On an off week, The Mirror learned (just like we did trying to watch the Rutgers game) that winning in college football 2024 is hard. Really stinking hard. Holy smokes.

As we write this, Josh Heupel can’t score at home against Florida who was going to run Billy Napier out of town just a few weeks ago. Heck, Billy only has three points.

Bama struggled at home a week after losing to Vanderbilt. Rutgers got trounced by Wisconsin, but might beat them next week if we are being honest. Washington is having trouble traveling across the country (the new Big Ten and ACC are insane). Hate it, to be honest.

As always, you get The Mirror each week (well, almost each week) because our friends at South Central Chiropractic in Sutton said you should. As October moves on the games get a little more important, including this Big Noon (errr, 11:00 am) affair coming up on Saturday.

Six Games In

As the offenses chug along down the field, in Eugene we can try to figure out where Nebraska stands at the midway point of the season and, for good measure, see what we think about the road ahead.

First things first. Winning games is important; we noted this above. And, for better or worse, Nebraska is, in fact, 5-1. The schedule, it seems, is full of swing games from here on out.

Would you chalk anything up as more than a 50-50 proposition save the looming game against No. 2 Ohio State in a couple weeks? Probably not. But, you also likely don’t see 10-2 in Nebraska’s future either. What should the wish list look like?

For The Mirror, No. 1 is bowl eligibly. That’s one more win. Nebraska needs that momentum. It seems to be shooting the bar kind of low which is a Nebraska thing to do as of late. We wouldn’t even say a 3-3 finish to the season would be much of a disappointment, it would certainly be progress.

The next question is “the football” as our friend Mike Riley used to say. What would that look like over the next six contests? Three things:

• High level defense as we’ve seen the past few weeks to start. Nebraska has not allowed a rushing touchdown this season. Seems good.

• A vastly improved running game would be a sight for sore eyes (also calling more runs, maybe?).

• An efficient freshman quarterback. He’s got so much talent, would love to just see him keep managing games.

• Serviceable (PLEASE I AM BEGGING YOU, SERVICEABLE) special teams. Why we have blind faith in this getting better is beyond The Mirror. And the evidence.

Man, this Ohio State, Oregon game is special so far. Why does Oregon hate point after kicks? Also, LOL Graham Mertz is scrambling on the Tennessee defense. We give up trying to figure out college football. You guys go for it.

So, halfway through Nebraska is 5-1. We’ve certainly seen worse. Florida 10-zip, holy smokes. We’ve been spoiled with better in our past. Maybe it’s time we just appreciate the team, flaws and all.

The Standard

I guess we’ll make grading the standard a weekly thing here. See how it goes. Year to date grades ok this week?

1. Win the turnover battle. The good guys are plus-1 per game, plus-6 for the season. Forgive us for going on memory here, but I think the game record here is 5-0-1. Two defensive scores. This is the kind of stuff that has you 3-3 or 2-4 or 4-2 if it’s worse. GRADE: A. 

2. Most physical team in football. Better. But needs to be even better. And, more consistent. Nebraska’s four running backs have 725 yards on 157 carries (4.62 yards/carry). Not terrible. The bigger concern here is that is 26 carries for the backs per game. Matt Rhule tells you he’d like closer to 35. The Mirror would, too. What counters this? A defense allowing just 2.8 yards per carry. And, again, no rushing touchdowns. GRADE: B. Here comes Tennessee, now.

3. Culture of execution. It doesn’t seem like Nebraska is out-executing anyone they play. The special teams fiascos should definitely be looked at in this category. And, the penalties. Still nearly eight penalties per game for just over 67 yards. Should be cut in half. GRADE: B-.

So, Nebraska is halfway home. The Mirror could spin what we see a multitude of ways, but we won’t. And here comes Tennessee, AGAIN. Football man. See how hard it is. We dare you, just appreciate what you have with the 2024 Nebraska football team. We’ll do our best to do that same back to you.

“I win. Google me.” That man needs to be set in his place. Let’s see if Nebraska can do it. A big game awaits in Bloomington and this isn’t basketball, heck, Nebraska is better than Indiana in that sport anyway. Our Hickory’s won’t crack.