NBC Sports Top 10

[huKSer]

For what its worth:

 

NU #8

 

OU #4

 

ND #23 (What network does ND games again?)

 

3 Big 10 teams in the top 10

 

8. Nebraska

 

Offensive: There’s uncertainty at quarterback because senior Zac Lee, who started 12 games last season, missed spring ball after undergoing surgery on his throwing arm. That gave a good look to the backups, especially sopohomore Cody Green, whose 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame makes him an intriguing weapon in the running game. The Cornhuskers have an array of fleet receivers, led by senior Niles Paul, who averaged 19.9 yards on his 40 receptions, and complemented by Mike McNeill, who has shifted from tight end to wideout. The running game features a nice one-two punch with senior Roy Helu (1,147 rushing yards) and sophomore Rex Burkhead. Four starters return to the offensive line.

 

Defensive: It’s life without defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who’s off to the NFL, but the Cornhuskers still have junior defensive tackle Jared Crick, a potential All-American who might make a Suh-like impact on the Nebraska defense. Sophomores Sean Fisher and Will Compton return to Nebraska’s two-linebacker alignment, which was used with great success in the Big 12 Championship Game against Texas. Senior Eric Hagg will play a hybrid linebacker/nickelback position. The secondary should sparkle with the return of senior Prince Amukaamara and junior Alfonzo Dennard at cornerback, but there is uncertainty at both safety positions.

 

Specialists: Senior Alex Henery is one of the nation’s best specialists. He has made 50 of 57 career field-goal attempts, making him the most accurate place-kicker in Nebraska history. He averaged 41.4 yards per punt – and even more impressively, 30 of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line. The return game is in excellent shape with Paul.

 

Coaching: Bo Pelini (20-8 entering his third season) has Nebraska on the right track. The Cornhuskers are playing the type of football that long defined the program’s strength – an emphasis on the run and stout defense – and should be an excellent fit in the Big Ten Conference. For now, though, Pelini would like to make an impact in the Big 12.

 

Heisman Hopefuls: Crick clearly is one of the nation’s best players at any position. He won’t win, of course, but maybe he’s capable of a Suh-like trip to New York.

 

Game of the year: Oct. 16. vs. Texas. Oh my. This one is big on so many levels. It’s a rematch of last season’s Big 12 Championship Game, when one second was put back on the clock, allowing Texas a final-play field goal to defeat Nebraska 13-12. It’s the potential for Nebraska’s parting shot against Big 12 kingpin Texas before the Cornhuskers bolt for the Big Ten. Nebraska hasn’t beaten Texas in the regular season since 1974. Yes, for the Cornhuskers, this one is huge.

 

Overview: It’s difficult to fathom just how long Nebraska has been largely irrelevant on the national stage. Forget about national championships. There hasn’t been a CONFERENCE championship since 1999. The Cornhuskers obviously are the class of the Big 12 North, but the biggest question is whether they can topple Oklahoma or Texas for the league title. For that to happen, Nebraska’s offense must answer the challenge.

Link

[knapplc]

The secondary should sparkle with the return of senior Prince Amukaamara and junior Alfonzo Dennard at cornerback, but there is uncertainty at both safety positions.

 

DeJon Gomes? Austin Cassidy? Rickey Thenarse? PJ Smith? Courtney Osborne? I'd say there's more uncertainty elsewhere, like in this writer's head.

 

There are a LOT of guys listed as "DB" on the depth chart, including Gomes, but I'm betting you see DeJon on the field more often than not. PJ Smith, Rickey Thenarse and Austin Cassidy have all shown abilities.

 

Our secondary is the least of my concerns. I don't expect the guy to know everything about every team, but this is one he got wrong.

[74Hunter]

The secondary should sparkle with the return of senior Prince Amukaamara and junior Alfonzo Dennard at cornerback, but there is uncertainty at both safety positions.

 

DeJon Gomes? Austin Cassidy? Rickey Thenarse? PJ Smith? Courtney Osborne? I'd say there's more uncertainty elsewhere, like in this writer's head.

 

There are a LOT of guys listed as "DB" on the depth chart, including Gomes, but I'm betting you see DeJon on the field more often than not. PJ Smith, Rickey Thenarse and Austin Cassidy have all shown abilities.

 

Our secondary is the least of my concerns. I don't expect the guy to know everything about every team, but this is one he got wrong.

I disagree. Thenarse is coming off of injury, and the rest have little game experience at S. While they may turn out to be good players, it will be very tough to replace Asante and O'Hanlon. They were 2 very solid players, at the least.

[bleedNUred]

Hmmm...

[Manhattan]

Calling shens on this article.

 

Oklahoma is not #4.

 

The Buckeyes game of the year is not Wisconsin. It is M*ch*gan, but that's besides the point. The most difficult opponent the Buckeyes face is in Iowa City, not Madison.

 

The article also says that the Buckeyes are 3-12-1 against M*ch*gan prior to Tressel's arrival. Even if they meant John Cooper's era, he is 2-10-1 against Michigan. Also, besides the point, since M*ch*gan is not the most difficult opponent on the schedule.

