Nebraska Cornhuskers 2009 Football Betting Preview

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Nebraska 2008 Record: (9-4, 5-3)
Nebraska 2008 Bowl: Gator Bowl vs. Clemson (W 26-21)
Nebraska Coach: Bo Pelini (10-4 at Nebraska, 10-4 overall)
Nebraska Offensive Coordinator: Shawn Watson
Nebraska Defensive Coordinator: Carl Pelini
Nebraska Returning Stats Leaders:

• Rushing: Roy Helu, RB, 803 yards
• Passing: Zac Lee, QB, 5 yards
• Receiving: Mike McNeill, TE, 442 yards
• Tackles: Ndamukong Suh, DT, 76
• Sacks: Ndamukong Suh, DT 7.5
• Interceptions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, 2; Anthony West, CB, 2

Notable Nebraska Returning Players: DE Pierre Allen, S Larry Asante, LB Phillip Dillard, S Eric Hagg, C Jacob Hickman, WR Menelik Holt, CB Matt O’Hanlon, OT Mike Smith, WR Niles Paul, S Rickey Thenarse, G Keith Williams

Nebraska Key Losses: QB Joe Ganz, LB Cody Glenn, RB Marlon Lucky, CB Armando Murillo, OT Lydon Murtha, WR Todd Peterson, DE Zach Potter, G Matt Slauson, DT Ty Steinkuhler, WR Nate Swift

The first year of the Bo Pelini era was a rousing success at Nebraska, producing the school’s best record since 2003 with a 9-4 finish, capped off by a Gator Bowl victory over Clemson. The extremely popular Pelini re-established the strong running game beloved in Corn Country but also sprinkled in a high percentage passing attack to augment it. Furthermore, Pelini was a defensive captain at Ohio State in his playing days and was also very successful as LSU’s defensive coordinator in their 2007 National Title season. His defensive achievements were a departure from former coach Bill Callahan, who practically ignored the defense during his tenure, and Pelini’s first season produced a defense which allowed 10 points less per game than in 2007! After losing out via tiebreaker to Missouri for a berth in the Big XII Championship game, is this the year that Nebraska breaks through?

Pelini’s first offense was actually more successful than any during the offensively acclaimed Callahan’s tenure, putting up over 35 points per game! However, the Huskers will have to replace their starting quarterback and their two leading receivers so the high percentage passing game could be less effective this fall. Junior Zach Lee appeared to take the starting reigns in spring practice and he is very talented despite having little playing time. Lee will be supported by a strong running game, spearheaded by junior Roy Helu, who led the team in rushing and touchdowns last season, though fellow junior Quan Castille will also provide some thunder after scoring six touchdowns himself. Nebraska had four players finish with more than 90 carries last fall and I won’t be surprised if the committee approach is used with success once more in 2009.

The fleet of tailbacks will run behind a strong offensive line which returns three starters from last season. Despite losing two late round NFL draft picks, I think that another year in the system could help a very talented line improve even further. Expect a strong running attack this fall as the line will be counted on to give Lee a chance to gain some confidence. Lee also needs some receivers, which is a big concern as junior tight end Mike McNeill is by far the top returning target after catching 6 touchdown passes in 2008. The passing game is going to be a concern going into the year thanks to a lack of proven wideouts. Overall, I think Nebraska is going to pound the football on the ground, which will delight their old school faithful. Furthermore, Lee looked ready to step in during the spring and I think that he should play well in his first year under center. While I don’t expect the Huskers to be as prolific as last season, Nebraska will still field a very strong offense in 2009.

The Cornhusker defense is going to be very good this season. It all starts up front with senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who led the team in tackles, sacks, tackles for loss and interceptions in 2008! Suh is a virtual lock to be a top ten pick in the 2010 NFL draft and the 2008 1st team All-Big XII selection is the best player on the team. He is a throwback to the famed Blackshirt days under legendary coach and current athletic director Tom Osborne. Junior end Pierre Allen is also a pass rushing threat and should contribute heavily to a strong run defense. Keep an eye on redshirt freshman Baker Steinkuhler, who was the #1 O-Line recruit in the country two years ago and could be a dominant force next to Suh this fall. The defensive line at Nebraska might be the first in nearly a decade to truly live up the Blackshirt legend.

