The Husker Locker staff will be presented a number of questions addressing various aspects of each week's game all season long.
This week:
What's your confidence level heading into the Capital One Bowl?
Brian: About the same as I have had the last half of the season. While the defense has gotten better, there is still too much inconsistency in the offense in both playcalling and execution for me to have any peace of mind that Nebraska will be going into this game with all guns blazing. Add on the rust of not seeing live action in over a month, and there is enough to worry about.
Erin: It could be higher, but I always have faith in the Huskers. I believe this team has what it takes to win. I've felt that way all season, in fact. I genuinely believe that with a different game plan, Nebraska could have beat Wisconsin and Michigan (I'm choosing to ignore Northwestern though because they definitely could have - and should have - beat the Wildcats).
The talent has always been there. We saw telling moments against Ohio State and Michigan State that proved this. Again, I'm always confident the Huskers could win. As long as they have confidence in themselves and Tim Beck provides a stellar game plan, my confidence is there.
James: Marginal. It's pretty similar to how it has been all season - which Nebraska team shows up? If it's the team that dominated Michigan State, it could be an impressive win for the Huskers. If it's the team that got beaten by Northwestern, it could be another ugly SEC beatdown of a B1G team.
I picked South Carolina in my bowl pick'ems, I unfortunately have to stick to that prediction. I think the issue will actually be Nebraska's offense, they won't score enough points to get it done against a strong SEC defense.
Brandon: I’m cautiously optimistic about Nebraska’s chances. I think they can hang with South Carolina and considering the athletes they have and the final stretch of the regular season for the Cornhuskers, that’s impressive. You’ve got a number of factors playing into this game, but one of the biggest ones has to be last year’s Holiday Bowl.
There’s been a number of reports coming out of practices about how focused the team is. Normally I’d brush this off as lip service, but I truly believe that following the Northwester-esque efforts given last season against Washington, these guys want to smack a quality SEC opponent in the mouth. I’m skeptical about the defense’s ability to contain Connor Shaw, but if Lavonte David’s his spy all game, No. 4 will have an easier time dealing with him than Dennard Robinson, for example.
How much of an impact do you think a win or loss will have on the offseason?
Brian: A win will get this team to that 10-win plateau that people should measure success in a season upon. 10 wins now is the new “nine-win season” that several Husker fans have fallen in love with. There are too many games now (this makes 13 for Nebraska in 2011) to say that nine wins is the standard. 10, even 11 wins should be the standard. However, that’s another argument for another time.
A loss, on the other hand, will have people throwing out a lot of worry and questions during the winter months into the summer. It will have the stench of last year’s failed ending with the Big 12 title game and the Holiday Bowl debacle.
If Nebraska plays well and loses, that will be one thing. If the Huskers stink up Orlando on Monday, there will be questions that need to be asked about the core group of leaders on this team.
Erin: I don't know if a loss would be devastating, but it wouldn't be exactly how we would want to start 2012. A win would really motivate this team and may even seal the deal for some recruits that are still on the fence. Let's call it like it is: Nebraska needs to win, for a lot of reasons. Every fan, player, and coach has their own.
James: A win over a solid SEC team would be a nice indicator of where Nebraska is going into 2012. Given that last season ended with a meltdown prior to and during the bowl game, repeating that performance with Bo looking for jobs and an underwhelming recruiting class would give Husker fans plenty to worry about heading into 2012. This is even more true thanks losing the three-headed monster of Crick, David and Dennard on defense.
Brandon: We saw how much of an impact a bowl loss can have last season post-Washington, but I don’t feel that was because of the loss itself, but rather how the game was lost. Regardless, you’ve got to think that since they fell short of even competing for the Big Ten Championship, Pelini and the Huskers consider this an opportunity to prove they belong. Wins against the SEC are something that every Big Ten team wants to put on their resume.
What's your take on Nebraska's latest hire, former Iowa defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski?
Brian: Is “meh” a grade? It’s not like Nebraska did horribly here, but I don’t see how Kaz is such a great hire. Granted, he came from an inter-divisional team and, for all intents and purposes, our new “rival” in the Big Ten. However, it’s not like Rick has torn it up in the coaching ranks.
