First downs and second guesses:
Jim Harbaugh, coach of the 3-0 Los Angeles Chargers and the man who built the Michigan program that just whipped Nebraska at the line of scrimmage, has a quote that should hang on the wall of every football locker room.
A year ago, when the Chargers drafted an offensive tackle in the first round, Harbaugh was asked why he didn’t draft a “weapon.”
“Offensive linemen, we look at as weapons,” Harbaugh said. “When we talk about attacking on offense, the offensive line is the tip of the spear.”
That mentality is still alive at Michigan and was on full display in the Wolverines’ 30-27 win over Nebraska.
It was also evident that Nebraska still has a ways to go to build its spear.
I’m not here to call out specific linemen for Nebraska. Or, hand the entire tab to the offensive line. I learned long ago from a line guru named Milt Tenopir that sometimes sacks and loss plays happen because a running back didn’t make a block or a quarterback held the ball too long.
But when you allow seven sacks, it’s not because of a missed chip block.
Harbaugh made having a big, physical line a priority when he came back to Michigan. It took him a few years to get there.
Matt Rhule is making the offensive line a priority here, too. In Year 3, he’s not there yet.
Nebraska’s line was expected to be bigger, older and deeper this year. Better, yes.
It is better than it was on Saturday. In the opener against Cincinnati, I recalled marveling at how much time Dylan Raiola had in the pocket. It was a lot.
But in a game against an elite program Saturday, NU’s offensive line was pushed back.
This was an issue that Rhule inherited. As Nebraska has fired coaches (offensive line coach Barney Cotton twice) and played revolving offensive styles the last 20-plus years, it has put building a dominant offensive line on the back burner.
I think Rhule will do that, but it takes time. The best lines are grown together, which can be challenging now with the transfer portal.
Mostly, great offensive lines take talent. Dear 1890: Keep some cash aside for the big uglies.
NU has a talented tackle in Elijah Pritchett, an Alabama transfer. But Pritchett’s playing time has been limited, partly because of penalty mistakes. Will there be a time when Rhule decides he needs Pritchett and lives with whatever might happen?
Rhule and Dana Holgorsen are smart enough cats to know how to scheme around an offensive line issue. But in Big Ten games, there’s no hiding for the offensive line. They have to win the line of scrimmage or else.
The other day, someone asked me if I was in favor of Nebraska having a passing offense or run-oriented attack. My answer was simple.
I’ll take the offense that has the dominant offensive line.
Dylan Raiola
It bears repeating that Dylan Raiola had an impressive game — an elite performance — against Michigan.
If Nebraska had found a way to win, folks would be talking about Raiola as the best quarterback in the Big Ten.
He will need to keep up that level every week.
Trev Alberts in trouble?
Former Texas A&M president Mark Welsh was a big reason why Trev Alberts left Nebraska for the Aggies in 2024. And it appears Welsh took care of Alberts.
After Welsh resigned from A&M suddenly last week, it was revealed that Alberts has a clause in his contract that cuts his buyout in half (from $4 million to $2 million) if Welsh ever resigned. That is, the buyout clause is if Alberts chooses to leave A&M. Maybe Welsh knew he would be leaving?
Better question: What happens to the buyout if a new president comes in and wants a new athletic director? That wasn’t clear.
But I’m sure it has crossed Alberts’ mind.
Big East and Bluejays
First-year Creighton volleyball coach Brian Rosen has done an admirable job, navigating a brutal nonconference schedule with a team that lost major star power.
But in many ways, Rosen’s first season begins on Friday with the Big East. Rosen inherited a program that has won five straight Big East titles and 10 overall.
The Jays are expected to win every year. That’s the bar Kirsten Bernthal-Booth set.
CU also has to win the league or finish second to have a chance to make the NCAA’s.
I like the way Rosen has coached and handled himself so far. But the coaching is only beginning. The Jays have been the underdogs in a lot of matches. Now, they’ll be favored in every match.
Volleyball state
The crowd at the Nebraska-Creighton match last week at CHI Health Center was amazing.
But I keep thinking about the size and the sound of the Jays’ student section. Amazing, too.
And volleyball takes center stage at Friday’s Big Red Brunch (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) at Tiburon Golf Club. Husker legend Jordan Larson will be the featured speaker. I’m sure the future of pro volleyball in Nebraska and nationally will be a topic.
One more and I’m outta here
I’m old enough to remember when the Ryder Cup was actually an exhibition.
I don’t know if it’s ever been bigger than this week at Bethpage in New York.
Europe has the better team on paper but I’ll take the USA by one point. I think the raucous NYC crowd will be worth that point.