Prediction: 2016 will be best season since '09

[maplesyrup95]

I may be drinking the Kool Aid 24 hours early because I'm just that amped for the season to start, but I think Riley gets it rolling this year. I know we have basically the same team as last year and with an average OL and young DL, but something tells me this year is going to be a catapult into 2017 and on.

Here's to Big Red Positivity!

 

[StrongArm517]

I'm craving your koolaid!

 

[HuskerO]

I'm with ya @maplesyrup95! I believe this team as the potential to have a better season than we did in '09.

 

[TheNewNU]

That '09 team was loaded with NFL talent. Especially on defense. Suh, Crick, Dillard, Compton, Gomes, Amukamara, Dennard, Asante, Hagg, Burkhead, Helu, and Niles Paul all played or are still playing in the league. I hate to burst everyone's bubble but we don't have that kind of talent on this roster. Don't forget we had like 20 former or current walk ons on the two deep last year. One year isn't going to change the whole roster. I hope you guys are right and we tear it up this year but IMO 7 to 8 wins will be a helluva season for this team.

 

[TwinsRRUs]

That '09 team was loaded with NFL talent. Especially on defense. Suh, Crick, Dillard, Compton, Gomes, Amukamara, Dennard, Asante, Hagg, Burkhead, Helu, and Niles Paul all played or are still playing in the league. I hate to burst everyone's bubble but we don't have that kind of talent on this roster. Don't forget we had like 20 former or current walk ons on the two deep last year. One year isn't going to change the whole roster. I hope you guys are right and we tear it up this year but IMO 7 to 8 wins will be a helluva season for this team.

That was quite a few players that went on to play in the NFL. 9 on defense and 2 on offense.

It's hard to guess how the younger players will develop and which ones will turn into stars over the next couple years.

Hopefully, in 5 years we can look back and say this year's team had 11+ future NFL players on it. I would guess there would be a better showing from the offense vs the defense compared to 2009 though.

So excited for tomorrow night! GBR!

 

[mothmonsterman]

I think we have a real chance to bust through that 4 loss floor this year. I think we're a year or two away from being a real contender for the Big Ten title. I really hope things go our way this year, first for the obvious reason that as a fan I want the best season we can achieve. But I also want some of the bitterness that permeates the fan base to dissipate. When the roster is stocked with players suited to the staff's offensive and defensive schemes, I believe there's going to be a lot to like. A good season this year would really help set that up, it would get everyone on board.

 

[dockentwo]

That was quite a few players that went on to play in the NFL. 9 on defense and 2 on offense.

It's hard to guess how the younger players will develop and which ones will turn into stars over the next couple years.

Hopefully, in 5 years we can look back and say this year's team had 11+ future NFL players on it. I would guess there would be a better showing from the offense vs the defense compared to 2009 though.

So excited for tomorrow night! GBR!

I am guessing we have 9-11 future NFL players play in this game. They will be a much younger slant and stage of development than the 09 team IMO. So we get down to schedule and some quick development; breaks. ... By the way; now that the Koolaide is at a comfortable level; I think 10-11 future NFL players playing will be our average in the future. Success will enhance recruiting; and we are really developing connections to the league and look at the number of recruit referrals we are getting from the profession. If we keep the top assistants; they are becoming destination spots for NFL minded recruits.
Coaches are settling in; and they can recruit and coach young talent - its not Bo's anymore and most of the land mines have been dug up or inactivated. This is a plus 1-2 game factor this year, and they are still gaining traction. If you don't buy in; how many teams in recent years did N beat that had been in the top ten that year ; previous to last year - and in our season ending scalp hunting ; Iowa was ours, just given away.

 

[B1G RED RULES]

That '09 team was loaded with NFL talent. Especially on defense. Suh, Crick, Dillard, Compton, Gomes, Amukamara, Dennard, Asante, Hagg, Burkhead, Helu, and Niles Paul all played or are still playing in the league. I hate to burst everyone's bubble but we don't have that kind of talent on this roster. Don't forget we had like 20 former or current walk ons on the two deep last year. One year isn't going to change the whole roster. I hope you guys are right and we tear it up this year but IMO 7 to 8 wins will be a helluva season for this team.

Then a dose of reality hits you right between the eyes.

 

[NorthWillRiseAgain]

That '09 team was loaded with NFL talent. Especially on defense. Suh, Crick, Dillard, Compton, Gomes, Amukamara, Dennard, Asante, Hagg, Burkhead, Helu, and Niles Paul all played or are still playing in the league. I hate to burst everyone's bubble but we don't have that kind of talent on this roster. Don't forget we had like 20 former or current walk ons on the two deep last year. One year isn't going to change the whole roster. I hope you guys are right and we tear it up this year but IMO 7 to 8 wins will be a helluva season for this team.

They also couldn't score a TD on offense, but that defense was phenomenal.

 

[scarletred]

If this team wants to be as good as the 09 team, they must win the first 3 out of 4 games to start the season
We can't afford to lose to both Oregon and NW...

This years offense will be by far better than the 09 offense but the 09 Defense was Pelini best defense and our best defense since 1999 , so it's a tall order for our defense to be as good as that group but in needs to be better over the last couple of years we were good against the run last year we need to continue in that direction and not give up the big play some much like we did last year that killed us.

 

[HuskerO]

That '09 team was loaded with NFL talent. Especially on defense. Suh, Crick, Dillard, Compton, Gomes, Amukamara, Dennard, Asante, Hagg, Burkhead, Helu, and Niles Paul all played or are still playing in the league. I hate to burst everyone's bubble but we don't have that kind of talent on this roster. Don't forget we had like 20 former or current walk ons on the two deep last year. One year isn't going to change the whole roster. I hope you guys are right and we tear it up this year but IMO 7 to 8 wins will be a helluva season for this team.

I agree 100%. This year's team isn't nearly as talented as the '09 team, but I think this year's team has the opportunity to have just as good or better of a season than the '09 team.