Wistrom Disciple

That was my thought as well. Made me think that though Luke transferred with the intention of being a QB. Louisville coaches had other plans, but didn't fully reveal them until they started holding summer workouts last week. Seeing how the McCaffrey family was with their sons, I strongly doubt they posed a "starter or leaving" ultimatum so I lean towards thinking something was fishy on the Louisville coaching side. Or for all we know, he got homesick and didn't want to live in Louisville, KY.

True, they should be able to see through BS. That said, they were 4-7 last year... only the coaches and the player/family know what was being said when he committed. I did find it odd that the coach would go to the media about it and push the 'he wanted to be the starter and left when it wasn't handed to him' sentiment. For all we know, he went to Louisville and realized how different it was than home and decided he didn't want to live there for the next few years.

Yes, though I don't think he has an interest in returning. It would take a lot of humble pie to come back now and would require Luke to turn into more of a gadget QB (Taysom Hill) whose main playing time would be in several positions around the field, not solely QB. We would benefit by having an athlete like him back in the program. Besides, we only have Adrian and two projects-at-best at QB right now. I realize the optics are not good for Luke, but I can't help but wonder if the Louisville coach/staff might have been selling a different situation and came into different circumstances than promised. Considering they hadn't even had him in an organized practice/training camp, I would be inclined to believe that the coach essentially slammed the door shut on any competition or allowing him a chance at QB1 despite going 4-7 last season. I would be very surprised if Luke chose to transfer there with a "starting QB or I'm out" ultimatum.

Why stay at Louisville to play WR/RB? Especially when dozens of schools elsewhere would gladly take him as a WR/RB. I've only been to Louisville, KY once but I was not upset about leaving.

Certainly looks bad to transfer before really giving the school a shot with practices but the bolded above is what I was thinking too. Or might just be the Colorado starter left their program yesterday and Luke thinks he might be able to win that job and be closer to home.

Great questions. I think you're right in that without enrolling, he is not a student at the university and therefore can move as desired.

I agree with you 100%. "Total Defense" as defined by the NCAA does appear to use yards as the sole factor for ranking (Source). Gets back to the core point, stats-based rankings alone are not enough to justify a good or bad defense as several other factors play a part. I would argue our defense last year would be a top 25-30 if special teams and the offense didn't put us in such poor positions as often as they did.

As it turns out... Army played Georgia Southern last year. And Western Kentucky the year before. All had "Top 30 Team Defenses" last season which is why they were included as a comparison. Alabama's defense came in at 32 last year and they didn't get to face off against Mercer, The Citadel, Tulane or the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee. I have zero doubt Army's staff is a great group with a decent team, but let's pump the brakes on getting wrapped up in rankings.

I didn't say they were bad teams, I used the comparison that Alabama was ranked #32 below all those teams. Alabama was the national champion and they were ranked closer to Nebraska at #50 than they were to Army at #2. Hence, my emphasis to not get wrapped up too much in the rankings alone.

Although I like seeing us high in the rankings and what not, I wouldn't get too wrapped up in them at this point. The defensive product on the field is night and day better. With the exception of a couple games, the defense has been the clear bright spot in the program. As far as rankings go, National Champs Alabama were 32nd in the country last year after giving up over 30 points just twice. Ahead of them were the likes of UAB, Army, Georgia Southern & Western Kentucky. The key balance we have failed to establish so far is complimentary football across the three facets of the game. This largely falls on the failures with the offense and special teams. Think about how many times opponents started on our side of the 50 due to poor special teams, offensive turnovers, etc. The best way to get this ship righted is if the offense reduce errors, control the clock and maintain balance for the aggressive defense Chins wants to run. Special teams need to get a punter straightened out and coverage group that will contain. That happens and we're in a much better position as a program and the rankings should rise up.

Agreed, I think we're in for a solid year all around.

Honestly, I would still feel pretty good if the super seniors didn't decide to come back. JoJo is one exception where he is a stud and would be missed. Stille is solid but has replaceable production. Farmer has more INTs in starting only a single half than Dismuke has in his career (0 picks in five years) and tied with Williams for his career (2 picks in 2018). Clark, NPG and Farmer appear to be a formidable group to replace Dismuke & Williams.

