Week 1 Nebraska Videos, Highlights, & Some Quick Thoughts

Tunnel Walk....

Highlights...

My thoughts:

- The future is very bright at QB with Zac Lee and Cody Green. Zac Lee was arguably better than advertised. Tell me you weren't excited when Rex Burkhead and Cody Green were in the backfield yesterday. Said Burkhead,

"He was getting excited when he knew he was coming in, for me to be in the backfield him. It's kind of that Texas thing. It was fun to be back there with him. You develop a bond with him, and hopefully it carries on for the next few years."

- What a pleasant surprise to see one of the fastest guys in college football show a nice set of hands. Curenski Gilleylen and Zac Lee look as if they have a great connection on the field.

- This comment I made - "Nebraska has two running backs of Derrick Washington's (Missouri) caliber" - was back when Quentin Castille was still on board and of course, I was ripped by all of my friends on TigerBoard (I've even been called a ****ing cockbag there out of the blue so I wouldn't expect anything less). And for you Missouri fans, I do think Blaine Gabbert looked great. But guess what, I wouldn't trade Roy Helu for Derrick Washington right now. No way. If Roy stays healthy, there's a real chance he could be looking at an All-Conference bid in 2009. Here's your NCAA leaders after week 1:

Player/Rank	Att.	Yards	TD
1. Ralph Bolden (Purdue)	21	234	2
2. Joe Webb (QB, UAB)	20	194	2
3. Montario Hardesty (Tenn.)	18	160	1
4. Shawnbrey McNeal. (SMU)	19	158	1
5. Jordan Todman (UConn)	25	157	1
6. Matt Asiata (Utah)	36	156	2
7. Roy Helu Jr. (Neb.)	16	152	3

Best. Post-game news conference outfit. Ever. Here's the video.

- Our defense gets it. Whether or not Bo Pelini wants to admit it, this defense is much improved. How good is Cameron Meredith going to be?

- Overall, even though the statistics didn't necessarily show it, Nebraska was impressive.

	Florida Atlantic	Nebraska
1st Downs	22	22
Total Yards	358	490
Passing	236	231
Rushing	122	259
Penalties	11-67	9-86
Turnovers	3	1
Possession	32:18	27:42

Still, too many penalties. But, as I've hit on before, the turnover margin needed to improve this season and it did. It's so very important.

- Losing RB Darren Evans certainly hurts the Virginia Tech team. However, I also happen to think they're not great by any means, and I really do think Virginia Tech is beatable in Blacksburg for Nebraska. I'm not saying we are going to win - yet, but there's no question we have a chance to. In last year's game in Lincoln, the Huskers had two turnovers that ultimately cost them the game 30-35.

- Next week's opponent, Arkansas State, looked great even though it was against Mississippi Valley State. They'll be a better test than Florida Atlantic.

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The 2009 Big 12 North Preview/Schedule Breakdowns/Predictions

It's hard to imagine that the Big 12 South is stronger than ever, but with the emergence of Baylor and 'Rock Star' Robert Griffin, the South now has five bowl teams and three National Championship contenders. Oklahoma, Texas, and Oklahoma State (now complete with defense) will all enter the season ranked in the top 10 and if Oklahoma State can beat Georgia September 5th in Stillwater, then all three will be possibly Top 5 heading into conference play that will make it the toughest division in football.

On the other side, the Big 12 North has more questions than answers heading into the 2009 season. And although the North is nowhere near the South at this point, that doesn't mean that there aren't a few possible upsets lurking and it surely won't take away from what should be a very competitive division.


COLORADO

Oct. 10 at Texas
Oct. 17 Kansas
Oct. 24 at Kansas State
Oct. 31 Missouri
Nov. 7 Texas A&M
Nov. 14 at Iowa State
Nov. 19 at Oklahoma State
Nov. 27 Nebraska

With 9 starters on offense back and a defense that will improve on the team's -95 yards/game average from last season, Colorado is going to be a tough win considering all of their key games will be in Boulder. Losing WR Josh Smith is going to be a killer for QB Cody Hawkins, who must show more consistency this season, but WR's Scotty McKnight and Markques Simas will provide plenty to help with the loss. RB's Darrell Scott, who is said to be slimmer, trimmer, and faster, and Rodney Stewart will be a formidable one-two punch behind a strong offensive line that will certainly provide more than enough help for Dan Hawkins' infamous play-action scheme. Colorado has three LB's in Shaun Mohler, Jeff Smart, and Jon Major that could form one of the Big 12's best groups. Outside of two guaranteed losses on the road against Texas and Oklahoma State, the rest of the schedule is very doable and might have to be if Dan Hawkins wants to be around in 2010. The road to the Big 12 North title could be won or lost this season in Boulder for Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri.


