11-1. Here's how we get there next year.

[Bleed Red]

QB - lack of depth; what are everyone's predictions if Martinez gets hurt?
Answer: Noah Vedral is a quality player, with the young man from Colorado has your 3rd QB, the QB position is as deep as any in the BiG.
RB - Washington isn't an "every down" Big 10 RB; need at least 2 or 3 for a solid rotation?
Answer: One of our freshman has to be Ahman Green equivalent, Jalyn Bradley has to stay on campus and be a contributor, perhaps even pull a Ziggy.
WR - lack of experience and depth; Spielman and who else?
Answer: Lots of speed but less so size with departure of Morgan. This opens up the use of our extremely talented tight ends. Expect to see the TE in the slot and down the seem a lot more in 2019. WR will be speed, speed, speed and coming from every direction. Spring ball will be important to get the redshirts going so that the incoming freshman are full go in the fall.
OL - C is a big one; are they pinning their hopes on two walk-ons?
Answer: Spring ball is everything. Someone has to be found here. Juco "walk on" is top rated Juco center in country, no scholarship due to grades, not lack of talent.
DL - warm bodies are nice; need at least 5 to step up.
Answer: Talent but is there a difference maker here, a Grant Wistrom because no 11-1 without a difference maker at DL and LB. The margins in games are too thin any more for just playing good to work, you need special players that create big plays (turnovers, sacks, TFL).
LB - lack of experience and depth; who are the 8 LBs that would make the 2-deep?
Answer: this is the biggest unknown in defense, as we are incredibly lacking in players with experience. Will we see a Juco or Grad transfer here?
DB - one safety with experience [unless you slide Domann back]
Answer: we have lots of DB's with experience and talent, just remains to be seen after Spring ball who plays where. I could see Lee sliding back to safety if needed for example.

Bottom line:

With difference makers on DL and LB we can hit OP's 11-1, but if we don't find those 2 or 3 players then the group we have for 2019 is more like 8-4 or 9-3 given the usual ups and downs of the season and injuries, etc.

GBR!

How are grades a factor between a scholarship and a walk on candidate. If he has the grades to get into school as a walk-on, he would have the grades to get admitted as a scholarship player. So, if grades truly are the difference, then counting on him to make it at all is probably unwise.

 

[Huskerthom]

How are grades a factor between a scholarship and a walk on candidate. If he has the grades to get into school as a walk-on, he would have the grades to get admitted as a scholarship player. So, if grades truly are the difference, then counting on him to make it at all is probably unwise.

Not true. Kids can actually get into college with a lower GPA than it takes to get a scholarship. NCAA dictates that you must have a minimum GPA in S to receive assistance at the Div1 or 2 levels. .

The minimum GPA varies based on your standardized test scores and which college division level you want to play.

For NCAA Divisions 1 and 2, the lowest you can possibly score is a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. If you have a 2.0 GPA you must score a combined 1010 on the critical reading and math sections of the SAT.

You can take the ACT exam instead of the SAT if you prefer. With a 2.0 GPA you must score a combined total of 86 points on the four sections of the ACT, English, math, science, and reading. The NCAA Eligibility Center doesn’t use the writing portion of either test when determining eligibility. Individual colleges, however, usually look at all sections during the admissions process.

https://www.athleticscholarships.net/question/minimum-gpa-to-get-a-scholarship
Technically a college could have lower standards for the general population.