MUTigerFan
Special Teams Player
Yea.. in Total Defense. They trailed Texas, OU, Mizzou, Texas Tech, and OSU in Scoring Defense.
When was the last time you boasted about giving up fewer yards than the other team instead of points?
BIG 12 NORTH PRESEASON FORECAST
- Thread starter HUSKER CHUCK
- Start date
When was the last time you boasted about giving up fewer yards than the other team instead of points?
Kansas will not win the north and here's why: Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.
In the four major defensive categories, consider these facts:
* Nebraska ranked 3rd in the conference in rushing defense behind only Oklahoma and Texas.
* Nebraska ranked 2nd in the conference in total defense behind Texas.
* Nebraska ranked 6th in the conference in pass efficiency behind Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Missouri and Oklahoma State.
* Nebraska ranked 6th in the conference in scoring defense behind Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.
Kansas wasn't anywhere near the top in any category. Granted the numbers the Nebraska defense allowed, especially in pass efficiency and scoring defense were almost putrid when contrasted with the rest of the nation. However in the Big 12, almost every team had, at least according to the statistical numbers almost putrid defenses. However, that's because the offenses were so good. Anyway, the point here is that going forward Nebraska will be at, or very near, the top of the conference in defense and that my friend is why we'll win the north and quite possibly the Big 12 this year.
Oh and MUTigerFan, I pretty much agree with everything else you said.
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JTrain
All-Conference
Nebraska won't have a top 20 defense until they develop a great linebacker and more importantly, add some serious talent to the DB corps. When you play as much Nickel as we have to (playing against Big 12 spread offenses), you need good cover guys. Right now we have West, who actually developed into a pretty darn good corner over the course of last year, and then Prince, Blue and Dennard, all of whom are unproven and mostly inexperienced. Add to that Asante, who has been good-not-great, and Rickey T and O'Hanlon, neither of whom have been consistent enough to stand out as the definite starter, and you have a secondary which isn't scaring anybody. Our passing D was 89th in the country last year, and we lose arguably our best corner in Murillo. You could make the case that Bo will be implementing more of his schemes now that people are becoming more comfortable with the playbook, although it wouldn't be much more than speculation.
SOCALHUSKER
Starter
After reading through the above posts, I find it quite interesting that so many find fault and like to bang on the Nebraska D!! Not just players, but the entire D. So far I've seen posts stating they give up too many points, they're too young, there's no speed, offensive output is too much... the list is endless. As if the lack of defense is going to be a weak point on this team.
When one actually looks at the stats , Nebraska finished 1st in the North in total defense and 2nd overall in the Big 12. Add to this, the return of the core players, better knowledge of the schemes and improved speed and talent at linebacker and in the secondary, and you're looking at what should be a much improved defensive side this year. That's not to say that they still cannot be beat, but as it is well known, defense wins championships and the Huskers will have a good one. Which is the exact reason why Pelini was brought in.
We're also going to see a drop in offensive numbers this year in the Big 12, especially in the North. (With the exception of OU and Texas in the South) This will bode well for the Huskers who are already one of the top defensive teams in the league. Kansas, which looks to be the top offensive team in the North is returning a few key offensive players, but is also lacking an O-line and a defense. As a team that finished 7th in the Big 12 in total offensive last year, they'll hardly be the explosive juggernaut KU fans are predicting. Missouri is in the same boat, after losing Booger, Maclin, and Coffman on offense and a slew of defensive talent they have a lot to make up for. This sets the Huskers up well and if they click on offense, not only will they be a force in the North, but look for them to push the South winner for the league title as well.
Offensively, the Huskers will employ a steady stream of power running, play-action, rollouts, option, screens and an occasional deep ball. Not so much either the west coast or the spread, but a simpler, condensed version of both with a touch of classic smashmouth. This will play to the strengths of Lee, as well as the strengths of the entire Husker offense. Helu, Castille, Mendoza, Paul, Holt, Brooks, the corps of tight ends and the entire O-line have way too much experience and speed to falter with this type of game plan. Add in the newcomers and things appear much brighter than the haters would have you believe. If Lee gets comfortable early, look for Watson to open up the playbook a little, which will make the team even more explosive and harder to defend.
This is going to be a great year boys. Look for the Huskers to improve upon last year, especially on the defensive side of the ball. With that being said here's my picks for the North. GBR!!
1. Nebraska
2. Missouri
3. Kansas
4. Colorado
5. Iowa State
6. K-State
When one actually looks at the stats , Nebraska finished 1st in the North in total defense and 2nd overall in the Big 12. Add to this, the return of the core players, better knowledge of the schemes and improved speed and talent at linebacker and in the secondary, and you're looking at what should be a much improved defensive side this year. That's not to say that they still cannot be beat, but as it is well known, defense wins championships and the Huskers will have a good one. Which is the exact reason why Pelini was brought in.
We're also going to see a drop in offensive numbers this year in the Big 12, especially in the North. (With the exception of OU and Texas in the South) This will bode well for the Huskers who are already one of the top defensive teams in the league. Kansas, which looks to be the top offensive team in the North is returning a few key offensive players, but is also lacking an O-line and a defense. As a team that finished 7th in the Big 12 in total offensive last year, they'll hardly be the explosive juggernaut KU fans are predicting. Missouri is in the same boat, after losing Booger, Maclin, and Coffman on offense and a slew of defensive talent they have a lot to make up for. This sets the Huskers up well and if they click on offense, not only will they be a force in the North, but look for them to push the South winner for the league title as well.
