Post view: Big 12 Title game
Post view: Big 12 Title game What a weekend in KC! Ice came down from the sky and dropped a whole lot of nasty stuff on the place including Arrowhead Stadium. The Public Works crew must have dropped some Arthur Bryant’s BBQ sauce on the roads. They were OK. But to the Husker offense, it must have looked like a blizzard was still going on inside the stadium. This was a game where we missed a whole lot of chances. Nebraska had unbelievable field position all night long. Ended up with practically nothing. We had more shots than The Bachelor. Came up with a rose in our teeth every time. Hmmmmm.
What exactly happened out there?
Here are a couple of opinions. And remember, opinions are like rear ends…everybody has one.
Thought Zac had one of his least days. Normally, that sharp shooter is like a scorpion with opportunities. Give him the ball near the other team’s end zone and get your return team ready ‘cuz we’ll be kicking off soon. Not this night. The Sooners seemed to puzzle him with different combinations of zone defense. Taylor never appeared comfortable at either the line of scrimmage or in the pocket. He did get pressure, but he’s used to it. That wasn’t it this time. The cold conditions didn’t help. They say great pitchers lose their stuff in cold weather. I believe QB arms can feel that too. He just didn’t seem to have the zip on the passes we’ve come to expect. He was more deliberate. He seemed to hold onto the football just a split second longer than usual. He seemed to put added pressure on himself. He threw just one more INT all season than he did in that game alone. Hmmmmm. The receivers did not have a great game. They had trouble with route running and dropped a few. Purify seemed to set the tone when he fumbled 48 seconds in. Then there is the widow-maker factor. Better known as the OU defense. They are special good. They are big, and fast and aggressive. Mr. Latimer, Mr. Alexander and Mr. Smith should be playing on Sundays in the fall. They sped past college football competition a long time ago. Add to that sound coaching from the OU sideline, which prepared steady if unspectacular QB Paul Thompson for a winning effort and you get the idea the Huskers would have a tough day. We needed to get turnovers. We ended up giving them five. Ouch. So this means a Fiesta for OU and big “D” for us. I can think of a lot lesser consolation prizes. The Cotton Bowl has tradition and big time hospitality. In Dallas, the Huskers will be in the neighborhood of about 50 school boy superstar high school prospects for a whole week and you can bet coach Callahan and his staff will be extending invitations to hang out with the boys. In recruiting, that’s a biggie. We’re also playing on New Year’s Day. That’s plus. Usually, only the good bowls are played on New Year’s Day. Problem is, Auburn is on the other sideline. The Auburn. This is the same bunch that rolled up 10 wins this season (mostly against SEC teams). This is the same group that dealt Florida its only loss and LSU a defeat. At last check, both of those outfits were in the BCS. Yikes. On defense, they fly to the football. Check. They have speedy runners on offense. Check. They have a steady, smart, tough QB who may not be selected first in a fantasy league but won’t get you beat. They have pride, purpose and want some off-season momentum. Sounds like us. I like it.
What exactly happened out there?
Here are a couple of opinions. And remember, opinions are like rear ends…everybody has one.
Thought Zac had one of his least days. Normally, that sharp shooter is like a scorpion with opportunities. Give him the ball near the other team’s end zone and get your return team ready ‘cuz we’ll be kicking off soon. Not this night. The Sooners seemed to puzzle him with different combinations of zone defense. Taylor never appeared comfortable at either the line of scrimmage or in the pocket. He did get pressure, but he’s used to it. That wasn’t it this time. The cold conditions didn’t help. They say great pitchers lose their stuff in cold weather. I believe QB arms can feel that too. He just didn’t seem to have the zip on the passes we’ve come to expect. He was more deliberate. He seemed to hold onto the football just a split second longer than usual. He seemed to put added pressure on himself. He threw just one more INT all season than he did in that game alone. Hmmmmm. The receivers did not have a great game. They had trouble with route running and dropped a few. Purify seemed to set the tone when he fumbled 48 seconds in. Then there is the widow-maker factor. Better known as the OU defense. They are special good. They are big, and fast and aggressive. Mr. Latimer, Mr. Alexander and Mr. Smith should be playing on Sundays in the fall. They sped past college football competition a long time ago. Add to that sound coaching from the OU sideline, which prepared steady if unspectacular QB Paul Thompson for a winning effort and you get the idea the Huskers would have a tough day. We needed to get turnovers. We ended up giving them five. Ouch. So this means a Fiesta for OU and big “D” for us. I can think of a lot lesser consolation prizes. The Cotton Bowl has tradition and big time hospitality. In Dallas, the Huskers will be in the neighborhood of about 50 school boy superstar high school prospects for a whole week and you can bet coach Callahan and his staff will be extending invitations to hang out with the boys. In recruiting, that’s a biggie. We’re also playing on New Year’s Day. That’s plus. Usually, only the good bowls are played on New Year’s Day. Problem is, Auburn is on the other sideline. The Auburn. This is the same bunch that rolled up 10 wins this season (mostly against SEC teams). This is the same group that dealt Florida its only loss and LSU a defeat. At last check, both of those outfits were in the BCS. Yikes. On defense, they fly to the football. Check. They have speedy runners on offense. Check. They have a steady, smart, tough QB who may not be selected first in a fantasy league but won’t get you beat. They have pride, purpose and want some off-season momentum. Sounds like us. I like it.
Published on 12/05/2006