CFN: Key Big Ten Questions for '17

[Saunders]

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Is Bob Diaco the key to the Big Ten West?

 

Maybe. He’s that good.

 

Diaco might have struggled as the UConn head coach, but there’s no denying that he’s a whale of a defensive coach and a special defensive coordinator. It’s not like the Huskers were miserable defensively – they finished 30th in the country and improved in almost every area but run defense – but they haven’t been the killer they need to be under Mike Riley. It’s a good D, and it needs to be outstanding.

 

To start, the defensive line has to be better, more aggressive, and more of a factor, and so far in spring ball that’s exactly what it’s been. It’s still early, but be shocked if the Huskers don’t improve on the 26 sacks of last season.

 

With four starters returning in the secondary, there’s room to play around a bit. Chris Jones is a rising star at one corner spot, Joshua Kalu seems like a better fit at safety after working at corner last year, and with the help from the D line providing pressure, watch out for the Nebraska defense to be a bear when the ball is in the air.

 

See the rest of the B1G questions here: http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/17-for-17-key-big-ten-questions

 

[swmohusker]

That is the kool-aid I needed this morning. GBR!!!!

[spurs1990]

 

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Is Bob Diaco the key to the Big Ten West?

 

Maybe. He’s that good.

 

Diaco might have struggled as the UConn head coach, but there’s no denying that he’s a whale of a defensive coach and a special defensive coordinator. It’s not like the Huskers were miserable defensively – they finished 30th in the country and improved in almost every area but run defense – but they haven’t been the killer they need to be under Mike Riley. It’s a good D, and it needs to be outstanding.

 

To start, the defensive line has to be better, more aggressive, and more of a factor, and so far in spring ball that’s exactly what it’s been. It’s still early, but be shocked if the Huskers don’t improve on the 26 sacks of last season.

 

With four starters returning in the secondary, there’s room to play around a bit. Chris Jones is a rising star at one corner spot, Joshua Kalu seems like a better fit at safety after working at corner last year, and with the help from the D line providing pressure, watch out for the Nebraska defense to be a bear when the ball is in the air.

 

See the rest of the B1G questions here: http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/17-for-17-key-big-ten-questions

 

 

We had 26 sacks last year? More than I would have guessed. This is a very optimistic piece and I'm all for it!

[Saunders]

 

 

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Is Bob Diaco the key to the Big Ten West?

 

Maybe. He’s that good.

 

Diaco might have struggled as the UConn head coach, but there’s no denying that he’s a whale of a defensive coach and a special defensive coordinator. It’s not like the Huskers were miserable defensively – they finished 30th in the country and improved in almost every area but run defense – but they haven’t been the killer they need to be under Mike Riley. It’s a good D, and it needs to be outstanding.

 

To start, the defensive line has to be better, more aggressive, and more of a factor, and so far in spring ball that’s exactly what it’s been. It’s still early, but be shocked if the Huskers don’t improve on the 26 sacks of last season.

 

With four starters returning in the secondary, there’s room to play around a bit. Chris Jones is a rising star at one corner spot, Joshua Kalu seems like a better fit at safety after working at corner last year, and with the help from the D line providing pressure, watch out for the Nebraska defense to be a bear when the ball is in the air.

 

See the rest of the B1G questions here: http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/17-for-17-key-big-ten-questions

 

 

We had 26 sacks last year? More than I would have guessed. This is a very optimistic piece and I'm all for it!

 

I think hiring Diaco and moving to the 3-4 is the best move of the Riley era so far.

[spurs1990]

 

 

 

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Is Bob Diaco the key to the Big Ten West?

 

Maybe. He’s that good.

 

Diaco might have struggled as the UConn head coach, but there’s no denying that he’s a whale of a defensive coach and a special defensive coordinator. It’s not like the Huskers were miserable defensively – they finished 30th in the country and improved in almost every area but run defense – but they haven’t been the killer they need to be under Mike Riley. It’s a good D, and it needs to be outstanding.

 

To start, the defensive line has to be better, more aggressive, and more of a factor, and so far in spring ball that’s exactly what it’s been. It’s still early, but be shocked if the Huskers don’t improve on the 26 sacks of last season.

 

With four starters returning in the secondary, there’s room to play around a bit. Chris Jones is a rising star at one corner spot, Joshua Kalu seems like a better fit at safety after working at corner last year, and with the help from the D line providing pressure, watch out for the Nebraska defense to be a bear when the ball is in the air.

 

See the rest of the B1G questions here: http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/17-for-17-key-big-ten-questions

 

 

We had 26 sacks last year? More than I would have guessed. This is a very optimistic piece and I'm all for it!

