It's that time of year again, we're a few weeks away from the beautiful season of college football and our minds run wild with all kinds of predictions. Bare with me, this will be a bit long.
Last year may be one of the few years I was fairly accurate in my predictions. I thought it would be an up and down year due to the change and I thought Pelini was extremely fortunate in a few games each year so I predicted 7 - 5, which my buddies laughed at saying we'd be much better. So after much discussion with some insiders, a few current and former players, a few coaches at different levels, and my crazy ass brother; I'm going to put my season prediction out there with my reasoning. This is as much for me (my therapist says so) as it is for anyone else.
I predict a 10-2 regular season with an 11-3 overall. We win the B1G west, lose in the champ game but win a big bowl game. And here's why.
First, we are a team with a positive aura for the first time in a long time. The Pelini hangover is done, some bad eggs are gone and any left don't count. MR and company coach with positive approach, there is excitement in the program and the only enemy our boys have is the team they face that week (not the admin, the fans, the media, etc). I heard it best just today, most of the guys were upset/mad when Pelini was let go as he was on their side and they were leery about whoever was coming in; however, a year later and most could not be happier with our current staff. However, our downside is Sam and that can hurt; but I believe Sam's beliefs, his family, and his approach allows the team to continue down a positive path.
Second, our S&C is getting back to where it once was. Not only are we hearing about the results, we're seeing them in the numbers and the eye test. Some current players have indicated the intensity difference and accountability is profound. This is a very synergistic effect were 1 + 1 can equal 4. The impact of this on a team wide basis for 4 quarters of football is big.
Third, our staff and players know each other. Communication will be better. Scheme will be better. We will be more efficient and effective as a result.
Fourth, our schedule. While we have many tough games, we do not have either MSU or Mich in regular season, those are two big opponents we're not facing.
Fifth, we are still off the radar. Yes a few have as a surprise team but the majority have us as a non-factor, just look at the media's pick for the west, it's Iowa and no one else. This equates to motivation.
Now let's get to the team.
O-line - we're replacing 3 starters so we lose experience but we can gain athleticism. If you look at our guards, I believe Foster/Farmer are superior in strength/speed/size to an Utter/Sterup combo. Center is a wash. Left guard is an upgrade as Gates has improved S&C and is technically better and nastier than Lewis. Knevel will be a drop but that's not a bad thing considering Gates was arguably our best o-linement at RT last year. Overall, it will be a better unit with some emerging depth than last year especially with the interior run game.
WR - don't need to say anything other than special
TE - Carter is a match-up nightmare, we have solid depth and experience
FB - we will miss Janovich but we have two capable players who will have heart and pass catching ability
QB - oh yes, Tommy, the great key to our success. I don't believe Tommy will be a completely different player but I do believe he will improve. They will utilize his running ability increasing his confidence and changing coverage designs from the defense. If he makes 3 fewer mistakes each game, it will be significant. He will have a big year.
Now our defense.
D-line: Yes, we lose the names but not the play. Maurice was arguably our most productive d-lineman and he's back. Collins underperformed and VV was lackluster at best. Maurice was solid and the combo of Stolt/Davis twins will give much more effort than VV. In fact Stolt could be a very pleasant surprise. Our ends were not great last year in pressure and okay in the run game. We lose McMullen/Gangwish; neither a pass rusher. Dzuris is Gangwish and Freedom is as good as McMullen in the run game with a much higher upside in the pressure category and it's his second season at the position so expect improvement. We have some young guns who will surprise in situations. Oh yeah, the best thing - COACHING. The PE (Parella Effect) will be noticeable, guaranteed.
LB - biggest weakness turned into a strength due to coaching (see D-Line above). We have depth, some tremendous talent, and versatility. nugh said.
Safety - Banker's focus, Gerry's mental and physical state, depth at 2nd safety position/nickel, and 2nd year in system will show through.
CB - beginning of the year we had Rose and Davies, second half we had Kalu and Jones who improved throughout their reps. Now we have depth behind and pushing those two along with 2nd year in system. Will be improved definitely and could even be a strength.
Special teams - Foltz will hurt and could come into play in a few games. Brown is solid and will be even stronger, snapper solid, more athletes on coverage/return, DPE is back (won't be as electric but Morgan and others will be a spark). Will be a positive and not a negative.
Fans/Coaches/Team are moving in the same direction. Recruiting is happening and a positive season will light it on fire.
In summary, we have a lot of things moving in the right direction at the right time. There will be set backs due to injury and some underperformance. As a result, we will lose a game we couldva won. We will have a close game or two that shouldn't have been. But I believe it will be a better season than most could've expected and set the table for the future by securing an unbelievable recruiting class and branding NU as the place to be.
