[Husker] MNC Futures Odds

Fri May 7 10:27:56 CDT 2010

Nice analysis, Mike. I'm curious what you saw from Kinnie at the end of the
year, though. His physical gifts are easy to see, but I'm still looking for
him to play consistently in a game -- not just make an early catch or two
and then disappear. Anyone think Gilleylen can still contribute to this
team? I am pessimistic on him.

I'm also hoping that the tight ends play better and are more involved in the
passing game. For all the receiving talent we had last year, at times it
seemed like the TEs were not even an option. I know some of that was due to
the issues at QB, but it also seemed at times that Watson was not making the
TEs a priority on offense. Especially when you have Mike McNeill and your
receivers are questionable.

Also a bit of a nit to pick: wasn't Qvale slated to play until he got
injured? I thought that was the reason he was out all year.

Aaron

On Fri, May 7, 2010 at 9:47 AM, Mike Jaixen <mikejaixen at yahoo.com> wrote:

> 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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> >
> >
> >
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