What to Expect in the Opener
How often do you see a new head coach with a new starting quarterback walk into the first game of the season in Lincoln and walk out with a victory? The answer is probably something pretty close to never. That's the task that will face Southern Mississippi. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles face a Cornhusker team that features an entrenched head coach and a two-year starter at quarterback. A year ago, NU might have been a modest favorite in this contest at home. This year, it should be closer to two touchdowns.
Graduation not only cost USM their starting quarterback, but also their top two receivers. Their top running back will likely sit this year after a knee injury in the bowl game. Meanwhile, Nebraska brings back a dark horse Heisman candidate at running back and the top receiver.
Golden Eagle head coach Ellis Johnson built his career as a defensive coordinator, so it will likely be the defense that USM will hang its hopes on. Johnson was the architect of South Carolina's defense a year ago. While that might be a sobering thought to Husker fans, Johnson won't inherit the talent he had on defense with the Gamecocks.
Southern Miss quarterback Arsenio Favor will need to outplay Taylor Martinez and perhaps also Rex Burkhead in order for the Golden Eagles to have a chance in this one. Favor is a big dual-threat quarterback, similar in size to Minnesota's MarQueis Gray. Gray was a four-star recruit out of high school, sought after by schools like Oregon, Michigan State and Iowa. Favor chose Southern Mississippi over Western Kentucky and Arkansas State. Yet he'll need to outperform Gray against the Big Red to avoid a similar one-sided defeat, like the 41-14 pasting suffered by the Golden Gophers.
Johnson's troops may have a bit more fight, but a 28-14 loss might be the best that USM can hope for. Traditionally, these home openers have gone quite well for Nebraska and quite poorly for the opposition, even teams that were ranked the year before. There's not much reason to think that things will be different this time around. Still, facing any FBS team coming off of a 12-2 season is a more dramatic way to open the season than what Bo Pelini's teams have seen up to now.
6/25/2012
I think we need to absolutely blow these yea hoos out of the water and make a statement. This season is about making a statement…to our fans, to the B1G, to the college football world in general, and most of all to our team who could use a vote of confidence right about now after how the last 2 seasons have ended. If we roll into our first conference meeting (Wisconsin at home) with a full head of steam, having blown out everybody we’ve played, then roll over Wisconsin…that will send Bo’s message loud and clear…“we’re back and we’re here to stay”!
6/26/2012
I’m with you PE, making a big impression on our future opponents needs to be done. Whipping up on every team on our schedule this year would be great. Even more than that I would love to see our huskers jell and make a league wide statement that the huskers are really back and we’re ready for the big time. Regaining that swagger and keeping it would be perfect.
Maybe even bigger would be seeing TM grabbing the reins of the huskers and becoming the undisputed leader of the O. Being able to see him hitting the receiver, backs out of the back field and making wise and desirable choices on the field. When TM steps up and become our field general then the huskers will win and will win big time.
Come on TM it’s time.
6/26/2012
Favor injured his knee this spring, and reports suggest he was third on Southern Miss’ depth chart after spring practice. He may not even be ready to go at the start of fall practice. It’s a four-man race to be the starter, and right now, I think Favor is probably the least likely choice. Keep an eye on Anthony Alford, otherwise maybe Chris Campbell.
6/26/2012
“We’re back” is one thing….“here to stay” is quite another in todays college football. I would love to see it, but it’s a VERY tall order. Huskers should put a whoopin on Southern Miss.
6/26/2012
Anthony Alford is on Southern Miss? The guy that turned us down?
I read an article with Aaron Taylor, one of our great centers back in the early 90’s. He said at his recruitment, Tom Osborne said “I’ll make it easy on you. Either you can come to Nebraska and win with us, or you can go somepleace else and loose to us”. That’s recruiting. Mr Alford is going to get a rude awakening!
Mark from VA, this might be a huge year for TM. It’s all lining up. The chance is there and I think he takes a pretty serious step up. He is already the 6th leading passer in Husker history. Not saying much but…just sayin’ the guys already got records at Nebraska and has proven what he can do…be an explosive ground threat that can pass…not all that well but they’re working on it. Sometimes though when you get all the mechanics down and you start doing things right, good things just come. It looked good on film when Beck did the interview with Dinardo. I think Beck wants a passing game at heart, like ‘08 Kansas. They’re saying they want QB’s now that can throw and be athletic. I wonder if this is all going to take away from our traditional running game that we’re so strong in? Seems they’re heading that way.
Oldham,SD
6/27/2012
PE;
Well, that could be my friend. I hope it’s just talk.
I don’t like or want to be a “Kansas” offense. I sure hope that’s not true as it takes great pocket passing qbs to hack that and you’ve got the whole nation fighting for the best of those. I highly, highly doubt we’re ever gonna out-recruit USC, Alabama, Texas, etc for the Joe Namath, Ken Stabler, Dan Marino type guys. Especially not consistently.
Then add to that our WR’s famous ability to drop passes everywhere and it just seems like a 1000 to 1 shot to me.
Lastly, great passing qbs who are also great running threats in the real world almost don’t exist. They’re as rare as an honest politician. For every Cheesehead qb like Wilson, there’s a zillion H. Becks out there. Also, Wilson was great for “one” year who also had possibly the best Oline in the nation AND terrific rbs to take the pressure off.
Again, I hope it’s not true. Kansas hasn’t done squat before or since T. Reesing. Tim Beck, just say no.
Run the ball, stop the run, win the game.
6/27/2012
bshirt, Russell Wilson was a stud throughout his college career. In 3 years at NC State he threw for over 8500 yards, 76 TDs and only 26 INTs. That doesn’t count the 3000+ yards and 30+ TDs he had with Wisky. He only had roughly 1400 yards rushing in 4 years. I’d say he was a passing QB who could run when needed. That makes him the exact opposite of T-Magic and not necessarily a true dual threat QB.
Back on point, I don’t think it will matter who USM has at QB in the season opener. They won’t have enough firepower to hang with us for 4 quarters. Like Steve said, we have an excellent record in season openers at home. We shouldn’t have any problem winning by 2 or more TDs.
Oldham,SD
6/27/2012
I stand humbly correctly regarding his production at NC State as it’s such a lousy program I didn’t give it much attention. His three years there had two losing seasons & one good season (9-4). I guess it flew under my radar. Yes, you’re right that he was a stud and a great player.
7/3/2012
Nebraska should have little trouble w/ Southern Miss, especially in Lincoln. The Saturday Edge did a good write-up on their 2012 season win totals: http://www.saturdayedge.com/2342/2012-college-football-win-totals-nebraska-cornhuskers/ and gave the Golden Eagles very little chance to win.
However, the Big 10 road is far more difficult this year. After the way Nebraska capitulated at Wisconsin and Michigan last year, games @ OSU, MSU and even Northwestern look daunting.