Will Nebraska have it easy next year?

[CornfedChris]

Many are saying next year will be just as tough as this year for us. Similar rough schedule, Urban Meyer's takeover at tOSU, Player transfer rumors, "Pelini on hot seat rumors", "Pelini leaving for ______ rumors"... BLAH BLAH BLAH etc...

 

 

We lose 3 All-Americans on defense..... I just don't see it as big of an issue as everyone is making it out to be. Yeah, you could argue by saying losing Lavonte David is equivalent to losing 2 or 3 players, although the way he came in and accomplished what he did as a 6 ft 210 lb JuCo linebacker in the short amount of time he was given gives me confidence we will find a replacement for him. At the beginning of the year I remember Pelini saying he was confident in his defense and for once he felt we've built a trustworthy 2-deep of depth and I would agree. They are still young and developing which means they can only get better.

 

 

Nebraska has 6 starters graduating after this year. Kinnie doesn't count as he didn't start many games and unfortunately isn't a big loss for us.

• Nebraska (2 Offense, 4 Defense)
  

OT Jamarcus Hardrick, C Mike Caputo, S Austin Cassidy, CB Alfonzo Dennard, LB Lavonte David, DT Jered Crick

 

 

 

Now look at the rest of the conference:

• Ohio State (4 Offense, 0 Defense) (Head Coaching Change after recruiting scandal)
  

RB Dan Herron, C Michael Brewster, OT Mike Adams, OT J.B. Shugarts

• Penn State (7 Offense, 6 Defense) (Head Coaching change after sex abuse scandal)
  

WR Derek Moye, FB Joe Suhey, OT Quinn Barham, OG Johnnie Troutman, OG DeOn'Tae Pannell, OT Chima Okoli, TE Andrew Sczcerba, DE Jack Crawford, CB D'Anton Lynn, CB Chaz Powell, S Nick Sukay, S Drew Astorino, DT Devon Still

• Wisconsin (7 Offense, 5 Defense, 2 Special Teams)
  

QB Russell Wilson, G Kevin Zeitler, FB Bradie Ewing, K Philip Welch, P Brad Nortman, WR Nick Toon, TE Jake Byrne, T Jake Ogelsby, G Kevin Zeitler, DE Louis Nzegwu, DT Patrick Butrym, LB Kevin Claxton, CB Antonio Fenelus, S Aaron Henry

• Michigan State (6 Offense, 1 Defense)
  

QB Kirk Cousins, FB Todd Anderson, WR B.J. Cunningham, WR Keshawn Martin, G Joel Forman, S Trenton Robinson, QB/WR Keith Nichol*

• Michigan (6 Offense, 4 Defense, 1 Special Teams) (2nd year Head Coach)
  

C David Molk, RB Michael Shaw, FB John McColgen, WR Junior Hemmingway, TE Kevin Koger, OT Mark Huyge, DE Will Heininger, DT Mike Martin, DT Ryan Van Bergen, CB Troy Woofork, LS Tom Pomarico

• Illinois (4 Offense, 3 Defense, 1 Special Teams)
  

OT Jeff Allen, K Derek Dimke, RB Jason Ford, WR A.J. Jenkins, G Jack Cornell, LB Trulon Henry, LB Ian Thomas, CB Tavon Wilson

• Northwestern (6 Offense, 6 Defense)
  

QB Dan Persa, DE Vince Browne, RB Jacob Schmidt, WR Jeremy Ebert, HB Drake Dunsmore, OT Al Netter, G Ben Burkett, DT Mike Mafuli, DT Jack DiNardo, CB Jordan Mabin, CB Jaravin Matthews, S Brian Peters

• Iowa (3 Offense, 6 Defense, 1 Special Teams)
  

CB Shaun Prater, WR Marvin McNutt, OT Markus Zusevics, G Adam Gettis, DE Broderick Binns, DT Mike Daniels, DT Thomas Nardo, LB Tyler Nielsen, S Jordan Bernstine, P Eric Guthrie

• Minnesota (7 Offense, 6 Defense) (Second Year Head Coach)
  

RB Duane Bennett, WR Da'Jon McKnight, FB Eric Lair, TE Colin McGarry, G Chris Bunders, G Ryan Orton, C Ryan Wynn, DT Anthony Jacobs, DT Brandon Kirksey, LB Gary Tinsley, CB Troy Staudermire, S Shady Salamon, S Kim Royston

• Indiana (3 Offense, 2 Defense, 3 Special Teams) (Second Year Head Coach)
  

TE Max Dedmond, OT Andrew McDonald, OT Justin Pagan, LB Leon Beckum, LB Jeff Thomas, LS John Finch, K Carson Wiggs, PR W. Gravesande

