Despite some off the field distractions last year, the Nebraska Cornhuskers managed a 9-4 season and a Gator Bowl victory of the Georgia Bulldogs. This year they have just 11 starters back and lose QB Martinez, so duplicating last year’s 9 wins may be a bit difficult. Preview & schedule are below.
The Huskers put up 31.9 ppg last year, but matching that total may be difficult with just 5 starters back and no Martinez. Tommy Armstrong is back after throwing for 966 yards and 9 TDs, while rushing for another 207 yards and 2 TDs. The knock on him though is he only completed 51.9% of his passes and had 8 INTs. If Tommy can improve his accuracy then he has some nice weapons to throw to with 7 of their top 9 pass catchers back from last year, including Kenny Bell, who had 52 grabs for 577 yards and 4 TDs last year. The running game boasts one of the best group of backs in the league and the 5th rated group in the nation The group is led by Ameer Abdullah, who had 1690 yards on the ground last year with 9 TD’s while Imani Cross chipped in with 447 yards and 10 TDs. A problem for the Cornhuskers this year is a rebuilt OL that returns just 1 starter from last year. Defense is where this team will make plenty of hay this year. Last year they allowed just 24.8 ppg and this year look to be much better. The leader of this defense is Randy Gregory, who had 10.5 sacks and another 8.5 TFL last year, plus an amazing 18 QB hits. Zaire Anderson, Michael Rose and David Santos return to the LB corps after the three combined for 5 sacks and 14 more TFL last year. The DL rates 5th best in the nation, while the LB corps rates 12th, but they have some work to do in the secondary, with just 1 starter back.
The offense has plenty of skill players to get the ball to, but the question comes down to whether Tommy Armstrong is consistent enough to get the ball to them and whether or not the rebuilt OL will do its job. If the offense can do its job and the secondary plays better than expected then this team could still have a nice year as the defensive front 7 is among the best in the nation. The road slate is a bit daunting with games at Fresno State, Michigan State, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Iowa, while at home they have Miami-Fla. The Big 10 home slate is a joke and they should walk through that with ease. Still, they may not be able to top last year’s 9 wins, but they have a shot at equaling it, while being a player in the Big 10 West division. KEY TREND: 0-11-1 ATS as favorites of less than 4 points off BB SU & ATS wins.
2014 Nebraska Football Schedule
Aug. 30 Florida Atlantic
Sep. 6 McNeese State
Sep. 13 at Fresno State
Sep. 20 Miami
Sep. 27 Illinois
Oct. 4 at Michigan State
Oct. 11 OPEN DATE
Oct. 18 at Northwestern
Oct. 25 Rutgers
Nov. 1 Purdue
Nov. 8 OPEN DATE
Nov. 15 at Wisconsin
Nov. 22 Minnesota
Nov. 29 at Iowa
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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