Finally the first game is here! Should be a fun game and really it won't be a gimmee. Nebraska's offense will go against a defense that beat Iowa last year and has eleven starters back. Nebraska's offense should be improved with a strong defensive line and the return of Joe Ganz. NU has a lot of depth at running back also.
Look to a closer game than most expect! Also the game may be somewhat low scoring. NU 27-Western Michigan 10. What is your prediction for the score????
The Big 12 has some interesting non-conference games coming up. NU plays it whole non-conference schedule at home which is huge. Its big game is Virginia Tech at home. Missouri also plays their non-conference schedule at home.
Here's the non-conference schedules for the other Big 12 schools.
Baylor
@ Wake Forest
Northwestern State
Washington State
at Connecticut
Iowa State
South Dakota St. (Don't say anything. We play them next year)
Kent State
at Iowa
At UNLV
Colorado
Colorado St.
Eastern Washington
West Virginia
@Florida State
Missouri
Illinois
SE Missouri St
Nevada
Buffalo
Oklahoma
Chattanooga
Cincinnati
@ Washington
TCU
Oklahoma St.
@Washington State
Houston
Missouri State
Troy
Texas
Florida Atlantic
@UTEP
Arkansas
Rice
Kansas
Florida International
Louisiana Tech
@South Florida
Sam Houston St.
K-State
North Texas
Montana St
@ Louisville
Louisiana/Lafayette
Texas A & M
Arkansas State
@ New Mexico
Miami (Fla)
Army
Texas Tech
Eastern Washington
@ Nevada
Southern Methodist
Massachusetts
I give the easiest schedule to Texas Tech. It can't get much easier than that. Playing at Nevada will be their toughest non-conference opponent. Oklahoma St. has a pretty easy schedule with Washington State, away, being their toughest game. The third easiest schedule could be Oklahoma playing Washington, away. Iowa St. has a pud home schedule during non-conference but has to go to Iowa to play. Usually the underdog wins that game so Iowa State could be undefeated after non-schedule games. Texas has Arkansas at home but should win. NU has a test with Virginia Tech at home. Western Michigan won't be easy either. Baylor has one tough non-conference game @Wake Forest.
The toughest non-conference schedule in 2008 is with Colorado. They play West Virginia at home and play Florida St. away.
The Big 12 should have a 80% winning percentage after the non-conference season. Look for some lower Big 12 teams to be undefeated after the first four games.
Hey and I am not sold on Missouri YET! This writer thinks they will struggle against Illinois early. They will probably pull the game out but don't be surprised if...........they just win by a field goal.
This writer thinks Texas may be the most underrated Big 12 team and they will give Oklahoma and Texas Tech all they want in the South Division.
9 comments:
NE 27 Western Michigan 17
How would you characterize Nebraska's offense? They aren't running the West Coast this year. Is it some sort of spread, I Formation, Pro I, etc.? Sorry for the question, I couldn't find a contact email address.
John, you can answer better than this but I heard they are calling it the Midwest Offense instead of the Westcoast Offense.
How would characterize the Midwest Offense? Is it like the West Coast Offense?
The coaches actually call it the Nebraska Offense. They don't want to call it the West Coast offense. Shawn Watson is still our offensive coordinator. The offense will be similar to last year but they will run more. It sounds like they have made it simpler if that is possible. I think we will see many different formations. They may start the Western Michigan game running the option. They will run the I formation and I think the power I due to the number of good backs we have this year. They will at times run the zone read, spread, and west coast. Mostly though it will look similar to last year with less motion.
Todd
How do you see the Arkansas and Texas A & M game this weekend. How is Mike Sherman adapting at A & M? Is Arkansas going to be a Top 25 team?
I think that Texas A&M is playing Arkansas State. You can read the preview of A&M provided by The Red Zone Report here: http://collegefootballtopten.com/2008/08/20/texas-tour-texas-am/.
As far as A&M goes, I think they are a mystery. It seems that Stephen McGee is more comfortable playing in the West Coast. Lane is probable for the game. I actually think that Arkansas State may present some problems for A&M with a new coaching system. They have the ability to surprise even though they are not consistent. They took Texas to the wire last year.
If Arkansas wins 8 or 9 games, they might make the top 25. I think they will get 7 or 8, though I haven't really broken down their schedule. They will win some games they shouldn't b/c the offense will be so unpredictable in Petrino's system. Their defense is a huge question mark. They have really lost a lot of good players the last couple of years. Their linebacker group has lost players to injury and suspension. The coaches will run more zone than the Hogs did under previous DC Reggie Herring. That will help their pass defense a lot. If Antwain Robinson and the D Line gets pressure, then the defense might be fine. For the best in coverage on the hogs, check out WholeHogSports.com and Razorbloggers.net.
FYI, Arkansas State is now the Red Wolves. They changed that from the Indians per NCAA request.
I am working on an article that discusses what teams run the spread offense. That is why I was asking about the Nebraska offense. I appreciate the clarification too. The article is more time consuming than I had imagined it would be. I hope to have it done in the next couple of weeks. It looks like it will be in at least three parts. Part one is already posted.
Todd
Thanks for the great information . I am looking forward to reading your website this year. Keep in touch!
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