Why Nebraska Has Many Changes To Make

One of the most passionate fan bases in College Football is in Nebraska that is why it is so hard for them to watch there beloved Cornhuskers get beat week after week. There are things to do in Nebraska, but when fall comes around it is all about the college football team and that will probably never change. This year brought in a change at head coach and so far the results have been dismal. Let's take a closer look at Nebraska football and see where the problems are and how they can be fixed.

It starts with recruiting and this is one area the Cornhuskers have really struggled. It's hard to convince top level recruits to come to a school that plays in cold weather and has not won in awhile. Recruits like things like warm weather and playing certain kinds of football and many times that is why they pass on Nebraska football. The one thing that can help Nebraska is to recruit better and get players who understand the program, and what hard work and dedication will get you at Nebraska. These kind of players are out there you just have to go out find them. You do not have to recruit five star athletes all the time, but you need guys who will fit it well with the type of program you are running.

Another thing Nebraska must do is get better on defense and you can do that in a few ways. Look towards junior college players more as starters is an option. Sometimes switching offensive players to the defensive side is a possibility as well. Talk to kids in there home and see if they would be receptive to that kind of an idea. Sometimes when you cannot get the top recruits you must think outside the box.

Third is the quarterback position is very important. Lately, Nebraska had quarterbacks that did not really fit the system they were running or the plays they call. Getting guys who have a good grasp of the game is important. You don't necessarily need the most talented quarterback, but you want a coachable smart young man that makes good decisions. If you find young men like that you will be fine at the quarterback position.

Lastly, you must get back to what Nebraska football is all about and that is tradition. Nebraska was built on rushing the football behind a good offensive line and using the pass to keep a team off balanced. Playing good safe defense was a hallmark of great Nebraska teams. Run the ball stuff the opponents offense was a recipe for success. If Nebraska wants to win consistently again they have to get back to this part of the program.

Three Takeaways From Nebraska's Ugly Loss In Purdue

After watching another Nebraska debacle there are several things that came to the forefront. One of the things that many fans gripe about is how the Cornhuskers have played in recent years and I will tend to agree with them. I try to not to be to critical about the football team, but this team really is not very good at all. There are three takeaways I took watching Nebraska playing at Purdue yesterday, so let's take a look at them right now.

1. Nebraska's defense is bad to the point it's laughable. When you miss assignments all the time and when you have seven guys tackling a ball carrier and he busts through that many guys you have real issues. The tackling is horrible and it seems like they have no discipline at all hen they play. Game after game they give up huge chunks of yardage and you will never win on a consistent basis that way.

2. Nebraska has become to predictable on offense. Years ago the Cornhuskers were predictable on offense as well, but they could run the ball and teams struggle to do that. Today's team has become so bad it has no identity at all. Nebraska struggles to run the ball and the passing game at times is ineffective. There are times the quarterback does have great games and it is because the defense for Nebraska gives up so many points. Until there is more consistency on offense they will struggle to win games.

3. Coaching, coaching, coaching is also a problem. Bo Perini basically had the same group and got nine wins, but Riley won't come close to that this season. Yes, Riley has a new system put in place and he is becoming familiar with what the players can do. He also has had some bad luck as well along with some key injuries in games. I will give him a pass on this year, but a vast improvement must be made into his second season or he needs to be fired. Nebraska football has a proud tradition, but right now I don't see any of that on the field.

Nebraska Hits All-Time Low In Loss To Purdue

Well the Nebraska Cornhuskers played Purdue on Saturday and as you can expect the Cornhuskers gave away another game. Turnovers and poor defensive play led to a 55-45 lost at Purdue. This puts the Cornhuskers 3-6 and must win there final three games to become bowl eligible. Does Nebraska really want to go to a bowl game after what we have seen in 2015. I think they should pass on any bowl invite unless they play lights out the final three games of the season.

This is one of the worse losses I have seen in a long time. Nebraska was forced to start Ryker Fyfe and he looked like a quarterback who had not played in a long time. He turned the ball over and at times looked horrible. He was not the only one though as the defense got shredded again for big chunks of yardage. Nebraska has become a National joke to other teams and in the press box.

Mike Riley was brought in to get the program where they said Bo Pelini failed to get them. I can truthfully say it was never this bad under Bo. Nebraska has had injuries and some bad luck, but to lose to a one win team is not accepted and never will be in Nebraska football. Will Mike Riley be fired? The chances are he will not, but you never know these days. This loss was a black eye for the program that needed something positive.

J.T. Barrett Gets Arrested For Operating Motor Vehice While Intoxicated They Never Learn

It seems people never learn as J.T. Barrett was named starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes, but that was not enough it seems. Barrett was arrested for operating motor vehicle intoxicated and that was not good thing. Players never learn that you cannot skirt the law. Eventually you will get caught and he did. He was released to fellow quarterback Cardale Jones.