IOWA STATE


Oct. 3 Kansas State (in KC)
Oct. 10 at Kansas
Oct. 17 Baylor
Oct. 24 at Nebraska
Oct. 31 at Texas A&M
Nov. 7 Oklahoma State
Nov. 14 Colorado
Nov. 21 at Missouri

Iowa State will be an improved team in 2009, which won't be hard to do when you finished 0-8 the previous season. New coach Paul Rhoads no doubt is stepping into a gloomy situation in Ames, but keep in mind he has 15 starters back including QB Austen Arnaud. Also helping out the situation will be Florida transfer Bo Williams who most expect to start at running back. The Cyclones will face Oklahoma State (home), Baylor (home), and Texas A&M (away) from the South, which means things could be much worse for Rhoads. Iowa State needs to circle four games on the schedule: Kansas State in K.C., vs. Colorado, vs. Baylor, and @ Texas A&M. One of those games is a possibility for a much needed win, but I think it's safe to say that the overall talent just isn't there and breaking their 10 game conference losing streak is going to be a chore under a first year coach. However, somewhere on the schedule they'll get one.


Kansas


Oct 10 vs Iowa State
Oct 17 at Colorado
Oct 24 vs Oklahoma
Oct 31 at Texas Tech
Nov 7 at Kansas State
Nov 14 vs Nebraska
Nov 21 at Texas
Nov 28 vs Missouri (in Kansas City)

Kansas returns 14 starters including QB Todd Reesing, WR Dezmon Briscoe (2nd Team All-Big 12), WR Kerry Meier, and S Darrell Stuckey (1st Team All-Big 12), which many point out makes them the favorites in the North. However, I'm not so quick to buy into this team that finished 4-4 in conference play last season with two of those wins coming by 2 points (Iowa State) and 3 points (Missouri.) Although Briscoe is 'day to day' and his eligibility for this season is up in the air, I'd be shocked to see Mangino not play him this season. The biggest question mark will come at the offensive line where only two lineman have started more than two games, which will put an ever bigger bullseye on Reesing this season. Defensively, you must keep in mind that from a unit that gave up 447 yards/game last season, three of the top four leaders in tackles are gone. Having games @ Colorado, @ Kansas State, vs. Nebraska, and vs. Missouri (in K.C.) only adds a little to the giant headache of drawing games vs. Oklahoma, @ Texas, and @ Texas Tech from the South. Brutal.


Kansas State


Oct. 3 Iowa State (in KC)
Oct. 10 at Texas Tech
Oct. 17 Texas A&M
Oct. 24 Colorado
Oct. 31 at Oklahoma
Nov. 7 Kansas
Nov. 14 Missouri
Nov. 21 at Nebraska

Don't be so fast to count out Bill Snyder and a Kansas State team with 14 starters back. The Wildcats return 7 of their top 8 tacklers - top 6 overall - and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Brandon Banks at wide receiver. If they can get consistent play from Carson Coffman at QB, who enters the fall #1 on the depth chart, then this team could give a few unanticipated problems. The problem is that consistency will rely heavily on a group of no name running backs who have a combined 462 career yards. However, with standout QB/RB/Athlete recruit Daniel Thomas, who has just finished his summer school work and will enroll soon, arriving on campus, expect to possibly see him move over to running back and make an immediate impact - that is if he doesn't beat out Coffman. As far as their schedule looks, I've seen worse. Not counting Iowa State in K.C., the Wildcats have only three true road games at Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Nebraska. Coming to Manhattan are Texas A&M, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri, all of whom I would venture to say will not be looking forward to by the middle of the season - especially Kansas and Missouri in November.


Missouri


Oct. 8 Nebraska
Oct. 17 at Oklahoma State
Oct. 24 Texas
Oct. 31 at Colorado
Nov. 7 Baylor
Nov. 14 at Kansas State
Nov. 21 Iowa State
Nov. 28 Kansas (in KC)

With Chase Daniel, their top 3 WR's, and 7 All-Big 12 defensive players gone, Missouri has plenty of holes to fill. In fact, Missouri had six players taken in the 2009 NFL draft - more than any other Big 12 school and that doesn't count Daniel. With that said, having 2 new coordinators with only 9 returning starters might be a little much to overlook when you aren't Oklahoma or Texas. However, with RB Derrick Washington and WR's Danario Alexander and Jared Perry, this offense has the potential to be very explosive despite Qb Blaine Gabbert's inexperience (5/13 for 43 yards/career.) Finding the pieces to replace 7 of their top 11 tacklers to play with All-American LB Sean Weatherspoon will be of the utmost importance for a defense that ranked #98 in total defense and #117 in passing defense last season. The Tigers schedule could be worse with only Texas and @ Oklahoma State as probably their only non-winnable games. The Tigers catch a break getting Nebraska on a nationally televised Thursday night game at home and will no question have plenty of revenge on their minds vs. Kansas to finish league play. The three game stretch (after the tough three game start) @ Colorado, vs. Baylor, and @ Kansas State are all probably going to be must wins for a chance at repeating of at least Co-North champs again. Keep in mind Gary Pinkel went 10-4 in 2008 with the most talented team in school history. Don't forget that in 2009.


