Ranking of B12 LB'ers

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robsker

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From another website, the rankings of the B12 linebackers has NU at #11

•1. Kansas. All three starters are back at the hub of KU's stout defense.

•2. Missouri. Sean Weatherspoon had 130 tackles and Brock Christopher is a third-year starter.

•3. Texas. Rashad Bobino returns, but everyone's excited about Sergio Kindle and Rod Muckelroy.

•4. Kansas State. Already a strength in the Wildcats' 3-4 scheme, the unit has been bolstered by juco standouts and Virginia transfer Olu Hall.

•5. Oklahoma. Curtis Lofton and his 157 tackles will be missed; there's talent, yet much has to come together.

•6. Texas Tech. Solid group, with two starters back and youngsters pushing for playing time.

•7. Colorado. Must replace stud Jordan Dizon, but two starters return and more talent is coming on.

•8. Oklahoma State. A successful shift of Andre Sexton from safety is critical to a unit with many unknowns.

•9. Baylor. Maybe the team's greatest strength, with Joe Pawelek twice a second-team All-Big 12 and depth, too.

•10. Texas A&M. Von Miller's move from defensive end plays into an emphasis on pumping speed into the position.

•11. Nebraska. Lost the top four backers, leaving Jenks' Phillip Dillard heading the rebuilding effort.

•12. Iowa State. The Cyclones' best, Jesse Smith, is a former walk-on and there's little experience around him.

http://newsok.com/ranking-the-big-12...?tm=1217126249

This is, of course, really distressing --- especially if the assessment is at all accurate. That said, with all new starters and with those projected starters being Dillard (unproven), Glenn (a converted RB), and Compton (a true freshman) with guys like Wortman (a walk-on), Blake Lawrence (did not show so much when he had the chance) and maybe Austin Stafford or L. Washington (neither with a down of experience) --- well... the ranking is not surprising. The LB'ers may be the weakness of the D (though the line is also a serious question mark).

Thoughts?

 
Like you said, this really isn't that much of a surprise. Hopefully the guys are working there tails off to prove they are batter than what the rankings show.

 
In my opinion, big deal.

The linebackers we had last year were supposed to be some of the best in the conference. Look what happened. Rankings mean nothing. Actions mean everything.

 
You can tell it was an Oklahoma site with their referring to Dillard by his hometown (in Oklahoma).

It's not really a surprise since Nebraska lost so many from last year's team. I'd be more interested to see the mid season rankings after Coaches Pelini and Ekeler start molding the LBs.

 
I'm not surprised at all with these rankings. I really could care less, but I hope our guys improve alot so than can get a little respect.

 
This is the same thing we're talking about when we sit around and wonder how good the D in general is going to be next year. If Pelini has them playing passionate, physical football, they'll do fine. It probably won't be pretty for a few weeks, but such is the consequences of installing a whole different defensive philosophy. Rankings, speculation, polls, and predictions won't mean anything by the end of September. By the time VA Tech rolls into town we should have some idea of what the defense is really made of.

 
BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA said:
You can tell it was an Oklahoma site with their referring to Dillard by his hometown (in Oklahoma).

It's not really a surprise since Nebraska lost so many from last year's team. I'd be more interested to see the mid season rankings after Coaches Pelini and Ekeler start molding the LBs.
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We got a low ranking because they are all new. I think they'll change there mind in mid season

 
no, we are in deep sh#t here. our LB's are the least talented with the least experience ever. can they get better as the season goes on, of course, but in all likelihood, this will hurt the defensive effort overall. Bo knows this and he will do what he can, but folks, don't expect miracles here. we will look good against the "weak sisters", but talented teams will eat our lunch. we will need a grinding ball control type of offense to go 7-5. write it down.......like it or not, it's reality.

 
The one possible saving grace is that the linebackers will be fronted by a defensive line that - if all goes well - will be much improved. If the line can lock up the blockers and allow the linebackers time to read and react (which is the best we can hope for with the lack of experience), that should really help. Likewise, if we see any degree of improvement in the defensive backfield, they will help take some of the burden off the linebackers.

Ideally, of course, you'd like a good mix of experience in all positions, but if NU has to have a season with highly inexperienced linebackers, this is the one since there will be experience (and hopefully significant improvement) in the front four...

 
AR Husker Fan said:
The one possible saving grace is that the linebackers will be fronted by a defensive line that - if all goes well - will be much improved. If the line can lock up the blockers and allow the linebackers time to read and react (which is the best we can hope for with the lack of experience), that should really help. Likewise, if we see any degree of improvement in the defensive backfield, they will help take some of the burden off the linebackers.

Ideally, of course, you'd like a good mix of experience in all positions, but if NU has to have a season with highly inexperienced linebackers, this is the one since there will be experience (and hopefully significant improvement) in the front four...
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I cannot predict that the DL will be very good. Watching film from last year Suh, Dixon and Barefield were simply thrown around like rag dolls. All three were blown off the line of scrimmage nearly instantly on way too high a percentage of snaps. Unless those guys are much, much, much stronger this year than last and also play much lower (not allowing the OL under their pads so often), expect much the same this next year. Even if the DL improves dramatically (and I hope and expect that they will) I am afraid they will still likely struggle and even with great improvement still be below average (or average at best).

I am with Hunter on this one --- with the front seven we have, NU is in deep, deep ..... well you know the rest.

 
The LB positions are available for unknown guys to step in and become good players. It's wide open. We didnt see much in the past four years with underclassmen getting the opportunities as I think we will this year.

I liked Wortman when he was in there. Dillard needs to be healthy and a leader. Glenn wants to prove something. And all the underclassmen that want to be on the field to make plays, this is their opportunity. There will be growing pains. But you have to start somewhere. Next year and the year after could really be beneficial because of the experienced gained & improvement each week.

 
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