Nebraska Football: 5 bold predictions for Huskers in November 2017
By Shawn Ekwall
3. Bob Diaco’s 3-4 defense will continue to struggle
The Nebraska defense got the late stops it needed to allow the offense to rally against Purdue Saturday. Many red flags still exist and must be addressed by the coaches moving forward.
Tackling has been an issue all year for the Huskers. Too many missed tackles led to yards (and first downs) after contact. Purdue ran for 199 yards and two touchdowns against the Blackshirts. Way too many yards to be giving up. In the Big Ten – especially in November – the team that runs the ball the best (and stops the run) usually wins. Nebraska was fortunate to escape Purdue with the win after giving up that many yards on the ground.
Nebraska does not have the ideal personnel to run Diaco’s 3-4 scheme. Defensive Tackle Mick Stoltenberg does a decent job in the middle, but the outside guys are a step slow and several players within the scheme weren’t recruited as 3-4 guys. Northwestern’s Justin Jackson will severely test Diaco’s unit. The Huskers face Saquon Barkley along with Iowa’s powerful zone running scheme to end the month.
Injuries are adding up as well. Linebacker Luke Gifford missed the Purdue game. Cornerbacks Lamar Jackson and Eric Lee were dinged up as well. Top corner, Chris Jones is just getting back to full strength from a knee injury suffered in fall camp. Aaron Williams and Antonio Reed were also banged up. The Huskers can ill-afford any more injuries and must keep guys healthy to compete.
Gifford (hip) is questionable. Reed (knee), questionable. Aaron Williams (neck) a maybe. Decker out probably for season. Farmer out a while.
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) October 30, 2017
November will be a tall order for the Nebraska defense. The Huskers must be better at stopping the run and tackling in space. I think these issues will continue for a unit that has yet to reach its potential.