Realistic 2017 predictions

[brianm1202]

With the departure of Armstrong from the offense, and the arrival of Diaco and the 3-4D, this team is going to basically be overhauled this offseason. With that said, what are your guys' realistic predictions for both sides of the ball in 2017? My guesses:

Offense: I'm guessing Lee and Ozigbo are starters. New pass/run ratio is roughly 60/40 depending on the opponent. I'd be happy with 300 pass ypg, 150-200 run ypg, and 35 points per game.
Defense: I'd just be happy with a top 25 defense in the first year, hopefully only giving up about 20-25 ppg, and not getting blown out by anyone.
Record: I'd say the benchmark of 9 wins is reasonable with some tough crossover games

I'd say that's all pretty reasonable to ask for.

 

[LBremser]

Ark State, No Illinois, Rutgers, Illinois and Purdue should be gimmes.
From Minnie, Oregon and Northwestern we should get 2 of 3.
That's 7 wins, getting 2 more from Ohio St., Wisky, PSU and Iowa is not a slam-dunk.

 

[GammaxuvirHusker]

Offense will end up ranked 75 to 95 nationally. The defense 50ish. Overall record = 4-8.

 

[SC_'sker]

7 wins probable, but the potential is there for 10. The Offense should be much better, but I bet we see some growing pains on the defensive side.

 

[phoenix4nu]

Defense will be the key. If the defense doesn't improve, it will be tough to win 8

 

[cubsker]

i would probably set the over/under at 8 with the over as the favorite or 8.5 with the under as the favorite.

 

[brianm1202]

Ark State, No Illinois, Rutgers, Illinois and Purdue should be gimmes.
From Minnie, Oregon and Northwestern we should get 2 of 3.
That's 7 wins, getting 2 more from Ohio St., Wisky, PSU and Iowa is not a slam-dunk.

I'm fairly confident we take Oregon and Iowa down next year

 

[brianm1202]

7 wins probable, but the potential is there for 10. The Offense should be much better, but I bet we see some growing pains on the defensive side.

Growing pains, yes. But considering our secondary is really experienced, we shouldn't have to worry too much about giving up huge plays over the top. That should make the growing pains manageable. Bend, don't break.

 

[NikkiSixx]

9 wins

 

[PeliniTheCrutch]

Get to the Big 10 championship game.

Are expectations and predictions the same thing?

 

[Metalfan]

I think 8 is a realistic number but it could be higher. I don't see it being lower. Defense will be interesting to see if theres an improvement with some of the younger guys and the switch. Offense should be ok. I don't think the change from Armstrong to Lee is going to be that huge. Lee is a different QB but he also has major college experience already. It will be big to see if DPE and Stanley can make that leap to be the stars we think they can be. And also we have to, again, see how the young kids do. The OL should be stronger this year. Ozigbo and Bryant should be a really good combo if they can stay healthy. I think the team has the chance to better but it should also go through some growing pains.

 

[huskerbr12]

Ill be disappointed if they lose in the non-con or vs the west. That's 9 wins. 1 or 2 more vs the east.

 

[jlb321]

we need to start winning the division at least periodically - even Pelini accomplished that 3 of his 7 years
Callahan was in the CCG in year 3
Ferentz in years 4-5-6 finished in the top 10 each year


the program is infinitely better represented on the sidelines and in interviews but this hasn't translated to being better on the field as yet ....

 

[jeans15]

9 wins at least.

 

[SC_'sker]

Growing pains, yes. But considering our secondary is really experienced, we shouldn't have to worry too much about giving up huge plays over the top. That should make the growing pains manageable. Bend, don't break.

I'm not as sold on the secondary as some seem to be. Gerry was by far the most talented of the bunch, and he's gone. I just saw "Lockdown U" getting torched a ton last year, but I'm sure part of that was having one of the worst and most talent-less pass rushes in all of football history. If the pass rush can improve significantly in the new defense, then the secondary should be better. We'll see.

 

[TwinsRRUs]

Offense:
Puts up 35 ppg average over whole season
WR don't have injuries like 2015
OL Doesn't have injuries like 2016
Lee and POB both play and play well

Defense:
Unfortunately there is a learning curve with the new D and it takes half the season before the D starts holding opponents under 20 ppg.
Fewer interceptions compared to 2016, but more caused fumbles
Young LBs start season making too many mistakes, but shine by the end of the season

Special Teams:
Punt: Lightbourn averages 39 yards per net punt
Punt Return: Spielman takes DPE's spot and gets 250 punt return yards and 1 TD

W - Ark St
W - @Oregon
W - N. Ill
W - Rutgers
W - @Illinois
W - Wisconsin
L - OSU (Blowout, but only by 3 TDs)
W - @Purdue
W - Northwestern
W - @Minnesota
L - @Penn St (Lose by 2 TDs)
W - Iowa
L - OSU (B1G Championship game) (Lose by 3 TDs again)
W - Bowl Game (Cotton or Orange Bowl)

Team finishes 11-3 and ranked between 12th and 16th in the final polls.

