Anticipation Story
Years in the past when Mrs. Husker Dan and I lived in southern California, we determined to take a highway journey to go to some mates in northern California.
As we headed north on the Golden State Freeway, we observed a giant orange billboard with massive black letters that learn:
TIP TOE INN
200 MILES AHEAD!
Farther up the highway we observed one other signal.
TIP TOE INN
150 MILES AHEAD!
And later, one other one stated that the inn was 100 miles out. Then there was one each 25 miles. When it obtained beneath 10 miles, there have been orange billboards each mile. This place have to be unbelievable. We could not wait to see it.
Lastly, the signal stated:
TIP TOE INN
NEXT EXIT!
We took the turnoff and, certain sufficient, there was the large orange TIP TOE INN signal atop a constructing. So I pulled into the parking zone, seemed throughout and observed there have been no different vehicles to be discovered wherever.
Then we observed the entrance door was boarded up. There was a giant signal on it that stated: Closed.
We checked out one another for a couple of seconds after which stated. “It seems like everyone tip-toed out!”
So why am I taking over area telling you a few foolish highway journey we took years in the past?
As a result of that is what Husker soccer followers have been coping with for much too a few years: a number of hype and eventual disappointment.
We noticed it after Scott Frost was employed in 2018. After 2 dropping seasons out of the earlier 3 beneath Mike Riley, Frost was going to revive the Husker soccer program to its rightful place as a school soccer powerhouse. In spite of everything, did not his UCF staff did go 13-0 in 2017?
So how did that work out?
Hmmm. Not so good.
As an alternative of the Huskers getting again onto their former profitable methods, Frost’s first yr noticed the Huskers nosedive to 4-8. However they did handle to win 4 of their final 6 video games. So issues needed to get higher in 2019, proper?
Nope. The Huskers went 5-7 that yr.
Certainly 2020 was going to be the turnaround yr, proper? Husker QB Adrian Martinez was sure to be higher his third yr because the starter, proper? Then COVID hit. The season was shortened. Many Large Ten video games had been canceled. The Huskers fell to 3-5.
In 2021, Nebraska was lastly going to discipline a staff lengthy on expertise and expertise. Issues had been lastly going to show round for the Huskers, proper?
Hmmm. No.
The Huskers self-destructed their approach to a 3-9 season. It issues little that 8 of these losses had been by only one possession. The Huskers nonetheless misplaced 9 video games.
So what ought to Husker followers anticipate this fall?
The Experiment
As most Husker followers know, Husker A.D. Trev Alberts met with Husker head coach Scott Frost in the midst of final yr’s season. One of many outcomes of that assembly was that 4 offensive assistants had been let go. One other defensive coach left for Oregon (Tony Tuioti) leaving Frost with 5 spots to fill.
After the season ended, Frost introduced their replacements.
The brand new teaching positions had been RB (Bryan Applewhite), WR (Mickey Joseph), OL (Donovan Raiola) and a brand new OC and QBs coach, Mark Whipple.
Rounding out the teaching improve was Frost’s first full-time particular groups coach, Invoice Busch.
Additionally new to this system had been about 34 new gamers, together with 16 who got here from the switch portal within the off season. Frost has had simply 8 months to attempt to meld the brand new coaches, new gamers and new schemes into one united power. The true take a look at begins this Saturday when Nebraska takes on Northwestern in Dublin, Eire.
New & Improved?
Will the teaching adjustments Frost made within the offseason be sufficient to proper the Husker soccer ship? Will the brand new transfers be capable to contribute sufficient this fall to assist the Huskers get again on the profitable monitor? Will the prevailing Husker gamers become recreation changers?
The bid query is, was Husker A.D. Trev Alberts’ choice to let Scott Frost coach yet one more yr a sensible one? At most locations, 4 consecutive dropping seasons will get a head coach fired. So will the Frost/Alberts Experiment work?
That is the $64 query.
Having stated that, here is my tackle what Husker followers can anticipate when it comes to wins and losses this fall. My predictions are based mostly on realism, historical past and a sprinkle of optimism.
