Nebraska Cornhuskers Football 2011 Edition: Bang or Bust?
 2011 Big Ten Conference Football Championship Prediction |
Prediction: in less than 20 days the Huskers will kickoff their 2011 football season with a win against Tennessee at Chattanooga, on Sep 3rd. NU will then march right through their remaining non-conference opponents and will be 4-0 by the time they meet up with Wisconsin (Oct 1) for their Big Ten debut — a pivotal contest that will most likely determine their fate regarding any aspirations they may have of winning a national title this season. The Nebraska vs. Wisconsin game will also gauge whether or not the Huskers have enough juice to capture the 2011 Legends Division crown. Expectations are High for the Huskers in 2011: Most of the sports gurus are predicting NU will at least win that Legends Division. And some are even predicting an outright Big Ten Title for the Huskers. As some of you may recall, in mid-November of 2010 I wrote a post titled “Big Ten Football: Be Afraid, Very Afraid — the Huskers are Coming!” In that posting I predicted that the Huskers would win the Big Ten title in their first year. But that was well before NU’s BIG meltdown towards the end of the season, along with the Taylor Martinez ankle and foot injuries and his apparent regression as a developing QB talent. Even though I wrote that post as a result of how far the NU football program had come since Pelini’s arrival, I also predicted before the 2010 season started that NU would not win their last chance at a Big 12 title. The Karma thing was a just one mojo of a mountain they were not going to climb (click here to read Karma post). Admittedly, after the Bo Pelini Tirade against Taylor Martinez and the officials when they played Texas A&M at College Station, I had a change of heart right before the Big 12 Championship Game. I figured that the whole sordid incident between Pelini and Martinez would bring the team closer together. More importantly — based on Martinez’s serious injuries — I thought he would not play at all in the championship game. Wrong! Not only did he play — he started! I was aghast to learn Taylor Martinez would start that game. I mean those types of sprains take a long time to heal, plus he had the foot problem. Though as hobbled as he was and as poorly as he and the Huskers played offensively that night — thanks to the Blackshirts they almost won the game. OK. That’s all water under the bridge as they say, so what about this year? Pelini and the SEC Influence Bo Pelini and crew have recruited well and NU is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Pelini’s fourth year at the helm of the Huskers ship should be his best. And here is why: Big Ten Style Football is Slower In my opinion the Big Ten as a whole plays a quarter of a step slower than the Big 12. This is not a knock on the individual talent in that conference (they have plenty of fast and athletic players) It’s just tradition holding them back — a combination of a style of play influenced by coaching philosophies arising from that traditional approach that even their fans enjoy and expect. Put it this way: The SEC plays a half step faster than most every other conference. It’s the line play I’m talking about not the performance at the skill positions. The speed at the line of scrimmages is the difference between the SEC and everyone else, especial y when it comes to the defensive front. But hold on here. The SEC was not all that and a bag of your favorite snack a decade ago, something happened — coaching. Top notch coaches started migrating to the SEC. When they arrived and saw all those beefy athletic linemen they said “hmm, let me show you how we are going to start playing.” Now everyone else in the country is playing catch up to the SEC. Pelini spent three years in the SEC and he has instilled that defensive philosophy and style of play along the line of scrimmage at Nebraska. NU Puzzle for 2011 Question marks about the 2011 edition of the Huskers do remain, however, on offense: the play at the QB position, their overall prowess at I-back and the maturity of their O-line. Nonetheless, based on all the reports coming out of camp i.e. strong team chemistry and Carl Pelini’s remarks about the defense and offense having already put in their basic schemes and packages — the Husker look ready to roll in 2011. Huskers Keys to a Big Ten Title Offense If Rex Brukhead stays healthy he should have a breakout season in 2011. And if Burkhead gets some help from one or two of the new freshman recruits like highly regarded Rivals 5 star I-back Aaron Green or Braylon Heard or anyone else that may emerge from the stable, a lot of pressure will be taken off of Martinez. This necessity will pay huge dividends as the season progresses. “In 2011 the Husker offense simply can’t afford to make the same mistake they made last season — being so blindly dependent upon magical game performances by Martinez. Or for that matter worrying about whether or not he goes down.” If the O-line matures and the backfield tandem can consistently produce, QB, backups like Brion Carnes, or possibly even Jamal Turner are athletically gifted enough to make plays and put points on the board. At least that’s how the Huskers should be approaching things this year. Besides, the Blackshirts will be more than capable of keeping any Big Ten offense in check and the team in the game. Defense Nebraska’s D-line is deep and talented, led by two very good and experienced DTs in Baker SteinKuhler and Jared Crick (who should collect a lot of individual hardware this season to add to his trophy case). Barring injury NU’s likely starting LB corps of Will Compton, Lavonte David and Sean Fisher shakes out to be one of the nation’s very best lineups at the position. However, as talented a trio they are the Huskers could be vulnerable at the spot if strong backups don’t develop during fall camp and through their non-conference schedule. Nu’s stingy defensive backfield led by rising star Alfonzo Dennard is going to make things hard for any opposing Big Ten QB and those fellas up front will make their jobs a lot easier. Conclusion In short —overall — offensively and defensively NU is simply a more athletically talented bunch and they play faster than any team in the Big Ten. The Blackshirts will cause Big Ten O-coordinators a lot of problems and the hurry-up offense loaded with explosive players will keep those defenses on their heels and guessing at what’s coming at them next. Since 1970 the Huskers have posted a 31-6 record against current Big Ten opponents The aforementioned fact and the infromation and opinions presented above are why most unbiased sport experts and the early betting lines by Las Vegas odds makers pick NU to not only win the Legends Division but to also win the 2011 Big Ten Championship outright. Expectations are high. But I believe the Huskers will pull it off and they just might land a berth in the BCS title game. Bang! Bang! Related Links “Big Ten Football: Be Afraid, Very Afraid—the Huskers are Coming!” |
August 16, 2011 @ 4:50 pm
If you think that Nebraska is going to win the Big Ten then I lost what little respect I have for you. I’m telling you
