Video Breakdown: Are the Huskers vulnerable up the middle?

Of a Vermeil Chiefs-Ravens game a few years ago. The Ravens had ungodly sideline-to-sideline speed from their linebackers while the Chiefs had a fantastic run game. The Chiefs negated the Ravens’ speed by constantly putting fullback (ahem) Tony Richardson or Will Shields (I refuse to believe he was a Cornhusker) in Ray Lewis’ face on every play. With their speed advantage negated, the Ravens were pushed around all day.

but the d-tackle is a half second from tripping him up and Will Compton is a half step from stopping him for a nominal game. Kendial Hunter is a big time back. It will be interesting to see if our guys will be able to hit the hole that explosively, make a decision and go. I don’t know much about OSU’s offensive line, how does it compare to ours?

and/or coming in motion, or the 6th lineman at times as well. I am guessing too we will see some of the twin RB set to further swing the numbers in our favor.

The answer to the title is yes. Or, to be more specific: YES.

After reading the post: Yeah, you found in a single play the microcosm of Nebraska’s run defense issues, especially against Oklahoma St. (It was also probably the worst single up-the-middle run play defensively for Nebraska in that game, so maybe a bit of a cherry-picked play selection, but your point is still valid.)

You nailed all of the problems in defending up the middle generally all year, but particularly against Oklahoma St.: The D-line can’t get off blocks, making it easy for opposing blockers to start on the second level. And once they’re there, Nebraska’s not built for the run at all.

I should note that against Texas, Nebraska was able to get to the ballcarriers pretty quickly, but they just blew straight-on, easy tackles over and over. Most of the time, it was the safeties blowing these tackles. Nebraska’s safeties might often be positioned as linebackers, but they sure don’t tackle like linebackers, and it shows on those runs up the middle.

It seems like our defense is good at clamping down once the opponent gets to the red zone. But before that, a run up the middle is an almost guaranteed 4-6 yards this season. I miss Mr. Suh. You think he could come back and help us for this game?

has alot more to do with the talent of the back. Kendall Hunter flat out made people miss tackles, and I think that had a lot more to do with how talented he is than how un-talented we are..if that makes sense. In this def scheme they put a lot of pressure on 1-on-1 tackling, so if you have a back that is capable of making that one guy miss, then yes we’re very susceptible to the run…I think that’s more or less what you’re saying when you say Nebraska has serious trust in it’s scheme…

In other news, this game has given me a 4 day migraine so what I just said may or may not be gibberish.

Suh was a blocky, shorter DT able to use his low center of gravity and monstrous strength to control the interior of the defense without giving up position. Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuhler are both taller and lankier than Suh, which would seem to favor a more penetrating style of play. Our DTs have been moved out of position pretty regularly this year. When you add in the loss of Philip Dillard, Sean Fisher and, until last week, Will Compton, you see we’ve been playing with only one or two “true” LBs most of the season. I’ve seen Alfonso Dennard and Eric Hagg lining up at LB quite often, and while they’re incredible defensive talents, they just don’t have the size to play that position in running situations.

Frankly, I’m very concerned about this aspect of our defense. It shows that Bo and Carl can get too into their scheme and not pay enough attention to what’s not working.

A far larger concern for me, though, is tackling. At the beginning of the season we were gang-tackling: flying to the ball and wrapping up, trusting teammates to come clean up the play. Lately, and especially in the Texas game, guys have been going for knockout tackles and missing completely (I’m looking right at you, Ricky Thenarse). Crisp, team tackling is another fundamental for the Pelini system, and if we don’t get it right against you Saturday, we’re in trouble.

Good analysis – looking forward to the game. Care to ask some of the trolls over at our place to lay off a bit?

Note: Nebraska fans, please help me out with the analysis here. Is the question about Nebraska’s inside run defense valid? Your input would definitely be a big help as we prepare for Saturday.

It’s been of very big concern all year long. Nebraska has been gambling between shutting down the passing attack or plugging the middle with undersized (though fast) line backers all season.

Should be an interesting Saturday, to say the least.

Thanks to all the NU fans coming on here as well.

Here’s to hoping that this game delivers the potential that it has.

BUT WE ARE AT LEAST OWED ONE KICKED BALL BEFORE WE LEAVE MEMORIAL STADIUM TOMORROW!

Husker fans, please have it ready (in the North endzone) by approximately 6pm.

Also great to see such a civil discussion between the two fanbases here. If only that could carry over elsewhere.

Aside from my emotional angst over tomorrow’s game, it presents such an interesting contrast with the Oklahoma game – Nebraska matches up so differently with us than OU did. So success against OU doesn’t promise success against the Huskers. It’ll be fascinating to see how it plays out.