Nebraska


Oct. 8 at Missouri
Oct. 17 Texas Tech
Oct. 24 Iowa State
Oct. 31 at Baylor
Nov. 7 Oklahoma
Nov. 14 at Kansas
Nov. 21 Kansas State
Nov. 27 at Colorado

I've been harping on this for quite some time, but Nebraska's -11 turnover ratio last season to go along with a difference of -323 yards in penalties is a stat you don't want to overlook (more to come on this statistic later in the week.) It will improve and it will make a difference. Nebraska returns 12 of their top 17 tacklers from a year ago including the top four (Suh, Allen, Asante, and O'Hanion) and will have the best offensive and defensive lines in the North. The uncertainty of the newcomers - QB, WR - on offense has many of the critics skeptical. All eyes will be on new QB Zac Lee and how fast he can pick up Watson's offense to game speed. The Huskers' depth and talent at RB, TE, and OL will help Lee and will pave the way for a revamped and more potent rushing game in 2009 (Rich Kaipust of the OWH did a great statistical piece on the running game here.) As far as their schedule goes, it's nothing to laugh at. Besides having to play Missouri on that Thursday night in Columbia, the Huskers must also travel to Baylor, Kansas, and Colorado - those four games will make or break this season.

Prediction

1. Nebraska (5-3)
2. Colorado (4-4)
3. Kansas (4-4)
4. Missouri (4-4)
5. Kansas State (3-5)
6. Iowa State (1-7)

The November 27th showdown in Boulder between the Buffaloes and the Cornhuskers could very well be for the Big 12 North.

Tyler Gabbert Commits To Nebraska

And here we go again.....

4* QB Tyler Gabbert (6'0 and 175 lbs. from Ballwin (MO) Parkway West) - younger brother of Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert - has become the fifth commitment in Nebraska's 2010 recruiting class. Although Tyler is a highly rated QB in the 2010 class, he isn't near the prospect his brother Blaine was - Tyler's quicker but lacks his brother's size and arm strength.

For his ESPN Scouts, Inc. profile with videos, click here.
For his rivals profile, click here.
For his scout profile, click here.



Ask any recruiting expert out there and they'll tell you this is the worst class of QBs in quite some time - click here to view the top QBs and click here to view a 'Rivals Roundtable' discussion about the weak QB class. With that being said, Gabbert is a welcomed addition to this early class. Thus far, the Huskers are off to a blistering start in recruiting with a solid five commitments.

Said Gabbert (via the LJS),

"I had Nebraska at the top before the visit so this was almost a reassurance thing. I'm just glad everything worked out the way it did. I've known Coach (Shawn) Watson for a while so that definitely helped a lot. Not only is he my position coach and offensive coordinator. He's like my head recruiter. My whole family going through (the recruiting process) a second time, everything I guess was a little smoother. With (Blaine's) experience at Nebraska, I was a little more comfortable Lincoln heading up there for camp and all that."

With Tyler's commitment, it will more than likely make prospective QBs Zach Lee and Sean Robinson, who both had Nebraska high on their lists, look elsewhere. In my opinion - and it is just that - I would have preferred to land Zach Lee. Beggars can't be choosers and as Tyler's older brother has proved to us before, there are no guarantees in recruiting.

The 2009 Big 12 Non-Conference Preview

With football season seemingly right around the corner, now is the time to begin to look at the non-conference schedules all around the country. And of course, there's nowhere better to begin looking than the Big 12.


Since the inclusion of the BCS, the debate as to whether or not it is worth it to schedule tough non-conference opponents has only grown. On one hand, you'll have those who argue that playing a tough non-conference schedule will only benefit and ready your team for a tough conference slate. The fellas at Dawg Sports (Georgia) make an excellent correlation during the Mark Richt era of how a tougher schedule translated to a more successful season. On the other hand, there are those who argue that its all about the wins for the BCS. The Bleacher Report also uses an excellent example, only this time they use the 2007 Missouri Tigers and Kansas Jayhawks. The BCS selected a one-loss Kansas team over a two-loss Missouri team - although Missouri beat Kansas that same season. The Jayhawks played CMU, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo, and FIU in their non-conference and avoided Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech in league. This a topic definitely worth diving into in the near the future...

Below you will find each team's schedule with an analysis and prediction of how each Big 12 team will fare in their non-conference schedules. Have at it.

Big 12 North

Colorado

• Colorado State 9/5
• @ Toledo 9/11 (Friday)
  
• Wyoming 9/19
• *@ West Virginia 10/3

Dan Hawkins expects big things in 2009 from this team and he should - his job could be on the line. Don't let the Toledo game scare you as they won 3 games last season and should be worse in 2009. West Virginia will be a long, strange trip (that reference is for you Dan) for the young Buffs. Senior QB Jarrett Brown of WVU is a dual-threat but has only started two games in his career. I believe Colorado has a defense to contain Noel Devine and enough offensive firepower to win here. Colorado will start 4-0.

