I so want to chug the Kool-Aid

[bigboxes]

I've been holding back. I've been supportive of Rhule. I think this was a complete rebuild. Not of a team, but of a program.

Today, we signed the #1 safety. I know he's from Nebraska, but still. I guess it's like Ahman Green.

Point is, I am waiting for the execution. It's seems like we're getting great recruiting, portal additions and NIL. It would be nice to make a 16 team playoffs. Bowl games are pretty meaningless.

I hope the wins come this season. It's been a long time since we've had a good season. Anyone else reluctant to chug that Kool-Aid?

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

I've been holding back. I've been supportive of Rhule. I think this was a complete rebuild. Not of a team, but of a program.

Today, we signed the #1 safety. I know he's from Nebraska, but still. I guess it's like Ahman Green.

Point is, I am waiting for the execution. It's seems like we're getting great recruiting, portal additions and NIL. It would be nice to make a 16 team playoffs. Bowl games are pretty meaningless.

I hope the wins come this season. It's been a long time since we've had a good season. Anyone else reluctant to chug that Kool-Aid?

I don't watch the pressers or pay any attention to what the players say. It's possible this is the year, but I'm not holding my breath.

As you say this is a program rebuild. Rhule has done a ton of good stuff to help us try to get there, but there's a lot more that needs to be done.

The same list I stated last year as requirements for this team are the same unanswered questions.

Beat teams we "should beat", i.e. UCLA at home. Beat a GOOD Big10 team on the road. Come back in the fourth quarter and win a game. Come off a bye week and actually win. Make a special teams play late in the game that pulls out a win. Learn how to win. Have the head coach be a positive factor when the game is on the line. There are more questions to answer.

You have to have 4-5 difference makers on both sides of the ball. We don't.

Unless and until NU starts to break those decades long barriers, I'm in a wait and see pattern.

 

[Laner2]

I've been holding back. I've been supportive of Rhule. I think this was a complete rebuild. Not of a team, but of a program.

Today, we signed the #1 safety. I know he's from Nebraska, but still. I guess it's like Ahman Green.

Point is, I am waiting for the execution. It's seems like we're getting great recruiting, portal additions and NIL. It would be nice to make a 16 team playoffs. Bowl games are pretty meaningless.

I hope the wins come this season. It's been a long time since we've had a good season. Anyone else reluctant to chug that Kool-Aid?

Completely understandable.

 

[Pennsyhuskers]

I've been holding back. I've been supportive of Rhule. I think this was a complete rebuild. Not of a team, but of a program.

Today, we signed the #1 safety. I know he's from Nebraska, but still. I guess it's like Ahman Green.

Point is, I am waiting for the execution. It's seems like we're getting great recruiting, portal additions and NIL. It would be nice to make a 16 team playoffs. Bowl games are pretty meaningless.

I hope the wins come this season. It's been a long time since we've had a good season. Anyone else reluctant to chug that Kool-Aid?

Yes I am reluctant. But if you can’t have some optimism then why be a fan? It is just no fun to walk around in a constant state of pessimism. I think there is reason for optimism so why not take at least a sip of kool aid?

 

[SuperBigFan69]

Yes I am reluctant. But if you can’t have some optimism then why be a fan? It is just no fun to walk around in a constant state of pessimism. I think there is reason for optimism so why not take at least a sip of kool aid?

Amen!

I have a few coaching friends that like other teams and the teams they like have sucked for so long or forever, that each summer they are happy to hope for 7 wins or 8 wins or a bowl game. Like, that is what they not only think will happen but it is what, as a fan, they are shooting for, how lame is that?

Talk about boring. It is like fans that will post here sometimes "I am not even going to watch the game" or "I am glad I did not watch it and I went for a nice bike ride instead and then did yard work"


We get 12 regular season games a year. That is it. Enjoy them, watch them and drink up that positive juice.

 

[Charlie Marlow]

If @RutgersAl can chug 55 gallon drums of Rutgers Kool Aid despite them not being any good since the 1800s then you don’t need to justify having a little bit of preseason optimism.

 

[GeorgeFlippin]

Save it until the end of the season, then you'll know to drink it straight or with arsenic.

 

[big red23]

Amen!

I have a few coaching friends that like other teams and the teams they like have sucked for so long or forever, that each summer they are happy to hope for 7 wins or 8 wins or a bowl game. Like, that is what they not only think will happen but it is what, as a fan, they are shooting for, how lame is that?

Talk about boring. It is like fans that will post here sometimes "I am not even going to watch the game" or "I am glad I did not watch it and I went for a nice bike ride instead and then did yard work"


We get 12 regular season games a year. That is it. Enjoy them, watch them and drink up that positive juice.

