Nebraska Cornhuskers Football: Reviewing the 31-30 Win Over Iowa State

THE GOOD...

OPTION FOOTBALL: With Nebraska down to its third-string quarterback, and the wind howling through Jack Trice Stadium, preventing Nebraska from maintaining even the semblance of a passing game, NU was forced to find other options to move the football on offense. Enter Rex Burkhead and the Wildcat offense. With a legitimate running threat taking snaps in a zone read, Nebraska was able to find some creases in a tough Cyclone defense and score just enough to steal a conference win.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED: As dangerous as Iowa State's fake kick in overtime was--and make no mistake, for a moment the play was there--senior peso/hybrid/Transformer Eric Hagg was waiting for the trickeration. He diagnosed the play quickly, and was able to use his speed to intercept a floated pass from ISU holder Daniel Kuehl and allow Nebraska to pull out a win.

THE PAST AS PROLOGUE: Stop me if you've heard this one. One team outplays the other, but struggles on offense to throw the final knockout blow. The other team takes advantage of a plethora of turnovers to put points on the board and win the game. It described Iowa State's 2009 win in Lincoln, and it described Nebraska's 2010 win in Ames. One wonders if Bo Pelini gave an "I am so proud to be your football coach" speech like Paul Rhoads did after the win.

THE BAD...

NILES BEING NILES: With about 10 minutes left in the game, Nebraska was clinging to a seven-point lead and receiving a kickoff. Niles Paul took the kick three yards deep in the end zone, hesitated momentarily, then came charging out. So of course he got hit at the fourteen. And of course he fumbled. And of course Iowa State recovered. And of course the Cyclones used the field position to score and tie the game. 

LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN: Lost in the hullabaloo of the overtime is the fact that NU had a 24-10 lead going into the fourth quarter. Earlier in the season, there was some concern about NU's ability to put teams to the sword when it had the chance. That concern was felt again on Saturday. While there were a lot of mitigating circumstances at work in Saturday's game, NU would be well-served to find its knockout punch if it finds itself with a lead like that going forward.

MAKE UP YOUR MIND: It's no secret that I think Rhoads is a phenomenal coach, working wonders with the talent he has available. But his decision-making at the end of the game was baffling. I think the fake extra point was a mistake, given how dominant the Cyclones had been in the fourth quarter. But what was more baffling was taking a knee with 40 seconds left in regulation, three Iowa State time outs left, and no NU time outs left. Why not see if you can pop Alexander Robinson loose on a draw, or take a shot deep downfield, and at least make an attempt to win the game? It was bizarre to see ISU so ultra-conservative at the end of regulation, and then so ultra-aggressive in overtime. It was even more bizarre--some might say panicky--that Iowa State put its hopes at the last Big XII North title on the arm of its field goal holder against NU's defense.

...AND THE GRAND THEFT FOOTBALL.

Let's not mince words. Iowa State outplayed Nebraska on Saturday, and, based solely on the performances of each team, deserved to win the game. Nebraska turned three ISU turnovers into 21 points and got out of Ames with its title aspirations intact on the back of some strategically-questionable--although admirably gusty--decisions from ISU's coaching staff. In a game in which everything seemed to be breaking the wrong way for NU--including one of the poorest kicking squads in the conference connecting on a 57-yard field goal--Nebraska should feel awfully fortunate to be leaving Ames with the key to the North Division still in its pocket.

THE BIG PICTURE

Over the next three games, we will have a much better idea of how to put the ISU game into perspective. If NU goes on to win out, this game will be the proof that champions sometimes have to win games ugly. If NU stumbles and gives up the North lead, this game will be the canary in the coal mine that NU has depth problems and is a far different outfit without Taylor Martinez as leader. Good teams win ugly, or one-man show? Over the next three weeks, we'll find out which cliche applies.

THE NEXT GAME

Kansas @ Nebraska (November 13, 6:00 p.m. CT, Memorial Stadium, Lincoln NE, Pay-Per-View). Nebraska fans will definitely have mixed emotions, as NU legend Turner Gill brings the Jayhawks to Lincoln for the final Nebraska-Kansas game. KU is coming off a Lazarus-like comeback against Colorado, scoring 35 unanswered points in the final 11 minutes to beat the Buffaloes and further cement Dan Hawkins' role as soon-to-be-ex-Colorado head coach. The Jayhawks will come into Lincoln undermanned, but with more reason than ever to play all four quarters hard.

See my pictures of the game here.

Like what you read? Please LIKE me here and on Facebook, re-tweet this article, and follow me on Twitter @law_talking_guy to follow my thoughts and observations during every Nebraska game and throughout the college football season.