A disappointing finish, but it tends to prove my point that Raiola was a good player, just not a good fit for Nebraska. Let’s hope they don’t stew over it for two weeks, as they don’t play again until Halloween. (Washington, in Lincoln, time TBA.)
Not a surprise, but the Huskers dropped out of the ‘also getting points’ section of the AP poll, though they’re still getting some votes in the Coaches poll.
UCLA moved into the top 10 as the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten. (And the SEC has no undefeated teams left.)
I do think this is an improved team over last year. For all Rhule’s jabber, he’s right when he says we’re close to being unbeaten.
But we’ve been “close” for so long it’s disappointing to not get over the hump and win a big game. Reminds me of all those Frost one-score game loses. We were close then too.
In the last two games, the team seemed to get to a point in the 4th quarter where we were hoping to win - not playing to win. That indicates a lack of confidence somewhere between the coaches and the players.
Maybe it’s just me, but the closer we got the last two weeks, the more panicky Rhule looked on the sideline. Players pick up on that nervousness.
Maybe the off week will help reset the mental approach. We’ve gotta have a breakthrough win to break whatever spell we’re under.