** 2017 Husker Previews: Athlon Sports - Preview & Prediction **

[Saunders]

Athlon Sports: 2017 Cornhuskers Preview and Prediction

The Cornhuskers rank No. 43 in Athlon's Top 130 for 2017

 

Nebraska improved its win total by three games in head coach Mike Riley’s second season, but the Cornhuskers stumbled towards the end, losing four of their final six contests. This season is shaping up to be somewhat of a transitional one with a new quarterback and defensive coordinator taking over and a total of 12 starters returning. Nebraska should be able to stay in the hunt in the Big Ten West Division, but winning it may be too much to expect with all of the turnover.

 

Final Analysis:

The Huskers improved from 6–7 to 9–4 in Riley’s second season, although the improvement could be partially attributed to better breaks. Plus, the four losses came in the final six games. After battling Wisconsin to overtime, they lost at Ohio State 62–3, at Iowa 40–10 and to Tennessee in the Music City Bowl 38–24, allowing a combined 1,519 yards of offense in those games, leading to Banker’s firing. A year ago, Riley fired defensive line coach Hank Hughes. Despite his nice-guy personality, Riley has shown a hard edge in trying to get this team to where he wants it.

 

Nebraska hasn’t won a conference championship since 1999 and has played in only one Big Ten Championship Game — a 70–31 loss to Wisconsin in 2012. With so many changes on offense, defense and special teams, the Huskers would seem to be long shots to play in a second this season.

 

National Ranking: 43

Big Ten West Prediction: 3

 

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/nebraska-football-2017-cornhuskers-preview-and-prediction

 

[Toe]

Athlon's preseason top 25 has Texas at #13. You know, the team that's had three losing seasons in a row, and has finished ranked only once in the last seven seasons.

[Mavric]

Athlon's preseason top 25 has Texas at #13. You know, the team that's had three losing seasons in a row, and has finished ranked only once in the last seven seasons.

 

But they went out and hired a coach. We'll see how he does in his first year.

 

#TransitionYear

[Saunders]

Athlon's preseason top 25 has Texas at #13. You know, the team that's had three losing seasons in a row, and has finished ranked only once in the last seven seasons.

Everyone loves Tom Herman, and Texas does have talent. I don't really agree with it, but you're gonna see on alot of pre-season polls. Same with Oregon.