2014 Huskers - biggest question marks?

[HuskerNationNick]

Armstrong is no concern of mine whatsoever. I think he will be the best QB we've seen in a long time at Nebraska. Probably the best since Crouch.

Is that just a hunch? Seems strange considering Armstrong ranked in the bottom 3rd in the Big 10 in nearly all QB categories that matter.

Is it fair that your comparing Armstrong's statistics against the other starting QBs? Those other QB's have MANY more plays and a lot more playing time than he did and didn't split playing time with other QB's (Besides NW)

Here is a comparison with QB's who have had at least 130 attempts.

Completed #17 @ 68

Attempted #15 @ 131

% #14 @ 51.9%

Yards #13 @ 966 yrds

Yard/A #7 @ 7.4 yrds

Longest #1 @ 99 yards

TDs #14 @ 9

INTs #8 @ 9 <--- Disturbing number

Sacked #2 @ 4 sacks

QBR #12 @ 124.3

Had he had the playing time the others did, and didn't have to split playing time with Kellogg, I think all these stats would be higher.

 

[True2tRA]

Armstrong is no concern of mine whatsoever. I think he will be the best QB we've seen in a long time at Nebraska. Probably the best since Crouch.

Is that just a hunch? Seems strange considering Armstrong ranked in the bottom 3rd in the Big 10 in nearly all QB categories that matter.

Is it fair that your comparing Armstrong's statistics against the other starting QBs? .

Edit: Nevermind I get it now.
By the way, no I wouldn't think last year would be too fair to judge Armstrong on. It's all we have to really assess right now, but I think that would be a tough spot for anyone. Now this season, Tommy had better be ready to light it up because as a Husker QB, he will be judged by all.

 

[Warrior10]

Armstrong is no concern of mine whatsoever. I think he will be the best QB we've seen in a long time at Nebraska. Probably the best since Crouch.

Is that just a hunch? Seems strange considering Armstrong ranked in the bottom 3rd in the Big 10 in nearly all QB categories that matter.

Is it fair that your comparing Armstrong's statistics against the other starting QBs? Those other QB's have MANY more plays and a lot more playing time than he did and didn't split playing time with other QB's (Besides NW)

Here is a comparison with QB's who have had at least 130 attempts.

Completed #17 @ 68

Attempted #15 @ 131

% #14 @ 51.9%

Yards #13 @ 966 yrds

Yard/A #7 @ 7.4 yrds

Longest #1 @ 99 yards

TDs #14 @ 9

INTs #8 @ 9 <--- Disturbing number

Sacked #2 @ 4 sacks

QBR #12 @ 124.3

Had he had the playing time the others did, and didn't have to split playing time with Kellogg, I think all these stats would be higher.

What concerns me is competition % which is an average so there is no way of saying with more attempts it goes up, and INT's which in theory would go up at about the same ratio in relation to his passing attempts.

 

[HuskerNationNick]

What concerns me is competition % which is an average so there is no way of saying with more attempts it goes up, and INT's which in theory would go up at about the same ratio in relation to his passing attempts.

How do you know that his percentage rating wouldn't go up? You know how many times we pulled TA and put in RKIII when he was hot?

What I actually meant that would improve, is yards per attempts, total yards, TDs, completed passes, as would his QBR.

 

[True2tRA]

I just went back the other day and watched a few bits and pieces of some games and some of the scoring drives Beck, Armstrong, and the rest of the offense put together were masterful.

 

[Warrior10]

What concerns me is competition % which is an average so there is no way of saying with more attempts it goes up, and INT's which in theory would go up at about the same ratio in relation to his passing attempts.

How do you know that his percentage rating wouldn't go up? You know how many times we pulled TA and put in RKIII when he was hot?

What I actually meant that would improve, is yards per attempts, total yards, TDs, completed passes, as would his QBR.

Never said it wouldn't, but to be fair you can't say it would. I agree with your last sentence and was just pointing out to people that I wasn't concerned with those stats because they were altered due to less PT.

 

[Warrior10]

I just went back the other day and watched a few bits and pieces of some games and some of the scoring drives Beck, Armstrong, and the rest of the offense put together were masterful.

