Nebraska Cornhuskers Football: 10 Bold Predictions for the Huskers in 2011
Well, it's finally official. Following the Nebraska basketball team's loss to Wichita State in the NIT Wednesday night, it's time to put the focus back on football.
While the official season is months away, spring practice fills that void Husker fans suffer through in the late Winter months.
With Nebraska taking the plunge into the Big Ten this upcoming season, what can their beloved fans expect?
Wait no more. Here are 10 predictions that are bound to become reality in the 2011 season.
No. 1: Taylor Martinez Will Start on Opening Day
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Whether you like it or not, Taylor Martinez will be the starter under center when the Huskers trot out to take on UT-Chattanooga.
You can't deny the sheer talent Martinez brings to the Husker offense, and despite the immense talent pool threatening the young man's playing time, he has shown that, when healthy, he is a true game-changer and Heisman candidate.
No. 2: Brion Carnes Will Serve as Nebraska's Backup QB
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Should Martinez falter, expect redshirt freshman Brion Carnes to take hold of the reins.
Carnes served on the Huskers scout team last season while redshirting and has evidently caught the attention of many of the coaches.
He possesses great skills both through the air and on the ground, but most importantly, the kid has been described as a winner.
Sharing the same bloodline as Husker legend Tommie Frazier doesn't hurt, either.
Carnes should grab a good amount of snaps early in the season, especially in the opener against the dreaded Mocs of UT-Chattanooga.
No. 3: Cody Green Makes a Position Change
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I've said it for two years now and gotten mocked every time, but I'm officially done watching Cody Green play quarterback at Nebraska.
He seems like a great young man—he's athletic and shoot he's got an outstanding arm—but there is just something unsettling about Green under center.
I can't help but to find myself subconsciously grinding my teeth when I see No. 17 trot onto the field. Plain and simple, he just looks terrified out there. You know that deer-in-the-headlights look? Well, Cody has that deer-in-the-middle-of-five-o'clock-L.A.-traffic look.
I expect offensive coordinator Tim Beck to utilize Green's superb skill set and switch him out wide. He could make a killing against some of the smaller defensive backs in the Big Ten while still being able to add that extra throwing wrinkle to the offense, maybe even a wildcat option to take the load off Rex Burkhead.
No. 4: The Huskers Will Falter Early in the Big Ten Slate...Real Early
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On the first day of October, the Huskers head to vaunted Camp Randall Stadium to take on the Wisconsin Badgers in their first Big Ten game of the season.
Unfortunately, I'm extremely scared heading into this game.
Wisconsin exudes the physical, confident nature of their head coach, Brett Bielema, and could quite possibly punch Nebraska right in the mouth.
The Blackshirt defense, predominantly designed to disrupt the spread offenses of the Big 12, will face-off against possibly the most smash-mouth-style team in the new Big Ten.
The Badgers offensive front will expose the Huskers, gashing through them like Swiss cheese. Do I hope I'm wrong? Yes. But, are you as scared of this game as I am? Probably the same answer.
No. 5: Nebraska Will Rebound with a Big Win at Home
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The fighting sweater vests will be no match for a Husker team eager to disprove the embarrassment of the prior week.
Nebraska will head home to the friendly confines of Memorial Stadium to take on an Ohio State squad that should most certainly be undefeated (barring an upset to Miami) and ranked amongst the elite in the country.
Oh, did I mention Terrelle Pryor and the "other" Buckeyes will be coming off their five-game suspension looking to make a statement.
Not so fast, my friend. The Blackshirts will put a screeching halt to the Buckeye offense, allowing Rex Burkhead and the offense just enough breathing room to squeak out a crucial Big Ten victory.
No. 6: Resurgence of a Rushing Attack
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All-everything running back Rex Burkhead will be looked upon to carry the load for the Huskers in 2011.
Expect Rex to embrace being "the man," rushing for at least 1,200 yards in 2011.
Despite the departures of Roy Helu Jr. (graduation) and Dontrayevous Robinson (transfer), Nebraska reloads with freshman star Aaron Green and hopefully-cleared Braylon Heard.
The trio, paired with Taylor Martinez, could surprise much of the country, propelling the Husker rushing attack into the top 10.
No. 7: Blackhirts Will Ball Hawk Again
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For being such an outstanding defense in 2010, the Blackshirts were uncharacteristically awful when it came to forcing turnovers.
The Huskers ranked 49th in the country in takeaways, not to mention a paltry 118th in fumble recoveries.
Expect the defensive front, led by Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuhler, to step up and pressure quarterbacks more in 2011, ultimately causing more turnovers.
A secondary that is rebuilding will still be opportunistic as usual, but the key will be forcing quarterbacks into difficult passing downs.
No. 8: The Huskers Will Be in the National Title Discussion Late in the Season
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Believe it or not, Nebraska will be in the national championship discussion very late into the season.
Working behind a typically exceptional defense and surprising resurgence of the offense, Bo Pelini's boys will find themselves jockeying for position in the BCS standings in the finals five weeks of the season.
No. 9: Late Slip Up Denies Dream Season
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I can't predict exactly who will knock Nebraska off their high horse, but I can tell you the Huskers will falter in the final three weeks to either Penn State, Michigan or Iowa.
Back-to-back road dates against Penn State and Michigan spell trouble no matter what kind of season those clubs are having.
Much like the 2010 season that promised so much early on, Husker fans will be disappointed to see their squad stumble down the stretch.
No. 10: Leaders of the Legends
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In their inaugural season in the newly formed Big Ten, Nebraska will win the Legends Division and head to Lucas Oil Stadium to take on the winner of the Leaders Division.
Don't think I'll ever get used to using Leaders and Legends in the same sentence like that, but I do think I will get used to hearing Nebraska named division champs.
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