The No. 9 ranked Nebraska defense entered the 2011 season highly touted but so far has lived down to its advanced billing. Though the Huskers are 3-0 and have a head coach who is considered one of the best defensive minds in college football, Nebraska's defense ranks 61st nationally in rushing defense, 66th in scoring defense, 67th in total defense and 78th in pass defense. Not numbers that are normally associated with a Bo Pelini defense.
As the Huskers head into Wyoming (also 3-0), the have a confounding dynamic on defense with cornerback Alfonzo Dennard an defensive tackle Jared Crick, both considered among the elite in the nation at their position. Pelini told Nebraska media members that cover the team daily that Dennard would in fact start after having sat out the forst three games wiith a quad injury. Dennard's return will certainly be a welcome site considering that his replacement (sophomore Andrew Green) has had a baptism by fire from opponents.
Crick, meanwhile, is listed as questionable with what is believed to be a concussion that he sustained near the end of Nebraska's 51-38 win over Washington Saturday.
Crick has not practiced this week.
"I don't know the terms and all those things," Pelini said. "He got dinged."
No one will ever accuse Pelini of being forthright about injuries. In fairness to Pelini, however, many coaches have that tendency. If Crick does not play, that will mean Terrence Moore, Chase Rome and Thadius Randle get much more playing time.
The question is, should either one play considering that Nebraska has its Big Ten conference opener at No. 6 Wisconsin looming on Oct. 1? You could make the argument that the Huskers win Saurday's game even if neither one plays but there are no absolutes.
If Crick indeed suffered any kind of concussion, he absolutley needs to sit this one out. Not to be self-righteous but we are talking about a young man's life versus a football game.
As for Dennard, his absence is a huge reason why the defense has played so poorly this year, at least by Pelini era standards. Since Dennard appears to be at least near full strength as the coaches indicate then he at least needs to get some playing time Saturday but no more than necessary.
Granted, Dennard (a senior) is a veteran player so it's not like he has forgotten how to play football but he at least needs to get into game shape. Wisconsin is not an opponent that you use just to shake off rust. Yes bringing Dennard back this week presents a risk because if he re-injures himself the statement becomes, "You shouldn't have rushed him back." However, the outcome of a decision does not make it good or bad. It's the reason behind it.
While the Husker defense has been below par at times, it's not 2007 Kevin Cosgrove material that ranked 112th in the nation. With a bright defensive mind like Pelini, however, the belief is that the defense will right the ship to some degree. How much? Who knows?
Nebraska's defense could use a shot in the arm but with Dennard in and Crick possibly out that's one step forward and one step backward. The Husker defense, however, needs a bounceback week after two straight games of yielding 400 plus yards of total offense. Nebraska does not have to pitch a shoutout but another game of 25 plus points and 400 plus yards won't cut it no matter who does or does not play.
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