I've never been a Kool-Aid drinker based on what I read, rather based on what I see.
NU has the potential to be a serious team this year, one that I think will surpass most expectations.
After I lay out my reasons, I'm happy to take criticism or ridicule now or when my predictions fizzle. (I do however reserve the right to become defensive, offer excuses, etc.).
I'm basing my predictions on a lot of factors which are yet to play out. Some are critical, others really important.
This is a NEW program, on the surface I don't recognize this as what we've endured the last 4 years.
To me, it's the beginning of NU's return to prominence. It's almost as if a new head coach has been brought in.
This may turn into a TLDR post, so do as you'd prefer.
The adults are in charge now. With the hiring of Trev and the inclusion of serious position coaches, those changes may have given this program the turnaround we've been waiting a couple decades for.
So many of NU's past woes have been addressed, yet, their implementation, level of improvement(s), and results remain to be seen.
I "think" as Mickey Joseph goes, so goes this team. He seems to be a no-nonsense, no excuse, get it done kinda guy.
That's a fricking revelation to me.
It "appears" Whipple will be in charge of the play-calling, with Frost adding in some valuable set-up plays that can be designed to get a Austin Allen or Rahmir Johnson catching cold due to a really timely play call from Frost.
I'll give Frost his due, he can sometimes call really great plays, just not over the course of a game at this level.
I think NU has plenty of offensive weapons, of course, the bugaboo is the overall OL. If Teddy is healthy, and Corcoran finds his true position, NU (next year) is poised to have a couple of dominant OL men.
That's a good start when we add in the fact NU is finally beginning to get some "age" to go along with their experience.
Corcoran struggled at both LG and RT last year. But, he's a nasty dude, and he has outstanding tools for a big kid. He may wind up at Center or LG/RG, at some point a position will prove how good he really can be.
Nouili doing his bonehead thing really hurt this OL, but Raiola's job is to put the whole thing together, and I'm confident he'll be a huge improvement over Austin.
When I watch that 6 minute clip and I see Teddy and Williams riding their guy outside having their helmets cemented inside the DL men's helmet, their hustle and physical contact is really good to see.
If Raiola can get a Benhart to stay in close contact and keep his fricking helmet on the other guy and not keep losing contact, despite his slow feet and short arms, he has a chance to be much improved.
I don't think Williams has a ton of foot speed, yet, he stuck right with the defender because I think Raiola may demand that close, physical contact.
I've dogged Benhart for two years and I wish he'd do something to shut me up.
Obviously, Thompson has to be multiple levels better than Martinez in the "bonehead/turnover" department. He's gonna throw pics, I just hope he's able to get rid of the ball quick, throw the long ball when protection allows, and take care of the ball.
Though unproven, I think our RB stable is very good, We know what Rahmir and Ervin can and can't do. Assuming he knows the playbook, we've not seen what a slimmed down version of what Yant might look like.
He has the physical tools to be a monster. The wildcards, to me, are Grant and Allen.
If one (Yant, Grant, Allen) emerges as the stud, NU will move the ball on the ground against most teams.
On the offensive side, IF Busch has done his thing, and with his teaching, along with the fact Mickey demands all of his receivers be a part of the kicking game, NU potentially turns last year's disaster unit into at least an equal comparison to most opponent's.
Last thing on the offense. It looks like Mickey is leading the mental part of this side of the ball. Throw in Raiola's different style, (and when was the last time we seen a Raiola be anything other than physically aggressive?), that unit, by default will improve.
If the overall unit moved from one of the worst in the country, to just be an "average line," I'll take it.
I'll probably do a similar post on the defensive side of the ball. I watch a ton of video, I've always slowed it down to 25% speed to allow for a closer look and when I coached baseball I took the time to go frame by frame on hitters or pitchers to try to improve their game.
To me, that's the only way to try to make meaningful adjustments to any aspect of performance.
At the risk of getting my ass kicked verbally, and assuming Gabriel doesn't carve NU up, I think NU beats OU straight-up in Lincoln.
I wouldn't be surprised to see NU at 9-0 heading into Michigan.
Of course, this team will need to LEARN how to win, then FIND a way to actually start winning games on the road before that could happen.
I wouldn't be shocked to see NU finish about 10-2. I had predicted 6-6 earlier, then 8-4. I'll set myself up to take a beating, some good/some not so good ribbing if NU has a repeat of any of the first 4 seasons.
Having Thompson go down, or finding he is far less than advertised combined with the same ole, same ole from the OL and this prediction will be ripe for a valid thumping.
I've always been a firm believer if you work on your weaknesses, your strengths take care of themselves.
NU, is a physically talented football, the mistakes, poor overall coaching, forgetting how to win, making excuses for failure have all been part of their
makeup since Frost and even way before he arrived.
If NU continues that, I'll get smoked by this post. Oh, well.
Fire away!
