl game in each of the previous 5 seasons.  They notched 10 wins in 2012, 9 in 2008, and 8 in 2009.  These win totals are good, but do not properly paint the picture of Northwestern football.  The Wildcats are tough, smart and very well coached.  Pat Fitzgerald has done a wonderful job at a place that is very difficult to win.  These days, when you see Northwestern on your schedule, you better be prepared to fight.  If not they will walk into your house and eat your chili.

The 2013 season began with so much promise for the boys from Evanston.  Many folks thought that the Wildcats would have a shot at winning the division title.  The Wildcats jumped out to a 4-0 start and looked like they would indeed contend for a title.  Then came a soul crushing loss to #7 Ohio State.  They led 23-13 early in the 2nd half.   Then the Buckeyes outscored the Cats 27-7 over the last 25 minutes.  From there the season snowballed out of control and the Wildcats lost their next 6 games.  Mixed in there was hail mary loss to Nebraska, a triple OT loss to Michigan and 2 other defeats by a combined 10 points.  The cause for much of the misfortune was the injury situation which was absolutely absurd.  At one point there were 20 players, 13 of which were big time contributors, were out with injuries.  An injury situation on that scale would decimate any team.  All things considered, the injuries and close losses, I give NU a pass on a mediocre 5-7 season.

Going forward I expect to see a tough, gritty Northwestern team once again.  Surely the injury situation will improve, and the schedule isn’t too bad.  Northwestern misses the 2 best teams in the Big 10 in Ohio State and Michigan State, and get division foes Nebraska, and Wisconsin at home.  The offense will run through Trevor Siemien who will have to improve his TD/ratio and his completion percentage.  It will be a work in progress.  Pat Fitzgerald can coach defense and this unit will again be salty.  The division will be tough.  Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin will all be in contention for a division title.  Minnesota is a team on the rise as well.  It will be an uphill climb to win this division, but Northwestern will certainly be a force to be reckoned with.

Notes and Such 4/26

*Friday the Northwestern football team voted on whether or not to join a union.  This is a monumental vote regardless of the outcome.  I am not going to pretend that I know the implications of their decision.  Im sure there are pros and cons each way.  This certainly signals that change is upon us.  Reform of college athletics is coming and the players will have a say.  This is a very good thing.  Lets face it, College sports is big business, the athletes are a very important part of that business.  They should be able to have a greater share of the rewards.  I dont have the solution here, but it does appear that finally this issue will be dealt with.

*Similarly, a plan has been proposed that would give greater autonomy to the 5 power conferences.  This plan would allow conferences to decide for themselves how they should handle a number of issues that face college athletics.  If this goes through it is nothing more than the NCAA putting its collective tail between its legs.  This organization knows it is losing traction with major college athletics and is trying to do some type of damage control.  15 years ago this would have been unthinkable.  I am not sure how I feel about this.  On one hand, I am sick and tired of the NCAA and their hypocritical and often corrupt tactics, as well as their uneven enforcement of the rules.  On the other is the notion that the devil you know is better than the devil you dont.  What sort of corruption and problems would replace the NCAA?  Is that preferred?  I really don’t know.  What I do know is that would like to see the college athletes welfare be taken into consideration more often.  If this plan is a move in that direction, then I suppose I am for it.

*Charlie Strong came out with a few comments that were far from bold.  He said UT would not be in the title game.  For whatever reason this made news.  Its obvious the Horns will not be winning a championship this season.  While I am somewhat annoyed that this is news, I do applaud his realistic and straight-forward approach to his first season in Austin.  Remarks like these work to tear down the country club atmosphere that has plunged Longhorn football into the abyss of mediocrity.  Strong would be wise to continue this tough approach and perhaps his team will take on a similar mentality.