Iowa State

• North Dakota State 9/5
• *Iowa 9/12
• @ Kent State 9/19
• Army 9/26

Paul Rhoads knew what he was getting himself into here and it's not good. Chalk up NDSU and and Army. Iowa's Shonn Greene has moved on to the NFL, but the Hawkeyes have a proven QB in Ricky Stanzi returning along with a stout defense (including 3 potential All-Big 10 linebackers and 4 returning starters in the secondary) that was almost impossible to run against last season. Kent State (4-8) the following week could show everyone exactly how bad ISU will be. Iowa State will be 3-1 (gulp) heading into their 2009 Big 12 massacre.

Kansas

• Northern Colorado 9/5
• @ UTEP 9/12
• Duke 9/19
• *Southern Miss 9/26

Mark Mangino and the Jayhawks will devour their first three opponents by whatever score they want it to be. Southern Miss should be one of the favorites to win Conference USA and if all goes well, Kansas could be the only team in their way to a possible undefeated season and BCS berth. However, Todd Reesing would have to have an extremely bad game that would allow S. Miss to stay close in this shoot-out. Kansas will be an easy 4-0 heading into Big 12 play.

Kansas State

• UMass 9/5
• @ Louisiana-Lafayette 9/12
• *@ UCLA 9/19
• Tennessee Tech 9/26

Bill Snyder will be fielding a better than expected Wildcat team in his first year back. Louisiana-Lafayette will be his first test - albeit not a big one - as they finished 6-2 in the Sun Belt last season and will have a good team again. Skippy Neuheisal and the Bruins will be a formidable opponent for the Wildcats that you can catch @ 9:15 CST on FSN on the 19th. UCLA returns 16 starters from last season and should have a stacked defense. Whether they will have an offense this season or not remains to be seen, but I think this game - second straight long trip - will be too tough for this team. Kansas State will be 3-1 heading into October.

Missouri

• *Illinois (n) 9/5
• Bowling Green 9/12
• Furman 9/19
• *@Nevada 9/26

The Tigers return four players on a defense that finished 117th defending the pass last season - even with several players that you'll see in the NFL this season. Not promising, especially with rookie QB Blaine Gabbert stepping in with a crop of new players. Illinois' defense won't be quite as bad as Missouri's, but with QB Juice Williams and WR Arrelious Benn back, they'll have arguably the best offense in the Big 10. Nevada returns major dual-threat QB Colin Kaepernick who became the 5th Qb to throw for 2,000 and rush for 1,000. Missouri would have had their hands full last year in this game and this year obviously won't be any easier. Missouri will be 2-2 heading into Big 12 play.

Nebraska

• Florida Atlantic 9/5
• Arkansas State 9/12
• *@ Virginia Tech 9/19
• Louisiana-Lafayette 9/26

Bo Pelini will have two games to ready the Huskers for their showdown at Virginia Tech. The Hokies will already be battle tested with their 9/5 game vs. Alabama in the Georgia Dome. We'll see how the ACC favorites fare there, but it still won't take away the fact that they will be loaded with experience and the game is in Blacksburg. If only Nebraska could have travelled to Blacksburg last leason and hosted this season, then imagine how much better you'd feel? Nebraska will be 3-1 heading into Big 12 play.

Big 12 South

Baylor

• *@ Wake Forest 9/5
• Connecticut 9/19
• Northwestern State 9/26
• Kent State 10/3

Art Briles was named the most underrated coach by the fine blog Heisman Pundit - check out his 2010 recruiting class so far. Wake Forest finished a disappointing 4-4 last season in the ACC and lost the majority of their defense. Connecticut was a solid 8-5 last year but will be without RB Donald Brown who accounted for the majority of the offense. Baylor QB Robert Griffith will not have the luxury of running behind Jason Smith, but nonetheless, he will be one of the more exciting players to watch this season. Baylor - yes Baylor - will be 4-0 heading into the Big 12.

Oklahoma

• BYU (n) 9/5
• Idaho State 9/12
• Tulsa 9/19
• *@ Miami, FL 10/3

Bob Stoops will have the Sooners playing with a bit of a chip on the shoulder heading into this season as Texas has become the darling pick of the Big 12 and of college football this season - and he probably couldn't be happier about it. BYU returns 8 seniors on defense and QB Max Hall and RB Harvey Unga will have great seasons. Miami's season will go as QB Jacory Harris goes as we all know there is plenty of talent to go around. They'll be dangerous on any given Saturday and will have already played games @ Florida State and @ Virginia Tech (week before OU) - ouch! Oklahoma will be 4-0 heading into the Big 12.

Oklahoma State

• *Georgia 9/5
• Houston 9/12
• Rice 9/19
• Grambling State 9/26

Mike Gundy has the best triple-threat in the nation with QB Zac Robinson, RB Kendall Hunter, and WR Dez Bryant. As veteran Georgia QB Joe Cox goes, so will the Bulldog offense. With one of the best offensive lines in the country, 5 talented running backs, and WR AJ Green, they will have some of the pieces back in place. Make no mistake that Oklahoma State knows the importance of this game in Stillwater for their program's perception on a national scale. Houston returns Case Keenum and will be formidable in C-USA again but just not near as talented as OSU. Oklahoma State will be 4-0 heading into Big 12 play.

