Last season NW lost 9 games by an average difference of 24.4 points while the Huskers lost 9 games by an average of 5.8 per game! Does that mean anything this season except NW was miserable on defense last season? I think NW will be improved on D (could hardly be worse) but are a long way from being solid.
Anything can happen opening game but I really like our chances against this NW team. I predict a Husker win by at least 20 points.
I am certain we will be much more improved that NW in ST play, big plus right there.
We will be improved at WR in depth,talent, speed and technique.
At RB we will be improved in depth talent and speed.
O line is the question mark as is TE depth until Fidone suits up.
NW will be much more experienced from last year, likely better at WR where they sucked, question mark at QB, RB good, TE good and O line more experience.
Their D was pushed around in the ground game, more experience and more comfortable/better fit in scheme.
LB same, DB same.
While NW has much to gain through experience team wise overall, like us at QB they need to improve in game management but unlike us just talent at QB is vital which they need to improve.
Of course this is huge, will their QB show up/step up?
Will experience mean huge strides for their D without Hankwitz steady hand?
NW has unfamiliar questions to answer on D where that steady hand of Hankwitz had them in position, trusting their eyes and playing not thinking.
They havent been this questionable at QB in a long time.
I see huge advantages for us, as NW D has to be able to grow from that experience, and game one and putting up an unknown offense against that D is ideal.