Abdullah 2014 Rushing yards estimate

[HuskerNationNick]

We did this last year, and there were quite a few doubters. Well, lets say there were more than quite a few. The poll last year, was do you think Abdullah hits 1500 yards. He ended up getting 190 more than that, finishing off at 1690 yards for the season, and that was with a depleted offensive line for a good portion of the season.

So now, with whats suppose to be a more of a dominate line, do you think he will hit 1500 yards again?

 

[HuskerNationNick]

Here is my answer, I think he hits it and exceeds it.

There are a few reasons why I think this will happen.

• Its Abdullah's senior season, he will be running and fighting to get/stay in the Heisman race. He will also carry this team to get us to in contention with going to Indy.
• Abdullah, again, will be our workhorse. Do I agree with this? Yes I do, because its what he will want, and he will ask for it. I also don't think we have another back here that has proven he can do what Abdullah has done.
• Our schedule is favorable for this to happen as well, and the biggest reason why I believe it can be done.

If Abdullah can stay healthy, get a good lead in yards on an average amount of carries, he could exceed it. I did a write up last year on where he could be at the end of the season and I was pretty close. Lets see if I can do a similar breakdown this year. From the looks of the schedule, he could have 100+ yards for all 12 games.

FAU- 130 yards. Not a good rush defense. Offensive line will have an in-game learning curve here.

McNeese State- 150 yards, weak rush defense, and I believe he could have this done by the beginning of the 4th. (280 yards)

Fresno St- 130 yards. Rush defense also not very good. (410 yards)

Miami- 100 yards. I think their rush defense will be pretty decent, and I am going to just say 100, just to kind of be favorable to how we have played on national TV and give Miami (510 yards)

Illinois- 170 yards. He had 225 last year. I won't give him that many, but I don't see why it couldn't happen again. (680 yards)

Michigan St- 90 yards. MSU has yet to stop our run, but I am going to give them the edge, since its at home. It could very well be more than that, but its MSU and we always play a close game with them. (770 yards)

Northwestern- 130 yards. They are going to be a rebuilding team with a lack of depth. They will get tired and Abdullah will easily have a 100+ game. (900 yards)

Rutgers- 120 yards. Just because. I don't really care to look at their stats, but I know they weren't good and they don't look to be getting any better. (1020 yards)

Purdue- 110 yards. If I remember right, they lose a couple DL, but we should start to show dominance up front by now. Abdullah will be cut short on attempts. (1130 yards)

Wisconsin- 80 yards- They seem to always have a pretty good rush defense, and until proven otherwise, they have a good chance in keeping that tradition there. (1210 yards)

Minnesota- 140 yards. They lose Hageman, their biggest key. Their only key IMO. Breakout game from Wisconsin? (1450 yards)

Iowa- 100 yards. We seem to have issues against Iowa, as they have a pretty stout rush defense year in and year out. Despite them losing almost everyone up front, I think its going to come to a ground game due to weather/cold like usual. (1550 yards)

CCG-??? No idea, If so this just adds onto 1550 yards, but not a guarantee game.

Bowl game- Pretty much a guarantee to land one. Give 100 to whoever we face? (1650 yards)

 

[Landlord]

I don't think it was being a 'doubter' to think Ameer wouldn't get 1500 because that belief was predicated upon the assumption that we would have a healthy Taylor Martinez. I don't think there's any way Ameer gets close to the same touches and yards with Taylor leading the backfield.

That being said, Ameer's numbers will be highly dependent on Tommy's development or lack thereof. I think that Ameer will end the season with about 1,300 or so.

 

[husker B-rent]

I could see him breaking 2000 unless injured.

 

[Scratchtown]

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Abdullah with 200 yards in 3 of those first 5 games, with at least a 100 in the other 2.

 

[HeyBurke]

Ameer has the ability to easily gain at least 1500 yards, but I don't think he will. There's too much talent in that running back stable, and if everyone stays healthy, Ameer shouldn't have to run the ball that much. If he runs as much as he did last year, though, I could see him getting to 1800-1900 yards.

 

[True2tRA]

1456 yards.