Texas

• Louisiana-Monroe 9/5
• @ Wyoming 9/12
• UTEP 9/26
• *Central Florida 11/7

Mack Brown will certainly have some coaching to do this season, and by that I mean mentally preparing the Longhorns for each and every game because they will be playing as the favorites all season long. Texas plays Texas Tech at home on September 19th which will no doubt be a nightmare for the Red Raiders after last year's game. Central Florida has improved each and every year under George O'Leary and will host what should be a fun game to watch late in the season. Texas will be 4-0 in non-conference play.

Texas A&M

• New Mexico 9/5
• Utah State 9/19
• UAB 9/26
• *Arkansas (n) 10/3

Mike Sherman could quite possibly be sitting on the hot seat in only his second season as head coach. Texas A&M was atrocious on both lines last season, but they do return most of their skill players on offense. The talent is there to improve on their 4-8 record but only if Sherman can get his players to buy into his system. Arkansas has a brutal schedule this season but Michigan transfer QB Ryan Mallett is said to be the best QB the Razorbacks have seen in quite some time. He will have plenty of talent around him and the offense will be good, but the defense ranked dead last in 2008 in the SEC. I still am not buying into Mike Sherman and the mentality of the Aggies. Texas A&M will be 3-1 heading into Big 12 play.

Texas Tech

• North Dakota 9/5
• Rice 9/12
• *@ Houston 9/26
• New Mexico 10/3

Mike Leach proves year in and year out that it doesn't matter who plays - its all about the system. QB Taylor Potts will have plenty of talented receivers to throw to and this offense shouldn't miss a beat. Mike Leach also proves year in and year out that he doesn't like a tough non-conference schedule. Houston will relish the chance to play a Big 12 Texas Tech team at home this season. QB Case Keenum, who many say could break the record books this season, was the C-USA player of the year and returns all of his weapons for what will be a scary team. Although I don't like to use the word defense here, Texas Tech should be able to outscore the Cougars simply because they have more talent to slow them down. Texas Tech will be 4-0 heading into Big 12 play.

The 2010 Nebraska Cornhuskers: BCS Bound

It's never too early to start thinking big. And in this case, I'm really early and I'm thinking really big. If you don't think great things are headed to Lincoln in the 2010 season, then hear me out here. Bo Pelini will have his breakout season in only his third year as coach.

First, let's look at what we will have coming back after the 2009 season.

Offense

Let's start by telling you what I see in my crystal ball concerning Shawn Watson. Nebraska's 12th ranked offense last season was done with a quarterback who didn't possess arm strength or speed. The numbers are going to be improved for everyone over the next few seasons with a better QB for the system which will allow Watson to put his finishing touches on his spread? offense. Watson isn't going anywhere to make a lateral coaching move as a coordinator (i.e. Alabama). Watson is sitting on a BCS head coaching opportunity that will come his way in a few years - just not yet. Therefore, I fully expect at least two more seasons with him at OC, but don't hold your breath anytime after 2010. And trust me, I don't want to think about the day we'll have to go shopping for a new offensive coordinator quite yet.

At QB, Nebraska will have something it won't have this season and that's obviously experience. Whether Zac Lee emerges as the star people think he will does matter, but if he doesn't, sitting right behind him will be Cody Green, Latravis Washington, or Kody Spano. Either way, we are clearly better off in 2010 than in 2009 at the most important position on the offense.

At RB, the Huskers should return both Roy Helu Jr. and Quentin Castille. I'm not really sure anyone could tell you exactly how Callahan plucked these two kids out of California and Texas, but regardless, they are both stars that will both play on Sunday. If Rex Burkhead doesn't redshirt in 2009, he will be a utility special teams and offensive weapon that will be even better in 2010.

Nebraska will be loaded at the wide receiver position. If you think you can tell me a time when he had more talent at wide receiver, I'm all ears. Returning will be Niles Paul, Marcus Mendoza, Antonio Bell, Will Henry, Khiry Cooper, Brandon Kinnie, and Curenski Gilleylen. Loaded. In addition, Mike McNeill, Ben Cotton, Kyler Reed, Dreu Young, and Ryan Hill will all be back at the tight end position. Loaded there as well.

Since Jacob Hickman is the only senior offensive lineman that will see time this season, Marcel Jones, Mike Smith, Mike Caputo, Keith Williams, Ricky Henry, and D.J. Jones all will return in 2010. As I mentioned in my preview, Callahan's lasting impression on the current program is a cupboard full of young, talented offensive lineman.

Defense

By no means will I try to downplay the loss of Ndamukong Suh, but look at what is waiting on the defensive line in 2010. Baker Steinkuhler, Pierre Allen, Josh Williams, Cameron Meredith, Jared Crick, and Terrence Moore will all see a good amount of playing time in 2009 and four of these could one day be all-conference.

