The Running Backs we Face the Year

[NUance]

Schedule Scouting: RBBy Eric Oslund, Fox Sports/Big Red Report Intern, Posted Jun 20, 2012

An in-depth look at the top running backs the Huskers will face this season

<snip>

SEPTEMBER 29TH- WISCONSIN

Player:Montee Ball

Montee Ball was a Heisman finalist in 2011. As the top rusher for the Big Ten, and the FBS, Ball totaled 1,923 yards and 33 touchdowns. His 33 touchdowns destroyed the former Wisconsin record for rushing touchdowns, which was 24. Also his 39 (total) touchdowns tied the NCAA record. Look for Ball to have another big season, but his production could drop off some as offensive coordinator Matt Canada wants to work junior James White (2010 Big Ten freshman of the year) into the offense more than last year.

<snip>

OCTOBER 27TH- MICHIGAN

Player:Fitzgerald Toussaint

Fitzgerald Toussaint brought back the Michigan rushing game, which was completely dormant from 2008-2010, with 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011. Although the Michigan offense will still be focused around quarterback Denard Robinson, Toussaint will still get plenty of touches as a way to lessen the punishment Robinson takes.

<snip>

NOVEMBER 10TH- PENN STATE

Player:Silas Redd

Silas Redd was the number one team rusher in 2011 rushing for 1,241 yards and seven touchdowns. Redd is going to be looking to improve his stats in 2012 with no significant running back to back him up or split time with him. When PSU career leading rusher Evan Royster left he said that Redd will break his all time career rushing record, and Redd will be looking to do just that.

LINK

"in-depth" -- lol. Silly intern. :lol:

But the article does provide a nice little tidbit of info about the RBs we face. The thing is, it doesn't make much sense to look only at the RB position in isolation. The running game of each of these teams will depend largely on whether they have good roadgraders. Not just the fella carrying the ball.

 

[Enhance]

I like Silas Redd the best out of that group. Redd's running style is a lot more subtle than a guy like Ball's. With Redd he'll make the slightest adjustment and then explode into the play, while Ball's adjustments take more effort and look more obvious. Redd makes those things look effortless which is something I love to see in a back. Redd also didn't have the benefit of Wisconsin's line.

Of course, these are all good backs, but Redd is probably my most favorite to watch.

 

[knapplc]

Montee Ball is the most dangerous of that group, not because he's better than the others, but because of his O Line. If we can't get off blocks he's going to eat us up this year. Again.

None of these guys will be easy to stop. We need a ferocious D Line that is out for blood every snap, every game. No more patty-cake, no more containment. We need to impose our will on these offenses, not wait and see what they do and try to stop them.

 

[Hunter94]

i would expect Bo to figure out a way to turn up the effort from the defense....platooning or blitzing, we got to keep the offenses out of their rythm......

 

[knapplc]

i would expect Bo to figure out a way to turn up the effort from the defense....platooning or blitzing, we got to keep the offenses out of their rythm......

I would expect that, too. However, I expected that last year from the 'Defensive Genius,' and the defense was Maginot-esque at times. Not to be overly critical of Coach Bo, but... I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[carlfense]

i would expect Bo to figure out a way to turn up the effort from the defense....platooning or blitzing, we got to keep the offenses out of their rythm......

I would expect that, too. However, I expected that last year from the 'Defensive Genius,' and the defense was Maginot-esque at times. Not to be overly critical of Coach Bo, but... I'll believe it when I see it.

Why do you hate Nebraska football? :lol:

 

[NUance]

i would expect Bo to figure out a way to turn up the effort from the defense....platooning or blitzing, we got to keep the offenses out of their rythm......

I would expect that, too. However, I expected that last year from the 'Defensive Genius,' and the defense was Maginot-esque at times. Not to be overly critical of Coach Bo, but... I'll believe it when I see it.

Why do you hate Nebraska football? :lol:

Oh Carlfense, you sunshine pumper. :lol:

/A bit of a role reversal, eh?

 

[The Dude]

Ball is the only one that worries me. I don't think we'll be able to stop him, but we need to slow him down if we want to win that game. Wisconsin's offensive line probably won't be as good as the last two years (losing their o-line coach and a hand full of All-Americans), but I expect them to still be very good.

As for Michigan, I'm more worried about Robinson running the ball than Toussaint. Not to take away from him, he is a very good back.

Redd is also a very good back, but I think don't think Penn State will be very good this year, and he's not good enough to beat us on his own.

