Way too early 2021

[HANC]

Okay.  I know that most on the board think we should drop a nuclear bomb on Memorial stadium and basically call off football for the unforeseen future.  Although very frustrated, I am not one of those guys.  He is my premature outlook on 2021.  Maybe a little optimistic, but I don't think it could be too far off base.

 

Offensive prediction:

 

Smothers will be the starting QB, with Martinez staying on board as a team captain and leader.  He and Frost have a father/son relationship and he will get his degree here.  He also knows that rarely does a team make it through the season without needing a quality backup.  Plus, with his passing deficiencies, not sure where he would go to find a great deal of success immediately.  I will go out on a limb and say that McCaffery stays but move to slot back and replaces WanDale (who will be at Kentucky).  The QB experiment is running out of time, and he knows his only shot at the next level will be at a slot. RB is still a concern.  3 of the 5 starters are still very young on the oline.  projects that will continue to get better (noticed I didn't say "develop", since that term is not allowed on the board).   Betts will take over as the bigger bodied WR and be the focal point with McCaffery in the slot.  Hopefully Manning pans out, but can't count on that.  At TE,  Allen accepts Fidone challenge and at 6'8 becomes a massive force for us, and Fidone sees time as a true freshman.

 

Overall:  Offense could be slight upgrade, but losing Robinson and with suspect play calling, may be status quo

 

Defensive prediction;

 

Chins is a lightening rod on board.  I for one am NOT a fan.  I will though, reluctantly say that I do see improvement.  I truly think that our front 4 that will return will be very solid.  Robinson will be a beast, who will be faced with a decision after next season.  Combined with Rogers, Thomas, and Daniels this could be our best front in awhile.  I am going to be a little optimistic at LB.  I like the look of Reimer, Nelson, Henrich....these guys play with their hair on fire and are young.  Yes, they make youthful mistakes, but these kids are homegrown and will bleed out for the program. They have shown flashes.  Don't be suprised if Honas doesn't entertain another year, with hopes of turning nfl heads (late round).  Combine Tannor in his 3-4 year as a starter and Payne in year 2, I think we will be faster and more athletic at this position.  The back half of the defense is the concern.  Will guys like Farmer, NPG, Newsome cut the mustard.

 

Overall: I think the front 7 will be as good as it has been in a few years.

 

Special teams  Prediction

 

Who the heck knows.   I am 51 and sure I can punt more consistently that what we have seen.  We will miss Culp as he was much needed this year.

 

 

Schedule:

 

A pessimist can and does say that losing so many close games is a sign of a bad team and poor coaching. Very easy to do in this scenario (not saying that this thought is wrong).  An optimist will say that so many 1 score games is a sign of a young team almost turning the corner.  I do think you will see Nebraska winning a few of these type of games, and yes, losing some.

 

Illinois loses a TON on defense and bringing in a new coach........Winnable

Buffalo:  loses about 90% of offensive firepower, but will depend on if Patterson (fb) declares for nfl......Winnable (not because of MAC school, but losses on offense)

Oklahoma:  NO CHANCE

Michigan state:  still youthful and growing.  Same boat we are in.  We will see which coach (another debate) can win.....toss up

Ohio State: NO CHANCE

Northwestern: home game.  NW finally losses linebackers.  Game we could have gotten this year.....toss up

Purdue:  Lose the least, but one of those guys is top in Big 10...... if we lose to this team 3 years in a row, SF should walk home, which shouldn't be Lincoln.....winnable

Michigan:  Home game against team some on this board are wanting to play this year... toss up

Iowa:  Home game.  Always close.  The lose firepower, especially on defense. .... want to say toss up due to last 2 years

Wisconsin: Home game.  This team isn't good this year, but really hasn't gotten a fair shake due to covid..... more than likely loss

Minnesota: Again, Ibriham (sp) is gone.  Huge weapon.  We couldn't beat them depleted....still a toss up

Forgot Southwest Louisiana: winnable

 

that is 4 winnable

that is 5 toss up.....let's say we win 2 (conservative), but yet very optimistic based on recent results

that is 2  NO CHANCE

that is 1 more than likely a loss

 

6-6 ??   Fair enough.   Is that good enough for SF or it is one foot out the door? Or all the way out?

 

[KC Sker]

5 and 7, no bowl. More of the same, but

 

"we are sooo close to turning the corner" "just a few plays away"

"Having great practices" 

 

[Decoy73]

Do people really still think Wandale transfers?  I don’t get it. 

[HANC]

I just dont see the schedule as being all that brutal. This years original schedule was brutal.

More home games vs toss up teams.  Buffalo isn't Cincinnati.  Michigan is trying to figure it out. 

[HANC]

9 minutes ago, Lightfighter214 said:

Good chance we are 2-4 going to purdue, losers of 4 straight 

Sure there is. Also a chance we could win one of the 2 toss up games and be 3-3 with a chance to go over .500 at Purdue. Mich State still doesnt impress me. Neither does Nebraska,  but it is winnable. 

[HANC]

Not sure Tucker coached circles around Frost in the 1 game they faced off. A guy named shenault garnering all attention and a QB made plays. Every call is great when players make plays. Martinez fumbles 3 times, which cant be on SF and our punter was forced to kick. 

[I AM FOOT FOOT]

All I'm hoping for is that this staff can get on some good recruits and keep the young talent they have so when Frost gets fired the next coach has something to work with and get back to winning. I have no faith in Scott 

[teachercd]

The good news, every team in the West is pretty much the same.  They all suck.

 

The bad news, NU sucks and needs to beat those teams.

[MyBloodIsRed16]

Frost catches lighting in a bottle after all the players we've been waiting to reach their potential actually do.  Win 10 games

[HANC]

1 hour ago, Lightfighter214 said:

Cicrles might be a strong word, but frost was out coached

Fair enough. And yes, we have seen SF outcoached more than once. That has to change.

[BigRedBuster]

Well, we won't have to go against the vaunted strain next year.

 

 

[YetiJR]

10 minutes ago, BigRedBuster said:

Well, we won't have to go against the vaunted strain next year.

 

 

The real question is who will give him his next chance?

[Bledred]

15 hours ago, HANC said:

[...]'we should drop a nuclear bomb on Memorial stadium and basically call off football for the unforeseen future.'

[Bledred]

17 minutes ago, YetiJR said:

The real question is who will give him his next chance?

Please let it be Minnesota....please please please let it be Minnesota. 

[Bledred]

3-9.  With Buffalo and Southern La. we know we have at least two wins.  And Frost and co. will pull out one of our many close losses some how some way.  I think the lucky B1G team to lose to us next season will beeee........Purdue.