[Husker] MNC Futures Odds

Fri May 7 09:47:33 CDT 2010

I agree with your conclusion, but not necessarily your concerns.

1. By far the biggest loss will be Suh on defense. While Dillard played very well when he returned to the lineup against VT, this staff has shown the ability to get linebackers ready to play.  (See Cody Glenn, for example.)  Nebraska's other linebackers last year were redshirt freshmen in Will Compton and Sean Fisher.  That's a lot of inexperience right there.  Now, add in Eric Martin, a sophomore who was dynamic on kick coverage and Alonzo Whaley, a redshirt freshman who caught people's attention as well.

2. On the o-line, Nebraska had 6 relatively healthy offensive linemen at the end of the season left. And in a couple of games, only 5.  They redshirted a couple of guys that could have (and probably should have) played like Brent Qvale.  Add in Jemarcus Hardrick, and suddenly there is some depth here.  There's also more experience.  These guys should be better...much better.

3. Running game. Zac Lee does lack the instinct to run the ball, but he became more and more effective at this last season. He has pretty good speed, and can make some things happen in situations.  (Remember that key zone read run that helped set up that late field goal against Texas?) He also ran well in the Holiday Bowl. I also think Taylor Martinez could be special, but he needs experience...lots of it.

My top concerns are replacing Suh and getting consistent play from the wide receivers.  Niles Paul is a "big play" guy...but also had "big disasters" against Texas Tech and Iowa State. Brandon Kinnie stepped up his game late in the season.  Lack of production against BCS competition last season really hampered this offense much of last season, and made it oh-so-pedestrian.  A lot of people blame Zac Lee and Shawn Watson for this...but I blame the receivers who weren't making plays and forced Watson to dial things down and go conservative.

Too many questions to call yourself a national championship contender...but I like the potential here.

 Mike Jaixen
http://huskermike.blogspot.com
http://www.cornnation.com

________________________________
From: Tommy Thompson <huskertt at charter.net>
To: Husker at tssi.com
Sent: Fri, May 7, 2010 9:02:15 AM
Subject: Re: [Husker] MNC Futures Odds

All this talk of the Huskers being in the Top 10, and even competing for a National Championship has me a little worried.  While it's true that the Huskers are returning 10 starters on Offense, and should have a decent (if not great) Defense, I think it's a little bit early to start predicting the return to dominance for the Big Red.

Nebraska has many concerns coming into the new season.

1.  The loss of Suh, Turner, Dillard and Asante.    Of the 4, Dillard may be the biggest loss.  He really came on last year, and gave the linemen a little more time to get to the QB.  I don't think anyone is poised to take on that position.  I understand the Defense is changing to the "Peso", but I'm not certain that solves the problem.

2.  Offensive Line.  This has been an issue for several years.  The fact that 4 personnel return from an average line worries me a bit.  I'd like for them to start blowing some holes open.

Which leads me to...

3.  Running Game.  Don't get me wrong...I think Helu and Burkhead did well last year, but they didn't strike fear into anyone.  In addition, I've heard rumors that Watson is wanting the QB to have a bigger factor in the running game.  This poses a problem.  Lee isn't really a running threat.  Green isn't really a passing threat.  Martinez and Spano have zero experience.  If the O-line doesn't improve this year, then the running game may be in trouble.

So, what am I trying to say here?  I'm just thinking that the Huskers need to play a couple of games before fans start discussing high rankings.   I'd like to see them start the year around 12-18 and then prove themselves.  Any higher than that scares me.

Tommy Thompson (Pa)
"GO BIG RED"
----- Original Message ----- From: "Duane Feldman" <dlfeldman at ameritech.net>
To: "'Todd Richards'" <toddlowell at yahoo.com>; <Husker at tssi.com>
Sent: Friday, May 07, 2010 8:17 AM
Subject: RE: [Husker] MNC Futures Odds

> I've seen several early and unofficial rankings and NU is anywhere from #7
> (Athlon, I think) and #13 (SI I think).  Most have us in the bottom of the
> top ten.  The highest I have heard is Craig James of ESPN who has NU #2 on
> his personal ballot, but I think ESPN had us at #9 when all votes were
> tabulated.
> 
> I don't worry about it and would NOT like us to be too highly ranked early.
> We have plenty of early season chances to prove ourselves and move up via
> Washington, Texas and Missouri games.  The KSU game will be a Thursday night
> game where we are the only game on (just prior to the Texas game).  Win all
> of those and we are comfortably top five no matter where we start.
> 
> On another front, I predict as many as two early season losses for Alabama
> as they lose 9, yes 9 starters on defense.  With early games against Penn
> State and Arkansas, they could be out of the top ten early only to return
> later in the season.  Yes, I know they have 9 starters back on O, but I
> believe they play too tough of games early to go undefeated.  They might win
> the SEC, but I don't think they will play for a national title.
> 
> Duane Feldman
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: husker-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:husker-bounces at tssi.com] On Behalf Of
> Todd Richards
> Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 6:44 PM
> To: Husker at tssi.com
> Subject: [Husker] MNC Futures Odds
> 
> I was reviewing the current betting odds for this years college football
> national championship. Nebraska is currently 12-1 to win the MNC. There
> are only 4 teams ahead of Nebraska who have odds of less than 12-1. Alabama
> leads with odds of 4-1.
> 
> Nebraska leads all other B-12 teams. Texas is next in line at 13-1 odds.
> 
> How should this translate to the preseason polls. I think that Nebraska is
> likely to be ranked preseason in the top ten for sure, and more likely
> around 5-7.
> 
> Now I don't need the lecture of how odds are made and what they mean. Most
> of us who've bet on games for 40 years are quite aware of how odds are
> posted and what they mean. I'm just wondering if the people who vote in the
> polls will refer to these odds as a starting point for their preseason
> ballots?
> 
> Things appear to be looking up for the program in general.
> 
> Todd in Tennessee
> 
> 
> 
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