Random Team of the Week- Northwestern Wildcats (I swear this is completely unintentional)

One of the more interesting aspects of College Football is the reality that not all teams are created equal.  Schools like Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Stanford,  and Duke are all schools that still live the student athlete experience.  The players at these schools are subject to strict admissions restrictions, just as if they were a regular student.  These schools have smaller fan bases, smaller resources and are much more difficult to be successful.  Considering these factors, Northwestern has developed a damn decent football program.  Prior to this last year, Northwestern had qualified for a bowl game in each of the previous 5 seasons.  They notched 10 wins in 2012, 9 in 2008, and 8 in 2009.  These win totals are good, but do not properly paint the picture of Northwestern football.  The Wildcats are tough, smart and very well coached.  Pat Fitzgerald has done a wonderful job at a place that is very difficult to win.  These days, when you see Northwestern on your schedule, you better be prepared to fight.  If not they will walk into your house and eat your chili.

The 2013 season began with so much promise for the boys from Evanston.  Many folks thought that the Wildcats would have a shot at winning the division title.  The Wildcats jumped out to a 4-0 start and looked like they would indeed contend for a title.  Then came a soul crushing loss to #7 Ohio State.  They led 23-13 early in the 2nd half.   Then the Buckeyes outscored the Cats 27-7 over the last 25 minutes.  From there the season snowballed out of control and the Wildcats lost their next 6 games.  Mixed in there was hail mary loss to Nebraska, a triple OT loss to Michigan and 2 other defeats by a combined 10 points.  The cause for much of the misfortune was the injury situation which was absolutely absurd.  At one point there were 20 players, 13 of which were big time contributors, were out with injuries.  An injury situation on that scale would decimate any team.  All things considered, the injuries and close losses, I give NU a pass on a mediocre 5-7 season.

Going forward I expect to see a tough, gritty Northwestern team once again.  Surely the injury situation will improve, and the schedule isn’t too bad.  Northwestern misses the 2 best teams in the Big 10 in Ohio State and Michigan State, and get division foes Nebraska, and Wisconsin at home.  The offense will run through Trevor Siemien who will have to improve his TD/ratio and his completion percentage.  It will be a work in progress.  Pat Fitzgerald can coach defense and this unit will again be salty.  The division will be tough.  Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin will all be in contention for a division title.  Minnesota is a team on the rise as well.  It will be an uphill climb to win this division, but Northwestern will certainly be a force to be reckoned with.

Weekly top 5- Top Gameday Foods

1) Chili- Nothing says football like a big crock pot full of chili.  It stews all day and just when appetizers wont cut it, it comes in to satisfy your hunger.  I use 2 kinds of meat, 4 kinds of beans, plenty of onions, and jalapenos.  Spicy is the only way to go.  Top that bowl off with fritos and cheddar cheese and you have a football Saturday meal for a king.
2)Pizza- Perhaps the perfect food.  Any variation, any toppings, its all good.  I dont even have a preference.  There is a NY style pizza joint in the neighborhood, so more often than not I use them.  Its greasy, but god damn its good. 
3)Brauts- I suppose this should be sausage in general.  I love beer brauts.  Often I leave the bun off and slice them up.  You know its going to be a good day when you have brauts.
4)Cheese and Crackers- Simplicity at its finest.  Get a block of cheese, slice it up, add club crackers, and snack away.  This is the official gameday snack of College Football Junkie 2014.  The beauty is its simplicity.  I prefer a sharp cheddar, Monterrey jack, or even a chipotle cheddar.  It doesnt last long around here.
5)Nachos-The ability to customize this item lands it on the list ahead of some very serious contenders.  The basics are tortilla chips and cheese, from there its up to you.  I prefer green onions, seasoned hamburger, sour cream and some jalapenos.  Really you can do as you please with this item.  If you like it, you are doing it right.

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Fools Gold

I can remember my first Nebraska football game.  It was Halloween 1992, The Huskers destroyed Colorado 52-7.  Since then I have missed very few Nebraska Football games.  In that 20+ years I have never seen a go ahead TD with no time left like we saw on Saturday.  I WENT NUTS!!  It was ridiculous, unbelievable, exhilarating, eye popping, and jaw dropping.  This is an ending that will go in the archives as one of the greats.  Now let me pee in your cereal.  That Hail Mary was nothing more than fools gold.  How did you feel about this game, and this team, before that play?  Does one lucky catch change that?  The fact remains The Nebraska Cornhuskers played a lopsided, embarrassing game that lends no credence that their head coach should be retained.  Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.  That was the case Saturday.  The Huskers get a reprieve for this week.  Thanks to a 3rds string QB and a backup WR.  A golden moment for sure, but nothing more.

