At first glance this looked like a mismatch but upon further research it couldn't be further from the truth. This Nebraska team has not been very good on the road and especially in the state of Texas. Their problem all year has been offensive in that if they don't run the ball well they struggle to pass. This is why Solich is gone and I think Nebraska is looking for a new coach that can instill the forward pass in Lincoln. Huskers will struggle in this game because of the efficiency of Smoker. Smoker will exploit the Huskers Secondary. Teams that have had success on Nebraska have been those that can pass to set up run or play action. Spartans are a decent road team and are fairly stout against run as they shut down in Minneapolis this year the Gophers who are the #1 rushing team in nation. Huskers are not even close to Gophers. Coaching will play a role here as John L. Smith should easily outwit Pellini. Huskers might play hard wanting to keep Pellini on but he is not up to the task here. Spartans will win this game outright. Spartans 27 Huskers 20 Best of luck.
Kojak
I think you may be underestimating the Huskers secondary. I think you are wrong the teams that beat the Huskers are the ones that ran against them. Nobody set up the run by passing on them.
I am a Husker fan and watched almost all of their games this year and I don't remember ANYONE passing on them consistently. Their secondary is very underrated.
Sidenote, a lot of the Husker players were very upset with the firing of Solich and the day after Solich asked them to win the game for him. He was loved by most players and I think they will really be focused for him.
I personally think Pellini is an excellent coach. Watching their turn around on defense in just one year was very good. They got beat bad by the running games of Texas and Kansas State but other than that the defensive unit played very well all year.
But yes the Huskers have struggled all year on offense and aren't that good.
I personally think the Huskers will come out fired up and get 2 or 3 INT's and beat MSU by about 7-10 (just my thoughts)
I think you may be underestimating the Huskers secondary. I think you are wrong the teams that beat the Huskers are the ones that ran against them. Nobody set up the run by passing on them.
I am a Husker fan and watched almost all of their games this year and I don't remember ANYONE passing on them consistently. Their secondary is very underrated.
Sidenote, a lot of the Husker players were very upset with the firing of Solich and the day after Solich asked them to win the game for him. He was loved by most players and I think they will really be focused for him.
I personally think Pellini is an excellent coach. Watching their turn around on defense in just one year was very good. They got beat bad by the running games of Texas and Kansas State but other than that the defensive unit played very well all year.
But yes the Huskers have struggled all year on offense and aren't that good.
I personally think the Huskers will come out fired up and get 2 or 3 INT's and beat MSU by about 7-10 (just my thoughts)
kojak,
i agree with you that the gophers have, probably the best rb's in the country, and msu held them to 150 yds. however, 150 yds rushing is really not a shut down, and the stat is very misleading -- the spartans got up BIG right away and the gophers were forced to pass for almost the entire game.
gl
i agree with you that the gophers have, probably the best rb's in the country, and msu held them to 150 yds. however, 150 yds rushing is really not a shut down, and the stat is very misleading -- the spartans got up BIG right away and the gophers were forced to pass for almost the entire game.
gl
Here are my thoughts on this matchup:
1. I am leaning toward Nebraska
2. Coach Smith has a terrible bowl record but maybe that was just Louisville because they didn't play well again this year
3. Why is the line at -3-? Nebraska has fired their coach, Mich St stops the run very well, and the Nebraska offense is terrible. I personally look at where the line is in my handicapping and with the line at 3- it makes me think that they are begging you to take the 3- with all these situations that have gone on. That isn't what I base my total decision on but I do look at it when I cap a game. If I was on Mich St I would personally like to see this game start at 2- which most people would then take the fav because they only have to win by 3.
4. The Big Ten has owned this bowl game in the past and your giving Mich St the 3- points. It just doesn't make sense.
5. Although Mich St has a great run defense, I believe that Neb will be able to run the ball effectively against them and then they will throw the ball to their TE for some big plays off of play-action.
6. Nebraska has a great defense and one of the best pass defenses in the country and they will come after Smoker all night long with blitzes. Neb interim Coach Pellini? will have the team ready to play since he is trying to get the head job at NU. The news I get is that the players really want him to get the job so what better way to help him out but with a win.
7. If Nebraska gets up early this game could get ugly quick with turnovers from Mich St but if St gets up Neb will be in trouble because their offense isn't built for comebacks.
This is just my opinion but I am pretty set on taking NU
GL
lewis
1. I am leaning toward Nebraska
2. Coach Smith has a terrible bowl record but maybe that was just Louisville because they didn't play well again this year
3. Why is the line at -3-? Nebraska has fired their coach, Mich St stops the run very well, and the Nebraska offense is terrible. I personally look at where the line is in my handicapping and with the line at 3- it makes me think that they are begging you to take the 3- with all these situations that have gone on. That isn't what I base my total decision on but I do look at it when I cap a game. If I was on Mich St I would personally like to see this game start at 2- which most people would then take the fav because they only have to win by 3.