 

I think hiring Diaco and moving to the 3-4 is the best move of the Riley era so far.

 

I can't argue that and it's really high praise with both the Williams.

[swmohusker]

 

 

 

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Is Bob Diaco the key to the Big Ten West?

 

Maybe. He’s that good.

 

Diaco might have struggled as the UConn head coach, but there’s no denying that he’s a whale of a defensive coach and a special defensive coordinator. It’s not like the Huskers were miserable defensively – they finished 30th in the country and improved in almost every area but run defense – but they haven’t been the killer they need to be under Mike Riley. It’s a good D, and it needs to be outstanding.

 

To start, the defensive line has to be better, more aggressive, and more of a factor, and so far in spring ball that’s exactly what it’s been. It’s still early, but be shocked if the Huskers don’t improve on the 26 sacks of last season.

 

With four starters returning in the secondary, there’s room to play around a bit. Chris Jones is a rising star at one corner spot, Joshua Kalu seems like a better fit at safety after working at corner last year, and with the help from the D line providing pressure, watch out for the Nebraska defense to be a bear when the ball is in the air.

 

See the rest of the B1G questions here: http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/17-for-17-key-big-ten-questions

 

 

We had 26 sacks last year? More than I would have guessed. This is a very optimistic piece and I'm all for it!

 

I think hiring Diaco and moving to the 3-4 is the best move of the Riley era so far.

 

I would argue the mere fact he fired Banker and Reed as the best move. No matter who he hired it would be a big upgrade . I do agree that Diaco could be special here for us.

[Guy Chamberlin]

I guess if you could only address ONE question per team, this was the way to go.

 

Good to see CFN didn't go with the QB question mark that we tend to obsess over.

[I AM FOOT FOOT]

 

 

 

 

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Is Bob Diaco the key to the Big Ten West?

 

Maybe. He’s that good.

 

Diaco might have struggled as the UConn head coach, but there’s no denying that he’s a whale of a defensive coach and a special defensive coordinator. It’s not like the Huskers were miserable defensively – they finished 30th in the country and improved in almost every area but run defense – but they haven’t been the killer they need to be under Mike Riley. It’s a good D, and it needs to be outstanding.

 

To start, the defensive line has to be better, more aggressive, and more of a factor, and so far in spring ball that’s exactly what it’s been. It’s still early, but be shocked if the Huskers don’t improve on the 26 sacks of last season.

 

With four starters returning in the secondary, there’s room to play around a bit. Chris Jones is a rising star at one corner spot, Joshua Kalu seems like a better fit at safety after working at corner last year, and with the help from the D line providing pressure, watch out for the Nebraska defense to be a bear when the ball is in the air.

 

See the rest of the B1G questions here: http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/17-for-17-key-big-ten-questions

 

We had 26 sacks last year? More than I would have guessed. This is a very optimistic piece and I'm all for it!

I think hiring Diaco and moving to the 3-4 is the best move of the Riley era so far.

I would argue the mere fact he fired Banker and Reed as the best move. No matter who he hired it would be a big upgrade . I do agree that Diaco could be special here for us.

I'm happy HCMR made the staff changes but at the same time still puzzled on why they were brought here in the first place.

[spurs1990]

 

 

 

 

 

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Is Bob Diaco the key to the Big Ten West?

 

Maybe. He’s that good.

 

Diaco might have struggled as the UConn head coach, but there’s no denying that he’s a whale of a defensive coach and a special defensive coordinator. It’s not like the Huskers were miserable defensively – they finished 30th in the country and improved in almost every area but run defense – but they haven’t been the killer they need to be under Mike Riley. It’s a good D, and it needs to be outstanding.

 

To start, the defensive line has to be better, more aggressive, and more of a factor, and so far in spring ball that’s exactly what it’s been. It’s still early, but be shocked if the Huskers don’t improve on the 26 sacks of last season.

 

With four starters returning in the secondary, there’s room to play around a bit. Chris Jones is a rising star at one corner spot, Joshua Kalu seems like a better fit at safety after working at corner last year, and with the help from the D line providing pressure, watch out for the Nebraska defense to be a bear when the ball is in the air.

 

See the rest of the B1G questions here: http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/17-for-17-key-big-ten-questions

We had 26 sacks last year? More than I would have guessed. This is a very optimistic piece and I'm all for it!

I think hiring Diaco and moving to the 3-4 is the best move of the Riley era so far.

I would argue the mere fact he fired Banker and Reed as the best move. No matter who he hired it would be a big upgrade . I do agree that Diaco could be special here for us.

I'm happy HCMR made the staff changes but at the same time still puzzled on why they were brought here in the first place.

