The Nebraska Cornhuskers played valiantly, displaying a degree of mental toughness that fans have been waiting for for years. But there are no such things as moral victories, and after Nebraska's 30-27 loss to #18 Michigan, today can cause us to feel empty or hollow.
The defense gave up some big runs that tilted the stats and the game. It looked at times like we forgot how to tackle, and the CBS announcers noticed, frequently remarking about the form tacking by the Wolverine defenders while our defenders attempted arm tackles, ran past the ball carrier, or just plan whiffed. We tried to go for it on fourth down on the first drive and came up empty. We missed a field goal that could have forced overtime. We left points on the field.
But hear me out. Dylan Raiola eclipsed the 300-yardmark while practically running for his life all game. Jacory Barney Jr. added to his career touchdown total with two really nice receiving scores. Dasan McCullough played like a man possessed, and Javin Wright was the game's leading tackler.
There's a lot of fight in this team that didn't quit when they trailed by double digits in the fourth quarter. There were some ballsy calls, like the clock management just before halftime that led to the Hail Mary touchdown.
In the end, and it guts me to say this, this game was about Jimmy's and Joe's. We need more beef up front, on both sides of the ball. We need competent offensive tackles, or we need our coaching staff to have enough faith in the kid they brought from Alabama to keep him in the game despite a questionable false start.
But at the end of the day, I think Nebraska will bounce back from this, and in a big way. I still think the trajectory of this team is that of a 9-10 win team (don't worry, I'll never not pick Nebraska).