NU has had guys step in with sheer athleticism and get the job done. So have other teams. Below is an excerpt from Pro Football Analysis grading out the OL. Basically, some are ok, some are horrific. No way the healthier young guys can be worse.....
Two offensive line starters have overall grades of well below 50.0
RG Tanner Farmer is having a strong season for the Cornhuskers, as his 79.5 overall grade ranks him fifth among Big Ten guards. While LT Nick Gates is not putting up the All-Big Ten production numbers we expected coming into this season (he has given up 12 total pressures in pass protection), his 72.9 overall grade is still solid, and ranks him ninth among conference tackles. Center Dylan Utter has been a stud in pass protection (he has allowed one hurry with no sacks or hits), which has helped him in an overall grade of 74.7.
The other two starters, however, have had significant struggles on both run and pass blocks. RT David Knevel has given up 11 total pressures, and has an overall grade of just 46.7. LG Sam Hahn is one of the lowest-graded Big Ten starters regardless of position, as he has an overall grade of just 40.2. While pass protection has been a struggle at times for him (11 pressures yielded), it’s his 31.4 run blocking grade that’s been the bigger issue. Collectively, the unit is finding ways to work; although the quintet has yielded a total of 37 pressures, they’ve been charged with just two sacks and as mentioned earlier, all three primary ball carriers are averaging over 4.0 yards per rush.
Their strongest opponent to date in terms of rushing the passer was Northwestern, a team that’s posted 137 total pressures this season, and the Cornhuskers offense line yielded just three hurries against the Wildcats. The Badgers and Buckeyes are a whole not above in terms of their abilities to get to the passer, and will certainly test the limits of Nebraska’s offensive line.