[knapplc]

The secondary should sparkle with the return of senior Prince Amukaamara and junior Alfonzo Dennard at cornerback, but there is uncertainty at both safety positions.

 

DeJon Gomes? Austin Cassidy? Rickey Thenarse? PJ Smith? Courtney Osborne? I'd say there's more uncertainty elsewhere, like in this writer's head.

 

There are a LOT of guys listed as "DB" on the depth chart, including Gomes, but I'm betting you see DeJon on the field more often than not. PJ Smith, Rickey Thenarse and Austin Cassidy have all shown abilities.

 

Our secondary is the least of my concerns. I don't expect the guy to know everything about every team, but this is one he got wrong.

I disagree. Thenarse is coming off of injury, and the rest have little game experience at S. While they may turn out to be good players, it will be very tough to replace Asante and O'Hanlon. They were 2 very solid players, at the least.

It seems odd to me that you'd look at a list of names like that, especially one that includes DeJon Gomes (half the list of starters) and say you disagree that we're going to be good back there. What is it about Gomes' play that makes you doubt him?

 

We have Gomes, Dennard and Amukamara back there. Add Hagg, and that's your top four WR that we're going to put a pretty darned good blanket over. I'd like to know which team you're looking at that where you can say, "I have more confidence in their #5 WR than I do in Thenarse/Smith/Cassidy/Osborne." Which team is that good, five deep?

[knapplc]

The article also says that the Buckeyes are 3-12-1 against M*ch*gan prior to Tressel's arrival. Even if they meant John Cooper's era, he is 2-10-1 against Michigan. Also, besides the point, since M*ch*gan is not the most difficult opponent on the schedule.

 

I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with. Tressel arrived in 2001. From 1986-2000, Michigan was 12-3-1 against OSU.

[General Blackshirt]

Even if they meant John Cooper's era, he is 2-10-1 against Michigan.

OMG OMG OMG!!!! You're a traitor to the Buckeyes!! True Buckeyes say M******N and nothing else!!

[Manhattan]

Even if they meant John Cooper's era, he is 2-10-1 against Michigan.

OMG OMG OMG!!!! You're a traitor to the Buckeyes!! True Buckeyes say M******N and nothing else!!

 

Oh shoot, you got me!

[Manhattan]

The article also says that the Buckeyes are 3-12-1 against M*ch*gan prior to Tressel's arrival. Even if they meant John Cooper's era, he is 2-10-1 against Michigan. Also, besides the point, since M*ch*gan is not the most difficult opponent on the schedule.

 

I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with. Tressel arrived in 2001. From 1986-2000, Michigan was 12-3-1 against OSU.

 

More than 16 games have been played prior to Tressel's arrival.

 

The article says: "Consider this: Prior to Tressel’s arrival, Ohio State was 3-12-1 against Michigan"

 

When in fact the all-time record is 57-43-6.

[deedsker15]

gomes on-filed production means he is not an uncertainty...thenarse, cassidy, smith...tons of talent...not as big of a question as QB or OL

[In the Deed the Glory]

The article also says that the Buckeyes are 3-12-1 against M*ch*gan prior to Tressel's arrival. Even if they meant John Cooper's era, he is 2-10-1 against Michigan. Also, besides the point, since M*ch*gan is not the most difficult opponent on the schedule.

 

I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with. Tressel arrived in 2001. From 1986-2000, Michigan was 12-3-1 against OSU.

 

More than 16 games have been played prior to Tressel's arrival.

 

The article says: "Consider this: Prior to Tressel’s arrival, Ohio State was 3-12-1 against Michigan"

 

When in fact the all-time record is 57-43-6.

 

I noticed that too, funny that the rivalry is as heated as it is for only being around for what, 25 years?

[knapplc]

The article also says that the Buckeyes are 3-12-1 against M*ch*gan prior to Tressel's arrival. Even if they meant John Cooper's era, he is 2-10-1 against Michigan. Also, besides the point, since M*ch*gan is not the most difficult opponent on the schedule.

 

I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with. Tressel arrived in 2001. From 1986-2000, Michigan was 12-3-1 against OSU.

 

More than 16 games have been played prior to Tressel's arrival.

 

The article says: "Consider this: Prior to Tressel’s arrival, Ohio State was 3-12-1 against Michigan"

 

When in fact the all-time record is 57-43-6.

He broke it down into a relevant era to make a point. Write an article or two and you'll figure out why he did that.

[Coqui]

Even if they meant John Cooper's era, he is 2-10-1 against Michigan.

OMG OMG OMG!!!! You're a traitor to the Buckeyes!! True Buckeyes say M******N and nothing else!!

 

 

Actually it's that state up north

[Coqui]

The Buckeyes game of the year is not Wisconsin. It is M*ch*gan, but that's besides the point. The most difficult opponent the Buckeyes face is in Iowa City, not Madison.

 

Both are tough games, but Kinnick is not Camp Randall nor does it come close. Nor are we playing Iowa at night (more than likely we aren't at least)