Nebraska sets its sights on a title run

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Nexus

All-American
Olin BuchananRivals.com College Football Senior Writer

A lot of positive talk is emanating from Nebraska.

Huskers coach Bo Pelini is leading the refrain. After all, it was Pelini who said that in 2010 the Huskers could be "five times better" than last season's team, which posted 10 wins.

That would seem implausible, and not just because 50 victories is mathematically impossible. Spring drills in Lincoln largely will be spent trying to bolster the offensive line, fill defensive voids left by Ndamukong Suh and the safeties, developing receivers and improving at quarterback.

Though replacing Suh won't be easy, most of those tasks can be accomplished. Still, five times better than '09? That's unlikely.

But the Huskers can be good enough to challenge for the Big 12 championship - and maybe even the national title.

Here's a look at the Huskers as they get ready for spring drills.

POSITIONS OF STRENGTH The Huskers are especially loaded at cornerback, where Amukamara and Denard have NFL ability. Hagg got nine starting assignments in the nickel package and Gomes had six in the dime. Anthony West and Anthony Blue are former starters and give the Huskers uncommon depth at corner. The situation at running back is reminiscent of the "old days." Helu is coming off a 1,147-yard season, while sophomore Rex Burkhead contributed 349 yards in his debut season. Sophomore Dontrayevous Robinson and incoming four-star prospect Braylon Heard bolster the backfield. The defensive line remains solid even without Suh. And with Henery kicking and Paul returning kicks, the special teams should indeed be special.

HELP IS NEEDED

Nebraska's passing game ranked 11th in the Big 12 and 101st in the nation last season. The Huskers need to upgrade on both ends. Lee played hurt most of last season, and it showed. He'll likely sit out spring practice, which gives sophomore Cody Green and redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez a chance for more work. Paul has dazzling speed, but he tends to disappear at times. He had two or fewer catches in 10 games last season, yet his 40 receptions more than doubled the production of any other wide receiver on the roster. McNeill, who is 6 feet 4 and 240 pounds, is moving to wide receiver. Better play is needed at offensive tackle, too.

THREE GUYS TO WATCH

QB Cody Green: With Lee possibly sidelined all spring, Green figures to get most of the work with the first-team offense. Green has great athletic ability, but he needs to refine his passing skills. Here's his chance.

OT Jermarcus Hardrick: Hardrick was the No. 13 junior college prospect in the country, and he enrolled in January. He is expected to bolster Nebraska's offensive line immediately. Though the Huskers have four returning starters on the offensive line, the group wasn't as dominant as coaches wanted, so Hardrick will be given every opportunity to win the starting job.

DT Baker Steinkuhler: A former five-star recruit, Steinkuhler is expected to have a breakout season as a third-year sophomore. Last season he posted 17 tackles in a backup role. This spring, he should take over a starting role in the wake of Suh's departure. He won't be as good as Suh, but he should be good enough to ensure that the Huskers' defensive line remains strong.

THE PRESSURE IS ON

OTs Marcel Jones and Mike Smith: Both are returning starters at tackle, but one of them seems likely to lose his spot atop the depth chart. Tackle play was sporadic last season, and Hardrick is expected to take a spot in the starting lineup. That leaves Smith and Jones vying for the other one.

THE BUZZ

Not since 2001, when Nebraska faced Miami for the national championship, has a season been more anticipated in Lincoln. The schedule sets up right for the Huskers to make a national championship run. That's if - a big 'if' - the Huskers can improve in certain areas. The quarterback situation will be the main topic of conversation throughout the state this spring. But issues in the offensive line and filling some holes on defense have to be addressed, too. Should the Huskers bolster those areas, they should be major players in the national championship race.

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Another great find!!!! I was just trying to think of when the last time a season has recieved this much hype and anticipation

 
People seemed pretty confident in the ability to make a national championship game before the 2007 season...

 
I think we need to take the season one game at a time. Us fans like to say we could have been 13-1 last year less stupid mistakes, but they happen. Its going to be tough to go through a whole season without any dumb snags that cost us a game. If the team can clean up the penalties, get the passing game going, and not overlook any games/teams, it'll be special IMHO.

 
Back to talking football, spring practice is here!

I would say that the hype nationally is a good thing. It can only help recruiting, which you can see by the aggressiveness we've shown so far. Also, the higher you start the less a loss hurts you. I like the fact we are relevant nationally again.

Back to where we should be, now let's prove we belong there.

