Next Year

[strigori]

With yesterday's developments it is clear we will have a return of the coaching staff we have now. Pelini will not be fired after the bowl game, saying otherwise is foolhardy.

 

I also would not expect much changes to the coaching staff. Beck and Papuchis will be here next year, bet on it. The only changes likely would be the recruiting coordinator title removed from Els and given to a new position in a non-coaching capacity. There was even a job posting similar in nature listed not that long ago. And maybe special teams being shuffled to a different member of the staff. But I would not expect any personnel changes to the coaches.

 

The two players we need to keep our fingers crossed on coming back is Abdullah and Gregory. They might be the most important recruiting battle actually. And they need to really pull off a minor miracle in recruiting in general. As our current composite ranking is 41, and 6 in the B1G. Which is not going to cut it.

 

Be prepared to hear the word 'youth' so much it will sound like there are several players on the team with the last name Young.

There will be a quarterback battle in the spring, and fall camp. But I don't think anyone can say with any certainty who will win, or if there will even be a winner. Will we see the position treated like it was with Martinez and never have anyone else get snaps? Or will we see it run like most of this season with both Armstrong and Stanton getting reps? I'm leaving Darlington or anyone else who might show up out of the conversation for now as the would have to learn the offense very fast, and I think its just too much of a hurdle to overtake guys who have a year or two with the system.

 

We will hear it with the O-line also, though we really probably shouldn't as many of the guys who we will be relying on next year did receive playing time down the stretch.

 

Youth should not be an excuse on defense. Yes most of them will not be seniors, but the playing time from this year trumps what year they are. And the team will have to rely on defense, particularly if Abdullah goes pro.

 

I really hope they decide to make finding an identity on offense a priority. I recommend a power running focus, the 'take what the defense gives us' mentality has not been a good thing. The team shows the best performances when they focus on the run, regardless of how many defenders are in the box. Though I don't know if Beck the Leopard will change his spots.

 

We won't end this season ranked, regardless of bowl outcome. So I don't think we start next season ranked, I think the pollsters play a wait and see with us, as we have fallen flat on our faces on the national stage for the past few seasons.

 

The schedule next year is tougher than it was this year.

 

Florida Atlantic - Finished this year 6-6, better be a win. Mark the W in pen.

 

McNeese State - A FCS team. Why are we playing this?

 

@ Fresno State - 10-1 regular season, weather cancelled their game at CU. They lose their QB to the NFL, and maybe their coach. His name is coming up as a hot name to move up.

 

Miami - 9-3 regular season this year. This was a young team, most of the guys will be back for next season, expect them to be ranked when we play, maybe even top 15. Very tough game, and odds are we will be the underdog per Vegas.

 

Illinois - 4-8 (1-7) - Horrible program, this is another that had damned well better be a win

 

@ Michigan State - 11-1 (8-0) Another brutal game where right now you should expect Nebraska to be a Vegas dog.

 

@ Northwestern - 5-7 (1-7) Nebraska is probably favored, but this has proven to be an absolute dog fight in every game, and certainly not one to assume a win.

 

Rutgers - 5-6 at the time of this writing and I'm going to assume they get the win vs UConn. I expect it to be a tough game, though one that Nebraska should win.

 

Purdue - 1-11 (0-8) This is another that had damned well better be a win, no excuses.

 

@ Wisconsin - 9-3 (6-2) I expect this to be a loss, and probably a very ugly one on national TV. The last trip to Camp Randle was horrific, and given how this series has gone so far, I fully expect a loss here.

 

Minnesota - 8-4 (4-4) I would fully expect them to be at least as good as they were this year. This will be a tough game.

 

@ Iowa - 8-4 (5-3) Another that can't be considered a safe win.

 

So as I am looking at it I see 4 games that should be a lock. 1 that is a sure loss, and 7 that could be a toss up. History suggests we lose to Wisky in embarrassing fashion, Grit out wins against most others, lose one, and have the BoFart game for a record of 9-3, or as this year went, 8-4. My lean is to 8-4.

 

Overall I just see us back where we are right now at the end of next season after the 12th game. Sitting at home watching the conference championship game on TV and hoping we get a Jan bowl in Florida.

[Atbone95]

I really like the break down. I don't have quite as negative of an outlook as you, but I still like what you put together.

 

If it makes you feel better, Abdullah and Gregory aren't going anywhere. Both, including coaching staff, have already said so.

