Nebraska, FSU looking up; USC, Miami struggling

[Eric the Red]

Nebraska, FSU looking up; USC, Miami struggling

 

It's always tough to figure out what to make of your favorite team's developments in spring practice. More often than not, key players aren't participating, heralded freshmen haven't arrived yet and the coaches don't want to give away too much in the spring game.

 

In following these things over the years, however, I've found that spring is usually a pretty good indicator of what to expect in the fall. If the offense tripped all over itself in scrimmages, it's probably not going to wind up averaging 500 yards a game. If the D-linemen couldn't get any pressure on the quarterback, they're probably not going to morph into mini-Warren Sapps by August.

 

Here are a few teams that gave their fans reason to be either encouraged or discouraged heading into the fall.

 

Encouraged: Nebraska. Having endured nearly three long years of mediocrity, the 57,415 spectators who showed up for the Huskers' spring game had to be relieved by the sight of sophomore I-backs Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn delivering the kind of big plays that were so sorely lacking last season when Nebraska -- Nebraska! -- ranked 107th in the country in rushing offense. That, along with QB Zac Taylor's continued progress, could be signs that coach Bill Callahan's West Coast experiment may soon finally pay off.

 

Discouraged: USC. There's no beating around the Bush, here -- the Trojans have some serious issues. It's never good when your only healthy (and eligible) returning tailback is a fullback (Ryan Powdrell). Four heralded freshmen arrive in the fall, at least one of whom will undoubtedly be a star, but it's a quite the leap in faith to go from Leinart/Bush/White to Booty or Sanchez/???/???.

 

Encouraged: Florida State. For the first time in five years, 'Noles fans have reason to feel good about their quarterback. By all accounts, sophomore Drew Weatherford emerged as a reliable leader this spring, while a new crop of stud defenders (LB Lawrence Simmons, S Myron Rolle) helped solidify FSU's D. That alone should be enough to cut down on last year's uncharacteristic five losses; if the running game can become a factor as well, look out.

 

Discouraged: Miami. The problem with spring games (and scrimmages) is you never know if the defense is that good or the offense is that bad. With the 'Canes, however, there's a recent track record -- their big plays on offense have diminished dramatically the past couple of years -- and, despite the presence of new coordinator Rich Olson, things didn't look any better in the spring game, where Miami didn't manage a passing play longer than nine yards.

[Tommie15]

...Huskers' spring game had to be relieved by the sight of sophomore I-backs Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn delivering the kind of big plays that were so sorely lacking last season...

vs the no's 2/3 defense. not exactly OU, UT, or USC

 

only time will tell

[gamecocks]

Those 2/3 also had some pretty good defenders on their squad. I remember seeing Corey McKeon among them. Granted it is not exactly like OU or Texas. But they are not exactly pushovers either.

[Red Snow Sword: Husker Sentinel]

NU & FSU are two teams I like. One quite a bit more than the other.... Looking forward to next season, as always

[Benard]

We have looked good in every spring game callahan has been involved with. It's by design for the recruits. It is pretty much impossible not to look good. Heck Dailey looked like a heisman guy.

[DJR313]

Heck Dailey looked like a heisman guy.

29-49 with 2 INT's isn't exactly Heisman like. Look no farther than the first spring game and the second to see the difference between the 2 qb's. The rushing yards/per game season averages for the past 4 years also correlates to the rushing average in the spring game. Last year they struggled running in the spring game, then struggled all year with it. The spring game isn't exactly a barometer for success, but Dailey struggled in the spring game as he did the whole season. Taylor played exceptionally well, then eventually played to that level in games by the end of the year.

[Foppa]

Heck Dailey looked like a heisman guy.

Well, guess we know what Benard's expectations are.

[hack]

Heck Dailey looked like a heisman guy.

agreed, but his brothers Darnit and Golly could be pretty good if they focus in coming years.

 

... seriously, who names their kid 'Heck'?

[AR Husker Fan]

Heck Dailey looked like a heisman guy.

agreed, but his brothers Darnit and Golly could be pretty good if they focus in coming years.

 

... seriously, who names their kid 'Heck'?

[Foppa]

Completely off subject, but I once knew a guy whose nickname was 'heck'. But then I'm from a small town.

 

Seriously, though, I look for NCAA defensive player of the year coming out of the ACC. Stats will be padded deep, especially by LB's or safeties with Dailey at QB.