4. The Big Ten has owned this bowl game in the past and your giving Mich St the 3- points. It just doesn't make sense.
5. Although Mich St has a great run defense, I believe that Neb will be able to run the ball effectively against them and then they will throw the ball to their TE for some big plays off of play-action.
6. Nebraska has a great defense and one of the best pass defenses in the country and they will come after Smoker all night long with blitzes. Neb interim Coach Pellini? will have the team ready to play since he is trying to get the head job at NU. The news I get is that the players really want him to get the job so what better way to help him out but with a win.
7. If Nebraska gets up early this game could get ugly quick with turnovers from Mich St but if St gets up Neb will be in trouble because their offense isn't built for comebacks.
This is just my opinion but I am pretty set on taking NU
GL
lewis
Lewis,
My thoughts are along the same line as yours. But if you look at the teams Nebraska has lost to, they all had superior quarterbacks (Brad Smith,Roberson,Texas freshman qb,etc) The trend so far in most of the bowls is the better quarterback is having superior efforts and the better qb is Smoker. He is a senior and this is his last game so I look for him to go out on top. Good luck
My thoughts are along the same line as yours. But if you look at the teams Nebraska has lost to, they all had superior quarterbacks (Brad Smith,Roberson,Texas freshman qb,etc) The trend so far in most of the bowls is the better quarterback is having superior efforts and the better qb is Smoker. He is a senior and this is his last game so I look for him to go out on top. Good luck
Kojak
You are definetley right about Smoker being the better QB than Lord but the difference between the other QB's you mentioned is that they could all run and throw but Smoker can just throw so running is one thing the defense doesn't have to worry about with Smoker. Since the defense from Nebraska knows where Smoker will be (pocket) I think they will tee off on him and cause a couple of TO's and probably get a Def TD. Demarrio? Williams(LB) from Neb should have a huge game.
The QB from Texas is Vincent Young
GL
lewis
You are definetley right about Smoker being the better QB than Lord but the difference between the other QB's you mentioned is that they could all run and throw but Smoker can just throw so running is one thing the defense doesn't have to worry about with Smoker. Since the defense from Nebraska knows where Smoker will be (pocket) I think they will tee off on him and cause a couple of TO's and probably get a Def TD. Demarrio? Williams(LB) from Neb should have a huge game.
The QB from Texas is Vincent Young
GL
lewis
with you kojak. looked at common opponents and saw thatthey both played penn state. the both played at home, but nebraska won by 8 whereas mich st. won by 20+. who said smoker isnt mobile. your dumb, he isnt lord, but he can move around and scramble if need be. too much going on at nebraska for me to take them. the better qb wins in bowlm games. look at each game so far and you will see this is the best trand to follow. dont forget the 3-4 points your getting. nebraska isnt going to light up the scoreboard, so theseare huge points.
Kojak
I looked for that as well but there really isn't anyone that I would compare to Smoker's quality.
Franchise
Thanks for the dumb comment. I am just on here giving my opinions on a game. I am not saying that I am right but giving my view of this game. This is what this forum is about trying to beat the man not the name calling BS and Smoker might be mobile but he doesn't compare to the 3 QB's that were mentioned.
lewis
I looked for that as well but there really isn't anyone that I would compare to Smoker's quality.
Franchise
Thanks for the dumb comment. I am just on here giving my opinions on a game. I am not saying that I am right but giving my view of this game. This is what this forum is about trying to beat the man not the name calling BS and Smoker might be mobile but he doesn't compare to the 3 QB's that were mentioned.
lewis
yeah, but none of those three qbs can throw like smoker. also, all three good teams nebraska played this year they have been spanked. whereas the top ten teams mich. st played and lost to the lost by 7 (mich) 10 (o. st) and wisconsin by 25 i believe. the wisconsin game was so bad because lee eveans had like 5 or 6tds against them. lord has 5 or 6 tds all year. taking the run away is a lot easier than taking the pass away. if nebraska gets down by 14 at anytime in this game it is over.
the one question i have is special teams. i really dont know much about either, but as we saw in the vt game the mean a lot. especially in a rather close game like i believe ths one to be.
the one question i have is special teams. i really dont know much about either, but as we saw in the vt game the mean a lot. especially in a rather close game like i believe ths one to be.
Kojak
The only QB similiar to Michigan State's Smoker that Nebraska has faced I believe would be Josh Fields from Oklahoma State...However, I believe nebraska was lucky to get Oklahoma State the first game of the year. Results very well could have been different had Nebraska played Oklahoma State later in the season. Nebraska basically stymied the Oklahoma State offense the first game of the year.
