Roy CO HSKR

Pat Fisher, from the class of '59 comes to mind. I'm guessing at the year, but I believe he was with the Redskins as a punt returner/DB. Welcome to Huskerboard. It is our priviledge to play a class organization in Cemson. You are favored, because you have a decent offense and a very good defense. Roy, CO Husker

OU 38 NU 24 Rushing NU 180 OU 140 Passing NU 271 OU 305

How many of you remember who the QB was or even how his individual stats were the year the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl? If the Huskers win, what else really matters? Freeman or any other QB can have their stats, if we get the victory. It's all about role playing and the team effort. If we run every down and win, do you care if Ganz's stats were cool or not? What were the stats of the QB for LSU when they won the NC. Who cares? Only the also ran!

HuskerinOkieland- Your motto at the bottom of ever post that you send, starts out with "to", which should be spelled "too." Also, the "remember" should be capitalized. I don't want the CU & MU fans to think badly of the Nebraska educational system. GBR

I received the following from the Coloradans For Nebraska web site: We are presently at 750 for 2007, but we will pick up a lot of members at the Watch Parties, so we should be around 1,000 by the end of the year. John@coloradansfornebraska.com Check out our web site and yes, Old Chicago in Loveland has now been added (see bottom of page). I doubt that there is any state with more members ($25/yr). http://www.coloradansfornebraska.com/ Roy, CO HSKR

I received the following from the Coloradans For Nebraska web site: We are presently at 750 for 2007, but we will pick up a lot of members at the Watch Parties, so we should be around 1,000 by the end of the year. John@coloradansfornebraska.com Check out our web site and yes, Old Chicago in Loveland has now been added (see bottom of page). Near the end of the home page are the locations throughout Colorado where the Husker games are broadcast exclusively for Husker fans. I doubt that there is any state with more members ($25/yr). http://www.coloradansfornebraska.com/ Roy, CO Husker

From rojo: Let's start here: I. The best single predictor of who makes it to a Big 12 Championship game: "Returning Starting Quarterback.” --Twenty teams have been in the title game in the ten years of the Big 12. Sixteen have had returning starting Quarterbacks. --(Note: Teams who didn’t have returning QB’s were not using youngsters: NU ’96: Scott Frost—redshirted transfer from Stanford; TAM ’97, Brandon Stewart---transfer QB from Tennessee; CU ’01: Bobby Pesavento; CU ’02: returning starter Craig Ochs began the year, Robert Hodge finished it). . II. Three North teams have returning starting Quarterbacks: --Nebraska: Taylor --Iowa State: Meyer --Kansas State: Evridge (Or…?) Let's focus on Nebraska and Iowa State. . III. Nebraska and Iowa State similarities. 1) The ISU offense returns 10 starters. Nebraska’s offense return 9 with starting experience. (Gone: Koch and Ross). 2) Bonuses: ISU should get back a healthy RB Hicks; NU should add a healthy TE Herian. 3) Coaches: Offensive Coordinator/O-line coach Barney Cotton goes into his third year. So are Callahan/Wagner. . IV. NU & ISU: Lousy Rushing. Cotton’s and Wagner’s O-lines takes much of the responsibility for this…. Rushing: Average Yards/Carry (’05 Big 12 games only) 1. Texas: 5.7 yds/carry 2. Texas A&M: 5.4 3. Missouri: 4.2 4. Oklahoma: 4.2 5. Oklahoma State: 3.6 6. Kansas: 3.4 7. Colorado: 3.3 8. Texas Tech: 3.2 9. Iowa State: 2.8 10 Baylor: 2.7 11 Kansas State: 2.6 12 Nebraska: 2.2 . V. NU & ISU: Increased Reliance on Passing If the run game doesn’t work, then you go to your…. Pass Offense: Yards/Game (’05 Big 12 games only) 1. Texas Tech: 372 2. Nebraska: 266 3. Texas: 254 4. Iowa State: 250 5. Colorado: 242 6. Baylor: 206 7. Missouri: 199 8. Kansas State: 197 9. Oklahoma State: 188 10 Oklahoma: 186 11 Texas A&M: 181 12 Kansas: 171 . VI. NU & ISU: Lousy Pass Protection The blame can be shared, but much lies with the performance Cotton’s and Wagner’s boys. Sacks Allowed/Pass Attempts: ('05 Big 12 games only): 1. Colorado: 1/26 2. Texas: 1/21 3. Missouri: 1/20 4-5 Oklahoma: 1/18 4-5 Texas A&M: 1/18 6-7 Texas Tech: 1/14 6-7 Kansas: 1/14 8. Baylor: 1/13 9-10 Nebraska: 1/12 9-10 Oklahoma State: 1/12 11 Kansas State: 1/11 12 Iowa State: 1/10 . VII. The Result: Mediocre Offenses Whatever happens in ’06, these not-too-exciting foundations start it for ISU and Nebraska: Total Offense: Yards/Game (’05 Big 12 games only) 1. Texas: 520 2. Texas Tech: 458 3. Texas A&M: 404 4. Oklahoma: 376 5. Missouri: 374 6. Iowa State: 370 7. Colorado: 352 8. Nebraska: 339 9. Oklahoma State: 329 10 Baylor: 295 11 Kansas State: 292 12 Kansas: 291 . The Bottom Line: 1) There are other factors beyond returning starters, QB’s and last year's offense: --Defenses: ISU returns 3 starters from a unit that finished #35 in Total Defense; Nebraska returns 7 with starting experience from a unit that finished #26. --Special teams: Nebraska ranked only behind Texas in Special Teams in ’05. ISU was 6th. --Schedules versus teams from the South: ISU: at Texas, at Oklahoma, Texas Tech. Nebraska: Texas, at Oklahoma State, at Texas A&M 2) Offensively… It’s largely down to Cotton’s guys and Wag’s guys. Both have got a lot of work to do. That's my opinion. Just some things to think about….