Oh I agree, when Beck was clicking and TA was feeling it we were dangerous. Teams always have to respect AA, so when TA and Beck can keep them honest it's beautiful. orderline unstoppabl

 

[HuskerNationNick]

I just went back the other day and watched a few bits and pieces of some games and some of the scoring drives Beck, Armstrong, and the rest of the offense put together were masterful.

I truly believe that this kid is our diamond in the rough. Sure he had some issues, I was hard on him, because some of them were complete dingbat decisions, but those can be caused because of no experience. He will learn how to keep himself calm, when to get rid of the ball and when to make plays on his own. I do believe he had issues with his knee, whether it be mental or physical, when it was cleaned out.

 

[True2tRA]

I just went back the other day and watched a few bits and pieces of some games and some of the scoring drives Beck, Armstrong, and the rest of the offense put together were masterful.

Oh I agree, when Beck was clicking and TA was feeling it we were dangerous. Teams always have to respect AA, so when TA and Beck can keep them honest it's beautiful. orderline unstoppabl

Exactly. That's when I hope even when Abdullah is on fire we utilize that play action pass. It goes both ways. When TA is lighting it up, as much as I'd love to see him throw for 300+, we have to keep those defenses honest like you said. We will always have that running game to do that. Beck gets lost in his play calling sometimes, but as you said, when he's on, and Tommy is on, I think we will be scary as hell for the Big Ten defenses to prepare for.

 

[AngryHusker88]

I honestly think everyone is missing one of the biggest question mark, something that could have given us a W in some games, or even given us a larger win margin, Punt Return.

To me, this is the biggest and most important question mark. Special Teams is so important, and we have lacked in it for some time now. And by special teams, I don't mean it as a whole. Just the punt return. I would like to see more consistency in our punt game as well, and see less botched punts. It might be me, but I am pretty spoiled on how flawless Henry was, and I would like us to return to that status. Where we had to do a 45 yard kick, and in our hearts, we felt it as pretty much a guarantee.

I agree with this...Nebraska botched too many punts last season & that's unacceptable. Things like that can cost us games against tough conference opponents (Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State). That needs to be cleaned up big time.

EDIT - True2tRA brought up a very important concern that didn't cross my mind...the kicker. The field goal kicker is very important & Pat Smith won/helped us win a few games last year. He was very dependable. Its very important that Nebraska finds a reliable field goal kicker...

 

[sd'sker]

those are not big questions marks.

this is a big question mark:

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

I honestly think everyone is missing one of the biggest question mark, something that could have given us a W in some games, or even given us a larger win margin, Punt Return.

To me, this is the biggest and most important question mark. Special Teams is so important, and we have lacked in it for some time now. And by special teams, I don't mean it as a whole. Just the punt return. I would like to see more consistency in our punt game as well, and see less botched punts. It might be me, but I am pretty spoiled on how flawless Henry was, and I would like us to return to that status. Where we had to do a 45 yard kick, and in our hearts, we felt it as pretty much a guarantee.

That's my second on the list.

This goes hand in hand with our field position struggles. The Iowa game comes to mind where Nebraska was constantly behind the sticks the entire game. I really hope we improve our punt return game (it can only go up, really) this season. For example:



What were we doing there?

 

[lo country]

I think BO and Co have done a good job getting the O and D shored up. OL has depth from injuries, DL looks ready to roll, RB's are solid as are receivers. The LB's are seasoned and we have 3 solid safeties. CB even has good depth.

I am worried about special teams and the TO's. Looking back throughout Bo's tenure, ST really hasn't been bad save the past 2 years in punt returns. Get a decent return game going and we flip the field and probably pick up a win or 2 from that alone. Limit the TO's and we easily pick up a win or 2. Now this could mean a net game of 1-2 games per year or as many as 2-4. IMO, we lost very few games on talent, but a lot on the TO battle.

 

[Saunders]

Quarterback, no question. Look at Tommy compared to the other top tier guys and how they played as frosh. Not even close.

 

[NUinID]

Biggest concern is DE depth. We have 2 fine starters in Gregory and McMullen but no depth behind them. Every other spot has at least some depth.

TA should play better this year. It is his team. Cut down the interceptions and hopefully get his completion percentage up to about 60% and he will be good to go.

AA should be good to go and I hope he plays great. Cross I hope gets 12 carries a game. WR really don't concern me. Allen should be back to full speed finally and will be playing well taking the spot that Q played.