If we start out 3-0 I will start sipping
4-0 start drinking it
7-0...

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

I've chugged enough for all ya all's.

11 wins, reg season.

 

[cornhead1.]

This team, like others before will have more talent than 9-10 of the teams we play...it's about time to get the results on the scoreboard.
Give me some kool-aid I see 9-3 or 10-2.

 

[konaki]

For years this team has been held together with glue, band aids and prayers. We are starting to see players come into the program thanks to NIL that can help return the program to it's rightful place in the college football pecking order. Now what we really need are those 5 star defensive linemen to step up and sign with the corn and all will be grand again.

 

[TouchdownTom]

I can tell the regular season is getting close because I'm starting to get super excited for the season only to be let down in the first game. I think we got the right coaches and offense in place now. It's just up to the players to execute and not beat themselves like previous years.

 

[bigboxes]

We had Chasing 3 last year. This year, we should have a show called Kicking *** and Taking Names!

 

[Husker88]

Can honestly say I am optimistic this year for the first time since 2009/2010.

Still not sure we have any players with 'suddenness' that is takes to win a lot of games and compete with the best, but we could be on the cusp.

All depends on the offense. Need to have the ability to put up 50 on anybody nowadays. Does Dylan take the expected leap, and do we have the offensive skill players to scare people?

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Can honestly say I am optimistic this year for the first time since 2009/2010.

Still not sure we have any players with 'suddenness' that is takes to win a lot of games and compete with the best, but we could be on the cusp.

All depends on the offense. Need to have the ability to put up 50 on anybody nowadays. Does Dylan take the expected leap, and do we have the offensive skill players to scare people?

Being able to score 50 on anybody nowadays is ridiculous.
How many guys does NU have that could start for any of the top 5 teams in the country?
It would be an awfully short list.

 

[Husker88]

Being able to score 50 on anybody nowadays is ridiculous.
How many guys does NU have that could start for any of the top 5 teams in the country?
It would be an awfully short list.

Thanks for busting my optimism.

 

[big red23]

Being able to score 50 on anybody nowadays is ridiculous.
How many guys does NU have that could start for any of the top 5 teams in the country?
It would be an awfully short list.

Raiola
Evans
Pritchett
Spindler
Shavers
Singleton

Maybe

Emmett Johnson
Dane Key

 

[broken record]

I don't drink the Kool Aid either. But objectively this team looks better than we have seen in the past decade. The OL looks deeper and more talented. We won't be completely wiped by an injury or two. RB looks thinner than I'd like but we have the best returning starter since Abdullah (in my opinion). The receivers look overall better with three quality starters (two of which are transfers). QB should be better as Raiola has had an offseason to work on areas of his game and get familiar with the best OC we've had in a while. I also feel the depth is better.
TE has me a little more concerned because of depth. I think blocking will be the strong suit here. Nelson had major surgery and he may take a couple seasons to fully return to full speed. I expect to see a lot of Haarberg.
I'm a bit more concerned about the defense. Van Poppel is getting a lot of praise but the interior DL has to have the anchors we need to win in the Big 10. DE lost some guys but they weren't world beaters. We just need to be better pressuring the QB.
LB seems to be the strength and we have more speed. I also wish we had more depth at DB. I don't think we can afford injuries to Ceyair or Marshall right now.
Special teams was a shitshow last year and I'm confident it will be better. Probably vastly better under Ekeler. Special teams will probably be worth 2-3 close wins instead of losses.
Overall, I feel optimistic that this team can get to 9 wins. Maybe more. But we have to see guys stay healthy and make the expected improvements in their game. Raiola can't slide before a first down. We can't miss layup field goals. We can't have stupid mental mistakes and turnovers in key situations. Do that and this should be a good year.

 

[king_kong__]

Raiola
Evans
Pritchett
Spindler
Shavers
Singleton

Maybe

Emmett Johnson
Dane Key

is this post serious?

spit out my coffee and I wasn't even drinking any when I got to Singleton

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Thanks for busting my optimism.

The problem, among the obvious ones, is that Rhule is hesitant to really lay it on teams when he gets the chance. Maybe Akron and Houston Christian but that's about it. Not trying to bust your optimism, but Rhule really isn't the type cause his teams have been the recipient a few times over the years.

TO, Switzer, Meyer, oh yeah they'll put half a hundred on teams and still look for more.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Raiola
Evans
Pritchett
Spindler
Shavers
Singleton

Maybe

Emmett Johnson
Dane Key

Not looking to dog our guys, but 1 maybe 2 tops.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

is this post serious?

spit out my coffee and I wasn't even drinking any when I got to Singleton

kong, I can't give you a like cause I don't want to dog many of our top players.
I'm talking about players like Frazier, LP, Ahman, Aaron Taylor, Wistrom, Peters, etc.

