[Husker] A Bold Prediction

[Steve Stone]

Jeff Volk wrote:

>Any justifiable excitement over our prospects next season should be 
>tempered by the reality that 4 of our 6 best offensive starters 
>(Ganz, Lucky, Swift & Petersen) are all gone with only Helu and 
>McNeil remaining. That means minimally we will be going into next 
>season with a new QB (either Witt or the incoming true freshman 
>Green) that has never started or even played who will be throwing to 
>a receiving core that to date has been somewhat underwhelming. Who 
>steps up as the #1 and #2 receivers, and their performance, will be 
>the key to the Husker offense next season, at least in my opinion.


I'd like to disagree with Jeff to this extent: Five O-linemen are 
returning. Only Slauson and Murtha depart, and their replacements 
have already proven themselves in combat. And it appears the O-line 
will be deeper in quality than in previous years. Anything and 
everything the backs and receivers do depends on how the big uglies 
fare.

In addition, there will be three solid lettermen - - McNeil, Young, 
an Hill - - returning at tight end, all proven receivers.

Helu didn't become a starter until late in the season, but by this 
time next year he may deserve a nickname like "Hell-on-Wheels Helu." 
Castille returns, and so does Mendoza. Not only that, but the scout 
squad has an embarrassment of young riches at the position(s).

The only extensive game experience Witt had was against Oklahoma, but 
he aquitted himself quite well, I thought. I was surprised by the 
speed and quickness he showed during his short TD run. For that 
matter, it's entirely possible that Zach Lee could become the 
starter. For what it's worth, Spano played well in the Spring Game 
and shouldn't be counted out as a strong backup. Young Mr. Green may 
have the talent and moxie to make it into the starting lineup, Or he 
may not. In any case, I'd expect Bo to warehouse him on the scout 
squad unless disaster should strike. It's worth remembering that Bo 
probably regards 2009 as a stepping-stone year rather than a 
we've-arrived year.

Finally, much of what the offense accomplishes will rest on the 
foundation of the defense's performance and the kicking game's 
accomplishments.

I agree with Jeff that the wide receivers remain a question mark. 
It's hard to imagine anyone stepping up to fill Swift's shoes - - but 
then we couldn't imagine filling Mo's shoes, either. Peterson was the 
less-noticed receiver this year, but whoever replaces him will have 
to undergo something of a transformation to equal his steady 
reliability.

Steve Stone