Let either the debate begin or your nap if you read the whole thing
Last year may be one of the few years I was fairly accurate in my predictions. I thought it would be an up and down year due to the change and I thought Pelini was extremely fortunate in a few games each year so I predicted 7 - 5, which my buddies laughed at saying we'd be much better. So after much discussion with some insiders, a few current and former players, a few coaches at different levels, and my crazy ass brother; I'm going to put my season prediction out there with my reasoning. This is as much for me (my therapist says so) as it is for anyone else.
I predict a 10-2 regular season with an 11-3 overall. We win the B1G west, lose in the champ game but win a big bowl game. And here's why.
First, we are a team with a positive aura for the first time in a long time. The Pelini hangover is done, some bad eggs are gone and any left don't count. MR and company coach with positive approach, there is excitement in the program and the only enemy our boys have is the team they face that week (not the admin, the fans, the media, etc). I heard it best just today, most of the guys were upset/mad when Pelini was let go as he was on their side and they were leery about whoever was coming in; however, a year later and most could not be happier with our current staff. However, our downside is Sam and that can hurt; but I believe Sam's beliefs, his family, and his approach allows the team to continue down a positive path.
Second, our S&C is getting back to where it once was. Not only are we hearing about the results, we're seeing them in the numbers and the eye test. Some current players have indicated the intensity difference and accountability is profound. This is a very synergistic effect were 1 + 1 can equal 4. The impact of this on a team wide basis for 4 quarters of football is big.
Third, our staff and players know each other. Communication will be better. Scheme will be better. We will be more efficient and effective as a result.
Fourth, our schedule. While we have many tough games, we do not have either MSU or Mich in regular season, those are two big opponents we're not facing.
Fifth, we are still off the radar. Yes a few have as a surprise team but the majority have us as a non-factor, just look at the media's pick for the west, it's Iowa and no one else. This equates to motivation.
Now let's get to the team.
O-line - we're replacing 3 starters so we lose experience but we can gain athleticism. If you look at our guards, I believe Foster/Farmer are superior in strength/speed/size to an Utter/Sterup combo. Center is a wash. Left guard is an upgrade as Gates has improved S&C and is technically better and nastier than Lewis. Knevel will be a drop but that's not a bad thing considering Gates was arguably our best o-linement at RT last year. Overall, it will be a better unit with some emerging depth than last year especially with the interior run game.
WR - don't need to say anything other than special
TE - Carter is a match-up nightmare, we have solid depth and experience
FB - we will miss Janovich but we have two capable players who will have heart and pass catching ability
QB - oh yes, Tommy, the great key to our success. I don't believe Tommy will be a completely different player but I do believe he will improve. They will utilize his running ability increasing his confidence and changing coverage designs from the defense. If he makes 3 fewer mistakes each game, it will be significant. He will have a big year.
Now our defense.
D-line: Yes, we lose the names but not the play. Maurice was arguably our most productive d-lineman and he's back. Collins underperformed and VV was lackluster at best. Maurice was solid and the combo of Stolt/Davis twins will give much more effort than VV. In fact Stolt could be a very pleasant surprise. Our ends were not great last year in pressure and okay in the run game. We lose McMullen/Gangwish; neither a pass rusher. Dzuris is Gangwish and Freedom is as good as McMullen in the run game with a much higher upside in the pressure category and it's his second season at the position so expect improvement. We have some young guns who will surprise in situations. Oh yeah, the best thing - COACHING. The PE (Parella Effect) will be noticeable, guaranteed.
LB - biggest weakness turned into a strength due to coaching (see D-Line above). We have depth, some tremendous talent, and versatility. nugh said.
Safety - Banker's focus, Gerry's mental and physical state, depth at 2nd safety position/nickel, and 2nd year in system will show through.
CB - beginning of the year we had Rose and Davies, second half we had Kalu and Jones who improved throughout their reps. Now we have depth behind and pushing those two along with 2nd year in system. Will be improved definitely and could even be a strength.
Special teams - Foltz will hurt and could come into play in a few games. Brown is solid and will be even stronger, snapper solid, more athletes on coverage/return, DPE is back (won't be as electric but Morgan and others will be a spark). Will be a positive and not a negative.
Fans/Coaches/Team are moving in the same direction. Recruiting is happening and a positive season will light it on fire.
In summary, we have a lot of things moving in the right direction at the right time. There will be set backs due to injury and some underperformance. As a result, we will lose a game we couldva won. We will have a close game or two that shouldn't have been. But I believe it will be a better season than most could've expected and set the table for the future by securing an unbelievable recruiting class and branding NU as the place to be.
Let either the debate begin or your nap if you read the whole thing
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