Nebraska Cornhuskers
2010 Record: 10-4
2010 Bowl Result: Lost Holiday Bowl to Washington 19-7
2010 Against the Spread: 6-7-1
2010 over/under: 7-7
Returning Starters: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense)

Throughout August we are releasing pre-season previews for all the major college teams.  Our College Football Handicappers are doing plenty of research to make sure we release  winners every week during the upcoming season.

After decades in the Big 12 conference, Nebraska moves over to the Big Ten conference. Administrators said it was because the school fits in better academically with the Big Ten institutions, but every one knows it is because they wanted some of the money generated from the Big Ten network. Either way, Nebraska has a chance to be one of the elite teams in the conference  with Michigan rebuilding and Ohio St battling suspensions and scandals.

Last season Nebraska was 10-4 in their last season in the Big 12. The season ended with a 19-7 loss to Washington in the Holiday Bowl. This season coach Bo Pelini returns 14 starters and hopes to contend for the Big Ten Legends division title and gain a berth in the Championship game in Indianapolis in December. Nebraska is ranked #13 in the pre-season coaches poll.

Here is a look at Nebraska’s offense, defense, special teams and schedule.

Offense

Nebraska depended on the running game last year with the #9 ground game in the country at249.6 yards a game. Overall, the Huskers averaged 400.1 yards a game but the anemic passing offense was among the worst in the country  with 150.6 yards a game. The Huskers scored 30.9 points a game last year.

New offensive coordinator Tim Beck wants to speed up the offense in order to get more flow and consistency. sophomore quarterback Taylor Martinez returns but he battled an ankle injury in the second half of last year. He wasn’t the same dynamic quarterback after that that rushed for 241 yards and 4 touchdowns against Kansas St or threw for 323 yards and 5 touchdowns against Oklahoma St. The dual threat quarterback was more valuable for his legs than his arm last year. He was the team’s second leading rusher with 162 carries, 965 yards, and 12 touchdowns. He completed 59.2% of his passes for 1,631 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. If he is healthy the offense has the potential to be great. If Martinez isn’t healthy redshirt freshman Brion Carnes will run the offense.

Nebraska must replace leading rusher Roy Helu Jr. who had 188 carries, 1,245 yards, and 11 touchdowns. Junior Rex Burkhead picked up the slack when Martinez battled injury last year and was instrumental in Nebraska making it to the Big 12 Championship game against Oklahoma. Burkhead had 172 carries for 951 yards, and 7 touchdowns. Junior Collins Okafor and true freshman Aaron Green are talented but untested. Both will get significant carries this season. Senior Tyler Legate is the starting fullback but he is purely a blocker. Sophomore C.J. Zimmerer is the back-up fullback but he could see some short yardage carries.

The Cornhuskers’ wide receivers were mainly used for blocking last season but ocaccsionally Martinez threw deep. The top two returning receivers are senior wide receiver Brandon Kinne and junior tight end Kyler Reed. Kinne had 44 catches, 494 yards, and 5 touchdowns, while Reed had 22 catches, 395 yards, and 8 touchdowns last season. Freshman Jamal Turner, junior Tim Marlowe,  junior Khiry Cooper, and freshman Kenny Bell will also get significant targets.

The offensive line loses three starters from last year including all-conference LG Ricky Henry. Senior center Mike Caputo and Sophomore LT Jeremiah Sirles. Sirles battled a shoulder injury during the off-season but is said to be healthy going into fall camp. Though short on veterans, the line has tons of depth and they should be able to open up holes for the running game.

Defense

Nebraska returns 7 starters from a top 10 defense last season. The Huskers allowed only 308.2 total yards a game including 153.6 passing yards a game. The Huskers did struggle to stop the run giving up 154.6 yards per game, which was ranked #61 in the country. Nebraska only allowed 17.4 points a game last season.

Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini has switched from a 4-2-5 formation to a more traditional 4-3. The linebacking corps could be great and the new formation will help them shine. The linebackers are led by Lavonte David, Sean Fisher, and Will Compton. Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuhler are two of the best defensive tackles in the country. The secondary needs some help at corner but should be fine because what it lacks in veterans it makes up for in depth.

Special Teams

Alex Henery was the team’s kicker and punter last year and was great at both tasks. He averaged 43.2 yards per punt and put 26 inside the 20 and made 18 of 19 field goals. Henery has graduated though and true freshman Mauro Bondi will take over as the kicker. He has a strong leg and will be almost automatic on providing touchbacks on kickoffs. He must prove he can be consistent as short to midrange kicker.

Junior Brett Maher will take over the punting duties and could step in as the placekicker if Bondi struggles early.

Tim Marlowe will handle kickoff returns and Rex burkhead will handle punt returns.

Schedule

Nebraska’s non-conference schedule includes 3 home games against Chattanooga, Fresno St, and the rematch against Washington. Nebraska and Washington will meet for the third time in a 12 month span. Nebraska then travels to Wyoming but expect lots of Husker fans to make the trip across the border into Laramie for that game. In conference, Nebraska has home games against Ohio St, Michigan St, Northwestern, and Iowa. Nebraska has not played Ohio St since 1956 so that game will be pretty special. Nebraska has conference road games at Wisconsin, Minnesota, Penn St, and Michigan. If Martinez is healthy expect Nebraska to win at least 10 or 11 games and compete for the Big Ten title.

Betting Trends

Nebraska was 6-7-1 ATS last season, including 2-5-1 at home and 4-2 on the road. The over/under was 7-7 including 3-5 at home and 4-2 on the road.

Game to Play Nebraska

September 17, Nebraska hosts Washington. Washington upset an unmotivated Nebraska team last year 19-7 in the Holiday Bowl. Nebraska had beaten Washington in Seattle 56-21 when Martinez was healthy. This year the Huskies come to Lincoln for the rematch, and Nebrasks should roll in the rubber match.

Game to play against Nebraska

October 22, Nebraska travels to Minnesota. While Minnesota is rebuilding with new coach Jerry Kill after a 3-9 season last year, Nebraska has games against Wisconsin, Ohio St and Michigan St sandwiched around the Minnesota game. Nebraska had a tendency last year to take the foot off the gas against lesser opponents last year like a 17-3 win over South Dakota St, a 20-3 win over Kansas, and a narrow 31-30 OT win over Iowa St. Iowa St went for 2 in overtime to try to get the win rather than risk going into double overtime by kicking the extra point. I think Nebraska will beat Minnesota but it will be closer than it needs to be.

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