You gotta be a real dog to be able to start for any team in the country. Not on this team, sorry.

Do I think this is gonna be our best team since at least 2009? Yes.
But, NU should be good, its a money machine that has everything a team could ever ask for. But spending a boat load of money doesn't entitle us to wins, we have to do it on the field first.

Last year NU showed very well against a good CU team. They took the national champions to the wire.
The problem is they never sustain anything. It's a long season, we can't have anymore Northern Iowas, Illinois, UCLAs, Iowas OR Indianas.

NU has to beat Minn for the first time in @ 6-7 years. We gotta figure out a way to beat Iowa for chrimany sakes, last year was total domination, until it wasn't.
You win games like that by proving that you can win games like that, we haven't.

Assuming NU gets by Cincy and then can beat Michigan at home, the next obstacle is beating those frigging Gophers. We do that, now we're talking.

NU has upgraded significantly, especially on offense. Experienced OL with 2 and maybe 3 excellent players, a total rebuild in the WR's corps from proven performers, not as talented or deep at that difference maker position, I.E. RB as I'd like, and Dylan needs to take a giant overall leap from last year.
Without a doubt our kicking game can and will be a difference in 2-3 tight fits this year, so that's perceived as no longer being a liability.

Defensively, we best stop those good teams from running the ball, cause in the secondary other than Wright and Marshall I think we're very suspect. And I have more concerns.

Optimism and hopium is good, but NU still has a lot of proving to do.

I'm not trying to sh*t in anyone's chili, we all have opinions, none more important than our own.

 

[big red23]

kong, I can't give you a like cause I don't want to dog many of our top players.
I'm talking about players like Frazier, LP, Ahman, Aaron Taylor, Wistrom, Peters, etc.

You gotta be a real dog to be able to start for any team in the country. Not on this team, sorry.

Do I think this is gonna be our best team since at least 2009? Yes.
But, NU should be good, its a money machine that has everything a team could ever ask for. But spending a boat load of money doesn't entitle us to wins, we have to do it on the field first.

Last year NU showed very well against a good CU team. They took the national champions to the wire.
The problem is they never sustain anything. It's a long season, we can't have anymore Northern Iowas, Illinois, UCLAs, Iowas OR Indianas.

NU has to beat Minn for the first time in @ 6-7 years. We gotta figure out a way to beat Iowa for chrimany sakes, last year was total domination, until it wasn't.
You win games like that by proving that you can win games like that, we haven't.

Assuming NU gets by Cincy and then can beat Michigan at home, the next obstacle is beating those frigging Gophers. We do that, now we're talking.

NU has upgraded significantly, especially on offense. Experienced OL with 2 and maybe 3 excellent players, a total rebuild in the WR's corps from proven performers, not as talented or deep at that difference maker position, I.E. RB as I'd like, and Dylan needs to take a giant overall leap from last year.
Without a doubt our kicking game can and will be a difference in 2-3 tight fits this year, so that's perceived as no longer being a liability.

Defensively, we best stop those good teams from running the ball, cause in the secondary other than Wright and Marshall I think we're very suspect. And I have more concerns.

Optimism and hopium is good, but NU still has a lot of proving to do.

I'm not trying to sh*t in anyone's chili, we all have opinions, none more important than our own.

Kong can laugh, but the truth is all of them could potentially start for a top 5 team

Raiola - Has all the intangibles and definitely start at any school in the country if playing to his full potential

Evans - He Started 5 games as a Freshman and all 13 as a Sophomore. He has now moved to I think he could start for anyone in the country as a Junior at Center

Pritchett - Um he already started at Alabama as a Sophomore. So this is proof

Spindler - Already started for Notre Dame when they made it to the National Championship.

Shavers - He is a Sophomore and is probably the most decorated player on our Defense. He we be a high round draft pick when his NU career is over and definitely could see him starting anywhere in the country

Singleton - Maybe the biggest stretch, but it is his potential that tells me he could. If he plays to full potential he is a early round draft pick and could start for any team IMO.

Emmitt Johnson - He is close and he has shown moments where he could be a game changer. I think he makes a big jump this year with the OL we have.

Dane Key - Georgia was trying to get Dane Key out of the NIL portal. Don't think they were trying to get him as a back up as a Senior. So yes he could 100% be playing on a Top 6 team.

