Link: http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/134541/ranking-b1gs-offensive-triplets-no-2-nebraska
Huskers trail only Ohio State in the Big Ten "offensive triplet" rankings
Ranking B1G's Offensive Triplets: No. 2 Nebraska
by Josh Moyer, ESPN.com
We're taking this week to outline -- and rank -- all of the Big Ten's offensive triplets. Who makes up the league's top trio, and who has the most to prove? We've laid it all out here.
We've essentially chosen the top three skill players on every team. Some squads might have a quarterback and two receivers (Nebraska), others might have three pass-catchers (Michigan). In the event of a tie or close call, we settled on QB-RB-WR.
It's time for No. 2 on our list: the Nebraska Cornhuskers
QB Tommy Armstrong Jr
He's the Big Ten's only returning 3,000-yard passer and, although he had accuracy issues last season, he was still a tough player to stop. He can run, throw deep and keep defenses guessing. Against UCLA in the Foster Farms Bowl, for example, Armstrong was named the MVP after going 12-of-19 for 174 yards and rushing for another 76 yards. He should be better in Year 2 under Mike Riley, and he's dedicated this offseason to reinventing himself and taking a step forward.
WR Jordan Westerkamp
The Huskers have an embarrassment of riches at the receiver position, but none are as talented as Westerkamp. According to Pro Football Focus, he's the highest-rated returning receiver in the Power 5. But when you make plays like this, that's kind of a given. Westerkamp has made big strides every year, from 20 catches as a freshman to 44 as a sophomore and then 65 last season. Maybe he won't put up the best stats in the conference in 2016, but he still might be the conference's best wideout.
WR Brandon Reilly
Only one Big Ten wideout caught a higher percentage of passes thrown over 20 yards -- Westerkamp. Reilly caught 47.6 percent of those targets, half a percentage point better than Michigan's Jehu Chesson. And he's fifth among returning B1G wideouts in terms of receiving yards (754). He may not be Nebraska's top wideout, but he's still an elite player. He and Westerkamp earned spots on the Biletnikoff watch list.
Evaluation
Nebraska has arguably the best 1-2 punch in the conference at wideout, and Armstrong has the potential to lead the Big Ten in passing. A lot hinges on how Riley adapts in Year 2, but we're bullish on the Huskers. Each member of this trio is a playmaker, and these three can score a touchdown from anywhere on the field. It'll be hard to top the Huskers' passing offense.
Huskers trail only Ohio State in the Big Ten "offensive triplet" rankings
Ranking B1G's Offensive Triplets: No. 2 Nebraska
by Josh Moyer, ESPN.com
We're taking this week to outline -- and rank -- all of the Big Ten's offensive triplets. Who makes up the league's top trio, and who has the most to prove? We've laid it all out here.
We've essentially chosen the top three skill players on every team. Some squads might have a quarterback and two receivers (Nebraska), others might have three pass-catchers (Michigan). In the event of a tie or close call, we settled on QB-RB-WR.
It's time for No. 2 on our list: the Nebraska Cornhuskers
QB Tommy Armstrong Jr
He's the Big Ten's only returning 3,000-yard passer and, although he had accuracy issues last season, he was still a tough player to stop. He can run, throw deep and keep defenses guessing. Against UCLA in the Foster Farms Bowl, for example, Armstrong was named the MVP after going 12-of-19 for 174 yards and rushing for another 76 yards. He should be better in Year 2 under Mike Riley, and he's dedicated this offseason to reinventing himself and taking a step forward.
WR Jordan Westerkamp
The Huskers have an embarrassment of riches at the receiver position, but none are as talented as Westerkamp. According to Pro Football Focus, he's the highest-rated returning receiver in the Power 5. But when you make plays like this, that's kind of a given. Westerkamp has made big strides every year, from 20 catches as a freshman to 44 as a sophomore and then 65 last season. Maybe he won't put up the best stats in the conference in 2016, but he still might be the conference's best wideout.
WR Brandon Reilly
Only one Big Ten wideout caught a higher percentage of passes thrown over 20 yards -- Westerkamp. Reilly caught 47.6 percent of those targets, half a percentage point better than Michigan's Jehu Chesson. And he's fifth among returning B1G wideouts in terms of receiving yards (754). He may not be Nebraska's top wideout, but he's still an elite player. He and Westerkamp earned spots on the Biletnikoff watch list.
Evaluation
Nebraska has arguably the best 1-2 punch in the conference at wideout, and Armstrong has the potential to lead the Big Ten in passing. A lot hinges on how Riley adapts in Year 2, but we're bullish on the Huskers. Each member of this trio is a playmaker, and these three can score a touchdown from anywhere on the field. It'll be hard to top the Huskers' passing offense.
