Good artie.
In 25 some of NU's defensive stats were worse but I think that was because of White's tendency to give big plays on 3rd down. Rhule mentioned that toward the end of the season. If that improves those stats improve.
Rhule in year 3 at NU
- Thread starter Laner2
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Good artie.
In 25 some of NU's defensive stats were worse but I think that was because of White's tendency to give big plays on 3rd down. Rhule mentioned that toward the end of the season. If that improves those stats improve.
We will be better I think at every position this year with one exception: the defensive line. But if the new guys end up being good players this could be a breakout season. The schedule is favorable.
I think 8 wins is likely, perhaps we can even get to 9.
Losses would likely be to Michigan and USC. Possible win against Iowa, they aren’t exactly great but have solid fundamentals…
All other games could be wins, but I think Mich State will be better than expected
So, my early prediction is 8 wins
Edit: I forgot our schedule. Ok so PSU is a loss, Michigan likely loss, USC good chance for a loss.
We will be better so I still say 8 wins
Losses would likely be to Michigan and USC. Possible win against Iowa, they aren’t exactly great but have solid fundamentals…
All other games could be wins, but I think Mich State will be better than expected
So, my early prediction is 8 wins
Edit: I forgot our schedule. Ok so PSU is a loss, Michigan likely loss, USC good chance for a loss.
We will be better so I still say 8 wins
Just look at the D chronically giving up big plays in the 4th quarter. When TW was hired I remember reading that that was a weakness of his D.....giving up big plays. If the new DC can fix this, and based on what Rhule said toward the end of last season it has his undivided attention, OSU is a different ending, Io_a is a different ending, USC has a different ending, UCLA has a different ending......all because the D gave up big plays particularly in the latter 3rd and much of the 4th quarter. Butler fixes that and we could be cooking with gas.
I tend to not put much thought into replacing players at the college level. Since most players are only starters for 2, sometimes 3 and on a rare occasion 4 years, players are constantly changing. Teams will forever be replacing players. Sometimes the replacement is unknown and ends up filling the void, sometimes the replacement is worse, but the surrounding cast is better as a whole and is able to make up for the deficiency. Then consider the number of players, with starting experience that are returning, and how that experience can fill the void of losing good players. I tend to look at schools that are annually solid defensive teams, they don't always have 11 of the best players in the country on the squad. You have to look at the sum of the parts. In Nebraska's case, are the edge players going to be better this year? Will the LBs be better? I believe that the improvement in those areas are going to counter the losses on the defensive line, even if Jeudy and Van Poppel aren't quite as dominant as Hutmacher or Robinson were.
Good analysis. I think Iowa is a good example of a defense that always seems better as a whole than an analysis of its individual players would suggest. I think Jeudy and Von Poppel will be good enough players to make the defense into a decent unit since I like the talent we have overall and I think we actually have better coaches in place.
But what about depth on the line? Those two guys need to be kept fresh, both for effectiveness in a single game and in the wear and tear on their bodies over the season. And if either one is injured we might be in trouble.
I don’t think anybody had us losing to Indiana going into last season. Or UCLA with a new and inexperienced coach. When the team actually goes out and wins all the games that could/should be wins, then we will actually be back.
I hope van poppel turns out well. Some of the film i saw on him this spring showed him with questionable footwork on the one man sled. Do it right every time and teach the young ones