Spring Game highs and lows

The CSJ staff was unable to attend the Spring Game in person, and had to steal moments on the radio. Mac makes a good color man, and isn't afraid to tell it like it is. When a reciever was held after beating his man, Mac credited the DB with holding "every way he knew how". Mac was, of course, his sunny-side-up norm, and plays were ususally more a credit to a guy making a play, rather than a someone screwing up. Knowing the playbook and defensive schemes gives a color man a unique perspective.

First, the good news, according to the press reports:

Meyer is a solid #1, and looked great. Not being pressured much helps.

Flynn's move to WR was brilliant. Great athlete with super hands, Flynn looks to be a go-to reciever for the fall. He is exhibit A of Mac's style of finding a way to put the best athletes on the field.

General athleticism of the fist team appears solid.

Now the bad. Fortunately, it's short.

The FG game still stinks. 4 of 5 attempts were missed. Ouch. 17 kickers on the team at the moment, and nobody can push it through. I shudder to think how many games that will cost ISU come fall.

Some posters on the message boards are questioning the OL, and why the first team offense couldn't crush the second team D. I will always contend that nothing can be spun more than a Spring Game. Some see inept OL play for the first team, some see depth in the second team D. It's the classic half-empty, half-full situation. Neither team ran much of the playbook, and each may have tried to work on weaknesses rather than highlight stregnths.

Mac is comfotable in his job, and doesn't feel the need to put on a good show for the few thousand that care enough to show up. Unlike the staff at Nebraska, who opened it up to prove to the massive crowd they do know what they are doing. That's nice, but they will need to win a few (or a lot) to keep the Husker fans content.

Again, the empty/full test: Great offense or bad defense? Superior talent or big drop off? Too bad their early schedule this fall, except for a game aginst Pitt, won't test them much. Their first 5 games are in Lincoln, and after roadies to Waco and Columbia, they could be 7-0 when the Sooners come calling.

BTW- It's impressive to see 68K show up in Lincoln for their Spring Game. Nice devotion. I would have to check my math, but I think 68K is the exact number of fans who went to see Nebraska basketball last season. Total.

Peterclone