Offensively, the Huskers will employ a steady stream of power running, play-action, rollouts, option, screens and an occasional deep ball. Not so much either the west coast or the spread, but a simpler, condensed version of both with a touch of classic smashmouth. This will play to the strengths of Lee, as well as the strengths of the entire Husker offense. Helu, Castille, Mendoza, Paul, Holt, Brooks, the corps of tight ends and the entire O-line have way too much experience and speed to falter with this type of game plan. Add in the newcomers and things appear much brighter than the haters would have you believe. If Lee gets comfortable early, look for Watson to open up the playbook a little, which will make the team even more explosive and harder to defend.
This is going to be a great year boys. Look for the Huskers to improve upon last year, especially on the defensive side of the ball. With that being said here's my picks for the North. GBR!!
1. Nebraska
2. Missouri
3. Kansas
4. Colorado
5. Iowa State
6. K-State
SOCALHUSKER
Starter
What about Compton, Fisher, Whaley, Williams, May, Koehler or Kreikemeier at LB?
Or Hagg, Osbourne, Thorell, Smith, Gomes or Wald at defensive back?
Well Mason Wald will probably never see the field in any meaningful way unless some really drastic circumstances occur.
The others are mostly unproven.
(I agree with you by the way, I'm just saying...)
SOCALHUSKER
Starter
Why do you say that? Did I miss something? I thought he was one of the few guys to actually see the field as a freshmen last year? Even if it was only for special teams, at least he saw some action. Must say something about him.
According to Huskers.com, he's still part of the team and looking to compete for playing time.
Been a while since I have been in football-mode, with basketball still going on.. But here is mine
NU - I believe everything starts at OLine and DLine. Suh will be Reesings nightmare.
KU - Kansas has a good team, solid QB and WR.
MU - Missouri lost alot from last year, but still a solid team
CU - CU wont be great, but wont be that incredibly bad
ISU - Because I like Cy
KSU - Because I dont like Snyder
NU - I believe everything starts at OLine and DLine. Suh will be Reesings nightmare.
KU - Kansas has a good team, solid QB and WR.
MU - Missouri lost alot from last year, but still a solid team
CU - CU wont be great, but wont be that incredibly bad
ISU - Because I like Cy
KSU - Because I dont like Snyder
Geez....settle down. You call critcism smack talk? This is just a down year for Mizzou. You lost some great talent. I was a big fan of Chase Daniel since he's from my hometown, but w/out his smarts at QB, and breaking in a new QB along with a slew of other players....how can you be so optimistic? I asked the Huskers the same question! The other big problem w/ Mizzou is them having to break in 2 new coordinators. Mizzou will be back in the North title hunt again, just not next year.
I said your team will resemble 2004 b/c it will be competitive, but will likely reach 5 or 6 wins with your schedule. Quit your Baylor bashing. You could possibly eat your words this next season, as you almost did last season. If a way less talented Baylor team nearly beat a more talented Mizzou team last year....then a much more improved Baylor team with 20 returning starters has an even better chance of victory against your 2009 Mizzou Tigers. That is simple logic. Till then I'll just sit back and enjoy this season for once. :nanalama
Put Baylor in the North and our bowl drought wouldn't have lasted 5 year much less 15. We used to call Kansas a guaranteed win until 2007. That changed quickly. Programs shift in power every decade. Baylor should be relevant again for a while like we were in the 80's.
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huKSer
All-American
Can you say upgrade? major upgrade? super-stupendous upgrade?
Is the new guy from Auburn really that much better a coach than the guy that went to Auburn? Ow, my head hurts.
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zoogs
Assistant Coach
What have any of those guys done, and what do you think some of them (Kreikemeier, Wald) are going to do? At this point you're just tossing out names. We don't know. Our 2007 linebacking corps, with McKeon, Ruud, Octavien, Brandenburgh, Dillard, et. all, looked like it was going to tear it up, and look what happened then.
As far as Wald goes, that he played on special teams isn't a sign that he was one of the few freshmen good enough to play. More of an indictment of his future potential than anything.
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SaturnDrew
Special Teams Player
1. Nebraska -- program headed in the right direction
2. Kansas -- even if they beat Nebraska, they still have a very difficult Big 12 South schedule which will prevent them from going to the Big 12 Championship
3. Colorado -- I think will be a surprise team this year.
4. Missouri -- could be a disappointing year for the Tigers.
5. Iowa State -- thank goodness for them, somebody is worse than they are
6. Kansas State -- have fun with your non-conference schedule (minus UCLA)
2. Kansas -- even if they beat Nebraska, they still have a very difficult Big 12 South schedule which will prevent them from going to the Big 12 Championship
3. Colorado -- I think will be a surprise team this year.
4. Missouri -- could be a disappointing year for the Tigers.
5. Iowa State -- thank goodness for them, somebody is worse than they are
6. Kansas State -- have fun with your non-conference schedule (minus UCLA)
Spooky Tooth
Special Teams Player
I hate to hear that about Mac's daughter. I always liked him and respected the job he did at ISU.