This is not only a prediction, but my expectation

Edit: This will be the first time Nebraska will not lose at least 4 games since 2003. You heard it here first

 

[c3ntral08]

Win the Big Ten West. No excuses; schedule is as favorable as we're gunna see for awhile and Lee will be our qb. This our year to really get the program back to where it needs to be. The Big Ten West is going to be down and we need to take advantage of it.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

I see us being much improved on both sides of the ball and in special teams.
10-2. Losses to Ohio State and PSU. But both of the losses will be competitive.
We win the West.

 

[brianm1202]

Win the Big Ten West. No excuses; schedule is as favorable as we're gunna see for awhile and Lee will be our qb. This our year to really get the program back to where it needs to be. The Big Ten West is going to be down and we need to take advantage of it.

I don't see the West being down next year. Wisky, Iowa, and NW will be just as tough or tougher than last year.

 

[scarletred]

Ark State, No Illinois, Rutgers, Illinois and Purdue should be gimmes.
From Minnie, Oregon and Northwestern we should get 2 of 3.
That's 7 wins, getting 2 more from Ohio St., Wisky, PSU and Iowa is not a slam-dunk.

Better beat Iowa next year at home. Things won't set well with me or for the Sea of Red losing 3 in a row to them.

 

[nebcountry]

I'm gonna wait until after the spring game. I will say this though. Langsdorf has already been quoted that wysiwyg minus QB runs for our offense. If every time we install a new qb, we have to fall back to a rebuilding/learning year, then we are doing something wrong.

We'll have to wait and see how effected the defense will be in the new scheme.

 

[c3ntral08]

I don't see the West being down next year. Wisky, Iowa, and NW will be just as tough or tougher than last year.

Thorston is the only returning qb from the west and he's not that good. Wisconsin is losing a lot of talent on D and Iowa is, well, Iowa and all 3 of those games are at home. Look what an above average Florida team did to them. No excuses losing to Iowa next year.

 

[8675309husker]

I can see 10 wins..

 

[TruHusker]

Ark State, No Illinois, Rutgers, Illinois and Purdue should be gimmes.
From Minnie, Oregon and Northwestern we should get 2 of 3.
That's 7 wins, getting 2 more from Ohio St., Wisky, PSU and Iowa is not a slam-dunk.

I tend to look at things differently. How much do the Huskers improve and how much do their opponents improve. Illinois will be better but shouldn't hand with us. Purdue is rebuilding. Minnesota has a new staff but could be improved, Oregon will be better - just too much talent there not to be, Northwestern will be MUCH better - we caught them at the right time last year. Ohio State is on a mission and their young guys are growing up, PSU will be really tough, think we can play with Wisconsin and Iowa.

Frankly, I would be pleased with 7 wins and play well in the losses given the schedule and all of the changes. Anything above that will be gravy. We have a new QB, WR corp will be different, who will play TE, totally make over on D.

 

[brianm1202]

I think every year we lose to Iowa, someone should get fired...or whipped at least.

 

[Truehuskerfan]

Ark State, No Illinois, Rutgers, Illinois and Purdue should be gimmes.
From Minnie, Oregon and Northwestern we should get 2 of 3.


Frankly, I would be pleased with 7 wins and play well in the losses given the schedule and all of the changes. Anything above that will be gravy. We have a new QB, WR corp will be different, who will play TE, totally make over on D.

Nobody should ever be pleased with 7 wins in this program. I think people are underestimating us and overestimating the quality of our opponents. Then again, that's nothing new-happens practically every year.

 

[headcard]

Offense will end up ranked 75 to 95 nationally. The defense 50ish. Overall record = 4-8.

LULZ

 

[HBK4life]

Offense will end up ranked 75 to 95 nationally. The defense 50ish. Overall record = 4-8.

So, when that doesn't happen, I'm sure you will be back on the board to man up and tell everyone how wrong you always are??

 

[CameronKrazie86]

I'm expecting 7 wins but hope to be pleasantly surprised like I was this season. Switching defenses, no clue on how good/bad the new QB will be and just the overall youth at the WR position leave me with a lot of question marks.

I know Nebraska should beat Arkansas St (and easily) but it wouldn't shock me if it were close and/or an upset. Riley's teams have struggled in their openers both here and at Oregon St if you look at his history. With all the changes plus that history, who knows? If that happens, it could be a long season. Obviously I don't anticipate it happening but it isn't out of the realm of possibility either.

