2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers College Football Predictions

The Huskers will try to move past the failed four-year Bill Callahan experiment with defensive specialist Bo Pelini at the helm. Can dominance be restored under Pelini, and if so, how long will it take? Jimmy has your answer in his 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers predictions and season preview.
 

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Offense

Nebraska's offense isn't in bad shape and it is in very good hands with coordinator Shawn Watson. Few coordinators have shown the ability to adapt to their personnel like Watson. A deep an experienced group of offensive lineman will allow this offense to be solid again in 2008. In 2007, Nebraska boasted the 7th best passing attack in the nation and was the 9th nationally in total offense. Joe Ganz took over for injured starter Sam Keller last season and will be the man under center again this year. In his very first start last season, against a tough Kansas defense, Ganz dropped 410 yards on the Jayhawks. He then hit Kansas State up for a school-record 510 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added a 484-yard four touchdown performance against Colorado. Marlon Lucky is the Big 12's top returning rusher and sophomore Roy Helu is going to get some carries also. The big concern for the offense will be replacing three wide receivers which combined for 281 career catches.

Defense

Nebraska has a rich tradition of running the football and playing physical defense. There was nothing physical about Nebraska's defense in 2007. The Huskers gave up 37.9 points per game on average. The Huskers gave up 40 or more points six times last season, including 76 and 65-point debacles to Kansas and Colorado. This really puts into perspective just how bad the Nebraska defense was last season – they allowed more points, yards, and first downs than any other team in school history. The Huskers have six returning starters on this side of the ball, but it's arguable that they aren't guys you would want back. All four defensive lineman return, but teams were able to shred through the Nebraska interior with ease last year. Nebraska has a big hole in the middle as it lost its top four linebackers. The Huskers are so thin in this spot that running back Cody Glenn is now considered a top candidate for a starting linebacker spot.

Special Teams

The Huskers do have a very reliable kicking game. Alex Henery was 45-for-45 on PAT's last season and was 8-for-8 on field goal attempts. Adi Kunalic led the entire nation on touchback percentage on kickoffs. Dan Tichener has had 40 punts downed inside the 20-yard line over the past two seasons. The Huskers will have to find some new return men.

Prediction – 4th Big 12 North

Bo Pelini has a big defensive background, but he's going to need several years of recruiting to put a solid unit back on the defensive side of the ball. The offense will carry the load for now, but it's going to be tough for the Huskers to reach the .500 mark due to a very tough schedule which includes Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Texas Tech, and Virginia Tech.  I do like them to end up on top of Iowa State and Kansas State though.

No one knows college football like Jimmy Boyd so make sure you do all of your football betting with the best NCAA handicapper the industry has to offer in 2008. Sign up for one of his college football picks packages and start beating the college football odds from the first game of the season on.

June 18th, 2008