 

Certainly set us behind the 8 ball but there is something to be said about having known commodities around you in an unknown environment. There's no real way to know exactly what he'd need coming into an entirely different environment than Corvallis. You can blame SE for bringing in someone who didn't know what to do instantly, but you can't blame Riley for being methodical about how he built his staff and team. If you make too many massive changes right away like many suggest he should have done, you potentially lose control and make poor decisions. The way he did it was definitely slower, but man has he taken the time to find what seem like the correct pieces.

 

In a win right away world it's hard to accept but I have no problem with his decisions and timeline of getting them done.

[tmfr15]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Is Bob Diaco the key to the Big Ten West?

 

Maybe. He’s that good.

 

Diaco might have struggled as the UConn head coach, but there’s no denying that he’s a whale of a defensive coach and a special defensive coordinator. It’s not like the Huskers were miserable defensively – they finished 30th in the country and improved in almost every area but run defense – but they haven’t been the killer they need to be under Mike Riley. It’s a good D, and it needs to be outstanding.

 

To start, the defensive line has to be better, more aggressive, and more of a factor, and so far in spring ball that’s exactly what it’s been. It’s still early, but be shocked if the Huskers don’t improve on the 26 sacks of last season.

 

With four starters returning in the secondary, there’s room to play around a bit. Chris Jones is a rising star at one corner spot, Joshua Kalu seems like a better fit at safety after working at corner last year, and with the help from the D line providing pressure, watch out for the Nebraska defense to be a bear when the ball is in the air.

 

See the rest of the B1G questions here: http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/17-for-17-key-big-ten-questions

We had 26 sacks last year? More than I would have guessed. This is a very optimistic piece and I'm all for it!

I think hiring Diaco and moving to the 3-4 is the best move of the Riley era so far.

I would argue the mere fact he fired Banker and Reed as the best move. No matter who he hired it would be a big upgrade . I do agree that Diaco could be special here for us.

I'm happy HCMR made the staff changes but at the same time still puzzled on why they were brought here in the first place.

 

Certainly set us behind the 8 ball but there is something to be said about having known commodities around you in an unknown environment. There's no real way to know exactly what he'd need coming into an entirely different environment than Corvallis. You can blame SE for bringing in someone who didn't know what to do instantly, but you can't blame Riley for being methodical about how he built his staff and team. If you make too many massive changes right away like many suggest he should have done, you potentially lose control and make poor decisions. The way he did it was definitely slower, but man has he taken the time to find what seem like the correct pieces.

 

In a win right away world it's hard to accept but I have no problem with his decisions and timeline of getting them done.

 

There is definitely a feeling of momentum with the program since many are hoping that the moves HCMR is making will produce fruit. And we are all ready to see what comes from the addition of a true throwing quarterback to the mix. Lee just keeps getting more and more praise from folks outside the program.

 

What makes it frustrating ... It was thought Riley brought with him a certain level of knowledge that would make him a hit anywhere in the college football world.

 

Riley knew coaches and was a hugely respected guy. The coaches didn't come to help him out at OSU because the program was one in which it was very hard, even for the most seasoned and successful coach, to go in and have success. Now that he was coming to Nebraska, it was speculated big name coaches would follow him here.

Then he brought his cronies. So that was bull.

 

In the recruiting, we were told the same story as with the coaches. Riley's Beavers were on the radar with top flight kids who turned him down because they just couldn't come to an OSU program that had zero in terms of tradition, facilities and player perks like the Huskers Life Skills Department. Now that he was in Lincoln, with great everything and a lot of booster money, the players would come here.

 

We haven't had a knock you over top 10 class yet.

 

Now, maybe we are building. The recruiting seems to be trending up. And the coach hire with Diaco might be great. But we thought we would start from this spot, not wait two years and then start. From here, with the improvements, what are we looking at, four or five more seasons before we could be relevant in the big picture? I would have liked to cut that down to three by now.

 

In a win-now society it's hard to wait. It gets harder to wait if you keep having to re-set the clock.

[Nebfanatic]

I think we are set up for a strong run right now but it really all hinges on 2017. I think if we put it all together we could realistically go 11-3 and if so I think we could pull a fantastic class and ride that momentum into a streak of CCG appearances similar to what PSU did this year except our division is much more forgiving so we have a much better chance of dominating it.(all due respect to the Badgers but OSU and Michigan are tougher hurdles) Now this is far from a certainty as 2017 could turn in another average result (9-4 or worse) and that would kill our momentum and make it tough for the Riley regime to succeed imo but I do feel as if we have all of the ingredients for a special season in 2017 and Diaco is a large part of that.