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.
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