@king_kong__ you can laugh all you want, but outside of Singleton and Johnson, I am confident the other 5 would start for a Top 5 team

 

[TheRealPeliniTheCrutch]

Kong can laugh, but the truth is all of them could potentially start for a top 5 team

Raiola - Has all the intangibles and definitely start at any school in the country if playing to his full potential

Evans - He Started 5 games as a Freshman and all 13 as a Sophomore. He has now moved to I think he could start for anyone in the country as a Junior at Center

Pritchett - Um he already started at Alabama as a Sophomore. So this is proof

Spindler - Already started for Notre Dame when they made it to the National Championship.

Shavers - He is a Sophomore and is probably the most decorated player on our Defense. He we be a high round draft pick when his NU career is over and definitely could see him starting anywhere in the country

Singleton - Maybe the biggest stretch, but it is his potential that tells me he could. If he plays to full potential he is a early round draft pick and could start for any team IMO.

Emmitt Johnson - He is close and he has shown moments where he could be a game changer. I think he makes a big jump this year with the OL we have.

Dane Key - Georgia was trying to get Dane Key out of the NIL portal. Don't think they were trying to get him as a back up as a Senior. So yes he could 100% be playing on a Top 6 team.

@king_kong__ you can laugh all you want, but outside of Singleton and Johnson, I am confident the other 5 would start for a Top 5 team

Evans, Johnson, and Singleton at Georgia and/or Texas?

C’mon man.

 

[cHUCK001]

Can honestly say I am optimistic this year for the first time since 2009/2010.

Still not sure we have any players with 'suddenness' that is takes to win a lot of games and compete with the best, but we could be on the cusp.

All depends on the offense. Need to have the ability to put up 50 on anybody nowadays. Does Dylan take the expected leap, and do we have the offensive skill players to scare people?

Still have that opinion? Watch good teams, good coaching and good schemes. Winners. Soak it in. Now that you understand football and what coaching is, do you have a different opinion now about Coach Rhule? My guess is no. You were educated on this crappy hire for over 3 years by me and many others. Man up, say you wre wrong and move on. Will you? Hell no. That's cool, though.

 

[Husker88]

Still have that opinion? Watch good teams, good coaching and good schemes. Winners. Soak it in. Now that you understand football and what coaching is, do you have a different opinion now about Coach Rhule? My guess is no. You were educated on this crappy hire for over 3 years by me and many others. Man up, say you wre wrong and move on. Will you? Hell no. That's cool, though.

Wow.

Yeah, I was wrong. Our OL/DL aren't good enough and we need dudes on defense.

So glad you found this post.

 

[B1G RED]

nm

 

[HuskerInCarolina]

I've been holding back. I've been supportive of Rhule. I think this was a complete rebuild. Not of a team, but of a program.

Today, we signed the #1 safety. I know he's from Nebraska, but still. I guess it's like Ahman Green.

Point is, I am waiting for the execution. It's seems like we're getting great recruiting, portal additions and NIL. It would be nice to make a 16 team playoffs. Bowl games are pretty meaningless.

I hope the wins come this season. It's been a long time since we've had a good season. Anyone else reluctant to chug that Kool-Aid?

Sorry but what safety did we sign 2 weeks before the season began?

 

[NikkiSixx]

 

[dinglefritz]

Yes I am reluctant. But if you can’t have some optimism then why be a fan? It is just no fun to walk around in a constant state of pessimism. I think there is reason for optimism so why not take at least a sip of kool aid?

I guess I’m so beaten down by the past decade that Ive adopted the I’ll believe it when I see it. Somebody posted several weeks ago that we could be better next year, and still not make a bowl game due to the schedule.

I try to be logical and reasonable in my view. Our schedule next year in conference is a meat grinder. A losing season is possible IF Dylan doesn’t come back and maybe even if he does. The DC hire and portal are huge. Logically there could be a learning curve for our O line. We’ll likely have several new starters to go with a new position coach. Maybe that’s better but it’s reasonable to expect some struggles.

Elephant in the room is replacing EJ. Let’s hope at least one of the freshman RBs can step up. They were both pretty highly thought as high schoolers. Nelson has shown flashes not unlike EJ as a freshman. He was actually ranked a lot higher than I thought. The dudes have to get it done because I doubt we can get the RB we all want in the portal.

We need to just let the coaches coach. Personally I wish Rhule would adopt the old Solich, he moved around pretty well instead of blowing smoke up our butt all the time about players. Yeah, say you like a guy, but then add “he has a ways to go” or something similar. Lose the he’s an NFL guy talk. The worst thing about Husker football right now is the barrage of negativity some of which is happily being fomented by outside trolls.

 

[dinglefritz]

Sorry but what safety did we sign 2 weeks before the season began?