Linebacker will be better for us in 2009 when compared to 2008, but by the 2010 season, these guys will be really good. And the best thing about Will Compton, Alonzo Whaley, Sean Fisher, Micah Kreikemeier, Eric Martin, Matthew May, Matt Holt, and Chris Williams: they'll all be in Lincoln in 2011.

With Larry Asante and Ricky Thenarse both leaving after the 2009 season, PJ Smith, Courtney Osborne, Eric Hagg, and Dijon Washington will be the leading candidates to step in. I'm now convinced Hagg's move to possibly strong safety this season is because of 2010. Asante and Thenarse are fine players, but I don't see us dropping off much at all at safety without them. Anthony West, Prince Amukamara, Alfonzo Dennard, Dijon Gomes, Anthony Blue, Lance Thorell, Lazarri Middleton, and Andrew Green will all return at corner.

Don't be shocked if punter/kicker Alex Henery is the first kicker taken in the 2011 NFL draft.

Schedule

Let's break it down.

2010 Nebraska Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time (CT) Sat, Sep 04 Western Kentucky Memorial Stadium TBA Sat, Sep 11 Idaho Memorial Stadium TBA Sat, Sep 18 Washington at Seattle, Wash. TBA Sat, Sep 25 South Dakota State Memorial Stadium TBA Sat, Oct 02 Kansas State * at Manhattan, Kan. TBA Sat, Oct 16 Texas * Memorial Stadium TBA Sat, Oct 23 Oklahoma State * at Stillwater, Okla. TBA Sat, Oct 30 Missouri * Memorial Stadium TBA Sat, Nov 06 Iowa State * at Ames, Iowa TBA Sat, Nov 13 Kansas * Memorial Stadium TBA Sat, Nov 20 Texas A&M * at College Station, Texas TBA Fri, Nov 26 - Sat, Nov 27 Colorado * Memorial Stadium TBA

* Conference Games

To win championships, talent does matter. However, you aren't winning championships without a favorable schedule. Go ahead and ask the 2009 Georgia Bulldogs if they think they have a legitimate chance with their schedule this season.

The only non-conference game I am going to bother mentioning here is the Washington game. New head coach Steve Sarkisian will be in his second year and highly touted QB Jake Locker will be a senior when the Huskers travel there. The Huskies were 0-12 in 2008.

When Texas travels to Lincoln on October 16th, they to will be playing their 6th game. Texas plays the Red River Shootout on October 2nd and then have a bye week on the 9th. Nebraska is at Kansas State on October 2nd and also has a bye week on the 9th. Nebraska will be 5-0. More than likely, Garrett Gilbert will take over at QB by then for Colt McCoy at Texas. Gilbert will have already had a warm reception to Big 12 play from Bob Stoops and Oklahoma. Meeting up with Bo Pelini in Lincoln won't be any easier.

The Huskers travel to Oklahoma State the following week on October 23rd, which will no doubt not be easy. However, QB Zac Robinson will have graduated and I'll be extremely surprised if RB Kendall Hunter and WR Dez Bryant are there in 2010. Hunter and Bryant both could be first round draft picks next year.

Missouri comes into town on October 30th. Blaine Gabbert, Derrick Washington, and Danario Alexander will be good in 2010. However, they won't beat us in Lincoln this time around. Dave Steckel, huh? If Kansas couldn't beat us in 2008 with Todd Reesing, they surely won't beat us in 2010 without him. And finally, the last game on the schedule we will have to worry about will be @ Texas A&M. I'm not sure if Mike Sherman will still be coaching, but I'm pretty sure we will be a heavy favorite by then in that game. 12th man or not, we will be much better than Texas A&M.

I don't see a game on the schedule we can't win. Not one. And call me crazy, but I see no reason why we shouldn't EXPECT a BCS berth. The Big 12 Championship game could even make or break a possible National Championship run. A rematch with Texas or possibly Oklahoma @ the Dallas Cowboys new stadium should be on the agenda that year. Nebraska is 2-0 in Big 12 Championship games in Texas.

It's crazy to think about how everything has fallen into Bo Pelini's lap in such a perfect way. Steve Pederson, Bill Callahan, and everyone else involved in the dark ages of Nebraska football from 2004-2007 have become a distant memory all of a sudden. In only three short years removed that era, Bo Pelini has a realistic chance to take Nebraska back to the top. I'm telling you, it's time to get excited.

I can't wait for the 2009 season. I really can' t wait for the 2010 season.

The Cody Green Diamond

5* QB Cody Green has verbally committed to Nebraska. Here is his scout profile and his rivals profile. This is big for Nebraska in many different ways. Green could be that guy to get other big (4 and 5 star) recruits to take notice. In order to get those recruits, it is always crucial to get the first big one (especially a QB) and Bo did that. Also, it is assuring to know that we haven't fallen completely off the map in the eyes of some of the top high school football players. Getting players of this magnitude this early is a great first step. Time will tell.