 

[RedRedJarvisRedwine]

Ball is the only one that worries me. I don't think we'll be able to stop him, but we need to slow him down if we want to win that game. Wisconsin's offensive line probably won't be as good as the last two years (losing their o-line coach and a hand full of All-Americans), but I expect them to still be very good.

As for Michigan, I'm more worried about Robinson running the ball than Toussaint. Not to take away from him, he is a very good back.

Redd is also a very good back, but I think don't think Penn State will be very good this year, and he's not good enough to beat us on his own.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I can remember reading some publication before last season saying Wisky was rebuilding their offensive line. I think they lost 3 starters from the previous year (one of which may have been out with injury.) they just reload. Sounds familiar -pipeline days anyone- Love that poster!

 

[carlfense]

i would expect Bo to figure out a way to turn up the effort from the defense....platooning or blitzing, we got to keep the offenses out of their rythm......

I would expect that, too. However, I expected that last year from the 'Defensive Genius,' and the defense was Maginot-esque at times. Not to be overly critical of Coach Bo, but... I'll believe it when I see it.

Why do you hate Nebraska football? :lol:

Oh Carlfense, you sunshine pumper. :lol:

/A bit of a role reversal, eh?

Absolutely. Is it football season yet?! The offseason gets longer every year.

 

[The Dude]

Ball is the only one that worries me. I don't think we'll be able to stop him, but we need to slow him down if we want to win that game. Wisconsin's offensive line probably won't be as good as the last two years (losing their o-line coach and a hand full of All-Americans), but I expect them to still be very good.

As for Michigan, I'm more worried about Robinson running the ball than Toussaint. Not to take away from him, he is a very good back.

Redd is also a very good back, but I think don't think Penn State will be very good this year, and he's not good enough to beat us on his own.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I can remember reading some publication before last season saying Wisky was rebuilding their offensive line. I think they lost 3 starters from the previous year (one of which may have been out with injury.) they just reload. Sounds familiar -pipeline days anyone- Love that poster!

I think they lost 2 starters before last year, Nagy wasn't a starter and still got drafted. :lol:

They returned starters Ricky Wagner, Peter Konz, and Kevin Zeitler so I wouldn't exactly say it was a rebuilding year for their offensive line. I don't think this year necessarily will be either, they return a couple proven players, but I don't see the transition being as smooth as it was from '10-'11. Especially with a new coach.

 

[True2tRA]

Wisconsin is going to be hard to stop. It's unfortunate we play them so early, their run game will just be starting to warm up. Ball will be fresh. I figure with a new QB, Wisconsin will be relying on him to carry the team, much like Nebraska will continue to rely on Burkhead. Damnit! Why can't we play them later in the year when his legs are shot? I wonder who will have more carries at the end of this season, Ball or Burkhead?

 

[NoLongerN]

Wisconsin is going to be hard to stop. It's unfortunate we play them so early, their run game will just be starting to warm up. Ball will be fresh. I figure with a new QB, Wisconsin will be relying on him to carry the team, much like Nebraska will continue to rely on Burkhead. Damnit! Why can't we play them later in the year when his legs are shot? I wonder who will have more carries at the end of this season, Ball or Burkhead?

I like playing them early. They will be more one dimensional with a new QB learning.

 

[lo country]

Bottom line, since we lost SUH we have been suspect against the run. Until Bo can show that we can continually stuff the run either against a RB or a mobile QB, we will see more of the same exploitation against or D Line and middle of the field. Just as teams will stack the box and dare NU to throw.

I really hope that Bo can bring something this year. The whole "first year in the league" does hold a valid argument to a degree as we were prepared (recruited) to stop the spread and were then thrust into a league with "old school" mentality of 3 yrds and a cloud of dust. Not to mention a freak in Russell Wilson, Robinson etc........

There was a lot of talk about the loss of Crick, Dennard and David. David will be hard to (impossible) to replace. Crick was injured most if not all of last season and Fonzie really never was 100% until late (maybe even not then) in the year. A new D line coach who knows the B1G should help as should the adition of Joseph. Seems to be a ball hawking, aggressive coach who also drills technique. I have only heard good things about him. Factor in a (presumed) better DB group and it should help the D line look better against the pass. Compton and Whaley should be much improved. Through in SJB at nickle and I think we have the potential (read we haven't done anything yet) to actually have a good D.

I have screamed for years for Bo to bring back Super D ala 2003. The B1G wouldn't know what hit them. We have the athletes to do this role for sure.

Like Knapp, the jury is out for me. I am ready to see a D that attacks, pins their ears back and plays nasty. Very nasty.

 

[Excel]

Just throwing this out there but James White will rush for at least 1200 yards this year. I'm not saying he'll light up NU but he will get there.