Fudge. I bit on an Iowa troll’s bump of an old thread. cHUCK001 needs help.

 

[BigRedBeliever]

I've been holding back. I've been supportive of Rhule. I think this was a complete rebuild. Not of a team, but of a program.

Today, we signed the #1 safety. I know he's from Nebraska, but still. I guess it's like Ahman Green.

Point is, I am waiting for the execution. It's seems like we're getting great recruiting, portal additions and NIL. It would be nice to make a 16 team playoffs. Bowl games are pretty meaningless.

I hope the wins come this season. It's been a long time since we've had a good season. Anyone else reluctant to chug that Kool-Aid?

Like Coach Cignetti preached, he had to change the mentality of the Indiana fan base. Negativity and poor mouth thinking is what permeated that school.

I believe the same is in the state of Nebraska. The golden Rhule AND the fan base need to bolster up our belief in our team. Debbie Downer attitudes won't cut it.

 

[QAnon399535]

I've been holding back. I've been supportive of Rhule. I think this was a complete rebuild. Not of a team, but of a program.

Today, we signed the #1 safety. I know he's from Nebraska, but still. I guess it's like Ahman Green.

Point is, I am waiting for the execution. It's seems like we're getting great recruiting, portal additions and NIL. It would be nice to make a 16 team playoffs. Bowl games are pretty meaningless.

I hope the wins come this season. It's been a long time since we've had a good season. Anyone else reluctant to chug that Kool-Aid?

Keep waiting

 

[BugsAreQualityProtein]

Like Coach Cignetti preached, he had to change the mentality of the Indiana fan base. Negativity and poor mouth thinking is what permeated that school.

I believe the same is in the state of Nebraska. The golden Rhule AND the fan base need to bolster up our belief in our team. Debbie Downer attitudes won't cut it.

The main difference between Cignetti and Rhule is that one is a football coach and the other is not.

 

[Man Woman & Child]

The main difference between Cignetti and Rhule is that one is a football coach and the other is not.

Yep, one backs up what he preaches and the other does not. Pretty simple stuff.

 

[K Rod]

Like Coach Cignetti preached, he had to change the mentality of the Indiana fan base. Negativity and poor mouth thinking is what permeated that school.

I believe the same is in the state of Nebraska. The golden Rhule AND the fan base need to bolster up our belief in our team. Debbie Downer attitudes won't cut it.

You can believe in one hand, and crap in the other, and see which gets filled first. Cig has won every place he has been. Ruhle has not. From day 1, Indiana under Cig has put a great product on the field. We are 3 full SEASONS into the Ruhle era and we are seeing blowouts. You can pump all the sunshine you want, but until some tangible results happen, folks are going to be negative.

1. Stop the blowouts
2. Win at least one boarder rivalry game
3. Beat a top 25 team

 

[TouchdownTom]

I'm pissed now but come April my hope will be renewed and against my better judgment, I will start sipping the kool-aid again. And I will still want to believe that next November will be different and we won't collapse if we start 5-1 again.

 

[nu2u]

I believe the same is in the state of Nebraska. The golden Rhule AND the fan base need to bolster up our belief in our team. Debbie Downer attitudes won't cut it.

Blaming the fans is beyond ridiculous and intellectually flawed. “Bolstering up belief” in an average team is the act of a weak minded individual unable or unwilling to examine and accept reality. You draw conclusions based on performance, not hype or irrational exuberance.

…..and really…… “golden Rhule”? lol.

 

[Wasker73]

I don't watch the pressers or pay any attention to what the players say. It's possible this is the year, but I'm not holding my breath.

As you say this is a program rebuild. Rhule has done a ton of good stuff to help us try to get there, but there's a lot more that needs to be done.

The same list I stated last year as requirements for this team are the same unanswered questions.

Beat teams we "should beat", i.e. UCLA at home. Beat a GOOD Big10 team on the road. Come back in the fourth quarter and win a game. Come off a bye week and actually win. Make a special teams play late in the game that pulls out a win. Learn how to win. Have the head coach be a positive factor when the game is on the line. There are more questions to answer.

You have to have 4-5 difference makers on both sides of the ball. We don't.

Unless and until NU starts to break those decades long barriers, I'm in a wait and see pattern.

I do not drink the Kool-Aid. I think Matt Rhule has made the Huskers into the college version of his Carolina Panthers team. A mess.

 

[USNHusker]

I do not drink the Kool-Aid. I think Matt Rhule has made the Huskers into the college version of his Carolina Panthers team. A mess.

Each season we have progressed in Wins. When was the last time we had back to back winning seasons? Would we all want faster results, ABSOLUTELY! But there has been progress even if you don't want to admit it.