Green is listed at 6'4 and 220 lbs, and he supposedly runs the 40 at 4.6 seconds. His high school coach says 'it's like having another coach on the field' and that he has a 'cannon of an arm'. A few weeks ago he stated he had narrowed his choice to Nebraska and Texas A&M and luckily for us he chose the wiser one. I will be praying every night that he doesn't pull a Blaine Gabbert, but this kid is actually smart (3.6 GPA) and I think he will stay true to his word. In fact, he said this: “It doesn’t matter. Once I make my decision, my decision is done. I’m not going anywhere else.”

It's definitely exciting to have that first marquee recruit arriving in Lincoln under the new regime. He will be competing with Zac Lee, Kody Spano, Patrick Witt, and Jim Ebke when he steps foot on campus. This kid will get some playing time right away.

Here is the only youtube video I could find. I like the fact he wears '21' as a QB. That's cool. I also like the fact he is the biggest kid on the field.

Bo Gets a QB

Nebraska has apparently replaced one-time committ Blaine Gabbert with QB Kody Spano of Stephenville, TX.

"He [Spano] is a dual-threat quarterback who, despite being hampered by a shoulder injury his senior year, still threw for 2,263 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Spano was originally committed to Oklahoma State, and was expecting to report for the spring semester, but was told by coach Mike Gundy that a scholarship wouldn't be available then."

I don't know much about Spano. From the videos I watched on either Rivals or Scout he appears to have a decent arm and some escapability. I understand Shawn Watson preferred Spano to Sean Renfree, another QB the Huskers were considering, which is a good enough endorsement for me.

Google Highlights on Spano:

High praise from September of 2006:

The guy who coached Jevan Snead before Mack Brown, Greg Davis, et. al. took over -- Stephenville's Chad Morris -- just said something that kinda shocked me, to tell the truth.

He said Snead's replacement at Stephenville, junior Kody Spano (6-2, 200, 4.6), is better at this stage of his career than where Jevan was. And Jevan, mind you, threw for over 3,000 yards and 29 TDs as a junior.

"He has the opportunity to be the next great quarterback at Stephenville," Morris told me.

You can also check out a heap of Stephenville highlight videos here.

I'll have more on Spano in my annual Signing Day Extravaganza, but thought I would just say something about a decommit working in our favor for once this year.

Stewart Mandel Still Makes No Sense

Or, Stewart Mandel’s lips are moving, but I can’t hear what they are saying through his Levi’s.

Last week Stewart Mandel included Bill Callahan as a coach on the verge of being on of his “worst coaches”list. Obviously, this provoked a flurry of emails from Nebraska fans. This week, in his mailbag, Mandel highlights his reasoning for putting Callahan on this list. Not surprisingly his reasons show the lack of research and insight that have come to characterize the mainstream media in general,

I shall attack his arguments one-by-insipid-one.

The above e-mailers mentioned the impressive strides he's made in recruiting. There's a reason for that. Because of the drastic personnel makeover Callahan had to undergo to run his desired style of offense, he was able to go into the living rooms of blue-chip athletes around the country with the promise of instant playing time. Over a longer period of time, however, it's unrealistic to think Nebraska will be able to remain a true, national recruiting force like USC.

Neither one of us knows what promises Callahan might have made in which living rooms along the recruiting trail. But the bottom-line is, very few first-year players have taken the field (in a meaningful way) under Callahan’s leadership. So, he either made promises and then didn’t kept them, or maybe, just maybe, his recruiting prowess stretches a bit further than promises of playing time. This isn't EA Sports NCAA Football, recruiting in the real world comes down to relationships built on a lot more than pithy pitches.

In addition, it’s unrealistic to think that any school can keep up with the type of recruiting that Pete Carroll is doing at USC. In fact, I’d argue that it might actually be more difficult for Carroll to continue to stay among the Top 3 in recruiting, year-in-year-out, than it would be for Callahan to continue to put together Top 10 or Top 15 classes.

This is nothing against Nebraska; it's just reality. Given the choice between spending four years in L.A., Florida or Lincoln, Neb., which do you think a five-star receiver from Virginia is going to choose? And the fact is, Callahan is going to be almost entirely dependent on these types of recruits because 6-foot-5 pro-style quarterbacks and 4.4 receivers aren't exactly growing on trees in Nebraska's backyard.

This is nothing new. L.A and Florida have always been better locales than Lincoln. And Nebraska is unlikely to ever be a recruiting Mecca. Yet, year after year we’ve managed to find enough guys to field a team. In addition, you have to look at what Callahan has done to help this situation. He’s locking up what high school talent Nebraska does put out each year, he’s putting on clinics, he’s working with high school coaches to implement his offensive system, and he’s inviting the best recruits to various camps throughout the summer. So, no recruits don’t come here for the beaches (Holmes Lake?), or the mountains. They come here for the tradition. They come here for the fan support. They come here for the facilities and the academic support. In the end, they all become proud to say “I Play for Nebraska.” Ooh, goosebumps.

