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I'm afraid I agree with Shatel...
Shatel: Huskers might be default favorite
When it comes to the Big 12 North, it’s not about guessing the winner so much as figuring out who’s going to crawl from the wreckage.
The thinking men and women of the Big 12 news media have picked Nebraska. I wholeheartedly agree.
In 2010.
With a truckload of veterans returning and a schedule that includes Texas without Colt McCoy and Oklahoma State without everybody, I look for the Huskers to break through with a North title next year.
This year?
Take that media poll with a grain of salt and pass the pepper. Nebraska is a reach to win the North this year.
Then again, who isn’t?
Nebraska. Kansas. Missouri. Colorado. Flip a coin. Throw a dart. They have strengths. They have weaknesses. They have schedule issues. They have questions.
Whoever finds the most answers wins.
What makes the media think that’s Nebraska?
First, this is more of a vote against KU’s schedule than for Big Red. The Jayhawks have to play Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech — the latter two on the road. Most assume the South will pin Mark Mangino with three losses.
But those 17 first-place votes also were an endorsement for Bo Pelini. It says they think the man can coach a little bit. That would be very observant.
Pelini earned that confidence in his first season. He installed a new defense and instilled a new way to play. The Huskers had their meltdowns. But by season’s end, they were fundamentally better and getting stronger.
Missourians who shake their noggins at how NU could be favored must have missed the second half of the season. They definitely missed how the Blackshirts played against KU, which was better than Mizzou fared against the Jayhawks.
Nebraska has every right to think the defense will be better in 2009. The reason is the front four. It looks good. A dominant front four is at the top of any coach’s wish list. Figure that out, and everything else falls into place.
The Huskers should be able to block and run. I-backs Roy Helu and Quentin Castille might be the two most underrated players in the league. Not for long.
So what’s the question?
NU has a quarterback who’s never played. Zac Lee may be wonderful. But who knows? Will he manage or melt? It’s a lot to expect a new quarterback — especially one breaking in new receivers — to play consistently enough to win a division.
Can Pelini win a big road game? The Gator Bowl was. Before that? Kansas State? Iowa State? To win the North, NU is going to have to take at least two of three at Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. The Huskers haven’t won at MU or KU in what seems like forever. The Buffs are one long kick from a two-game winning streak against Nebraska.
And don’t forget a little Halloween visit to Baylor. For once, a trip to Bear land looks scary.
Finally, here in Year 2 of the Pelini Project, NU doesn’t have the depth that survives championship hauls.
Then again, who does?
Missouri? I’m sure Gary Pinkel has recruited well. But he loses too much: the greatest playmakers in school history on offense and both coordinators. Derrick Washington might be the next Mike Rozier. But since when does Pinkel feel comfortable with a rushing offense? This is the coach who has used empty backfields on the goal line, who wouldn’t punch it in against Oklahoma State last year.
Colorado? The Buffs are dangerous. They’ve got sleek running backs, a coach on the hot seat, decent defense and all the key players in the North visiting Boulder. If they get any quarterback play at all, this is a team that could sneak in there. A lot of ifs, yes. Join the club.
Kansas? There’s magic in Todd Reesing and two playmakers at receiver, and there’s a decent run game and defense. Good coaching. Everything here is solid. Can KU steal one at Texas Tech? Can the Jayhawks win the games you have to win to win a title? Can a school that hasn’t played in a Big 12 title game handle the pressure of being the favorite?
Oh, that’s right. KU isn’t the favorite.
Shatel: Huskers might be default favorite
When it comes to the Big 12 North, it’s not about guessing the winner so much as figuring out who’s going to crawl from the wreckage.
The thinking men and women of the Big 12 news media have picked Nebraska. I wholeheartedly agree.
In 2010.
With a truckload of veterans returning and a schedule that includes Texas without Colt McCoy and Oklahoma State without everybody, I look for the Huskers to break through with a North title next year.
This year?
Take that media poll with a grain of salt and pass the pepper. Nebraska is a reach to win the North this year.
Then again, who isn’t?
Nebraska. Kansas. Missouri. Colorado. Flip a coin. Throw a dart. They have strengths. They have weaknesses. They have schedule issues. They have questions.
Whoever finds the most answers wins.
What makes the media think that’s Nebraska?
First, this is more of a vote against KU’s schedule than for Big Red. The Jayhawks have to play Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech — the latter two on the road. Most assume the South will pin Mark Mangino with three losses.
But those 17 first-place votes also were an endorsement for Bo Pelini. It says they think the man can coach a little bit. That would be very observant.
Pelini earned that confidence in his first season. He installed a new defense and instilled a new way to play. The Huskers had their meltdowns. But by season’s end, they were fundamentally better and getting stronger.
Missourians who shake their noggins at how NU could be favored must have missed the second half of the season. They definitely missed how the Blackshirts played against KU, which was better than Mizzou fared against the Jayhawks.
Nebraska has every right to think the defense will be better in 2009. The reason is the front four. It looks good. A dominant front four is at the top of any coach’s wish list. Figure that out, and everything else falls into place.
The Huskers should be able to block and run. I-backs Roy Helu and Quentin Castille might be the two most underrated players in the league. Not for long.
So what’s the question?
NU has a quarterback who’s never played. Zac Lee may be wonderful. But who knows? Will he manage or melt? It’s a lot to expect a new quarterback — especially one breaking in new receivers — to play consistently enough to win a division.
Can Pelini win a big road game? The Gator Bowl was. Before that? Kansas State? Iowa State? To win the North, NU is going to have to take at least two of three at Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. The Huskers haven’t won at MU or KU in what seems like forever. The Buffs are one long kick from a two-game winning streak against Nebraska.
And don’t forget a little Halloween visit to Baylor. For once, a trip to Bear land looks scary.
Finally, here in Year 2 of the Pelini Project, NU doesn’t have the depth that survives championship hauls.
Then again, who does?
Missouri? I’m sure Gary Pinkel has recruited well. But he loses too much: the greatest playmakers in school history on offense and both coordinators. Derrick Washington might be the next Mike Rozier. But since when does Pinkel feel comfortable with a rushing offense? This is the coach who has used empty backfields on the goal line, who wouldn’t punch it in against Oklahoma State last year.
Colorado? The Buffs are dangerous. They’ve got sleek running backs, a coach on the hot seat, decent defense and all the key players in the North visiting Boulder. If they get any quarterback play at all, this is a team that could sneak in there. A lot of ifs, yes. Join the club.
Kansas? There’s magic in Todd Reesing and two playmakers at receiver, and there’s a decent run game and defense. Good coaching. Everything here is solid. Can KU steal one at Texas Tech? Can the Jayhawks win the games you have to win to win a title? Can a school that hasn’t played in a Big 12 title game handle the pressure of being the favorite?
Oh, that’s right. KU isn’t the favorite.