• Purdue (3 Offense, 4 Defense)
  

WR Justin Siller, OT Dennis Kelly, G Nick Mondek, DE Gerald Gooden, LB Joe Holland, S Albert Evans, S Logan Link

 

 

 

IMO, I think Nebraska has an advantage over every team in the B1G when it comes to returning starters. Throw in the fact that our bench players are getting more and more hungry for playing time. Our Redshirt Sophomore QB is starting to develop as a game manager and with the amount of playing time he has gotten this year, can you imagine him next year!? And that Rex Burkhead guy. I know he wants to win more than anyone. Having him as a leader/role model to all of the younger players will only ignite the fire even more. Everyone will want to emulate the way he played the game with a "Never Give Up" attitude. The only other B1G school with more returning starters than us will be Ohio State... But will they be able to keep their heads high after a disappointing 6-6 regular season and a new head coach? It won't be a cakewalk for us but from the way it looks to me, we should be more optimistic of our team... I foresee great results next year.

 

2nd times a charm?

[Excel]

Definitely a good year brewing. 10 wins at least.

[gin_32]

Great breakdown on the rest of the B1G . Nebraska, I believe, will be a better team overall when next season comes around (barring any major injuries). I think the toughest game will be tOSU. Michigan will be tough and going to Iowa could be rough as well.

[tschu]

There's always next year.

[JJ Husker]

To answer the thread title question; No, it won't be easy. But I would agree that we should be much improved over this years version and graduation wise, things could be worse. Losing Lavonte & Fonzie will hurt but I believe some new standouts will arrive on the scene and the holes they leave will be suitably filled. Those guys were awesome but we will be fine without them. I anticipate vast improvement on both sides of the ball if for no other reason than I felt both sides performed below ability this year.

[Hunter94]

it will be tough again, not much developmental time for our backups, especially at the skill positions.

[Conga3]

@CornfedChris Good post bro. Always appreciate a little effort put into thread starters.

 

I predict

- Marrow will be the 4th gear in our offense next year, along with T-Magic, SupeRex and BlueFro#80, but he'll fail to pick up a catchy nickname.

- The defense will surprise everyone and be darn good right off the bat with Compton and Stafford commanding the D and getting everyone set.

- Urban Meyer will retire from football before we get to play him at The Shoe? but he'll be back in time to lose to us in the CCG.

 

[knapplc]

Could swear I've had this conversation once already.

[Hercules]

Definitely a good year brewing. 10 wins at least.

 

Haven't you been paying attention? We might get 10 wins this year, and we've still had like 19 different "Fire Bo" threads.

[HuskerShark]

Great breakdown on the rest of the B1G . Nebraska, I believe, will be a better team overall when next season comes around (barring any major injuries). I think the toughest game will be tOSU. Michigan will be tough and going to Iowa could be rough as well.

 

Michigan and Ohio State will definitely be our stiffest competition, and Penn State could potentially still be just as good if not better if they hire Bradley as the official head coach. With a coaching change, they will regress at least a couple years and possibly for a long time with impending NCAA discipline.

 

Basically, I feel the same way as CornfedChris. It won't be an easy schedule by any definition of the word, but I am very confident that our returning players will be a lot for other teams to handle next year, especially if we get early contributions from Zaire, Siesay if he comes here, and any other recruits or redshirts that we have coming up for next year. Needless to say, I am very excited.

 

GBR!!!

[Foppa]

Hopefully. That's what NU should think. This team should feel like it's a cake-walk through terrible 3-5 teams they play at home that have the audacity to show up thinking they could possibly compete...oh...nevermind.

[Excel]

Definitely a good year brewing. 10 wins at least.

 

Haven't you been paying attention? We might get 10 wins this year, and we've still had like 19 different "Fire Bo" threads.

Yea I know...you guys are spoiled

[Skers!]

Solid post...good analysis although I see next year being as much of a struggle as it was this year. Definitely not saying we are not up to the task but we are losing some quality players. We will recover... this is a young team but it can only get better. We need a D that can play potentially lights out versus not only a pocket passer but a guy who has scrambling prowess. Tougher said than done by a long shot. I have to say I am really liking the vibe from this conference so far though. Looking forward to a strong finish for the Cornhuskers in 2011-12 and a promising season in 2012-13.

[Igetbored216]

This team is not at a place where we can sit down and say it is going to be easy any year. The team is spotty and inconsistent, so to answer the OP's question, no, Nebraska will not have an easy year next year.

[deedsker]

Any easier? no

 

Can we have a better record? yes

 

There is always a chance