This seems to be contrary to Wag's assessment.

If our boys up front jell before we play too deep into the season, maybe our Thunder Offense could be described as marching down Thunder Road, that stretch between when we start on offense and the goal line!

Now. let's guess the starting five up front from one side to the other. OG- Slauson, Christianson OT- Haines, Murtha (or Nicks) C- Mann

From rojo: Twenty O-Linemen. Three Seniors. We notice how young our O-line is. Some with considerable WCO experience, some not. Some having logged playing time; many not. But young. Twenty O-linemen. Three Seniors---only two of whom have been starters. . Our O-line sorted by class: Centers: --Kurt Mann, 6’ 4” 290--Sr --Brett Byford, 6’ 3” 305--Jr --Jacob Hickman, 6’ 4” 290—Fr Guards: --Greg Austin, 6’ 1’ 290—Sr (also Center) --Brock Pasteur, 6’ 6” 290---Jr --Jordan Picou, 6’ 2” 320—Jr --Andy Christensen, 6’ 3” 300—So --Mike Huff. 6’ 4” 300—So --Matt Slauson, 6’ 5” 340—So (moving in from Tackle) --Rodney Picou, 6’ 4” 300--*Fr --Craig Roarke, 6’ 2” 300--*Fr (also Center) Tackles: --Newt Lingenfelter, 6’ 5” 280—Sr --Victory Haines, 6’ 7” 285—Jr --Chris Patrick, 6’ 4” 285—Jr --Lydon Murtha, 6’ 7” 315—So . Incoming for next fall: --OT Carl Nicks, 6’ 5’ 325—Jr --OT Cruz Barrett, 6’ 4” 315—Fr --C/G Ricky Henry, 6’ 3” 280--Fr --OT D. J. Jones, 6’ 5” 320--Fr --OT/DT Keith Williams, 6’ 5” 310—Fr . The Bottom Line: 1) “The pipeline” still is not flowing. It’s been irregular for several years. The flow smooths out after this next season. 2) This is not the O-line’s year. Much as we want Wags to show us a smooth-functioning product this fall (and he may)…. whatever we do see will be better in 2007. 3) “Patience” is not spelled “w-i-n.” For the O-line it’s spelled “G-i-v-e t-h-e-m t-i-m-e.” Just my thoughts. And just some things to think about….

Wouldn't it be sweet if fans traveled to Ames in such numbers that they outnumber the home crowd. Does anyone know if they sell out for their home fans? If so, what is usually the visitor allocation?

I have emailed Pederson's office asking if the game will be live on Husker.com. I mentioned that this subject has come up because of the lack of seating possible due to the construction. I'll pass on to you gals & guys, their response.

TheKid: As I mentioned, some schools do have quality preseason mathups. CU has done that, historically. However, it is not common. Usually there is only one preseason team of note. Just look at the Top 10 schedules.

