Nebraska Cornhuskers 2018 Preview

  

I can't remember when I have been so wrong in football analysis as I was when I had some excitement when Nebraska hired Mike Riley from Oregon State. I had admired Riley from afar, thinking what a tremendous job he had done with the Beavers, where the facilities and tradition were limited. The thinking is that with vast experience (Riley won a Gold Cup in the CFL and coached the San Diego Chargers in the NFL) he could find success with the resources Nebraska would give him, as he had achieved with so much less. Signs that this hire was a mistake came almost immediately, but it was last season when the thunderclap of a home loss to Northern Illinois stung Husker Nation. Instead of regrouping, the team fell apart down the stretch and thankfully, a coaching change was made with native son Scott Frost hired to lead the Cornhuskers. The events that led to the hiring of Frost were plentiful, but as the landscape is reviewed, it was desperately needed. Somebody tweeted that the troubles of Nebraska painful to Frost while coaching at UCF than they were to Riley who was leading the program. Seems like it. For Frost, Nebraska is home. That red "N" means so much to Nebraskans, and an opportunity to restore this proud program to its rightful level among the nations elite that those in Husker Nation can be proud of once again is a task Frost could not turn away from, and did not. Since his hiring, Frost has done everything right, which certainly appears to include bring his entire coaching staff with him to Lincoln. It is noted a handful, notably Ryan Held and Greg Austin, are former Huskers. Everyone is fired up and ready to being the process of making Nebraska nationally relevant again, as they should be.

OFFENSE


WR Stanley Morgan Jr
Photo/Huskers.com

The offensive style implemented by Mike Riley and his idiotic offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf has been tossed in the circular. It was horrible in 2017, averaging 3.5 yards per play. The running game was hideous,with Nebraska having no runs over 50 yards all year. Frost will be running an up tempo power spread offensive, which seems a great fit for the Big Red moving forward. Frost has had great success with this, as UCF led the nation in scoring a year ago. Frost and OC Troy Walters are starting from scratch. A quarterback battle has kept everyone guessing in fall camp. Redshirt freshman Tristan Gebbia, who was recruited to run Riley's system, has a really good skill set,  leaving some of us to wonder why he got no snaps in 2017. Gebbia is competing with true freshman Adrian Martinez, who Frost recruited to Nebraska hours after accepting the position. Martinez shined in spring and has not dropped off in fall camp, with most favoring Martinez to win the job. Either way, I am quite comfortable with the quality at the position. The receiving core is excellent, led by Stanley Morgan, Jr, a big target who led the team in receptions in '17. A pair of smaller speed guys in JD Spielman and Tyjon Lindsey return and would seem to be in position to flourish in Frost's play calling. Mike Williams, a JUCO transfer from Lake City (FL) Columbia who has great speed, has really impressed an seems poised to start. Backing up the starters are Brian Reimers, Jaevon McQuitty, Kade Warner, Conner Young and true freshman, Andre Hunt and JUCO transfer Jaron Woodyard. Frost loves to utilize the tight end, and there are plenty of quality players at the position. Jack Stoll (9c) is the starter, and may be an honors candidate. Austin Allen and Kurt Rafdal are backups, both considered quality players who may not give way to heralded true freshman Camreron Jurgens. The backfield needed plenty of help, and things have really come together well. Tre Bryant was on track to get back, but his knee was too damaged and he has had to step away from the game. Devine Ozigbo seemed in and out of the doghouse in 2017, but he has some decent skills, and made some big plays down the stretch at Purdue to help win that game. Ozigbo put in work in the offseason, and appears ready to be a steady contributor. JUCO transfer Greg Bell has impressed and will start, and true freshman Maurice Washington, who has "it", will get situational snaps, a threat to hit paydirt any time he touches the ball. True freshman Miles Jones has moved ahead of Mikhale Wilbon, who will seem to have trouble finding time, and Jaylin Bradley, who we thought was the best last year. Up front, Nebraska stunk in 2017, and Coach G has plenty of work to do, but Austin is a great coach and I look for big time improvement. Cole Conrad is not the greatest at center, and some thing Tanner Farmer may move over there. But maybe not, as Conrad is smart and may stick. If so, Farmer will play at guard. Jerald Foster, a quality player, will play left guard. The tackles, Brenden Jaimes  and Matt Farniok, are good. Depth is a concern. Boe Wilson is ready to play at guard. G/C Jon Rairdon, C Hunter Miller, T Matt Sichterman and T Christian Gaylord are solid backups. This offense is diverse, with power and speed, potentially potent and possibly in contention, with an ascending quality of quarterback play, to average 40ppg.

