BIG 12 NORTH PRESEASON FORECAST

[MUTigerFan]

 

NU D was #2 in the Big XII after Tex-ass, or don't you remember how "offensive" the Big XII was last year?

 

 

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?

[HuskerJen]

With a proven QB and a killer receiving corps, the nod goes to KU. Their defense is suspect, but they will score points.

 

Mizzou, NU and Colorado are all question marks and tied until they start playing and showing what they've got.

 

The NU defense (without rose-colored glasses) still gave up at least 20 to everyone in conference but ISU. Unproven O-line, unproven QB, unproven receivers and secondary.

 

Mizzou - unproven QB, but a very good O-line, a 1000 yard RB, decent experienced receivers. D-line and LB's are experienced and decent. Secondary needs work (at least according to last year). Unproven kickers too.

 

Colo. - These guys could jump up and cause anyone problems. Hawkins needs to decide who his QB is. Deep at running back and O-line could lead to CU using ball control to stifle opponents.

 

KSU and ISU - they're the brain damaged uncles you keep in the basement.

 

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.

[JTrain]

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]

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

[SOCALHUSKER]

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.

 

 

What about Compton, Fisher, Whaley, Williams, May, Koehler or Kreikemeier at LB?

 

Or Hagg, Osbourne, Thorell, Smith, Gomes or Wald at defensive back?

[HuskerJen]

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]

 

Well Mason Wald will probably never see the field in any meaningful way unless some really drastic circumstances occur.

 

 

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.

[MVPujols]

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

[Bear1979]

'Bear1979' - You give Mizzou too much credit. They had 2 good seasons in a row for the first time under Pinkel. They will not have 3. They will lose to Nebraska handily, and very likely to Baylor. This Mizzou team will resemble their 2004 team.

 

yeah. what he said.

 

Well what he said was stupid. For someone who comes to this board crying about giving Baylor respect and learning about their team you sure are short sighted.

 

Last year was the 4th bowl game in a row under GP and 5th in 6 years. I think thats just a little better than two good seasons for the first time ever. Maybe just maybe baylor fan we could have our 6th good season in the last 7. I dont know though,you, a Baylor fan, is smack talking, you might know better than the rest of us. But then again what would you know about bowl games and winning seasons....

 

BTW smart guy, that 2004 team was ranked and absolutly feel apart. So if you said that to imply that team sucked, you have no idea what you are talking about.

P.S. 2004 - MU 30 - Baylor 10. I wonder what you would give up in life just to have Baylor go 5-6....

 

P.S.S. Dont talk smack with your crappy team on my Tigers when I am having a bad day. I might just bite ya.

 

 

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.

 

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.

[huKSer]

 

First...for the football geniuses that keep repeating that ISU has a new coach and it takes time to learn a system...if that were the case, wouldn't NU have faired badly last year? New coach...new system...blah blah blah....NU's season last year throws that logic totally out the window so I give all predictions based on that line of reasoning a big "FAIL" It's also important to note that many of us over by Ames think Cheese Dip was busy dreaming up new lies to tell the media about his staying at ISU instead of actually coaching as losses to Iowa, CU and KU all should have been wins under even an average High School coach.

 

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.

[zoogs]

dp

[zoogs]

What about Compton, Fisher, Whaley, Williams, May, Koehler or Kreikemeier at LB?

 

Or Hagg, Osbourne, Thorell, Smith, Gomes or Wald at defensive back?

 

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.

[SaturnDrew]

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)

[Spooky Tooth]

McCarney doesn't miss Ames since he's up here all the time either bailing his daughter out of jail or attending one of her court appearances....

I had season tickets at Hilton back during the McCarney era and...lucky me...he had the pair right next to me. The guy was probably one of the most obnoxious people you would ever have to sit by at any sporting event...didn't seem to be able to talk without waving his arms around like a lunatic...usually knocking my soda into my lap or blasting my popcorn down to the lower level. All together I'm pretty sure he owes me about $100 for food I bought but never got a chance to consume...

 

Anyway, for all of you naysayers out there who keep trying to remove my rose colored glasses, let me point out a couple of salient points as to why you are all mistaken this year concerning Iowa State and should quake in fear as each day brings your team closer to humiliation at the hands of the mighty Cyclones:

 

First...for the football geniuses that keep repeating that ISU has a new coach and it takes time to learn a system...if that were the case, wouldn't NU have faired badly last year? New coach...new system...blah blah blah....NU's season last year throws that logic totally out the window so I give all predictions based on that line of reasoning a big "FAIL" It's also important to note that many of us over by Ames think Cheese Dip was busy dreaming up new lies to tell the media about his staying at ISU instead of actually coaching as losses to Iowa, CU and KU all should have been wins under even an average High School coach.

 

Second...Like it or not, a team's success generally rides on the success of the QB. Of the North teams, only three have QB's that have any meaningful experience playing in the Big 12: KU, CU (I've added both the half-ass QB's they have together to form one QB) and ISU. Nothing against Coffman, Lee or Gabbert, but until I see them playing against actual Big 12 competition, I'm not going to be entirely sold on any of the three. So, any predictions based on speculation of a QB that hasn't seen significant Big 12 playing time get a big "FAIL"

 

Third...Whereas almost every team in the North lost a lot of quality skill position players, two teams with fairly respectable offenses did not...KU and ISU. ISU also has the advantage of bringing back most of it's O-Line (which, contrary to popular belief, was actually pretty competent) and LB and DB's (the DB's have talent...LB's not so much...but a switch to a 4-2-5 should be able to compensate for that). Any predictions based on the great potential talent or recruits or backups who have shown this potential only in practice or at the high school or Juco level get a big "FAIL"

 

Finally...ISU gets to play most of their "might accidently win" games at home for a change...Iowa, Colorado, Baylor...K-State on a neutral field...The ones I foresee them losing are all on the road (NU, MU, KU) Oh...except OK-State which we have to play in Ames and who will surely smash up to smithereens... We have an easy non-conference schedule which we should be able to come out of at least 3-1. Then, we pick off K-State, Colorado (for some reason...Hawkins just can't win here), Baylor (those pretenders...) and maybe sneak one out on the road against A&M or maybe even MU late in the year depending on how their season has gone and...look out...A free trip to the Moosehead Beer Bowl or something major like that!

Anyway...the coaches and players know if it's gonna happen, it has to be this year because starting in 2010, the schedule turns into Murderer's Row.

 

My point? Uh...um...Look both ways before you cross the street...or something. Come on. Do I really have to have a point????

 

 

I hate to hear that about Mac's daughter. I always liked him and respected the job he did at ISU.

[HUSKER CHUCK]

2009 BIG 12 NORTH PRESEASON FORECAST

 

1. Nebraska ... Suh and the Blackshirts are set to dominate again

2. Kansas... Still a solid team with Reesing

T-3. Colorado... Hawkins finally starts to shine

T-3. Kansas State ... Snyder can still coach

5. Missouri ...Can't recruit in their own state

6. Iowa State ... They can move the ball, but couldn't stop a D-III team

 

 

Updated after taking your comments into consideration