 

[frankluv]

Very tough schedule.

 

[dockentwo]

Offense will end up ranked 75 to 95 nationally. The defense 50ish. Overall record = 4-8.

Wow, I was looking for the definition of pessimism?

 

[dockentwo]

Offense:
Puts up 35 ppg average over whole season
WR don't have injuries like 2015
OL Doesn't have injuries like 2016
Lee and POB both play and play well

Defense:
Unfortunately there is a learning curve with the new D and it takes half the season before the D starts holding opponents under 20 ppg.
Fewer interceptions compared to 2016, but more caused fumbles
Young LBs start season making too many mistakes, but shine by the end of the season

Special Teams:
Punt: Lightbourn averages 39 yards per net punt
Punt Return: Spielman takes DPE's spot and gets 250 punt return yards and 1 TD

W - Ark St
W - @Oregon
W - N. Ill
W - Rutgers
W - @Illinois
W - Wisconsin
L - OSU (Blowout, but only by 3 TDs)
W - @Purdue
W - Northwestern
W - @Minnesota
L - @Penn St (Lose by 2 TDs)
W - Iowa
L - OSU (B1G Championship game) (Lose by 3 TDs again)
W - Bowl Game (Cotton or Orange Bowl)

Team finishes 11-3 and ranked between 12th and 16th in the final polls.

This is not only a prediction, but my expectation

Edit: This will be the first time Nebraska will not lose at least 4 games since 2003. You heard it here first

 

[dockentwo]

Really appreciate the depth of your post. The most probable forward looking results; except I would go with your team improvement later in the season, leading to a much more contested championship game GBR

 

[Pro_V_DMB]

I'll admit I'm the eternal optimist, but I've got a good feeling about next year. Especilly Tanner Lee and the hype surrounding him. The offense should be crisper and more consistent with a more experienced OL and more of a typical Riley QB. That and Diaco brining a new intensity that will be critical while players are still getting comfortable with the scheme.

10-2 would be my realistic prediction. That's with hopes that the injury bug doesn't slap us in the face again.

 

[GammaxuvirHusker]

Wow, I was looking for the definition of pessimism?

New QB & DC and a tougher schedule. It's called being realistic.

 

[headcard]

New QB & DC and a tougher schedule. It's called being realistic.

There is absolutely nothing realistic about a 4-8 prediction.

 

[little a]

Better beat Iowa next year at home. Things won't set well with me or for the Sea of Red losing 3 in a row to them.

Amen brother

 

[timnsun]

New QB & DC and a tougher schedule. It's called being realistic.

Thanks for sharing why you think 4-8... I do think the new QB will surprise (at least I hope so) since he is recruited for this system and has experience in college football... and I do wonder if the schedule is really that much tougher than last year. OSU, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Iowa are all at home... the schedule isn't any tougher than last year in my opinion. I think we win all by Ohio state out of these 4 teams, but I'm an optimist. No clue about Oregon, they have it worse with a new coaching staff and system coming in... Minnesota as well. So I would like to think 9 wins at the least.

Guess we will have to wait and see.

 

[Morgan747]

Offense:
Puts up 35 ppg average over whole season
WR don't have injuries like 2015
OL Doesn't have injuries like 2016
Lee and POB both play and play well

Defense:
Unfortunately there is a learning curve with the new D and it takes half the season before the D starts holding opponents under 20 ppg.
Fewer interceptions compared to 2016, but more caused fumbles
Young LBs start season making too many mistakes, but shine by the end of the season

Special Teams:
Punt: Lightbourn averages 39 yards per net punt
Punt Return: Spielman takes DPE's spot and gets 250 punt return yards and 1 TD

W - Ark St
W - @Oregon
W - N. Ill
W - Rutgers
W - @Illinois
W - Wisconsin
L - OSU (Blowout, but only by 3 TDs)
W - @Purdue
W - Northwestern
W - @Minnesota
L - @Penn St (Lose by 2 TDs)
W - Iowa
L - OSU (B1G Championship game) (Lose by 3 TDs again)
W - Bowl Game (Cotton or Orange Bowl)

Team finishes 11-3 and ranked between 12th and 16th in the final polls.

This is not only a prediction, but my expectation

Edit: This will be the first time Nebraska will not lose at least 4 games since 2003. You heard it here first

You really are smoking something!

 

[jflores]

I don't see the West being down next year. Wisky, Iowa, and NW will be just as tough or tougher than last year.

I don't follow NW roster, but Iowa will be tougher? They lose their All World corner in King, they lose Jaleel Johnson at DT, and they lose their Senior QB. I can't remember if Josey was a senior or not.

They won't be a gimme game, but I don't honestly see how they are tougher than what we faced this year.