Furthermore, it's asking a lot of college quarterbacks to run a full-fledged, NFL-style version of the West Coast offense.

You’re right, it is asking a lot. I get irritated, however, when people forget that Callahan utilizes the WCO because it is the system he is both familiar with and strongly believes in. It would be far worse coaching on his part if he asked his QBs to learn the run-and-shoot, as this lies outside his expertise. Callahan was hired to run the WCO. His QBs are recruited to run the WCO. Can you, or I, as casual observers really say that Nebraska’s offensive struggles relate to a lack of WCO expertise on the quarterbacks’ part, as opposed to say poor execution at any number of other positions on the field?

It's just too complicated.

Stewart Mandel, I’d like to introduce you to Zac Taylor, 2006 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

At other programs that have attempted it, the typical QB has taken three years to fully grasp it. (UCLA's Drew Olson being a perfect example.)

I see where you’re going with this and everyone has his or her example to use as evidence (Drew Olson, Rich Gannon, etc.). The bottom line is freshman QB recruits have 5 years to play 4.

Callahan has been fortunate thus far to be able to land a juco transfer (Zac Taylor) who'd already been in the system and now a fifth-year senior transfer in Sam Keller.

Callahan was extremely fortunate to land Taylor (and Keller), but you make it sound like Taylor fell from the sky. Callahan and company, FOUND Taylor at a Kansas JUCO. They identified both his talent, and his football savvy, making him a perfect fit for their offense, regardless of his remaining eligibility. This ability is what distinguishes Callahan, from say, a bad football coach.

In addition, I’m a little confused about how Zac Taylor had “already been in the system”. He was in Callahan’s system for a spring and then 2 full seasons. If you are implying that his JUCO ran “a full-fledged, NFL-style version of the West Coast offense,” than you are either (A) wrong, or (B) mistaken about its complexity as a JUCO (2-year school by definition) is the last place this Rubik’s Cube-like system should be utilized.

It won't always be that way. When the inevitable day comes that he needs to start a freshman or sophomore, it's going to be 2004-05 all over again.

Inevitable? Perhaps, but it doesn’t really seem likely in the next few years. You see, Callahan knows that he needs talented QBs to run his system. And in college football they have this thing called recruiting that allows you to target high school and junior college athletes and then add them to your team. You can even see the results of Callahan’s recruiting on Nebraska’s roster. There you would find a bevy of quarterbacks waiting to take over for Sam Keller.

Joe Ganz, Jr.
Beau Davis, Jr.
Zac Lee, So.
Patrick Witt, Fr.
Blaine Gabbert (2008 commit)

One of these guys might have to take over as a sophomore eventually. But all Callahan can do is recruit to the best of his ability and then teach his system to ease any sort of transition.

The strange thing is, Callahan has shown he's more than willing to break out the flea flickers and other trick plays, but in last year's USC and Oklahoma games, and when the game was on the line against Auburn, he retreated to all-out, run-it-into-the-line-three-straight-times-and-play-defense mode. I can't emphasize this enough. I hate that.

Ok, I’ll grant you the USC game. Callahan’s playcalling in that game was conservative at best. Maybe he didn’t think we could win, or maybe he was protecting Zac Taylor, but he did sandbag at least a little. Point Mandel.

But what about those other two games? As I noted earlier, the OU and Auburn games were two of our least efficient offensive performances. However, it doesn’t seem like we retreated to all-out, run-it-into-the-line-three-straight-times-and-play-defense mode in either contest. How do I know? Well we ran 72 plays in the second halves of those games. You know, the second half when the “game is on the line”. Of those 72 plays 44 were passes. That means passing attempts represented 61% of the playcalls. Ineffective? Yes. An all-out retreat? I don’t think so.

See, that’s why you got you all of those emails from Nebraska fans. And you can call us defensive all you like. I just like to think that we are doing our part to protect the world from more mainstream media idiocy.

Blaine Gabbert Videos

In the first, he discusses his ability and some of the schools he was originally looking at.



In the second his committment to Nebraska is discussed along with some highlights. Major bonus is that Rivals.com hottie Ashley Russell introduces the video.

It Will Be More Meaningful Come February...

...But as of right now, Blaine Gabbert is committed to Nebraska. This is a pretty big deal given that Gabbert is a highly sought after QB recruit out of Missouri. Gabbert apparently selected Nebraska over Mizzou and Alabama. So take that Nick Saban!

Again my emotions are tempered until he actually signs on the dotted line. In the meantime I'll have to get used to having a QB around for a few years by the name of Blaine. I don't know why, but I can't help picturing Andrew McCarthy's character from Pretty in Pink everytime I hear that name. Blaine. Heh.

I planned on getting a more meaningful post up tonight. Unfortunately the editors of the textbook I teach from decided to switch editions just in time for summer school. Rat Bastards. Seriously I don't know how anyone in academia gets used to this. Redoing all of my lectures, exams, handouts, etc., during the two week break between the end of the spring semester and the beginning of the first session of summer school is less than pleasant.