The numbers Martinez has put as a frosh/soph are simply amazing. Just imagine what he would do next year if he had a solid offensive line and WRs that could catch the ball.
This is right on the money. If you gave Martinez the line that Frazier, Frost, Crouch had, we'd be singing his praises. The past QBs could get away with completion % in the 40s because of the dominant nature of the rest of the offense. Nebraska gains 8 on 1st down after pummeling the opposing Dline making it 2nd and 2. Next play they take a shot down field and don't get it. Too bad, so sad. 3rd and 2 they turn around and hand off or run behind a superior Oline, getting the first down. This trend continued most of the game. Doesn't lead to great passing stats, but the Huskers win the game and usually won big.
Now, today. Martinez hands off or runs for a gain of <2, making it 2nd and long. On 2nd and 2, they run again for a gain of <2 yards, making it 3rd and long. This is a obvious passing down, which makes it more difficult for Martinez to be successful through the air. Had 1st and 2nd down been more fruitful, it opens up the playbook a little more.
In summation, Nebraska of old passed because they WANTED to, now Nebraska passes because they HAVE to, mostly due to a lack of play by the guys up front.
I'm not saying that Martinez is better than the other QBs mentioned, but I have a hard time believing that any of the QBs mentioned would be much more successful with the personnel/schemes that Taylor has to work with.
Also, don't forget how poorly the D has played this year, which certainly doesn't make it any easier on a QB or an offense as a whole (I understand that the D's problems may stem from lack of ball control on O, but that's not the point of this thread).