Another reason to look at ISU as our main obstacle to win the North is the passing game. Which QB will be on top? This from rojo: Brett Meyer of Iowa State might get the best stats---he’s coming off of a fine year and Cotton’s offense has ten starters returning. But Zac now has his first Big 12 tour behind him---as well as his teething year for the West Coast Offense. There will be a light year's difference between the Zac Taylor who opened against Maine, Wake and Pitt last fall and the Zac Taylor we'll see this September. Six Big 12 teams have returning starting QB’s for 2006. Statistically here’s how they did last year…. I. Pass Efficiency Rating: (Big 12 games only) 1. Meyer, ISU: 141 2. Taylor, NU: 127 3. Bell, BU: 122 4. Bomar, OU: 114 5. Evridge, KSU: 103 6. Pena, OSU: 102 Pass Efficiency Ratings for returning non-starting QB’s for other teams: --Harrell, Texas Tech: 123 (55 attempts) --Daniel, Missouri: 123 (46 attempts) --Barmann, Kansas: 90 (18 attempts) --McGee, Texas A&M: 89 (50 attempts) --Cox, Colorado: 61 (29 attempts) . II. Percentage of Completions in ’05: ( Big 12 games only) 1-3 Taylor, Nebraska: 59% 1-3 Meyer, Iowa State: 59% 1-3 Bell, Baylor: 59% 4. Bomar, Oklahoma: 53% 5. Pena, Oklahoma State: 50% 6. Evridge, Kansas State: 48% . III. Interception Rates: Pass Attempts/Interception (Big 12 games only) 1. Bell, Baylor: 112 throws for each interception. 2. Meyer, Iowa State: 49 3. Taylor, Nebraska: 44 4. Bomar, Oklahoma: 33 5. Evridge, Kansas State: 29 6. Pena, Oklahoma State: 14 . IV. Percentage of 2005 Receptions Returning for ’06: (By WR's, TE's, RB's, etc.) 1. 100%: Iowa State---All who caught passes in ‘05 return. 2. 92%: Oklahoma State---The top 5 receivers return. 3. 81%: Kansas State---6 of top 7 receivers return. 4. 79%: Missouri---6 of top 7 receivers return. 5. 78%: Nebraska---6 of top 7 receivers return. Add Matt Herian. Subtract the top receiver over the past two years---Cory Ross and his 64 catches (21 & 43). 6. 77%: Baylor---6 of top 7 receivers return. 7. 72%: Texas Tech---TT’s top four receivers in ’05 had 67, 67, 65, 65 catches. Only one is gone from that group: RB Henderson (67). 8. 67%: Texas---3 of top 4 receivers return; 5 of top 7. 9. 60%: Oklahoma---Only 1 of the top 3 receivers return, but 5 of the top 7 do. 10 55%: Texas A&M---Only 1 of the top 3 receivers return, but 5 of top 7. 11 50%: Colorado---Two of the top 3 are gone and both TE’s are gone. 12 49%: Kansas---Gone: 3 of top 4 receivers. . The Bottom Line: Will Zac Taylor be the top throwing Quarterback in the Big 12? He and Bret Meyer are coming off of strong years and have veteran supporting casts. Maybe a better question: Who will lead their team to the Big 12 Championship game in Kansas City? The Husker defense got it together last year. This year a growth spurt from the offense is needed. Zac will lead. Just some things to think about… ____ Now, how about ISU's defense?

How old is Majerus? I suspect that dinner was about prospective coaches who might be available for next season. If so, Pederson is continuing to be a brilliant AD! He is bringing NU out of a real downtime that has existed since the late '90s. We badly needed new facilities, including stadium expansion, a football team with a future of winning some kind of championship and now, hopefully, a MBBB team for the future that is more than treading water. It did it at Pitt and we're fortunate to have him with us.

A top notch or high profile coach generates an enthusuasm for the program. If he also a terrific recruiter, then talent is forthcoming. So, the formula for the future success of MBB is poretty simple!

The real problem with your approach is the injury factor. Christianson was a starter for the Fall last year, when he was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Austin is going to be moved to backup center from his guard spot in the spring. He has a permanent knee problem, limiting him to about 85%. Murtha was injured much of last year, giving Patrick the start. Seppo last year had some injury problem and Mann has undergone surgery keeping him out of the Spring Fling. Also, when a player blossoms or comes along who can start, then the player he replaces needs to be able to move to a new postion. For example, Haines, a JC, is going to start in the spring, probably at right tackle That means the Clauson is moving to guard. If Clauson had prior work at that position, of course, the trasition would be much smoother. Nicks is another case in point. He will challenge for a starting position and perhaps also knock someone from one position to another. So, the result of experience at more than one postion may actually help the team win games, due to the above circumstances. I think if everyone stayed healthy with no new callengers, your approach would have an advantage.

Has anybody heard anything new about Pederson replacing Collier at the end of the season? I suspect that dinner in Omaha with Majeric and the assistant AD was more than causual chitchat!

You're correct. How do you see the North battle?

It seems to me that, like last year, the ISU game will be the pivotal one for the Big 12 North championship. My thinking is that MU (new QB), KSU (new QB, new staff), KU (few returning) and CU (new QB, new staff) leaves ISU (good returning base) with a good chance to beat all of them. It's also our first Big 12 road game. Therefore, we must take them down to win the North. Also, if we win the North, we won't be playing the Sooners twice!

Bad losers are not who we should even consider for anything worthwhile. MU, KSU and CU fans are in that lot. IF we ever consider another team besides OU a rival, they should have fans who are good sports. Until then - beat 'em and ignore 'em!

Do some of you really feel that Green is an asset as a starter in our DB? I wasn't impressed last year by him other than as a returner. Am I wrong? In fact my take was that he and Grixby were marginal and were as a unit the weak link in our defense.

Not having a QB recruit this session is really going to help our recruiting of a top flight signal caller from the 2007 class. I say that because the recruits will know that by the time that they have a redshirt behind them, Beck will be done and graduated. Freeman would have changed that perception. What do you think of our opportunity given that circumstance?

Why do you think that Carney, Cotton and company had such a lousy recruiting class, since they had a good enough season to go to a bowl? Are you surprized that MU, CU and KSU did better?