Something I've been pondering about this is how big of an impact does Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin playing against Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin and their completely failed offenses buff up their defensive rankings?
Fair question to ask, and you can extend beyond just NU. When the Big Ten has six of the top-10 defenses by SP+, you have to wonder if there's much offense in the conference. And we all know it's not vintage Big 12.
That said, I don't think Wisconsin and Iowa are propping NU's numbers up. On a yards per play basis, the Blackshirts held 11 of 12 offenses below their overall season average. Some just slightly so, but Minnesota, Illinois and Purdue all averaged at least a yard less per play against NU than against everyone else. The Huskers even kept Michigan under its season average, though that game got out of hand so early you could maybe chalk most of that up to offensive indifference.
The only opponent to average more YPP against Nebraska than it did on the year? Michigan State. It's still the roughest loss of 2023. Not only was it a bad loss, but also the wrong loss at the wrong time.
Besides the errant passes sacks there were plenty of drops. The offense played with no confidence. I saw receivers running free and a three man rush getting to the qb. I think the big number of reps this spring will bring some consistency. If we can make blitzers pay even a little we will be improved.
Something I've been pondering about this is how big of an impact does Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin playing against Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin and their completely failed offenses buff up their defensive rankings?
Fair question to ask, and you can extend beyond just NU. When the Big Ten has six of the top-10 defenses by SP+, you have to wonder if there's much offense in the conference. And we all know it's not vintage Big 12.
That said, I don't think Wisconsin and Iowa are propping NU's numbers up. On a yards per play basis, the Blackshirts held 11 of 12 offenses below their overall season average. Some just slightly so, but Minnesota, Illinois and Purdue all averaged at least a yard less per play against NU than against everyone else. The Huskers even kept Michigan under its season average, though that game got out of hand so early you could maybe chalk most of that up to offensive indifference.
The only opponent to average more YPP against Nebraska than it did on the year? Michigan State. It's still the roughest loss of 2023. Not only was it a bad loss, but also the wrong loss at the wrong time.
Thank you for looking this up and replying. It's interesting to me how my perceptions differ from reality.
Besides the errant passes sacks there were plenty of drops. The offense played with no confidence. I saw receivers running free and a three man rush getting to the qb. I think the big number of reps this spring will bring some consistency. If we can make blitzers pay even a little we will be improved.