[Husker] Husker Outlook

[Duane Feldman]

Nothing so far from Mike, so I will give this one a try.

The bookies see this season as 8.5 wins for NU (if you bet the over/under
season wager).  This appears too low IMHRCGO (in my humble rose-colored
glasses opinion).  

Bo did a remarkable job raising NU from 5-7 (2007) to 9-4 (2008) while
redshirting all the incoming freshmen class.  That increase came despite a
lack of understanding by the defensive schemes by the players, lack of depth
at many positions and a need to completely change the attitude of some of
the team.  I do not understand how he didn't get coach of the year honors in
the Big 12, but enough about that.

This year, NU has previously trained the entire team on the schemes that
will be used. Depth - especially at linebacker - will be much better; and
the defense should continue the improvements that moved it from #12 to #2 in
the Big 12.  Meanwhile, special teams suffered from lack of depth as the
talented freshman class was almost totally redshirted.  Look for big
improvements there as well.  It will not surprise me at all if NU becomes
the statistical defensive team leader of the Big 12 next year -- especially
since we don't play UTexas or OkState who will have two of the three best
offenses in the conference.

The NU offense could drop off as we start a new QB (Zac Lee).  I say COULD
because NU has started a new QB each year since Solich left except Zac
Taylor's second year, so a new QB is hardly a shock to the system at NU.
Watson has proven he can get QB's ready to play in a season.  The loss of
starting wide receivers might hurt, but the new generation of receivers are
big, fast and deep, regardless of who ends up starting.  TE's will be a
strong point.  Helu and Castille returning at RB should more than make up
for the loss of Lucky (except perhaps as a blocking back in passing
situations).  It is statistically doubtful NU can return to last year's
level as #12 best offense in the country, although I can't see a logical
reason why not.

Turnovers and penalties were huge negatives last year that should be more
controllable this year.  NU lost at least two games (VT and TT) due to these
problems and would have been firmly in control of the Colorado game without
these problems.  Look for improvement in these areas too.

Nebraska's schedule is the biggest hurdle to improving NU's record next
year.  We play top ten VT and OU, plus we play our remaining toughest
in-conference opponents in away gains.  We play Missouri, Kansas, Baylor and
Colorado all away from home.  If we don't improve our road skills, we could
end up 7-6 next year.

With a similar offense, better defense and better special teams, and fewer
penalties and turnovers, I think NU has a chance to equal or better last
year's record despite the tougher schedule.  I will be very disappointed if
NU doesn't win the North with a max of two conference losses.  I'll predict
a 9-3 record going into the B12CG and 10-4 after a bowl game.  This won't be
the statistical jump from year 1, but it will show me plenty of program
improvement from which to launch the 2010 season.

One man's opinion,
Duane Feldman



-----Original Message-----
From: husker-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:husker-bounces at tssi.com] On Behalf Of
Steven
Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 12:44 AM
To: Husker List
Subject: [Husker] (no subject)

Mike,

One thing...I have been a member of this list for many years.... through
internet providers prodigy, cox,  msn and now since May, Suddenlink in
Oklahoma.  I have read most of the poster's thought's words and more for
many years and I thow this out....


Whats's your gut feeling abot 2009-2010?


Steven K
Classs of 1983
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