Nebraska Football: 5 Reasons Why NU Wins the Big Ten (and 5 Reasons They Don't)

Going into 2011, Nebraska fans have one goal in mind: win the B1G Conference title in their inaugural season. Given Nebraska's frustrations in conference title games, a change of scenery gives the Children of the Corn an understandable excitement at the idea.

But let's take a look at what would have to happen for Nebraska to bring home the Stagg-Paterno Trophy (yes, heaven help us, that's what it's called), and what might get in Nebraska's way.

Why NU Wins #1: Taylor Finds His T-Magic

In 2010, Taylor Martinez was the barometer of Nebraska’s season. When he played well, Nebraska won. When he played poorly, Nebraska lost.

If Nebraska is going to win the B1G Conference in 2011, Martinez will have to be the dynamic offensive threat he was at the start of 2010.

If he can find the magic that amazed the nation against Washington, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State, then Nebraska could contend for both conference and national trophies.

Why NU Wins #2: The Kids Hit the Ground Running

See this guy? That’s Rex Burkhead, and he’s Nebraska’s only proven running back on the roster. We saw last year how an over-reliance on Taylor Martinez for offensive production came back to haunt Nebraska.

This year, behind Burkhead will likely be some combination of freshman Aaron Green, Ameer Abdullah and Braylon Heard.

If one or more of those freshman have a breakout year, Nebraska’s chances at a conference title improve dramatically.

Why NU Wins #3: Beck Finds the Formula

In many ways, 2011 should be a grand experiment to see if Nebraska’s offensive struggles came from Shawn Watson’s offensive game-planning or from the talent assembled on the field.

New offensive coordinator Tim Beck has promised a simpler, more intuitive offense to allow Nebraska’s offensive talent to express themselves.

If the experiment pays off, and Nebraska gets offensive production to rival Bo Pelini’s Blackshirts, then a B1G Conference championship is within reach.

Why NU Wins #4: The Schedule Isn't so Bad

“The conference bigwigs hate Nebraska! They’re out to get us!”

Last year, that was the chorus rising from the Children of the Corn about the Big XII. But when the murderer’s row of a 2011 schedule got released, Nebraska fans could be forgiven if they thought Big XII commissioner Dan Beebe had a hand in making it.

But after a few months’ digestion, maybe the schedule isn’t so bad. Wisconsin will be adding a new starting quarterback who couldn’t win a starting job at North Carolina State.

Ohio State’s troubles have been well documented. Michigan is rebuilding under a rookie head coach. Michigan State was fortunate to win a number of their games in 2010 and got hammered in their bowl game.

Questions abound as to where Penn State is. Iowa is breaking in a new starting quarterback.

So maybe the schedule isn’t quite as tough as it was initially made out to be, giving Nebraska a smoother road to Indianapolis.

Why NU Wins #5: The Defense Gets Better

Let’s say Nebraska’s offense doesn’t improve in 2011. If the defense gets better, maybe it doesn’t have to.

Maybe the same production from the offense, coupled with an even better defensive performance, equals a successful (if low-scoring) formula for victory.

The defense being better isn’t totally out of the question. Jared Crick and Alfonzo Dennard return for their senior seasons. Cameron Meredith and Sean Fisher are back from injuries.

Lavonte David will get a whole offseason of preparation as a starter. So maybe a better Blackshirt squad in 2011 isn’t a pipe dream.

Why NU Doesn't Win #1: Taylor's T-Magic Disappears

We’ve said it before, Taylor Martinez is Nebraska’s barometer. At the end of 2010, Martinez’s struggles doomed Nebraska to a sputtering and disappointing finish.

If Martinez reverts to his end-of-2010 form—locking in on receivers, collapsing under blitz pressure, and being prone to turnovers—a trip to Indianapolis in December looks less likely.

Why NU Doesn't Win #2: Kids Will Be Kids

Rex Burkhead is Nebraska’s Mr. Reliable going into 2011 on offense. But there’s a lot of youth that will see the field early for Nebraska on offense.

Aaron Green, Ameer Abdullah, Braylon Heard, and Jamal Turner are just some of the kids that will be asked to contribute right away by Bo Pelini.

And remember, they’re kids. Kids make mistakes. Sometimes at the worst moments. A football season is much more a marathon than a sprint, and asking a slew of freshmen to execute week-in and week-out can be a recipe for disaster.

Why NU Doesn't Win #3: Slippery Fingers

In 2010, Nebraska was 117th nationally in fumbles lost. Out of 119 teams. And that’s not taking into account the number of times Nebraska put the ball on the ground and got it back.

If Nebraska looks anything like it did in 2010 (defensively stellar, offensively challenged) and their turnover numbers don’t improve, the chances for a B1G Conference title are slim.

Why NU Doesn't Win #4: Rally Round the Fickell

When Ohio State when through it’s well-documented troubles this offseason, many other teams in the B1G Conference quietly breathed a sigh of relief, assuming that the Buckeyes would no longer be a serious contender for conference honors.

Well, as the great Lee Corso might say, “not so fast, my friend.”

Regardless of the departures of Jim Tressel and Terrelle Pryor, there’s still a lot of talent in Columbus. And interim coach Luke Fickell has now had a few months to get ready and know what his squad is going to look like.

If Ohio State is able to circle the wagons around their interim coach and adopt a “show the world” attitude in response to the controversy, reports of Brutus’ death in 2011 might have been exaggerated.

Why NU Doesn't Win #5: Big XII Referees Work the B1G Championship

Whoops! How'd that get in here?

Why NU Doesn't Win #5: Bucky Finds the Missing Ingredient

When you say “Wisconsin Badger football,” you pretty quickly get an image in your head. Stout defense, solid line play, bruising running game, and efficient but limited quarterback play. Enough for Wisconsin to be solid, but never spectacular.

So what happens when you add a dual-threat quarterback like Russell Wilson into the mix? If head Badger Brett Bielema is able to fit Wilson into his offense, the added dimension could make Wisconsin tough to beat.

The Badgers are the odds-on favorite to win the Leaders Division of the B1G this year, meaning that Nebraska would have to see Wisconsin a second time in Indianapolis if they want to win the conference trophy. If Wilson pans out, that could be a big ask.

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