NU FOOTBALL - NU Re-View: Texas Tech 37, Nebraska 31 (OT)

THE GOOD ...
- THAT CLICKING SOUND YOU HEAR ... is the Nebraska offense finally getting into some kind of gear. Amidst the post-Missouri teeth gnashing last week was a concern that Nebraska had no offensive identity. Well, I believe one has been located now. Statistically, Nebraska still showed no kind of balance between run and pass. But utilizing the short passing game (and the dreaded Billy C "West Coast Offense") Nebraska was able to keep the Red Raiders off the field. All of Nebraska's success on Saturday flowed from their ability to sustain drives, and that was predicated in large measure on first down successes.
- PLUS 64. As in, the margin of defeat for Nebraska this time was 64 points better than last time they went to Lubbock. It is a measure of the depths to which the Nebraska program has fallen that an ardent fan like yours truly can honestly say after a gutting loss like Saturday that he's pretty happy with things. But it's true. I was amongst the masses of fans and analysts who thought Nebraska would get embarassed again. Shows what I know.
- "I'M A FIGHTER." In Pelini's post-Missouri press conference, he told us he was a fighter, and that his team would continue to fight. Well, Judas Priest, was he right. Husker Nation, scarred with the images of last years' collapses, felt a horrible sense of deja vu. In addition to showing Nebraska could stand toe-to-toe with a top-ten team on their turf, Nebraska also showed a fighting spirit that 'Husker fan had been longing for. Down 28-10, NU had every reason to drop their heads and give up another one. Instead, they fought and scrapped their way back and were one play away from a great win.

THE BAD ...
- "NOT GOOD ENOUGH." That was Pelini's assessment of the team at halftime, and it holds true after the game. It was a great performance, but at the end of the day Nebraska is still 3-3, and 0-2 in conference. Don't forget, Billy C had a number of close calls against good opponents, such as #15 Texas Tech in '04 and #5 Texas in '05. This was a good get-well game for Nebraska after last week's disaster. But just playing close isn't going to get the job done. Pelini & Co. have to start winning these games. There's plenty of time, and plenty of reason to hope. But there's still work to be done.
- MISTAKES, AND LACK THEREOF. Obviously, Joe Ganz's interception is the focal point of this game. But keep in mind, Nebraska hasn't gotten a turnover from an opponent since the 4:54 mark of the third quarter against New Mexico State. Think about how Saturday's game against TTU would have gone had NU knocked the ball loose once or twice. Think about how the Missouri game last week would have gone if Chase Daniel would have looked like he did Saturday against Oklahoma State.
- MISPLACED AGGRESSION. Far be it from me to second guess Bo Pelini, but, well, what are 'blogs for if not that? In the second quarter, Nebraska had a fourth down and an opportunity to get points. Pelini elected to go for it, and Quentin Castille got stuffed. Now, admittedly, NU should be able to get a yard. And, in fairness, Castille didn't fumble, which is progress for him. But if NU kicks the field goal and gets the game to 17-10, how does it shake out from there? On the other side, when NU scores at the end of regulation to make the game 31-30, where's Pelini's aggression? You've got the crowd out of the game, and you've been moving the ball at will on the Red Raider defense. Go for two, and win the game in regulation on the road.

... AND THE MORAL VICTORY.
"We're not about moral victories," Pelini said in his post-game press conference. Don't believe the cliches, this was a moral victory and one Nebraska desperately needed. After Missouri, some loudmouthed 'Husker observers (two thumbs at this guy) opined about the possibility of a 3-9 campaign for the Big Red. While still possible, it seems far less likely. In fairness to me, nothing NU showed this season would have led you to believe Nebraska was capable of a performance like Saturday's, on the road for the first time, in a hostile environment. The question now is, can they do it again?

THE BIG PICTURE
College football is a mercurial game. A team can look dominant one week, and very average the next (see, e.g., Tigers, Missouri). Do not be fooled into thinking that 7-5 or 8-4 is in the bag for this group of 'Huskers. A loss to Iowa State next week still puts Nebraska at 3-4 and scrambling for bowl eligibility. Having said that, Pelini & Co. got this team focused and ready to play the best game of their season the week after playing the worst game of their season. They've shown they can handle adversity. Now, let's see if they can handle just a little success, even of the moral victory variety.

GBR, baby.