Barrett was suspended for at least one game and it could be two games depending on what Urban Meyer and AD Gene Smith decide to do. Players have to start making better decisions and that includes Barrett. This is his second strike and if he continues to go down this path I don't know how many more chances h is going to get.

The public is getting tired of college and pro players screwing up all the time. Yes, college players tend to do it rarely, but when you are in the limelight you cannot make mistakes like this one. Barrett needs to learn from his mistakes and make much better decisions in the near future. If h does not he could find himself struggling to get to the next level that's for sure.

J.T. Barrett WasThe Logical Choice But Is It The Right One

Urban Meyer decided to go win J.T. Barrett and it has already paid dividends, but was it the right choice for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Barrett played well against Rutgers and he silenced the critics for at least another week. As long as the Buckeyes continue to win with Barrett at the helm not much will be said about it. Toss in just one bad game and then you will have the same questions on whom should be quarterback of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

I do like J.T. Barrett a lot, but the reality in my opinion he is not the best quarterback on the team. I think Braxton Miller is much better at quarterback. The problem with putting the quarterback back at the helm is the Buckeyes reply need him at wide receiver. Miller gives the Buckeyes the best chance to win another National Championship. I do think Barrett or Jones can help them as well, but talent wise Miller is the best of the three.

Miller will probably not play quarterback again as it will hurt his chances to make the NFL Draft. Look for Miller to concentrate on wide receiver this season. I still think he gives the Buckeyes the best chance.

Cavaliers Overpaid For Tristan Thompson That's For Sure

The Cleveland Cavalier and Tristan Thompson have reached a deal on a five year 52 million dollar guaranteed contract. This should make Lebron James happy as he wanted everyone in the fold. In my opinion this contract will come back to haunt the Cavaliers. Thompson is not worth that kind of money for the numbers he produces.

Tristan Thompson has to be smiling today as he got a contract that is guaranteed. This means he will get paid no matter what. Thompson is a good player, but not worth the kind of money the Cleveland Cavaliers Re paying him. I guess we will just have to wait and see how this all works out. I just think he is being paid more them he is worth.

Same Ole Browns Just Different Year

Every year there is optimism in the air in Cleveland only to have the same ole Browns to appear and that s what happen this past Sunday. Browns fans love there team, but how much can they take without snapping. Against the Denver Broncos they showed they have the talent to play with a good team, but not the resolve to beat a team like the Broncos.

Josh McCown has come in and played well so far this season. He has done everything he can to help them win, but simple mistakes are killing the Cleveland Browns. McCown has thrown interceptions at times when he should have just thrown it away. The Browns run defense has to be the worst in the NFL and every week teams exploit it.

Unless some things change Browns fans will be crying once again wait until next year. This season is just a make over of the same ole Browns and I am getting tired of seeing that myself and I am not a Browns fan. I can imagine how hard this is on a die hard Browns fans.

Michigan Can Still Make A Big Impact In College Football

Many things have been written about the tough gut wrenching loss to Michigan State so I won't rehash what everyone already knows about the loss. Michigan in the big picture still has a lot to play for this season. No one thought they would be as good as they are this season. Michigan could still find themselves in the Big Ten Championship game with a little luck and if they win out. You never know what could happen in this crazy college football season so far.

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

The loss could actually help Michigan by giving them even more incentive to win out this season. Michigan played well except for the final play that no one will ever forget anytime soon. Michigan was everything advertised and Jim Harbaugh has them playing well and all is not lost for Michigan and their fans this season. They could still possibly give Ohio State there first loss of the season at the BIG HOUSE! Michigan just needs to stay focused and play well rest of the season.
Jim Harbaugh will keep them playing well and there will won't be a let down anytime soon. Yes, it was a tough loss, but they will be back and ready to go when they play again. Michigan football is back and that is not a good thing for teams they play with Jim Harbaugh at the helm.

Utah Is A Playoff Team Right Now

 Utah sits at No.5 in the latest College Football AP Poll which means right now they have a good shot of making the playoffs. Is there any roadblocks in Utah's​ way? Let's take a closer look at what is ahead for the Utes.

Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Utah has a nice schedule of oppenents which should help them with the voters. This week they have a ranked Cal team and still have UCLA, USC, Arizona and Arizona State left. There are some good teams on the schedule for the Utes. This will only help them as long as they continue to win games.

The one thing I worry about for Utah is name recognition. It seems many times voters do not look enough at the body of work, but the name of the program. Hopefully they will not screw Utah if they win out. If Michigan continues to win that could also help out Utah alot.

Ohio State Holds On To No.1 Spot But It's Slipping Away

Now I might take some heat for this statement, but after watching them against Maryland they are not the No.1 team in the nation anymore. Ohio State did win the game and take over the second half, but they struggled at times against a Maryland team that is not that great. Just step back a week and this team got shutout by Michigan.

Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Maryland's quarterback played well and that had something to do with it, but the Buckeyes defense has been touted to be very good. From what I seen today I am have my reservations about that one. Ohio State played better on offense, but they need to settle on a quarterback and stick with it. Changing all the time is not really helping them.

Ohio State is a top 10 team just not no.1 anymore. The rankings should reflect that this coming week I hope. It will be interesting to see how  this all plays out, but for me Ohio State is no longer a No.1 team in college football. They are very good, but Baylor and TCU have made a case for them as well. Keeping Ohio State at No.1 when they are not playing like a No.1 team in my opinion is just wrong.

Nebraska Finds Itself On The Losing End Again On The Final Play

Now I will admit Mike Riley was not my first choice to coach the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but you really cannot put all these losses at his doorsrep. Nebraska has loss there four games on last plays in the game. Some of this has to do with coaching, but not all of it. Some of this should be put on bad luck, but also some on the players. The hail mary should never had happened at all, but it did. Players have to be more accountable for there play on the field if they want to stop losing. Against Wisconsin Nebraska had a chance to run the clock out and savior a victory, but they could not get a first down. Then the defense let Wisconsin drive down the field for a field goal. Yes, Mike Riley has some blame, but the players also must play better if they want to win ball games.

Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

As far as Mike Riley goes he is really going to feel the heat in Nebraska this week. Until he stops losing games in the final minutes the fans and media will be all over him about it. He seems like a good guy, but the bottom line is Nebraska football fans do not like to lose at all. They have been use to winning for so long losing eats at them from the inside. They get on social media and anywhere else people will listen to them. Yes, they are passionate fans and they want to win bad. Mike Riley realizes that and he wants to win as well.

Nebraska college football will be alright once they start winning again, but the reality of it is that is going to be tough. The remaining schedule is not easy at all. The likes of Northwestern, Minnestoa, Iowa, Rutgers, Purdue, and Michigan State will not be easy.  All these teams are playing decent and will be tough wins to get considering the way the Cornhuskers are playing right now. It will be interesting to see how Nebraska bounces back from the latest defeat. If they lose again the pressure will just get hotter for Mike Riley

Nebraska Struggling Under Mike Riley

What's wrong with Cornhusker Nation? The truth is right now there is good, bad, and ugly when you talk about Nebraska College Football.  Let's start with the good and many people will probably wonder why I  would name this as the good about Nebraska football. I consider very lucky to write about the passionate fans we have that follow the team. Yes, sometimes they may go over the edge and say things that are not always popular with people. This is called passion and sometimes certain fans will cross the line. When you write about Nebraska college football you must understand that fans sometimes they will say hurtful things to you but its because of the passion. I rather have passionate fans then fans who do not care at all.

Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Now the bad of Nebraska college football is simple these days losing games that they should win. No matter whom the coach has been recently it seems games we should win we lose. Under Mike Riley it has been real bad and his 2-3 start is not a good thing in Husker Nation. Riley took a job with alot of expectations and right now he is not reaching them. It's getting bad, but Mike Riley has seen nothing yet especially if he continues to lose ball games. Nebraska fans are about winning and do not want excuse they want wins. Until Riley does that he will take a lot of heat from the fans on and off the field.

When it comes to the ugly that is easy it's the blowout losses. Yes, Riley has really not faced that year, but it seems every coach recently has had this problem. If Riley suffers some blowout  losses the heat will really come down on Riley. Some people did not want Riley hired, so when he struggles the negativity will really come to the forefront. Hopefully things will get better for Husker Nation, but I do not see that rifght now. Talentwise Nebraska is not the ebst. It's getting better, but they have a long way to go. Husker Nation will always be my favorite win or lose.

Tristan Thompson Lowered Demands But Still Not Worth The Money

Tristan Thompson as of right now has not come to a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Thompson has lowered his demands to a 3yr/53million dollar deal, but Cavaliers have not jumped at it just yet. If you look inside the numbers I can see why the Cavaliers have not done that just yet. Let's look inside the numbers with Thompson.

He is a very good rebounder and in that part of his game real consistent. He averages around eight to nine rebounds a game which is great in the NBA. The problem with him he also is a liability as well. When fouled he is a career .633 free throw shooter which is not very good. If he gets fouled often he is going to cost you at the foul line. He will get you around 10 points per game. His assists and steals are very low as well.

Now the money can you really justify paying a guy almost 18 million a year just to rebound the ball. I can see the Cavaliers point in not paying him that kind of money. Then you have Lebron James who wants Thompson back in the fold. I look for Thompson to sign eventually, but maybe not for awhile. Him Cavaliers still far apart.