Unfortunately, the linebackers are a question. The Huskers played most of last season in a nickel set and the top linebacker was only 5th on the team in tackles, so you have to wonder what the impact of an inexperienced group will really be. However, odds are in favor of Pelini plugging in a couple of highly talented youngsters behind the huge line and they could be feast or famine in the early going. Luckily, the Huskers’ safeties are awesome in run support as seniors Larry Asante and Matt O’Hanlon combined for 119 tackles last fall and each had more tackles than any linebacker! The starting corners are also back and I expect that another season together will produce a strong unit which, unlike last year, shouldn’t find themselves competing with a nose tackle for the team lead in interceptions. Nebraska should have another solid defense after so much improvement a year ago. Expect a strong run defense and an improved pass defense, making the Men of Corn one of the Big XII’s toughest.

The schedule is going to be interesting. The non-conference portion is highlighted by a trip to highly ranked Virginia Tech and a win would give the Huskers some serious clout and confidence early. In conference, the schedule is not easy as Nebraska only has two home division games. However, they only draw Oklahoma from the South’s big three teams and the Sooners have to travel to Lincoln so things are in place for the Huskers to make some serious noise in conference play.

Overall, I think that Nebraska is really moving in the right direction under Bo Pelini. The defense will always be good and this year’s group could be exceptional. Pelini has embraced the school’s traditions and heritage and enjoys near-universal popularity in the state. This fall, I think Pelini will try and establish a strong running game to give the mobile Lee the opportunity to gain some confidence and that should be a successful formula in conjunction with Nebraska’s strong defense. The Huskers posted an excellent 6-2 home mark last season and if they can improve their 2-2 road record from a year ago then I could definitely see Nebraska winning ten games and the division crown! However, I think that eight or nine wins and falling just short of the North Division crown is the most likely scenario thanks to all the road games but keep an eye on the Huskers all year because this is a program on the rise.

Nebraska Big Games: Sept. 19th @ Virginia Tech, Oct. 8th @ Mizzou, Oct. 17th vs. Texas Tech, Nov. 7th vs. Oklahoma, Nov. 14th @ Kansas, Nov. 27th @ Colorado

Nebraska’s Strength:

The defense returns relatively intact. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is ready to become a household name, once somebody learns how to pronounce it. He led the team in tackles and sacks last year and will be the heart and soul of this defense. With a healthy, and hilariously named, Phillip Dillard back, the linebacker corps should be very strong. So should the secondary, led by safety Larry Asante, which returns just about everybody except Armando Murillo. The pass defense ranked second in the conference and the total defense ranked 55 th in the nation which is extremely impressive for a team in the Big 12. If the back seven can keep that up, Nebraska will be in good shape. However, it would be beneficial if the team actually created some turnovers. The turnover margin last season was plain awful, but it was not the offense’s fault. The defense has to find a way to get the ball.

Nebraska’s Weakness:

And the defense’s play becomes even more important since the offense practically has to rebuild from scratch. Quarterback Joe Ganz is gone and so are his top two receivers in Nate Swift and Todd Peterson. There are some young receivers ready to step up and tight end Mike McNeill is a solid pass catcher who will give the quarterback a safe option. However, the options to replace Ganz are limited. Junior Zac Lee has the most experience, if you want to call it that. He has at least been on the team the longest. Redshirt freshman Kody Spano and freshman Cody Green are the other options. All three are mobile quarterbacks and the battle could go into the fall.

Our Prediction for the 2009 Cornhuskers:

While the passing game adjusts to life without Ganz, Peterson and Swift, the pressure will fall on running back Roy Helu. By November of his last season, Helu was taking a majority of the carries over Marlon Lucky and Quentin Castille. Castille is back as well and he and Helu form a great rushing duo. If the line can give those two some space, Nebraska’s offense will be formidable even if the passing game struggles.

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