From the Email Bag

Husker Dan replies to readers

Nebraska Athletics photo

Triple Option?

Husker Dan: I was just wondering. Do you think any Power Five team will ever run the triple option successfully again? I mean, it worked for Nebraska pretty well.

Jim Baggs
Chicago, IL

Dear Jim: Yes. As you said, it did work for Nebraska - to the tune of three national championships under Tom Osborne. Years later after retiring from sports, Osborne became very interested in what the read option could do. The read option is akin to the triple option. To be a successful offense, all it takes are the right players to fit the scheme and coaches who know how to make it work.

Last year when the Huskers ran the triple option, they had some good success with running plays. But with QBs like Casey Thompson and Chubba Purdy, don't look for Mark Whipple to run the option any time soon.

But what if Logan Smothers were to come off the bench for a series or two to run the option.? I wouldn't be surprised if that did happen. Each week, opposing defenses would have to spend additional time trying to figure out how to stop that offense.

***

Husker Dan: What are your thoughts on the way Scott Frost handled himself at the Big Ten Media Days? It seemed like he didn't even want to be there.

Hunter Downe
Redondo Beach, CA

Dear Hunter: Frost's appearance that morning with the media was probably not one of his finest hours. After he took the podium that morning as the first coach to speak at the event, there was an awkward moment of silence. (Most coaches make opening statements.)

Finally, the moderator asked Frost if he had an opening statement.

Frost said he didn't have one, but said he was willing to take questions.

After another awkward moment of silence, one of the reporters finally asked a question. After several more questions and nine minutes later, the session was over.

It's understandable why Frost may have not wanted to be there. His Husker teams have had four consecutive losing seasons and fell to 3-9 last year. I get that. But isn't that part of his job?

It would have been much classier if Frost had gone up to the podium, thanked everyone for being there and simply said, "I don't have an opening statement, but I'd be happy to take your questions."

Scott Frost is the main spokesperson for the Husker football program. Being classy would have been so easy.

But in the grand scheme of things, Frost's performance at the Big Ten Media Days will likely be forgotten - especially if the Huskers win a lot of games this fall.

***

Husker Dan: Do you think the Huskers have filled the spots in the off season that were vacated by graduation, the transfer portal etc.?

Robin Banks
Bellbrook, OH

Robin: Yes, but we won't know for sure until the season unfolds. It appears the QB room, WR room, D-line, secondary and special teams have improved significantly. Getting existing players healthy such as TE Thomas Fidone, O-line players such as Teddy Prochazka and Turner Corcoran, will also be essential to turning around the football program this fall.

***

Husker Dan: I know you've expressed your dislike for the Huskers traveling to Dublin, Ireland to open their season against Northwestern. If not Dublin, where else do you think this game should be played?

Cam Korder
Denver, CO

Dear Cam: Yes, I have voiced displeasure for playing a game six time zones away from both schools. If this contest must be played somewhere besides in Lincoln, Nebraska or Evanston, Illinois, I have a suggestion.

Why not play the game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California? Why there? Because both schools could take advantage of the recruiting possibilities. The game would be only two time zones away from both schools. There's no one else going to play a football game there on Aug. 27.

And think of the number of fans who would show up for that game! There are tons of Husker fans in California. Would these two teams get more money from playing in front of a packed Rose Bowl (100,000 people) or playing in Dublin in front of about 40,000 people, most of whom don't even care about college football?

Sigh...

***

Over the past two weeks, I lost two longtime friends who were big Husker football fans. Both were truly great people, Sadly, both succumbed to health issues they inherited.

Rest in peace Jerry Kohll and John Lehning. We will miss you forever.

***

Grandson Will and I discuss in our latest podcast the 12 opponents the Huskers will face this fall. It runs 58 minutes, but IMHO, well worth it! 

---