 

[HuskerNationNick]

Ameer has the ability to easily gain at least 1500 yards, but I don't think he will. There's too much talent in that running back stable, and if everyone stays healthy, Ameer shouldn't have to run the ball that much. If he runs as much as he did last year, though, I could see him getting to 1800-1900 yards.

Sure we have talent in the backfield, but how much of it is proven? How much is proven to be an every down back? Cross has yet to prove it, and has proved just to be a bruiser. Newby has had ok times, but nothing provable. Taylor has yet to play a collegiate snap. If I remember right, we were saying the same thing last year, and Abdullah got most of the carries.

Abdullah shouldn't have to, but what's great, is we can put in Newby or Cross in when he feels to he needs a rest. I think this is a reason why we never really saw him wear down, and helps him stay "fresh". We shouldn't run him that much, but if he is fresh and wants to, give the kid the rock. Let him leave his Senior year the way he wants to (if he is absolutely healthy).

 

[Scratchtown]

Ameer has the ability to easily gain at least 1500 yards, but I don't think he will. There's too much talent in that running back stable, and if everyone stays healthy, Ameer shouldn't have to run the ball that much. If he runs as much as he did last year, though, I could see him getting to 1800-1900 yards.

When he starts getting close to breaking school records...you'll see his carries increase. Think about that. Pelini can use that as a selling point to recruits, and at a program like Nebraska with all the storied backs to come from here.

Ameer will have a "heisman-like" campaign.

 

[Abdullah the Butcher]

I have to think Cross and Newby are going to get more carries, especially in the non con. I don't see how Ameer passes 1500 this year unless he goes nuts in conference play.

 

[HeyBurke]

Ameer has the ability to easily gain at least 1500 yards, but I don't think he will. There's too much talent in that running back stable, and if everyone stays healthy, Ameer shouldn't have to run the ball that much. If he runs as much as he did last year, though, I could see him getting to 1800-1900 yards.

Sure we have talent in the backfield, but how much of it is proven? How much is proven to be an every down back? Cross has yet to prove it, and has proved just to be a bruiser. Newby has had ok times, but nothing provable. Taylor has yet to play a collegiate snap. If I remember right, we were saying the same thing last year, and Abdullah got most of the carries.

Abdullah shouldn't have to, but what's great, is we can put in Newby or Cross in when he feels to he needs a rest. I think this is a reason why we never really saw him wear down, and helps him stay "fresh". We shouldn't run him that much, but if he is fresh and wants to, give the kid the rock. Let him leave his Senior year the way he wants to (if he is absolutely healthy).

I agree with you. The only "proven" RB outside of Ameer is Imani, and I don't know if I would call him proven. There just seems to be too much talent for Ameer to be running and putting up ridiculous yards, though. I hope he does, because I think he has a legit shot at the Heisman.

 

[Landlord]

How much is proven to be an every down back?

We already have an every down back in Ameer so none of the backups need to be proven every down backs

 

[zoogs]

I think he's going to get close, in the 1400 area.

We have a stable of RB talent, and a good deal of that is young. There's an opportunity to develop Adam Taylor and Terrell Newby and prepare for one or both to take center stage next season, and Imani Cross is a hammer. Very impressive runner, and at this point, a reliable veteran I think they would trust giving carries to. I think Ameer will stay reasonably healthy, but a few dings and issues over the haul of the season is going to cause them to make sure not to run him into the ground, and he might have to take a light workload for a few games.

Still, he's our most reliable threat on offense and a hell of a baller. We're going to have to lean on him to produce yards, and that plus his propensity for averaging pretty high YPC is going to get close to or just above 1400. I could see him getting 220 to 270 carries (16 to 18 per game, on average) at a clip of 5.5 - 6.0 YPC.

 

[HuskerNationNick]

How much is proven to be an every down back?

We already have an every down back in Ameer so none of the backups need to be proven every down backs

What in the hell are you talking about? This was stated because someone said he won't get there because of the talent we have in that position. In order for carries to be taken away, a significant amount, don't you need ANOTHER PROVEN every down back? Outside of Cross, who is only a short yard/relief RB, who else is there? Because Cross sure in the hell hasn't been that guy. I don't see Cross getting anymore carries than he got last year, unless there is an injury or he can be that guy that can be more than a relief/short yardage RB.