1. NEBRASKA WILL NOT WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
2. NEBRASKA WILL FALL APART AT THE SEAMS BY THE MIDDLE OF THE SEASON.
3. NEBRASKA WILL NOT WIN THE DIVISION.
What real proven talent do they have? Don’t tell me Taylor Martinez cause I know you don’t’ believe that. Bottom line dawg is Nebraska is OVERRATED BIG TIME! And Pelini isn’t fit to coach in the Big Ten.
Put that in your blunt and smoke it chump.
August 16, 2011 @ 7:15 pm
Ya Dead: You say what Nebraska won’t do and what they are not. It reads more like emotions running rampant than reason. Are you scared? Who’s your team?
August 16, 2011 @ 9:09 pm
My Team: Hawkeyes.
Reasons for Nebraska being overrated:
They lost 4 games last year and barely beat a 2A South Dakota State.
They lost to a very bad Texas team.
They had trouble AGAIN with Iowa State.
Lowly Washington ran all over them in the bowl game and there is my rub. Their defense is not as good as everyone likes to brag about.
They are very suspect against the run.
Oklahoma State put up over 40 points on the “Blackshits” through the air.
Here is what is really going to happen in 2011: They should be 4-0 before the conference play but they also may lay an egg against Washington.
They get beat by Wisconsin. A damn good running team.
Ohio State is way more talented than Nebraska even without Pryor. That means another loss.
After the OSU game everything will start falling apart. Martinez won’t be around by then.
I’m thinking they will lose at least 2 more games before the end of the regular season.
This year of high expectations for Nebraska will end with a miserable let down for the team and fans.
Copy this comment and pull it out and read it at the end of the season.
And when you do you will say, “Yes Sir, he was right.”
Nebraska = OVERRATED and BUSTED.
August 16, 2011 @ 9:31 pm
Ya Dead: That’s what I’m talking about — valid points! You made a case with reasonable arguments. We shall see what happens.
August 17, 2011 @ 12:23 pm
Iowa fans are idiots anyway. Whatever happens this year rest assured the Huskers will beat the Hawkeyes like they always do.
August 20, 2011 @ 11:49 am
To the writer of this article: This reads like you’re full of BS and wishful thinking. Like most of the other people that have commented on this. I don’t see how the Cornhuskers can pull off a conference championship this year.
Someone said that all the media hype over Nebraska was because of Bo Pelini. I agree. Because the team itself does not have the experience and the firepower needed to win the Big Ten.
I don’t see them being able to beat any of the other top teams in the Big Ten.
August 20, 2011 @ 8:43 pm
It’s not wishful thinking. It’s an unbiased opinon. My indicators are pointing towards the Huskers capturing the title. Yep, they have some issues and some unanswered questions but things will fall in place.
August 29, 2011 @ 6:50 pm
Welcome to Camp Randall Stadium where the Wisconsin Badgers will introduce the Nebraska Cornhuskers to the Big Ten by stomping their sorry asses, buddy.
QB Russell Wilson and backs James White & Montee Ball will drop at least 450 total yards of offense and over 40 points on Nebraska. It’s an easy guaranteed win for Wisconsin.
August 29, 2011 @ 7:18 pm
Wake up Will Cummings……ah yea, It is 2011…a far cry away from the last time a happy Herbie Husker saw a championship trophy being paraded around by Nebraska football players. Herbie won’t get the pleasure again anytime soon in the Big Ten. On October 1st the Badgers will awaken all Nebraska fans to this reality.
August 29, 2011 @ 9:07 pm
Badgers Got This: That game is one to worry about for the Huskers. Wisconsin is a type of team that can give the Huskers a lot of trouble with that power running game and great line play. I hear a lot of good things about Wilson, but if the Blackshirts D-line is as good as I think they will be — he could be in for a long day and so will those backs.
I hope both teams are undefeated and moving up in the rankings come Oct. If so, It will be a Mega TV draw. Unfortunately — for you — the Badgers lose this one on their home field.
August 30, 2011 @ 9:57 am
Cummings, that ridiculous dream you keep having is not going to happen!
September 1, 2011 @ 9:52 pm
Update: Russell Wilson 10 for 13 255 yard for 2 scores and 46 yard TD run. Nebraska is going to get clobbered by my boys. Wilson for Heisman, dawg. Taylor Martinez can’t compare to Wilson by any stick you use and Nebraska’s did can’t stop all that offensive heat the Badgers bring. Sweet!