Wednesday, September 14, 2005

CNN SI Mailbag

College football writer Stewart Mandel hits Husker coach Bill Callahan and AD Steve Pedersen in his college football mailbag today.

Among other things, Mandel writes, "It's only been two games, and, even though they both ended in Nebraska victories, it's clear Huskers fans are becoming increasingly agitated with second-year coach Bill Callahan. A year after watching his offense bumble its way through the school's first losing season in 43 years, the Huskers' loyal legions -- and lord knows there's a bunch of them -- were hoping for something more encouraging than an average of 273.5 offensive yards -- ranked 99th nationally -- against Maine and Wake Forest."

He's probably got a point. I'd be interested to hear other's takes on this issue.

Posted by Tony Chapman @ Wednesday, September 14, 2005 ||

Comments:
Hey brother husker. My concern is not so much about the lack of running yardage. I believe that it was last week when TBS showed a graphic about the ratio of passing to running yards for about the last 10 years. What is of concern is that since the late ninties, the total yardage has been going down. I don't think that 300 yards a game is going to cut it at the level Steve Pedersen and Bill Callahan want to be at.
Posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 7:12 PM
 
Kevin - You are exactly right. I was doing some research this week about the 2000 Sooners that won the whole ball of wax.

I thought that team was a bit "rough" on offense, if you will, and won games with defense. Maybe I just remember the 13-2 fiasco in the Orange Bowl.

I was way off. That team averaged nearly 450 yards of offense, with a stellar defense. We are going to need to get some where in the 350 neighborhood to compete weekly in the Big 12 in my opinion.

I think the point about the WCO being too complicated for college football is true as well. I think the great offenses in college's today have an eliminate of "spread" to them with a dual threat quarterback. (See: Utah's Smith, last year. Leak, Vince Young this year) That's wear the college game is headed. Make linebacker's go nuts trying to defend your run and worry about the quarterback at the same time.

Thanks for blogging!
Posted by Blogger Tony Chapman : 11:25 PM
 
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