Yes, he had Adrian Clayborn, however like Bo/Carl had Ndamukong Suh, you need to be consistently pulling talent into the program and creating great players to be considered a solid hire. There were better people out there (Ron Zook and Larry Johnson Jr. to name a couple), but Kaczenski is not a slouch by any means. Now, if he can recruit Florida like he did for Iowa, then my feelings about him improve for sure.
Erin: I don't think it was a bad hire. In fact, it's definitely going to create some animosity for the Iowa-Nebraska rivalry. Really no better way to get that started then stealing a coach.
As for the actual hire, Coach Kaz is going to balance out the lack of experience on the defensive side of the coaching staff. I am not implying Papuchis isn't good at what he does, but he's only 33. Coach Kaz will be able to provide additional support and knowledge from his previous experience. That alone makes him a good hire. Plus, I think he'll be stellar with our defensive line.
James: I like the hire, he's known as a good teacher, a decent recruiter, and has solid connections to Nebraska strength coach James Dobson. Dobson has done great things here, and his endorsement is enough for me. I hope he can really hit the recruiting trail, for all of the success Nebraska's defensive linemen have had under Pelini, it's shocking that they haven't landed young recruit after recruit.
Brandon: I’m taking a wait-and-see approach, but I like everything I’ve heard thus far. Allegedly, Kaz weeds out slackers, has solid recruiting connections, is very technique-oriented and is a blue-collar guy which fits Bo’s mentality to the letter. He seems to have a fair amount of energy, too. See his comments regarding finally being able to sport Nebraska as a “brand name” for evidence of that.
Have a prediction, both gameplan and score for the Capital One Bowl?
Brian: The offense will go as Taylor goes, per usual. You of course will see a steady diet of Rex and option/zone read. Knowing how good South Carolina has been against the run, they will load up, daring Martinez to beat them with his arm.
While there will be some success, I fear that Nebraska will not do enough good things to score much. The defense will make plays and it will be close, but I just do not see the offense being consistent enough to pull this one out.
South Carolina 17 Nebraska 13
Erin: My score prediction has been 24-21. I said that weeks ago and I'm sticking with it. It'll be a close game no matter what.
As for game plan, I'm really hoping Beck has drawn up a lot of run plays, utilizing more than just Rex Burkhead. Burkhead can be the anchor, but let's get guys like Ameer Abdullah going and catch South Carolina off guard. Quick passes on slants would be ideal.
Bring the Gamecock defense up with those quick slants, then throw a bomb to Kenny Bell down the field. Basically, I'm predicting a lot of quick plays that will have the South Carolina defense all over the place. I believe that is the key to winning.
James: South Carolina 24-21. I think the defense will play lights out, but will be burned by a key big play breakdown, as well as timely quarterback runs to keep the chains moving for USC. The Huskers will keep it closely with a big play or two on defense and special teams to set the offense up.
This could easily go the other way if Nebraska shows up. That said, don't you get the feeling Steve Spurrier is looking to extract some revenge for the 1996 Fiesta Bowl? If it goes badly early, I see the Old Ball Coach pouring it on.
Brandon: On offense, keep the ball on the ground heading north-south as much as possible. South Carolina has struggled with the option all year, so there’s little doubt in my mind that they’ve been hitting the books hard on defending it. Given that there’s opportunity to gash the middle of their defensive line, take the opportunity. If Nebraska’s going to pass, short to intermediate gains need to be the goal. Don’t test that Gamecock secondary much.
Defensively, while the Blackshirts don’t have to worry about Marcus Lattimore, they need to keep South Carolina’s running game in check. More importantly, they need to put doubt in Connor Shaw’s head about pulling the ball down and running. Alfonzo Dennard looks to be on Alshon Jeffery all day which is going to force Shaw to look for other talented receivers. Going against some questionable talent in Nebraska’s secondary, I expect Bo to run the nickel for most of the game.
Score prediction: Whoever wins, they’ll do it by a score of 27-23
Follow the panel on Twitter:
Brandon: @huskerlocker
Brian: @btbowling
Erin: @helloerinmarie
James: @jamesstevenson
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