CFN 2017 Pre-Spring Rankings: #24 Nebraska
- Thread starter Saunders
- Start date
Nebfanatic
All-American
I think if Tanner Lee (or whoever starts) is a game manager and just keeps things moving forward we could make the Big Ten Title game but I don't think we win it. Now if Lee is a baller and really is a top draft prospect and plays like it, making big throws throughout the year I think we could have a chance.
Husker from Kansas
Starter
I agree with this. I think people sometimes don't realize how much having a legit top tier Pro caliber QB can elevate the play of the team. Lots of teams that are average end up having great years because the QB is a stud. With the athletes we seem to have a the skill positions, we could have the potential for a special season. But almost all of that rests on whoever gets the nod at QB
Huskerzoo
Starter
I think something that's underappreciated as well is the idea that we could use the consistency. T-Mart, RKIII, TA, Fyfe, they were all super inconsistent. Some of this absolutely had to do with injuries, but some just seemed to be the players. When you don't know what you're going to get, it makes it hard to come up with a solid game plan. I think if we can get a guy who has less variance in his week to week stats, we'll have a better team.
BigRedBuster
International Man of Mystery
I personally think that Diaco has the potential to be even a bigger positive change than the QB....and that's not discounting how big of an affect a new QB could make.
If Lee turns out to be a stud QB but in big games, our defense gives up 50-60-70 points....well.....he could be Peyton Manning and it's an uphill battle to win the game.
Together, if both the QB and Diaco or major positive changes....THEN, we will see a special season.
If Lee turns out to be a stud QB but in big games, our defense gives up 50-60-70 points....well.....he could be Peyton Manning and it's an uphill battle to win the game.
Together, if both the QB and Diaco or major positive changes....THEN, we will see a special season.
junior4949
All-American
I'm not sure it really matters at all who the DC is if the offense can't sustain drives and keep our defense off the field. Over the years, it seems our defense has taken more than its fair share of the blame. We can't expect our defense to give up little to no points when they're on the field three out of the four quarters.
Making Chimichangas
Banned
I'm not necessarily worried about the QB spot right now. I am however, worried about the OL. On paper, Nebraska has had 3 terrific OL classes, two of which have redshirted. So the question becomes: can the OL protect who ever the QB is? Because while Tommy yolo'd way too much, his feet, and ability to scramble, kept the number of sacks down. This year, we don't have a QB who can run away, and elude, defenders, so the OL has got get better, much better, if we're going to make any noise this season in the Big 10 race or nationally.
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Agree. It's time for the OL and Cav to put up or shut up. The West and conference will be won in the trenches.
84HuskerLaw
All-Conference
I think the areas of least concern are the receivers and RBs and assuming our punter continues to improve (bowl was acceptable IMO) there is every reason to believe the kicking game should be much improved. The defensive front seven should be better (provided the new 3-4 doesn't raise new problems) and the secondary play should continue to improve and be solid. With these provisos, therefore we find the areas of biggest concern are the O line play and the QB.
According to most opinions I've read, our QBs all have considerable potential to be 'the real deal' in the passing game. A majority of the comments the past several years has been that we are recruiting some solid O linemen who should now have been in the system and weight training, etc long enough to be poised and ready to perform like a real Nebraska line. IF (a mighty big 'if' I'd say) the line and QB play up to their hype, then we have as good a chance to win the Big Ten west division as we have had in quite a few years, in my view. BUT should the line and QBs let us down, then we could have another long, gut wrenching season with ups and too many downs.
I'd like to think that the gross injury and lack of depth issues surely will be reduced in the line and hopefully with more than one QB capable of playing winning Big Ten football, we might overcome those issues when they inevitably occur.
According to most opinions I've read, our QBs all have considerable potential to be 'the real deal' in the passing game. A majority of the comments the past several years has been that we are recruiting some solid O linemen who should now have been in the system and weight training, etc long enough to be poised and ready to perform like a real Nebraska line. IF (a mighty big 'if' I'd say) the line and QB play up to their hype, then we have as good a chance to win the Big Ten west division as we have had in quite a few years, in my view. BUT should the line and QBs let us down, then we could have another long, gut wrenching season with ups and too many downs.
I'd like to think that the gross injury and lack of depth issues surely will be reduced in the line and hopefully with more than one QB capable of playing winning Big Ten football, we might overcome those issues when they inevitably occur.
BigRedBuster
International Man of Mystery
Our defense has had big games the last 4-5 years where they just didn't show up. Not saying our offense hasn't had some issues.
But, there is plenty of blame to go squarely on the shoulders of the defense.
huskered17
All-Conference
I think the skill players on O are there, I don't know if we will know about the O-line till kickoff. If they can adapt quickly enough through the early part of the schedule, that would give Lee or who ever starts more confidence in what they can do.
8 wins this year would be a downer for me. Not looking for more than 9-10 wins. Just tired of the blowouts. Keep us in these type of games is what MR needs to be able to do. 2018 is what I'm waiting for. Build up this team this year, get the backups on both lines, some playing time, and let's see us compete with out the blowouts. Two years from now may show us where this program is headed. It will show if MR can get us over the hump, rough schedule or not.
GBR!!!
8 wins this year would be a downer for me. Not looking for more than 9-10 wins. Just tired of the blowouts. Keep us in these type of games is what MR needs to be able to do. 2018 is what I'm waiting for. Build up this team this year, get the backups on both lines, some playing time, and let's see us compete with out the blowouts. Two years from now may show us where this program is headed. It will show if MR can get us over the hump, rough schedule or not.
GBR!!!
Nebfanatic
All-American
y9ure saying this as if we wanted to keep our old defense and quarterback. I'm glad both are moving on from Nebraska and I think the new will be an upgrade
Saunders
Heisman Trophy Winner
Pretty sure Wisconsin and Iowa have been battling one (or both) of those things since 2013 when they've been us 6 of the last 7 times.
It's year 3. Get it done.