DEFENSE

 DE Luke Gifford
Photo/Zimbio.com

Defensively, Nebraska was horrific in 2017. The issues were many, but perhaps the most puzzling aspect was the reading defensive philosophy employed by DC Bob Diaco, which put Nebraska at a disadvantage. It was ridiculous. New DC Eric Chinander will still utilize a 3-4, but it will be an attacking unit, on which has wrinkles to confuse offenses. Mick Stoltenburg will man the nose spot, but we think he is good for about 20 snaps a game. Damion Daniles and Peyton Newell will back him up. Freedom Akinmoladun has an end spot, with Ben Stille, who led the Huskers in sacks in 2017 as a freshman, manning the opposite side. Khalil Davis, Carlos Davis, Denotre Thomas, Daishon Neal and Chris Walker back up. Luke Gifford when healthy is an outstanding player, who takes an OLB spot. Tyrin Ferguson and Alex Davis are opposite. True freshman Caleb Tanner has looked real good in fall camp and is too talented to redshirt. Guy Thomas is backing up, kind of a tweener in this new scheme, but a talented player. Breon Dixon, an Ole Miss transfer, had a great spring but stalled out a bit in fall camp, but we consider him solid. Inside, a problem area appears to have some answers. Dedrick Young, the teams top returning tackler, has a great offseason ans is primed to excel. Mohammed Barry has fought his way to a starting spot, a locker room leader who is ready to go. JUCO transfer Will Honas, the versatile Colin Miller and legacy player Jacob Weinmaster back up, giving the Big Red quality depth. Lamar Jackson, with all the physical tools, did not play well at corner last year. Like the rest of the defensive, some of it was the scheme. But he must improve, or he will sit down.  Jackson will start the season as the starter at CB, but if the performance is not there, the coaches will not hesitate to sit him. Dicaprio Bootle, a talented sophomore from Miami, really came on last year and is solid at the other corner. Two talented true freshman, Cam Taylor and Braxton Clark (Orlando Dr. Phillips HS) are pushing for time, with Taylor thought of as a future national honors candidate. Eric Lee, Jeremy Stovall , Avery Anderson and Tony Butler are backups. After two knee surgeries, JoJo Domann, who has looked spectacular when healthy, is set to play at SS behind Tre Neal, a UCF grad transfer who has full command of the system and terminology. Neal made some big plays for Chinander and the Knights last year, and his influence on the defensive unit will be invaluable. Marquell Dismuke is stout and ready to go as well. Antonio Reed, a linebacker/safety, will get the start with Aaron Williams, a quality player and team leader with many starts under his belt who is battling injuries, available. JUCO Transfer Deontai Williams is high quality and looking for an opportunity. If things come together, this unit will be very much improved, and with the offense expected to be potent, the defense may be good enough to win the day. It certainly cannot be any worse than the unit was a year ago, and it won't be.  The unit will get better as the season goes on, and will be noticeable in the hunger and spirit fans in Nebraska used to appreciate.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Even with quality players, the Cornhusker special teams seemed to disappoint in 2017. Caleb Lightbourn averaged 42.1 per punt last year, which is certainly decent and grounds for potential B1G honors. Barret Pickering takes over the place kicking duties. The return game has a chance to improve. JD Speilman will again return kickoffs, joined by Jaron Woodyard and the electric Maurice Washington. Spielman and Tyjon Lindsey will handle punt returns.

