Nebraska Cornhuskers Season Preview: Week 1 NU Vs FAU

Nebraska's leading returning receiver will be tight end Mike McNeil and look for Lee to utilize McNeil often until guys like Menelik Holt, Niles Paul, Chris Brooks, and others get comfortable at the wide receiver positions.

On defense I expect to see continued improvement as the players begin to get more comfortable in the Pelini brothers' defensive system.  I expect to see a defense playing with more confidence and more speed after a full year under their belts.

Clearly, the Nebraska defense is lead by DT Ndamukong Suh, but he will have plenty of help along side him with returning starting defensive lineman Pierre Allan and Barry Turner looking to apply pressure from their edge rush positions.

Nebraska will be a bit inexperienced, but athletic at the linebacker spots with young redshirt frosh like MLB Will Compton, SLB Sean Fisher and WLB Alonzo Whaley challenging for starting spots.

The defensive backfield returns a core of experience with guys like SS Larry Asante, FS Ricky Thenarse, FS Matt O'Hanlon, CB Prince Amukamara, CB Anthony West, and CB/FS Eric Hagg.

I expect the Nebraska offense to come out and grind it out and establish a strong rushing attack against the Owls in the opener on Sept. 5.  Once this is established I think Shawn Watson will allow Zac Lee to get his feet wet in making some down the field throws.

I expect that Helu and Castille will both have success running the ball on the Owls and have 200+ yards and 3+ td's between them.  Lee will also look good throwing the ball against the Owls and could have 2-3 passing td's himself.

I expect the Nebraska defense to come out flying around and just be way too much for the Owls to handle.  I also see a possible defensive or special teams TD that was missing all of last year.  In the end I think Nebraska runs away with this game to the tune of 45-17.

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