[louisianared]

To be fair McNeese is better than the majority of mid-majors and slammed South Florida 53-21 in Tampa.

 

Miami is the key game. If we knock them off there is a very good chance we'll be top 15 headed into conference.

[JTrain]

If we can get the media and refs off our backs, we're gonna be scary good.

[SandhillshuskerW]

I agree with some that say Miami is a key game. If we can possibly come out of that game with a win, we will have a good year. I know that the B1G is a tougher league than most outside of the conference realize or want to admit. With the exception of Illinois and Purdue right now, most teams have a chance to win every game. It will be a tough year next year. I think that Gregory and Abdullah will both be back next year. I'm cautiously optimistic about next year. Young defense is getting more experienced and should only be better next year. QB battle may be fun to watch and the offense isn't really losing a whole lot. I am one person that would like to see a slight coaching shake-up though.

[Foppa]

With yesterday's developments it is clear we will have a return of the coaching staff we have now. Pelini will not be fired after the bowl game, saying otherwise is foolhardy.

 

I also would not expect much changes to the coaching staff. Beck and Papuchis will be here next year, bet on it. The only changes likely would be the recruiting coordinator title removed from Els and given to a new position in a non-coaching capacity. There was even a job posting similar in nature listed not that long ago. And maybe special teams being shuffled to a different member of the staff. But I would not expect any personnel changes to the coaches.

 

The two players we need to keep our fingers crossed on coming back is Abdullah and Gregory. They might be the most important recruiting battle actually. And they need to really pull off a minor miracle in recruiting in general. As our current composite ranking is 41, and 6 in the B1G. Which is not going to cut it.

 

Be prepared to hear the word 'youth' so much it will sound like there are several players on the team with the last name Young.

There will be a quarterback battle in the spring, and fall camp. But I don't think anyone can say with any certainty who will win, or if there will even be a winner. Will we see the position treated like it was with Martinez and never have anyone else get snaps? Or will we see it run like most of this season with both Armstrong and Stanton getting reps? I'm leaving Darlington or anyone else who might show up out of the conversation for now as the would have to learn the offense very fast, and I think its just too much of a hurdle to overtake guys who have a year or two with the system.

 

We will hear it with the O-line also, though we really probably shouldn't as many of the guys who we will be relying on next year did receive playing time down the stretch.

 

Youth should not be an excuse on defense. Yes most of them will not be seniors, but the playing time from this year trumps what year they are. And the team will have to rely on defense, particularly if Abdullah goes pro.

 

I really hope they decide to make finding an identity on offense a priority. I recommend a power running focus, the 'take what the defense gives us' mentality has not been a good thing. The team shows the best performances when they focus on the run, regardless of how many defenders are in the box. Though I don't know if Beck the Leopard will change his spots.

 

We won't end this season ranked, regardless of bowl outcome. So I don't think we start next season ranked, I think the pollsters play a wait and see with us, as we have fallen flat on our faces on the national stage for the past few seasons.

 

The schedule next year is tougher than it was this year.

 

Florida Atlantic - Finished this year 6-6, better be a win. Mark the W in pen.

 

McNeese State - A FCS team. Why are we playing this?

 

@ Fresno State - 10-1 regular season, weather cancelled their game at CU. They lose their QB to the NFL, and maybe their coach. His name is coming up as a hot name to move up.

 

Miami - 9-3 regular season this year. This was a young team, most of the guys will be back for next season, expect them to be ranked when we play, maybe even top 15. Very tough game, and odds are we will be the underdog per Vegas.

 

Illinois - 4-8 (1-7) - Horrible program, this is another that had damned well better be a win

 

@ Michigan State - 11-1 (8-0) Another brutal game where right now you should expect Nebraska to be a Vegas dog.

 

@ Northwestern - 5-7 (1-7) Nebraska is probably favored, but this has proven to be an absolute dog fight in every game, and certainly not one to assume a win.

 

Rutgers - 5-6 at the time of this writing and I'm going to assume they get the win vs UConn. I expect it to be a tough game, though one that Nebraska should win.

 

Purdue - 1-11 (0-8) This is another that had damned well better be a win, no excuses.

 

@ Wisconsin - 9-3 (6-2) I expect this to be a loss, and probably a very ugly one on national TV. The last trip to Camp Randle was horrific, and given how this series has gone so far, I fully expect a loss here.

