Skinny - After taking a step back in the national limelight, Bo Pelini is trying to bring Nebraska back. He had a solid season last season, only losing to ranked teams (although Virginia Tech wasn't ranked at the time). They ended a good season with their 9th win over Clemson in the bowl. Offense was the key to the team last season but only a running back that split time is a returning starter in the skill/quarterback positions. Joe Ganz is gone after a rather productive season at quarterback last season and Nebraska is going to be relying on Zac Lee, a player with 2 career pass attempts. Look for true freshman Cody Green to challenge for playing time, as he's probably the quarterback of the future with a solid 6'4" 215 frame. Roy Helu is returning after leading the team in rushing despite giving snaps to Marlon Lucky, so his production should go up this season. The defense struggled for a Cornhusker defense last season, but the cornerstone of the team is back in DT Ndamukong Suh. The schedule is lighter than last season, despite an early season trip to Virginia Tech and Nebraska should be competing for a Big 12 North title with Kansas.
Strength - Roy Helu Jr.
Helu is the team's only proven offensive threat and comes off a season where he average 6.4 ypc, had 803 yards and 7 TDs. He didn't make my all conference team, but that's more a testament to Murray, Hunter, Brown, and Washington than it is a diss to Helu. Helu will have the opportunity to put up huge numbers this season behind an experienced that includes C Jacob Hickman. Helu had 500+ yards in the final four last season and had a quarter century in terms of receptions last season. He should take the nation by storm this season in terms of production due to not getting a full season of reps last season, but his performance shouldn't be all that much of a shocker.
Weakness - Quarterback
Joe Ganz had over 3500 yards last season in addition to a ratio north of 2-1. Having a productive offense is a must in the Big 12 and Nebraska has to go from a quarterback that led his team to top 20 performances in passing and scoring offense in the nation to a quarterback that doesn't know the college level. Zac Lee will be the favorite for the position and has the lineage to play well. Lee is mobile, which is good after Ganz put up over 250 yards in addition to his passing skills. Lee will be challenged by incoming freshman Cody Green, who has the build and the potential of a good quarterback.
Key Game - 11/14/09 @Kansas
This game could determine the Big 12 North champion. It'll be interesting to see what kind of year Kansas QB Todd Reesing has. Will he be last year's Chase Daniel or last year's Graham Harrell. Kansas kind of fell of the radar last season after their shocking season the year before. Briscoe was cleared to play and Reesing will have targets at his disposable to throw to. Nebraska struggled in pass coverage last season and Colt McCoy wasn't on the schedule. The Nebraska secondary returns from last season and can't be any worse as S Larry Asante will be the leader of the unit. Nebraska could be a very good team in 2010, but will the inexperience of the offense and the continual rebuilding of the defense hold them from a North title this year?
Key Player - Ndamukong Suh
Suh is a second team All-American and is the best player on Nebraska. So why is he the key player to Nebraska's success? Suh led the team in tackles last season along with sacks. A top player is expected to lead a team in tackles when he plays linebacker or possibly safety, but Suh stars from the defensive tackle position. Suh has a new bunch of linebackers behind him and if Nebraska wants to win in a league that has a better bunch of backs this season, he'll need to make sure the running backs stay in front of him and he stops them before they can reach the next level.
Impact Freshman - Cody Green
Predicted Big 12 finish - 2nd (North)
Top 5 Players
1. DT Ndamukong Suh
2. RB Roy Helu Jr.
3. OL Jacob Hickman
4. K/P Alex Henery
5. S Larry Asante
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