NEBRASKA OFFENSE

I actually think the Nebraska offense will be better in 2015. Granted, all world Ameer Abudullah is gone as well as two starting OL, but Nebraska is returning a QB in Tommy Armstrong who will be in his third year of starting.

There is a brand new OC, but at the same time he’ll be very familiar with people like Jordan Westerkamp, Jamal Turner and Demornay Pierson-El, who will be out in patterns. Plus, OC Danny Langsdorf will use the Tight End in more than just a 6th man blocking like the former staff did.

There is a wonder about who will be the man at RB to step in for Abdullah, and right now it’s anyone’s game. Imani Cross and Terrell Newby are candidates, but don’t look past Adam Taylor, a Texas 5A Player of the Year who has been sidelined by injury early on in his time in Lincoln.

The line does lose some starters in the middle, but Alex Lewis returns and there’s a feeling that nepotism was part of the reason of who started where for Nebraska. Hard to argue when 2 of the 5 starters that departed were related to the former staff.

I think at worst, there’s a feeling that the Offense will stay as good as it was last year, however right away it may not happen due to seeing who needs to step in for Ameer. But, the more known roles arrive, the better this O will be.

 

NEBRASKA DEFENSE

I think that Nebraska’s D was pretty good last season, but left a lot of room for improvement this season.

Linebacker and Safety was a big issue last year for the Huskers, as much as scheme happened to be. Mike Riley and Trent Bray (Nebraska LB Coach) have made it open season on the Linebacking depth chart, and it could be loaded with growing pains early on. That knowledge and potential starter David Santos leaving the team, and you feel a little more uneasy about the position.

Secondary wise, there will be a change from the Bo Pelini Cover 2 pattern matching scheme to a quarters scheme, one that Brian Stewart is in charge of putting in.

Defensive Line, which was a laughing stock last, could be the strongest part of the D. Underrated Maliek Collins and Vincent Valentine anchor the middle, while there’s one DE that is growing in Greg McMullen. There’s a open spot where Randy Gregory was, but there are several that can fit that role.

Like the offense, I think the defense will get better as the season goes along.

 

BUYING OR SELLING?

I’m buying this team this year, with the knowledge that the more these kids that get into Riley’s Offense and get more consistent on D, they could be contenders to win the Big Ten in a darkhorse role.

Getting Wisconsin and Iowa at home helps, but going on the road to Minneapolis to play a Gophers team that is in their heads is rough. We’ll know how mentally strong they are after a trip to Miami to take on a underachieving Canes team.

One thing to maybe watch is depth on this team. No bye weeks till right before Thanksgiving could be a issue if the Huskers get hurt early and often.

I predict 9-3 and a New Years Day bowl game.

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Brian Towle of Corn Nation provided the information for our Nebraska Football 2015 Spring recap. For more Cornhusker football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Brian on Twitter @BrianRTowle.

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