 

Minnesota - 8-4 (4-4) I would fully expect them to be at least as good as they were this year. This will be a tough game.

 

@ Iowa - 8-4 (5-3) Another that can't be considered a safe win.

 

So as I am looking at it I see 4 games that should be a lock. 1 that is a sure loss, and 7 that could be a toss up. History suggests we lose to Wisky in embarrassing fashion, Grit out wins against most others, lose one, and have the BoFart game for a record of 9-3, or as this year went, 8-4. My lean is to 8-4.

 

Overall I just see us back where we are right now at the end of next season after the 12th game. Sitting at home watching the conference championship game on TV and hoping we get a Jan bowl in Florida.

 

With this staff...no game should ever be considered as one NU is going to win. And 9 times out of 10, every game expected to be a loss usually is.

[tmfr15]

The next season seems like a lifetime away.... I am sure it will get here quicker than I think, but as far as making predictions... with so much unknown... its nearly impossible.

[tmfr15]

Hey Foppa... I am 100 percent right 10 percent of the time.

[EbylHusker]

:ahhhhhhhh

[Foppa]

The next season seems like a lifetime away.... I am sure it will get here quicker than I think, but as far as making predictions... with so much unknown... its nearly impossible.

 

It's much more possible now than it was right after the Iowa blowout.

[Foppa]

Hey Foppa... I am 100 percent right 10 percent of the time.

 

It never gets old...

 

[MichiganDad3]

If we can get the media and refs off our backs, we're gonna be scary good.

I wonder if Bo has caused some bias in the refs. The 2nd half of the season was iffy. I don't remember a single flag being picked up that went against NU. There were at least 3 flags picked up in the MSU game for calls against NU.

[The Maudfather]

If we can get the media and refs off our backs, we're gonna be scary good.

Yes, the media and the refs are the reason for our mediocrity. They're the reason we are unable to play fundamentally sound football. They're the reason reason we miss open field tackles, turn the football over in spectacular and inexplicable fashion, commit ill timed penalties and just can't seem to get up to play football games against inferior foes (some of the post game quotes from Wyoming and Minnesota were downright frightening. The collective psyche of this team and the fact that we're unable to maintain any sort of poise on the big stage is all on the media and refs. It's not a trickle down from the head coach.

 

I have zero optimism. Yeah, I'll get jacked for every game and cheer them on line nobody's business, but my expectations for next season are 7-5. What we easily could have been this year if Northwestern knew how to defend a Hail Mary. Last year could have very easily been the same result with a few different bounces and calls here and there.

 

I guess this is what apathy feels like.

[MichiganDad3]

If we can get the media and refs off our backs, we're gonna be scary good.

Yes, the media and the refs are the reason for our mediocrity. They're the reason we are unable to play fundamentally sound football. They're the reason reason we miss open field tackles, turn the football over in spectacular and inexplicable fashion, commit ill timed penalties and just can't seem to get up to play football games against inferior foes (some of the post game quotes from Wyoming and Minnesota were downright frightening. The collective psyche of this team and the fact that we're unable to maintain any sort of poise on the big stage is all on the media and refs. It's not a trickle down from the head coach.

 

I have zero optimism. Yeah, I'll get jacked for every game and cheer them on line nobody's business, but my expectations for next season are 7-5. What we easily could have been this year if Northwestern knew how to defend a Hail Mary. Last year could have very easily been the same result with a few different bounces and calls here and there.

 

I guess this is what apathy feels like.

This post is right on the mark

[Husker John]

If we can get the media and refs off our backs, we're gonna be scary good.

Yes, the media and the refs are the reason for our mediocrity. They're the reason we are unable to play fundamentally sound football. They're the reason reason we miss open field tackles, turn the football over in spectacular and inexplicable fashion, commit ill timed penalties and just can't seem to get up to play football games against inferior foes (some of the post game quotes from Wyoming and Minnesota were downright frightening. The collective psyche of this team and the fact that we're unable to maintain any sort of poise on the big stage is all on the media and refs. It's not a trickle down from the head coach.

 

I have zero optimism. Yeah, I'll get jacked for every game and cheer them on line nobody's business, but my expectations for next season are 7-5. What we easily could have been this year if Northwestern knew how to defend a Hail Mary. Last year could have very easily been the same result with a few different bounces and calls here and there.

 

I guess this is what apathy feels like.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Well stated....