I think the morale of this Nebraska team could be hard to figure out for this game. First the firing of Solich right before a Bowl game to me is one piss poor decision by the university. Secondly, the players are in support of assisstant Pellini being given the head coaching position. But the idea that they haven't named him as the head coach yet tells me they are looking elsewhere. I'm sure the players feel this way also... I'm sure spirits might not be running so high on this Nebraska team right now...
Bernie
The only QB similiar to Michigan State's Smoker that Nebraska has faced I believe would be Josh Fields from Oklahoma State...However, I believe nebraska was lucky to get Oklahoma State the first game of the year. Results very well could have been different had Nebraska played Oklahoma State later in the season. Nebraska basically stymied the Oklahoma State offense the first game of the year.
I think the morale of this Nebraska team could be hard to figure out for this game. First the firing of Solich right before a Bowl game to me is one piss poor decision by the university. Secondly, the players are in support of assisstant Pellini being given the head coaching position. But the idea that they haven't named him as the head coach yet tells me they are looking elsewhere. I'm sure the players feel this way also... I'm sure spirits might not be running so high on this Nebraska team right now...
Bernie
Thinking the Nebraska players spirits won't be high is a huge misjudgement. They want to win this game bad. These players have a ton of pride, and after last season and a loss to Ole Miss in the bowl game, these players want to win.
As I see it, it all comes down to the NU pass rush and the NU pass game. If they can pressue the QB, look for NU to have some picks. They have one of the best secondarys in the country and their blitz packages are also very good. This is why a drop back passer plays into the Huskers hands. If Smoker has time he will pick NU apart. Also, if NU has no passing game MSU will stack the line and forget about it. NU will have a hard time moving the ball, let alone scoring. They need the pass to open up the running game. Lord is a terrible decision maker under pressure and will make turnovers.
I think NU can get both jobs done. More worried about Lord's passing but think NU D will cause bad plays by Smoker and create turnovers. NU -3(buy 1/2 pt.)
As I see it, it all comes down to the NU pass rush and the NU pass game. If they can pressue the QB, look for NU to have some picks. They have one of the best secondarys in the country and their blitz packages are also very good. This is why a drop back passer plays into the Huskers hands. If Smoker has time he will pick NU apart. Also, if NU has no passing game MSU will stack the line and forget about it. NU will have a hard time moving the ball, let alone scoring. They need the pass to open up the running game. Lord is a terrible decision maker under pressure and will make turnovers.
I think NU can get both jobs done. More worried about Lord's passing but think NU D will cause bad plays by Smoker and create turnovers. NU -3(buy 1/2 pt.)
Colorado has a similar QB to Smoker in Joel Klatt. Not saying Klatt is as good as Smoker, but he's a pocket-type passer, and does not have the running ability of a B. Smith, V. Young or Ell Roberson. And Klatt has better receivers than MSU does. The Colorado/Nebraska game was in Boulder this year. Neb. is Colorado's biggest rival and was basically its bowl game. Colorado was greatly improved down the stretch and wanted to beat Neb badly. But Neb. went into Boulder and grabbed the win even with all the uncertainty swirling around Solich.
The Alamo Bowl will be like a home game for Nebraska. Their fans flock to their road games/bowls. This is a job audition for Pellini, and the Corn should go all out for him. MSU has had a nice season and is a decent team, but I don't think they have as much motivation here, and certainly won't have the crowd support. To me, this looks like a good spot for Neb. G/L
The Alamo Bowl will be like a home game for Nebraska. Their fans flock to their road games/bowls. This is a job audition for Pellini, and the Corn should go all out for him. MSU has had a nice season and is a decent team, but I don't think they have as much motivation here, and certainly won't have the crowd support. To me, this looks like a good spot for Neb. G/L
I wish I would have read this topic earlier, I could have helped you out. Nebraska has a very good secondary which is even better when facing a team that cannot run and doesn't have a mobile QB. The Michigan State offense controlled by Smoker is the perfect setup for the type of defense NU plays.
When the Nebraska defense struggles is when they play a team with a VERY mobile QB such as Brad Smith, Vince Young or Ell Roberson. This is because it cuts down on the aggressiveness and blitzing. No running game, a pocket QB, EASY pickings. Michigan State really had no chance in this game.
When the Nebraska defense struggles is when they play a team with a VERY mobile QB such as Brad Smith, Vince Young or Ell Roberson. This is because it cuts down on the aggressiveness and blitzing. No running game, a pocket QB, EASY pickings. Michigan State really had no chance in this game.
