Thursday, August 29, 2013
Nebraska to Cruise Past Wyoming Saturday
Nebraska hosts the Wyoming Cowboys Saturday night at Memorial Stadium in a 7:05p.m. kickoff that will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
The Cowboys were 4-8 a year ago and the Huskers lead the all time series 6-0. Wyoming is coached by Dave Christensen, the former offensive coordinator at Missouri. Christensen is 22-28 entering his fifth season as a head coach. His teams are known for wide open offenses and soft defenses. The game will be a coming out party for several Husker newcomers that the fans will be excited to see.
Brett Smith (6-foot-3, 206 Pounds, Junior) is a fine quarterback for Wyoming. He completed 62.7 percent of his passes last year with 27 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. Smith passed for nearly 284 yards per game in 2012. He can run some, averaging 25 yards per game a year ago with six touchdowns. He is definitely the catalyst for the offense. He must be pressured to make the Cowboys a one-dimensional football team.
The receivers are a solid unit for Wyoming. The big-play man is Robert Herron (5-10, 187, Sr.). In 2012 Herron averaged 21.2 yards per catch with eight touchdowns. He is a definite speed threat. Jalen Claiborne (5-9, 175, Jr.) is another undersized target that Smith likes to look for. He had 34 catches a year ago. Receiver Dominic Ruffran (6-0, 188, Jr.) added 39 catches as a possession target.
The running game averaged only 125 yards per game in 2012. Brandon Miller (6-0, 200, Jr.) had 352 yards rushing last season and added 30 catches out of the backfield. Wyoming expects good things from freshman Omar Stover (5-11, 198) one of the best recent recruits for the Cowboys. Wyoming is not a major threat running the football.
The offensive line is highlighted by a pair of big tackles. On the left side is Walker Madden (6-9, 297, Jr.) and opposite Madden is Connor Rains (6-7, 318, Jr.). These two big men may wilt in the heat early Saturday night, giving the Husker defenders a chance to come after Brett Smith.
The defense gave up a lot of points and yards in 2012. The Cowboys allowed 470 yards and over 33 points per game last season. Nebraska will be able to both run at will and pass over the top of the Wyoming defense. The best player up front is Eddie Yarbrough (6-3, 257, So.) with six tackles for loss and four sacks in 2012 at defensive end. Middle linebacker Devyn Harris (6-3, 240, Sr.) needs to play well against the run or it will be a long night for Wyoming. The secondary is paced by Blair Burns (5-10, 186, Jr.) as a cornerback. The defense will be tested and give up plenty of big plays.
On special teams kicker Stuart Williams (5-11, 180, Jr.) was 7 of 12 (58.2 percent) with a long of on 42 yards on field goals. freshman Ethan Woods (6-3, 165) is totally untested as a punter. Claiborne is a threat as a kick returner. Both teams will have to prove their special teams are ready to play in this season opener.
Nebraska is a better football team than Wyoming. The Huskers will dominate offensively. The defense will give up a few plays, but I think young players like David Santos and Randy Gregory will be noticed by the fans. The Huskers will score plenty of points in a 59-20 win Saturday over Wyoming. Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
2013 Nebraska Football Preview
The Nebraska Cornhuskers 2013 football season is ready to start. Fans all around the world are awaiting the kickoff of another year of Husker football.
Lets take a look at the Husker roster and the games before the season starts and give you my fearless pick on the results before the year gets underway.
The Husker offense is going to be dynamic if healthy. Quarterback Taylor Martinez (6-feet-1, 210 pounds, Senior) has the ability to score every time he touches the ball. If Martinez is injury-free, then Nebraska likely will have one of the best big-play artists in college football. He must reduce turnovers for 2013 to be a championship season for the Big Red.
Running back Ameer Abdullah (5-9, 190, Jr.) is a tough runner that also catches the ball well. There is depth in the backfield, but it is all young and except for Imani Cross (6-1, 225, So.) not game tested. Adam Taylor (6-2, 200) and Terrell Newby (5-10, 180) are a pair of freshmen the fans want to see on the field.
The receivers have outstanding talent and many players can contribute in the passing game. Kenny Bell (6-1, 185, Jr.) has the ability to play in the National Football League. Quincy Enunwa (6-2, 225, Sr.) is a good possession receiver while Jamal Turner (6-1, 185, Jr.) is dangerous as a slot receiver and in the return game. The tight ends will have to develop as the season moves along.
The Husker offensive line is experienced with depth across the board. Spencer Long (6-4, 315, Sr.) is an All-American candidate at guard. Jeremiah Sirles (6-6, 310, Sr.) is a solid tackle and the Huskers have game-tested talent all along the front line.
The defense is young across the board. Jason Ankrah (6-4, 265, Sr.) has to be a leader at defensive end. On the other side Randy Gregory (6-6, 235, Jr.) can be a difference maker as a pass rusher. Other key members of the defense are Thad Randle (6-1, 290, Sr.), at tackle David Santos (6-0, 225, So.) as a middle linebacker and Ciante Evans (5-11, 190, Sr.) at cornerback. The best unit is the secondary and the linebackers have more athletic ability than Nebraska fans have seen in the recent past.
The kicking game is untested. Turner and Bell are likely to be the punt and kickoff returners. Mauro Bondi (6-0, 205, So.) and Pat Smith (5-11, 185, Sr.) are battling for the kicking job. Sam Foltz (6-1, 200, Fr.) appears to have won the punting job. The Huskers must mature in this phase of the game if they are to compete for a championship.