Sorry, not buying that... you have to get out and see some sunshine, buddy. Minimum of six wins, more likely 7-9. The defense alone should keep us in the mix for nearly every game this year. Need some of that Foreman/Peter Brothers killer instincts to take over but this team has enough talent to win the division... they just need to put it all together this season

I am also optimistic that we are going to trend up (hard to trend lower than we have been). Bo was under duress the final 2-3 years as once Osborne left and Eichorst/Perlman got more involved, Bo's ownership of the program was constantly challenged. The staff mentioned it a handful of times in interviews the final couple years how recruiting was a challenge because of their contract situations and the AD's unwillingness to commit to the coaching staff. Despite this, he continued to win the nine games a year and was starting to gain a better foothold with the body types/style of play needed to compete in the Big Ten (examples: d-line recruits being bigger body, bigger RBs). Would have been interesting to see those 2015-2016 teams with junior & senior classes staying together under Bo & company.

100% agreed and unfortunately, they left because of the Riley staff. Would have been special to see those two and the twins rotating in for each other for a year.

Buffalo HC Leipold hired at Kansas. I imagine he will be taking some of the staff with him and therefore makes our game a little more favorable. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/31364799/kansas-expected-hire-buffalo-lance-leipold-football-coach-sources-say

I think Hickman will have more of a hybrid role between WR & TE than being true to either position. A positive out of the injury news for Fidone... it could help give Carnie & Rollins more reps to start fall camp. Those two might not be expected to have a large impact this season, but the added reps could help them develop.

Maybe i'm in with the rose colored glasses crowd but I do think a lot of off-season soft tissue injuries are occurring with newcomers most often and that Duval's staff are actually preparing the team well for the season. During the games, we have appeared to have players that are much better conditioned to handle the physicality. I remember there were several games during the Riley years where players would drop consistently and it rarely had to do with the pace of the other team's offense. I know there are more instances but two that come to mind last season were Reimer against Northwestern making an awkward step and I believe Deontre Thomas against Penn State with their thug guard taking some cheapshots. Otherwise I don't recall us having too many injury stops during the games and have to believe some credit should be given to Duval for that. As for ACLs and the like, it is hard to blame the staff for some of those injuries that just happen. Farmer's injury at Purdue is an example. There are just so many variables but the true barometer of the staff's work should be considered during the season.

In what regard? Barry did Nebraska no favors in Big Ten politics or scheduling. Sure he vouched for us to enter the conference a decade ago, but I don't recall anything in our favor since that point.

I'm pretty sure Perlman would have done anything to get rid of Bo regardless. Harvey had an ego that required him to be the face of the University, which was a detriment to the program and University for 20 years. As for Pederson, Tom likely had blinders on in regards to his staff and admins. As I recall he wanted to keep continuity and likely assumed the program would carry on as if nothing changed. Sadly, he was incorrect on that and was totally blindsided by Perlman & Pederson firing Frank which left him with sour feelings towards the University until he was brought in as AD in 2007... when Harvey needed a bailout.

I would be careful to generalize an entire city based on a handful of recruits. Jared Bubak and Bryson Williams turned down their hometown Huskers for their own reasons as well. The fact of the matter is we are going to struggle signing the top guys in the region until we start winning more often and regain some level of prominence. Many of the programs being considered ahead of Nebraska have been winning a lot more often lately. If we can get back on track this season and show some promise, we might sneak back up some of these lists. At this point, we're selling hope of what we could be instead of how we're actually playing on the field, and that has to change this fall. And as far as the "college scenes are similar about anywhere you go" line... I will beg to differ.

True, however two weeks off poses just as big of a risk unless the team and staff stay secluded. I don't envy their next few weeks. I'm glad he and the staff are brainstorming ways to support the team and honor the seniors.

Seeding isn't necessarily a worry, we should be comfortable in the top 5 but it does deprive the team of a Senior Day/weekend. And wouldn't have to be Creighton, could have filled in with a K-State, Nebraska Wesleyan, etc. Just an experience for the visiting team to play at Devaney and gives our team some competition. Sitting around for two-plus weeks is a rough draw.

I think we would have given them all they could handle this past year, this last Wisconsin team was not very good. Wisconsin will likely drop back towards the pack after this season... they finally get a taste of what we've had since we joined the conference --> Ohio State 2022 through 2025

@Mavric, any chance Penn State may also be trying to avoid losses in order to slip into the tournament in two weeks? I can't help but wonder if that played a factor. Shameful that the Big Ten wouldn't let schools schedule non-conference matches... I think it would have been a cool addition for an area school to face off if matches were cancelled.