Defensively the Huskers started the game in about as poor a way as one could imagine.  Immediately the Wildcats went right down the field and scored.  Then they did it again, and again.  In the first 20 minutes of the ball game The Husker Defense had surrendered 21 points.  I figured it would be a very long afternoon.  The rest of the first half wasn’t necessarily pretty but I have absolutely no complaint with the way this unit performed after halftime.  The Husker Defense locked down, tackled and got after Northwestern’s Offense.  They did it once again by bringing pressure and locking up Wildcat WRs man to man.  They also ditched the ill conceived 3 man front.  The results were very effective.  Northwestern had 9 posessions in the 2nd half.  The Wildcats managed 7 punts 1FG and an Interception.  The Defense is to be commended on the turnaround.  That said they did allow a 4TH STRING RB to gain nearly 150 yards and 3 scores.  I would like to see more of an even effort from the Defense.  But considering their recent performances I wont nit pick with this one.

On Nebraska’s first possession The Huskers rolled down the field, with ease, and put it in the end zone for a 7-0 lead.  From that point forth, before the final play, The Husker Offense put a grand total of 7 points on the board.  That is absolutely unacceptable.  During that time there were 4 interceptions thrown.  Each drive seemed to be a scene from Groundhog Day.  The drive would start promising, first downs would be achieved and then it would either stall or be thwarted by turnover.  It frustrating as hell.  The Defense had gotten its act together and opened the door for NU to soundly defeat The WIldcats.  Instead The Offense staggered around, getting in its own way with penalties, miscommunication and turnovers.  Tommy Armstrong was not good on this day.  He threw 3 INTs and seemed to be lost against the very average Northwestern Defense.  The worst turnover occurred late in the 4th and should have cost Nebraska the game.  The Offensive attack as a whole lacked teeth and couldn’t seem to take advantage of opportunities.  Time after time, with the game in the balance, this unit was unable to salt the game away with a score.    The Offense managed just 7 points in the 2nd half.  I dont have to tell you how it got those 7.  That final pass sugarcoated a day where this unit was downright putrid.

Let me be frank here.  Northwestern is so torn up right now that they bare no resemblance to the team they were a month ago.  They have injuries all over the field and had lost their previous 4 games.  When a sick dog comes into your house you beat them with a stick.  Instead The Huskers let them eat their Kiblble.  Again Nebraska appeared unprepared, unable to execute, or incapable of getting out of its own way.  This falls directly on The head coach.  Ultimately he is responsible.  This is year 6 for Bo.  There are no more excuses.  Why did The Huskers have such a difficult time with a team who looked like a dieing horse coming in?  Needless to say, Nebraska is fortunate to win this game.  It is more accurate to say they were GOD DAMN LUCKY.  Fools gold perhaps.  But I suppose only time can tell if it is or not.

November

Saturday marks the first Saturday in November.  As with any November Saturday, there are several pretty damn good games.  Many of which have substantial implications for division and conference titles.  In November the games are bigger, more meaningful and better played. That’s not to mention the intensity of the games, which is ratcheted up a notch or two.  November is the heart of College Football season.  Texas Tech and Oklahoma State play in what will essentially be an elimination game in The Big12.  Miami and Florida State square off in what will be a lopsided affair.  The Noles are going to slap around the Canes and make an impression on the nation.  Michigan needs to beat Michigan State to remain in contention for the Legends division.  Missouri entertains Tennessee for control of their own destiny in the SEC East.  That one has tremendous potential.  My Nebraska Cornhuskers play the sinking ship that is the Northwestern Wildcats.  The problem for the Huskers is that they are playing like crap as well.  Georgia and Florida play in a game that is normally huge but this year features 2 teams dramatically underachieving.  Yep Saturday will be a tangled web that will slowly sort itself out by days end.  Along the way there will be highs, and lows, surprises and the expected.  Some will rise to the occasion, others will be crushed by a moment.  Only one thing is for sure.  It will be glorious.  Saturdays in the November, its part of what makes College Football the greatest sport in the world.