What are the odds the Blackshirts improve in 2013?

[Saunders]

Four is likely the number you’re going to hear mentioned most when the preseason pundits talk about Nebraska this summer. As in four returning starters on defense, the fewest of the Bo Pelini era. The Huskers are one of just 20 teams (out of 125 in FBS this year) with four or fewer defensive starters back in 2013 according to Phil Steele.


Any preseason prediction for Nebraska likely hinges on how well the prognosticator thinks the Huskers can handle that inexperience on defense. Some, maybe even most if we’re going by the preseason picks that have come out thus far, think it will keep Nebraska from making a return trip to the Big Ten Championship Game. Others think the increased athleticism and speed Nebraska looks to have will offset the inexperience. Either way, this question is likely the key question facing Nebraska in 2013 and the answer typically comes down to “feel.” This is a tough thing to model.

http://hailvarsity.com/2013/06/what-are-the-odds-the-blackshirts-improve-in-2013/

 

[BigRedBuster]

I would put my money on improvement over last year.

I view our defense a little like our basketball team. We had some nice guys that gave it their all last year but, fact is, the ones sitting in the wings are just flat out going to be better ball players next year.

It is going to be exciting to see how it turns out.

 

[GSG]

I would put my money on improvement over last year.

I view our defense a little like our basketball team. We had some nice guys that gave it their all last year but, fact is, the ones sitting in the wings are just flat out going to be better ball players next year.

It is going to be exciting to see how it turns out.

Pour me a cup o' that Kool Aid!

 

[girlknowsfootball]

Our defense will absolutely improve. 3 reasons why....

(1) We have a loaded/experienced backfield. Even though Cooper played CB/NB last year, he has experience at Safety and knows the defense. Even though Jackson didn't start at Safety, he has experience there and knows the defense. Combine that with Gerry & Martinez. We have a lot of athleticism there. As for NB/CB's.... we're loaded with experience.

(2) We have double the depth at LB with way more speed and athleticism. Santos is back, Anderson is back, throw in some of those touted RSFR and FR and we'll be great there.

(3) We have a lot more depth at DL with more athleticism. At end we've got Ankrah, Moss (if he is still on the team), McMullen, Gregory, Mixon, Suttles, Natter, etc. At tackle we've got Randle, Guy, Williams, Curry, Valentine, Maurice, Collins, etc.

 

[BigRedBuster]

I would put my money on improvement over last year.

I view our defense a little like our basketball team. We had some nice guys that gave it their all last year but, fact is, the ones sitting in the wings are just flat out going to be better ball players next year.

It is going to be exciting to see how it turns out.

Pour me a cup o' that Kool Aid!

Please explain why that is drinking kool aid?

 

[QMany]

I think we'll have 8-9 guys playing a style of football that reminds me of Lavonte's first year. They might get beat on some play-action, lose assignments, etc., but they have the freak athleticism to make plays all over the field and make up for a lot of the inexperience.

I think we will definitely be better.

 

[Nobody]

I see it more of a bodies issue. the way i see it... you can't throw in a buncha redshirt froshy's on the d-line and expect those guys to perform like seniors. they just aren't where they need to be physically yet.... whether thats all in my head or not, i don't know. i believe you need to have near nfl strength on the d line to sniff bcs success (that trickles down to conference success kinda sorta.) Things like instincts and raw athleticism can take you a lot farther as a young player in positions like linebacker and secondary.

 

[BigRedBuster]

I agree with you on the D line. But, not all of them are redshirt freshmen. We will have a mixture of older players in there also. (that obviously comes with the caveat that we don't have injuries.)

 

[GSG]

I would put my money on improvement over last year.

I view our defense a little like our basketball team. We had some nice guys that gave it their all last year but, fact is, the ones sitting in the wings are just flat out going to be better ball players next year.

It is going to be exciting to see how it turns out.

Pour me a cup o' that Kool Aid!

Please explain why that is drinking kool aid?

Because it's all speculation, and it's positive, so I want some of that Kool Aid. I'm still in "wait and see" mode. I'm usually cautiously optomistic, but this year I'm more cautious than optomistic. I even +1ed you for it

 

[Nobody]

I agree with you on the D line. But, not all of them are redshirt freshmen. We will have a mixture of older players in there also. (that obviously comes with the caveat that we don't have injuries.)

Need Thad to have a big year. The possibilty is there for him to anchor us down nicely.

 

[The Dude]

I predict overall improvement. The linebackers and secondary will be fine. There's good reason to buy into the improved athleticism hype for the linebackers. We've already seen flashes of it from Santos and Anderson. We know those guys are a step up from what we had last year - how big of a step we don't know yet. There's less reason to buy into the defensive line hype as we don't really have anything to go off of other than hearsay.

If the defense lays another egg or 4 is Bo pressured to bring in an actual coordinator?

 

[NUance]

One thing that hurt is that the Blackshirts were pretty banged up last year. Especially the D-line. Steinkuhler was injured for much of the B1G sched, and eventually lost for the season. Cam played hurt a lot of the year too. I think this year we’ll be deeper on D-line. So an injury or two won't hurt the team as much.

I think the Blackshirts improve this year. And there’s plenty of room for it.

 

[Creighton Duke]

Although I think that the defense will be "improved" from an athletic standpoint and will look more like a "Bo Pelini" defense, if we're talking statistically, the schedule itself should help the defense's season numbers.

 

[The Dude]

My big hope for this year is not to cringe when somebody refers to the defense as the Blackshirts.

 

[Count 'Bility]

The athleticism and talent will be there. Will the mindset? That's the bigger/est question to me.