12/8/09
The expectations that head coach Bo Pelini bought with him to Lincoln included improving the leaking defense as ‘priority one’, and boy, howdy…did he do a magnificent job this past season with that side of the ball. Just two seasons ago, Nebraska’s historical drop-off (never before had NU allowed 400+ points in a season; allowed 455 in 2007) meant they finished as the nation's 112th ranked defense. Granted Heisman Finalist Ndamukong Suh is moving on to be a possible No. 1 overall NFL draft pick, but the term "Blackshirt" also signifies the true team concept. And it's been working, again with intimidation most have come to expect. Looking at the depth chart numbers...with ten starters back, the offense would appear to be the strength. But everyone knows offensive production has been struggling…predictable for the most part because the Huskers are no threat to throw the football. The same formula looks to stay true in 2010...play solid defense, pound the ball with that big I-Back (Helu), get some efficiency out of the QB (which has yet to be found with Lee), and compete for the lesser Big 12 North Division. As proven, anything can happen in that Conference Title tilt. Such a road map almost unfolded for this team that way in '09. The difference this time around is that the offense does have a better outlook. Now it's just a matter of competing with the South Division powers. Nebraska will enter their regular season rematch with Texas at home in mid-October, likely with a 5-0 record and a Top 10 ranking. Whether we start the polls now or at the midway point of season, how does/will a school such as this – with such a weak non-conference schedule – really measure? A Top 10 ranking at some point is inevitable if their record remains clean by then.