 
Bo has already made a statement that Hardrick has a lot to learn about the system before he makes an impact on the team. It seems that a lot of analyst are playing him up because he was such a great find. I think i will listen to Bo saying Hardrick has a lot of ground to cover than ESPN saying Hardrick is expect to start in the fall.

 
Fuzzy said:
Bo has already made a statement that Hardrick has a lot to learn about the system before he makes an impact on the team. It seems that a lot of analyst are playing him up because he was such a great find. I think i will listen to Bo saying Hardrick has a lot of ground to cover than ESPN saying Hardrick is expect to start in the fall.
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Good point, I believe ESPN goes by stars and expectations.

 
Fuzzy said:
Bo has already made a statement that Hardrick has a lot to learn about the system before he makes an impact on the team. It seems that a lot of analyst are playing him up because he was such a great find. I think i will listen to Bo saying Hardrick has a lot of ground to cover than ESPN saying Hardrick is expect to start in the fall.
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This is true, but didn't you find it a little fishy that our incumbent left tackle Mike Smith is moving to center/guard? I sure did.

 
GMoose said:
Fuzzy said:
Bo has already made a statement that Hardrick has a lot to learn about the system before he makes an impact on the team. It seems that a lot of analyst are playing him up because he was such a great find. I think i will listen to Bo saying Hardrick has a lot of ground to cover than ESPN saying Hardrick is expect to start in the fall.
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This is true, but didn't you find it a little fishy that our incumbent left tackle Mike Smith is moving to center/guard? I sure did.
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I did find it a little fishy. But i remembered how much Nick Ash was talked about last year. I figure him to start this year at T or G. I believe the reason Mike Smith is seeing rotation at C/G, specifically Center, is to provide competition with Mike Caputo and Cole Pensick. My theory on the offensive line after Bo's comment is

RT - Marcel Jones

RG - Ricky Henry

C - Mike Smith or Mike Caputo

LG - Keith Williams

LT - Nick Ash or D.J. Jones

Now I'm not saying Hardrick won't make up a lot of ground and get a starting job come fall camp. I do think he will see the field at some point next year with reps or if an injury occurs. I'm just not going to be surprised if he isn't starting.

 
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Fuzzy said:
GMoose said:
Fuzzy said:
Bo has already made a statement that Hardrick has a lot to learn about the system before he makes an impact on the team. It seems that a lot of analyst are playing him up because he was such a great find. I think i will listen to Bo saying Hardrick has a lot of ground to cover than ESPN saying Hardrick is expect to start in the fall.
Click to expand...
This is true, but didn't you find it a little fishy that our incumbent left tackle Mike Smith is moving to center/guard? I sure did.
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I did find it a little fishy. But i remembered how much Nick Ash was talked about last year. I figure him to start this year at T or G. I believe the reason Mike Smith is seeing rotation at C/G, specifically Center, is to provide competition with Mike Caputo and Cole Pensick. My theory on the offensive line after Bo's comment is

RT - Marcel Jones

RG - Ricky Henry

C - Mike Smith or Mike Caputo

LG - Keith Williams

LT - Nick Ash or D.J. Jones

Now I'm not saying Hardrick won't make up a lot of ground and get a starting job come fall camp. I do think he will see the field at some point next year with reps or if an injury occurs. I'm just not going to be surprised if he isn't starting.
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Don't forget about Qvale and Sirles. They would have played last year had it not been for injuries. Here's how I think the coaches want it

RT - Jermarcus Hardrick

RG - Ricky Henry

C - Smith/Caputo

LG - Keith Williams

LT - Marcel Jones

They feel like Marcel is the best lineman on the team. And Hardrick just has to play. I don't see change with the guards, but we will see Sirles and Qvale in there more than some might think, IMHO

 
Husker NoNo said:
:koolaid2: :koolaid2: :koolaid2: :koolaid2: :koolaid2:
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The Mike Smith thing intrigues me also. As one poster said, it makes sense that he is rotating around, especially if he is going to get a look at center. Caputo will probably get the job, but it can't just be given to him. I'm sure the coaches just want people their to make it tougher. Even though some might disagree, that's how I look at the Latravis Washington deal. I figured last year he wouldn't play much, but was just put in to provide competition.

 
Hype and anticipation are two different things. This much aniticipation was probably there for both the 2006 and 07 seasons, but this much hype AND aniticipation, you would probably have to go back to 2000 with a preseason #1 ranking and a super offensive lineup coming off a very strong end to 99.

 
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