INTANGIBLES

Some 50 new players are on the team, joining an entirely new coaching staff. Although Frost is a former Husker and familiar with the Nebraska way, this amount of turnover is certain to have some kinks that require working out. However, the schemes are more player friendly, and interaction between the coaches and players since Frost's arrival seem very much improved. They are having fun, competing with each other but forming bonds as brothers and teammates. This is all good! The culture is changing quickly, and everyone has skin in the game. We anticipate the intangibles move promptly in a positive noticeable direction.

HONORS CANDIDATES

While Nebraska will be emerging in 2018 under Scott Frost, there is not a long list of players who are predicted to challenge for national honors. The leading candidate for achieving recognition would be WR Stanley Morgan, Jr. Morgan is certainly worthy, but we wonder how many touches he might get. Same holds true for WR JD Spielman. LB Dedrick Young may make All B1G as m ay G Jerald Foster. Several newcomers will be talked about, but national honors may be too distant at this time.

NEW ARRIVALS

RB Maurice Washington and QB Adrian Martinez
Photo/Nebraska247Sports

Frost did a great job recruiting after getting the job. Tops among the newcomers, primarily due to the importance of the position, is quarterback Adrian Martinez, who will be integral to the success of the team. RB Maurice Washington is a special talent, who may be a game changer right out of the gate. Versatile athlete Miles Jones may get snaps.Receivers Mike Williams, Andre Hunt and Jaron Woodyard will play, and Greg Bell is the top tailback. On defense, UCF graduate transfer Tre Neal is a real important cog in the defensive unit, arriving as a leader with vast knowledge and experience of the defensive scheme Chinander will employ. Caleb Tannor, Braxton Clark, Cam Taylor, Deonati Williams and Will Honas will all figure prominently on the defensive side. We wonder if Moses Bryant, a preferred walkon, will emerge somewhere. These are exciting times.  

FINAL ANALYSIS

If ever there was a perfect candidate for a search for a head football coach for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, that man is favorite son Scott Frost. Spend five minutes with this man, and you will know that he is a principled and caring individual, a humble but intoxicating presence that while demanding the best from those around him, understands that hard work and integrity that take individuals, and teammates, a long way. He is indeed a perfect fit for Nebraska. for even if he does not reach the pinnacle of success all Huskers hope for, he will be leading this team the way Nebraskans want it led, something they all can be proud of. Don't worry, Frost will win and win big, quickly. The schedule in 2018 is difficult. An home opener against Akron should be the ultimate fell good game. Former Big 8 rival Colorado comes in, and although the Buffaloes are not bad, Nebraska should win. Troy, who upset LSU on the road last year, comes to Lincoln, and this game may be a tough one, but the Huskers should win it. Nebraska then travels to Michigan, who finally seems to be built to challenge for a playoff spot. Nebraska may scare Michigan, but this seems too much too early for the Big Red. Purdue, much improved, comes to Lincoln, but the game is the week before a trip to Wisconsin, so this is an example of the old trap game. It might be a tough one, but with so many players fighting for jobs, the Huskers will win it. At Wisconsin is another thing. Nebraska can win it, as Wisconsin sometimes fails to flex their muscle, but the Badgers running game is stout. So we got Nebraska 4-2 traveling to Northwestern, where Nebraska has played well in recent years. The Huskers get that done, and then pound Minnesota in Lincoln in a revenge game. Nebraska is 6-2 going to Ohio State, who is a potential playoff team if they can keep their house clean. Nebraska beats Illinois and is 7-3 before hosting Michigan State. By this time, we have Nebraska clicking, and Michigan State does not play well at Lincoln, so we got Nebraska winning that. The Huskers then travel to Iowa to close the regular season, and the Hawkeyes play well at home. Most will see Nebraska 8-4 at this point, but we again think Nebraska is got it going and we think they take down Iowa. This has Nebraska at 9-3, already sending signals that in 2019 and beyond the Big Red will be back as the Frostification of America sets in.

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