The video games are listed by what I understand as possible wins (W), possible losses (L) and toss-up video games (T). Word: W’s imply the video games are winnable-I am not saying these are particular wins.
Scroll to Proceed
Word: For an in-depth assessment, please consult with my latest four-part sequence concerning the 12 Husker opponents.
8/27 Northwestern in Dublin, Eire (W) “The Duel in Dublin”
Will probably be fall-like climate when this recreation is performed this Saturday. What a welcome reduction from the heatstroke climate Nebraskans have been enduring!
9/3 North Dakota in Lincoln (W)
Will Husker jet lag assist the Combating Hawks?
9/10 Georgia Southern in Lincoln (W)
This recreation ought to enable Frost to make use of a number of gamers. Going into the following recreation in opposition to Oklahoma, Nebraska ought to be sporting a 3-0 file. (Everyone knows what occurred final yr in Illinois.)
9/17 Oklahoma in Lincoln (T)
This could possibly be a W for the Huskers. The Sooners could be extra weak this season as a result of their teaching workers will virtually be completely new. Oklahoma additionally misplaced their two greatest QBs. Sooner WR and AHC Cale Gundy needed to resign earlier this month. This might be Frost’s first likelihood to indicate the soccer world that his staff has turned the nook. If NU comes out with a W, something could be attainable for the ’22 Huskers.
BYE WEEK 9/24
10/1 Indiana in Lincoln (W)
One other attainable Husker win.
10/7 Friday evening recreation
Will former Husker QB, Noah Vedral play within the recreation for Rutgers? Huskers ought to win this recreation.
10/15
Final yr, issues did not go too properly for the Huskers in Lincoln. Adrian Martinez tossed 4 INTs, sealing the win for the Boilermakers.
BYE WEEK 10/22
10/29 Illinois in Lincoln (W)
Final yr, Nebraska stumbled and bungled their approach to an upset loss at Illinois.. Can Frost & Firm get a win this time?
11/05 Minnesota in Lincoln (T)
That is one other recreation Nebraska might win. Can Frost, Chinander and Whipple whip up (no pun supposed) sufficient performs to win the sport? A victory right here could be actually candy. If the Huskers do not have at the very least 6 wins going into the final a part of the season, Nebraska goes to have a troublesome time profitable any extra video games. That is why the Gopher recreation goes to be vastly essential for Nebraska. Why is that? Simply have a look at the final three opponents.
Here is the true meat of Nebraska’s schedule:
11/12
This recreation needs to be a possible loss for the Huskers this fall. Final yr’s recreation confirmed that Nebraska is able to taking part in with the large boys. The query stays: can the Huskers handle to get out of their very own means in Ann Arbor?
11/19 Wisconsin in Lincoln (T)
A few of you (and you understand who you’re) are considering this recreation needs to be listed as an L. That could be true. However I believe there may be sufficient expertise and expertise on this yr’s Husker squad to make the sport shut. Enjoying the sport in Lincoln on Senior Day would possibly get the Huskers over the hump.
11/25 @Iowa The Sod Couple Sport
This recreation could decide Scott Frost’s destiny. It additionally could decide Nebraska’s bowl hopes. Can the Huskers lastly beat the Hawkeyes? Is that this the win that turns across the Husker soccer program?
Let’s Be Actual
So what do I believe the Husker file might be this fall?
If Nebraska can deal with enterprise and win the six video games I’ve listed as winnable, that will make the Huskers bowl eligible. However six wins may not be sufficient for Frost to maintain his job. Win simply one of many Toss Up video games and the Huskers might have a 7-5 season. Something north of seven wins needs to be thought of an endorsement of the Frost/Alberts Experiment.
Let’s all hope the Husker soccer program can tip toe in to at the very least a bowl recreation.
How Bout Them Huskers
Grasp Will and I focus on “The Duel In Dublin” on this week’s podcast. We additionally let you understand what we consider the media frenzy that hit Scott Frost over his latest feedback about his O-linemen vomiting a number of instances throughout every observe.
