Campbell Named So Miss Starter

Perhaps this is sleight of hand, but you tend to believe that the Golden Eagles don't want to put a true freshman on the field at quarterback in front of a packed stadium on the road to open the season. So the Southern Mississippi probably made the safest pick they could by naming Chris Campbell their starting quarterback. Still, as a Husker fan you can't help but feel like you dodged a bullet a little bit, since dual-threat player Anthony Alford won't get the start.

 

Look at the history of Bo Pelini's teams against pocket passers. With the exception of Texas Tech and Oklahoma, two very impressive offensive programs over the years, you don't see him lose to teams with pocket passers. When he did, it's because those passers were coupled with some major playmakers. Michael Crabtree, DeMarco Murray, Jermaine Gresham, Chris Brown, Ryan Broyles, etc. You don't see a player like that on the Southern Mississippi roster.

That's not to say the game will necessarily be easy. Southern Mississippi is always a good defensive team. They are capable of generating points with their defense. Head coach Ellis Johnson has shown that he can prepare a team to face this Husker offense.

But in this environment, in Johnson's first game as head coach and Campbell's first start, it's hard to see things going real well for the Golden Eagles. Maybe Anthony Alford could have put on a show like Kain Colter. Instead, expect him to look more like Kirk Cousins did in Lincoln. Confused, frustrated, and ultimately ineffective.