Reasons for Optimism for the 2020 Huskers

[Mavric]

 

• 2019 RECRUITING CLASS HAS A SAY
• O-LINE SHOULD BE ON A FASTER TRACK
• MARTINEZ HAS SHOWN WHAT HE CAN BE
• SECONDARY PROMISE
• A NEW VOICE FOR RECEIVERS
• ORGANIZED EFFORTS
• FILLING IN THE MIDDLE
• CAM FIGURED SOME THINGS OUT
• MORE OPTIONS IN THE BACKFIELD
• A SENIOR PUSH
•  

[84HuskerLaw]

Indeed there are some reasons to be more hopeful for this season than most are factoring into their projections.  The pendulum has swung so far to the negative but the good news is it should swing back the other direction in a comparable way. 

1.  Despite so many weaknesses on the team the Huskers were fairly competitive in most games.

2.  Offensive line play was inconsistent but never overwhelmed for entire games.  Bad snaps are fixable and should be come game time.  Center could be our best O line spot. More experience and physical development and maturity and depth is coming soon. 

3.   The RB spot was a revolving door with no stability but the room has added lots of new bodies - most with ample physical size and lots of potential at a position where younger players can step in and be fairly productive. 

4.  WRs will miss JD but there are some real athletes to utilize in packages and depth will be better. A new approach and ability to spread the ball around and avoid the dependency on one or two players.  Opponents’ defenses like to be able to focus on one or two threats vs worrying about a bunch of unknowns. 

5.  QB play has a good chance to be improved - whether it be AM or not.  A backup QB with ability to lead the team to wins vs most of our opponents will enable the starter to play without hesitation and let it all hang out every snap.  No more playing it safe just to avoid injuries and make the stats look better.  QBs should be difference makers again!

6.  Dawson returns to add valuable coaching upgrade (he is one if the better D coaches in quite awhile).   D line has some returning experience to lead a young but athletically capable group. The Davis twins are gone but the cupboard is not bare of great potential.  

7.   LB play was the weakest link on the team last year but the number of very athletic guys will jump a bunch and coaching should be a strength here.  Experience could be a plus too!

8.   The entire secondary is loaded with good athletes with Big Ten size, adequate speed, some fine coverage ability and plenty of hitting capability.  Fisher knows what he doing and every reason to think the players will too.

9.   A complete rebuild of special teams with speed, aggressive mindset and youthful energy is underway.  This area was grossly neglected coaching wise and kickers were a dime a dozen and worth about that.  This approach is apparently history now, and while inexperience is a big concern, the transformation is happening. This should be the most improved area on the team with the chance to turn close losses into wins and keep some tough games close in the 4th qtrs.  

10.   The shutdown should have nearly all the players fully recovered from injuries etc.  Conditioning will have suffered but with workouts resuming shortly, there is time to get in shape.  All our opponents faced this issue so the lost practices of no bowl may not be quite so disadvantageous as it might have been.  This will depend on the self motivation of individual team members.  

 

Overall,  when you’re near the bottom there is nowhere to go but up and we have a good chance to do so this fall, despite the challenges.  The Huskers are being given a chance for redemption - how they react is up to them.  GBR!

 

 

[Atbone95]

Reason #1 - Martinez can't be worse? 

[floridacorn]

As talented as the Davis' were, they were playing out of position in this defensive scheme.  Same could be said of Lamar Jackson.  I think NU is getting more of their type of players to execute their scheme defensively. 

 

Offensively, more play makers, & improved O-line play.  IF there is an extended fall camp to compensate for the loss of spring ball, it helps Frost & Co. integrate Manning, Betts, Brown, & Fleming into the Offense quicker.