For those still following the exchanges with Struggling Joe, you can find parts 1 and 2 from him here and here and my thoughts over here and here.

Here’s some more answers from Joe to some of my questions.

Back to the subject of the offense. Is there a running back that is expected to emerge and help open things up for the running game, and what part is the offensive line playing in the offense’s overall struggles?

Well the talk around Huskerland is freshman phenom Marlon Lucky. The Huskers were able to get a player out of North Hollywood, CA. Do you think Tommy Osbourne blazed those recruiting trails too many times? Lucky was considered the #2 back out of HS last year, according to rivals.com but his playing time has been limited thanks to Sr Cory Ross. Lucky has only carried the rock 15 times in the first two games, but that is still 2nd most behind Ross who has 40 carries.

Ross is still the man and I don’t think the problems have been his or any other Husker back’s. Like you stated above, the Nebraksa O-line has been suspect just the Pitt O-Line, so as soon as they can figure out their problems it would help on the running game a lot. I think part of the problem that the line is having is that they switched around a lot in spring practice and in pre-season practice which has led to guys still trying to figure out their position. The funny thing about the O-line this year is that they are giving Zac Taylor plenty of time to throw, yet are not giving the RB’s room to run. It’s like they’re dealing with the bizarro o-line.

How visibly do Nebraska fans wince whenever Lawrence Phillips name is mentioned or he makes yet another police blotter?

Oh, I think they are somewhat amused by Phillips these days. I think when you when a national championship with him in the lineup as opposed to losing a national championship with him in the lineup the shame that one might feel is diminshed some. The only thing that Nebraska fans probably wish wouldn’t happen is that when he gets in trouble, Tom Osbourne’s name gets his name brought up as well. Like in his last instance back in August, when Lo went and choked his girlfriend, there was Tom’s name being brought up again. I think that would bother a Husker fan more than Phillips misbehavin’ again.

Will Nebraska’s men’s b-ball team make the NCAA Tournament this decade? Which is actually more popular the wrestling team or b-ball?

Being that I barely follow either sport for the Huskers, (I’m a Husker football fan, what can I say?) the only thing I can reference about Husker basketball is Eric Piatkowski. Growing up in South Dakota, you get to experience about one high school basketball player every 3 or 4 years making it to the 1A level. So when Dakota guys go “big time” you tend to follow them a bit closer. So the “Polish Rifle” who is still playing in the NBA these days for the Bulls, is about the only Husker basketball reference that I can pull from. He played for them from 1991-1994 and is the 2nd leading scorer in Nebraska history and made the 2nd most career 3-pointers. Sorry to disappoint.

As far as what is more popular? Well according to the ESPN 50/50, wrestling isn’t even important enough to receive votes and 3.7% of the state thought basketball was the favorite sport of the state. So by a slim 3.7% margin, I’ll give the nod to basketball.

I owe Joe a couple more responses, so you can look for them on his site tomorrow.