Now its time for a look at my thoughts for each game before the start of the season.
Nebraska should move past a young Wyoming defense and you can look for my full preview of this game later this week.
The Huskers will be be solid against a transitioning team from Southern Mississippi that will be better defensively than they were a year ago. Nebraska could gain a lot of confidence in the first two weeks.
UCLA is a critical test in week three. Playing at home in an early kickoff favors the Huskers in what could be a wild contest. I like the Huskers by a touchdown in the best game of the early season.
South Dakota State is a fundamentally sound team that will be over matched in another Big Red victory.
Nebraska will open the conference with what should be a big win against a very soft Illinois team. The Purdue game is the first one away from Lincoln. The Boilermakers are not ready for a team with Nebraska's offensive talent. The Big Red will start conference play 3-0 after another big win over Minnesota.
The rest of the schedule is much more challenging. Nebraska will need to take care of the ball against Northwestern. The Wildcats will be tough but the Big Red will win a tight game at home.
Michigan will be a game Nebraska would have to play error free to win. I believe the Wolverines will win a big contest over the Huskers. Michigan State is not consistent enough offensively to win in Lincoln. Penn State will be a last minute type of game. Depth will be key in a game that I will pick Nebraska. The Huskers will top Iowa to close the regular season.
The Huskers will make the Big Ten Championship and drop a decision to Ohio State. The Buckeyes likely will play for the National Championship. A Rose Bowl game against a team like Oregon or Stanford will be tough and I believe closing the season 11-3 makes 2013 a successful year.
Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze.
Lets take a look at the Husker roster and the games before the season starts and give you my fearless pick on the results before the year gets underway.
The Husker offense is going to be dynamic if healthy. Quarterback Taylor Martinez (6-feet-1, 210 pounds, Senior) has the ability to score every time he touches the ball. If Martinez is injury-free, then Nebraska likely will have one of the best big-play artists in college football. He must reduce turnovers for 2013 to be a championship season for the Big Red.
Running back Ameer Abdullah (5-9, 190, Jr.) is a tough runner that also catches the ball well. There is depth in the backfield, but it is all young and except for Imani Cross (6-1, 225, So.) not game tested. Adam Taylor (6-2, 200) and Terrell Newby (5-10, 180) are a pair of freshmen the fans want to see on the field.
The receivers have outstanding talent and many players can contribute in the passing game. Kenny Bell (6-1, 185, Jr.) has the ability to play in the National Football League. Quincy Enunwa (6-2, 225, Sr.) is a good possession receiver while Jamal Turner (6-1, 185, Jr.) is dangerous as a slot receiver and in the return game. The tight ends will have to develop as the season moves along.
The Husker offensive line is experienced with depth across the board. Spencer Long (6-4, 315, Sr.) is an All-American candidate at guard. Jeremiah Sirles (6-6, 310, Sr.) is a solid tackle and the Huskers have game-tested talent all along the front line.
The defense is young across the board. Jason Ankrah (6-4, 265, Sr.) has to be a leader at defensive end. On the other side Randy Gregory (6-6, 235, Jr.) can be a difference maker as a pass rusher. Other key members of the defense are Thad Randle (6-1, 290, Sr.), at tackle David Santos (6-0, 225, So.) as a middle linebacker and Ciante Evans (5-11, 190, Sr.) at cornerback. The best unit is the secondary and the linebackers have more athletic ability than Nebraska fans have seen in the recent past.
The kicking game is untested. Turner and Bell are likely to be the punt and kickoff returners. Mauro Bondi (6-0, 205, So.) and Pat Smith (5-11, 185, Sr.) are battling for the kicking job. Sam Foltz (6-1, 200, Fr.) appears to have won the punting job. The Huskers must mature in this phase of the game if they are to compete for a championship.
Now its time for a look at my thoughts for each game before the start of the season.
Nebraska should move past a young Wyoming defense and you can look for my full preview of this game later this week.
The Huskers will be be solid against a transitioning team from Southern Mississippi that will be better defensively than they were a year ago. Nebraska could gain a lot of confidence in the first two weeks.
UCLA is a critical test in week three. Playing at home in an early kickoff favors the Huskers in what could be a wild contest. I like the Huskers by a touchdown in the best game of the early season.
South Dakota State is a fundamentally sound team that will be over matched in another Big Red victory.
Nebraska will open the conference with what should be a big win against a very soft Illinois team. The Purdue game is the first one away from Lincoln. The Boilermakers are not ready for a team with Nebraska's offensive talent. The Big Red will start conference play 3-0 after another big win over Minnesota.
The rest of the schedule is much more challenging. Nebraska will need to take care of the ball against Northwestern. The Wildcats will be tough but the Big Red will win a tight game at home.
Michigan will be a game Nebraska would have to play error free to win. I believe the Wolverines will win a big contest over the Huskers. Michigan State is not consistent enough offensively to win in Lincoln. Penn State will be a last minute type of game. Depth will be key in a game that I will pick Nebraska. The Huskers will top Iowa to close the regular season.
The Huskers will make the Big Ten Championship and drop a decision to Ohio State. The Buckeyes likely will play for the National Championship. A Rose Bowl game against a team like Oregon or Stanford will be tough and I believe closing the season 11-3 makes 2013 a successful year.
Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze.
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