SI Mailbag: What Are Realistic Short-Term Expectations for Nebraska?

[Nebfanatic]

Callahan recruited a game changer like Sub.  I don't see that on this roster.  Also, this schedule is more brutal than what pelini had to face hid first year.  

You're just looking for reasons to be pessamistic. We have alot of talent on the roster. No one knew Suh was a game changer to that extent until Pelini came along. Riley did not let the talent level slip so I guarentee there are some undiscovered gamechangers on the roster.

 

[Saunders]

Callahan recruited a game changer like Sub.  I don't see that on this roster.  Also, this schedule is more brutal than what pelini had to face hid first year.  

1.) Suh was... not good in 2007. He was developed into a monster.

2.) Source? Our SOS in 2008 was top 20 in multiple metrics, with 3 top 10 teams on the schedule.

 

[Redux]

i don't expect 6-6...but i it happens i won't be calling for scott to be fired.   does that make me apethetic?

so if 6-6 happens and if it is totally unacceptable...you will be leading the charge to have scott fired? 

I said exactly the opposite of that.  People are jumping on the literal definition of the word acceptable.  I'm using it as a measuring stick, not as an ultimatum.  I understand why people are taking an issue with it, but it's pretty stupid when I've explained my meaning.

Is 6-6 reasonable?  Sure

Is 6-6 "acceptable"  Sure

Is 6-6 a good mark of improvement?  Hell no

 

[Saunders]

You're just looking for reasons to be pessamistic. We have alot of talent on the roster. No one knew Suh was a game changer to that extent until Pelini came along. Riley did not let the talent level slip so I guarentee there are some undiscovered gamechangers on the roster.

Suh 2007:

Suh 2009:

It's about recruiting and development.

 

[huskerfan333157]

Kind of?

Of the 12 regular season opponents on our schedule, only Ohio State and Michigan out recruit us. It's the same thing I've been saying for a few years. We aren't developing players like other programs.

It takes longer than one spring and summer to develop them, especially with a new scheme.  Also, our last coaching staff didn't do a good job developing the talent.  It will take longer than 6 months to correct the last coaching staff's mistakes 

 

[Redux]

Michigan State returns a lot.  Michigan returns a lot.  Purdue will be better (Brohm is a pretty good coach). Wisconsin still has their whole oline and Taylor returnin.  Iowa may be s little words, I'm not sure.  Minnesota will be better, Ohio State might take a slim step back.

Michigan State will not be better

Michigan is going to flop around like a fish

Purdue is still Purdue and should never scare or worry us ever

Wisvonsin won 13 games last year, they won't do that again

Iowa will not beat us thi year

Minnesota will be improved but still beatable

Ohio State will be worse but still better than us

This is my prediction, you don't have to like it

 

[junior4949]

Callahan recruited a game changer like Sub.  I don't see that on this roster.  Also, this schedule is more brutal than what pelini had to face hid first year.  

I was going to point this out as well.  Who on our roster is the next Suh?  Plus, Bo got the benefit of having a seasoned QB in 08'.  No matter who plays QB in 18', they will have very little to zero experience at this level.  Watson was held over from the previous staff.  We don't have any hold overs on this staff.  Both the offense and the defense are going to be completely redone.  I'm in the camp that is in the wait and see mode.  Without knowing who leaves, quits, etc.; I'm not comfortable making predictions on the W/L record.  Who knows, maybe we have a couple of Suh type players on the roster that just weren't used properly under the last staff? 

 

[Saunders]

It takes longer than one spring and summer to develop them, especially with a new scheme.  Also, our last coaching staff didn't do a good job developing the talent.  It will take longer than 6 months to correct the last coaching staff's mistakes 

Maybe? But look at what Bo did in 2008. It's not impossible.

 

[teachercd]

1.) Suh was... not good in 2007. He was developed into a monster.

2.) Source? Our SOS in 2008 was top 20 in multiple metrics, with 3 top 10 teams on the schedule.

Oh man...my top 4 favorite NU players

WiNstron

Peters

Davidson

Sub

 

[yort2000]

You're just looking for reasons to be pessamistic. We have alot of talent on the roster. No one knew Suh was a game changer to that extent until Pelini came along. Riley did not let the talent level slip so I guarentee there are some undiscovered gamechangers on the roster.

Are you sure about that?

According to 247 sports and talent still on roster it slipped every year he was here.

https://247sports.com/Season/2017-Football/CollegeTeamTalentComposite

2015 - 24th

2016 - 26th

2017 - 29th

On top of that, after testing our guys, they had to decrease the winter workouts (in amount of time and weight (as a percent of max)) over what they did at UCF in their first year transition workouts. 

 

[HS_Coach_C]

I don't think it's even fair to be putting expectations on win totals for year 1.

This team was a disaster last year, even worse than the 4-8 record indicates.  This is a total rebuild from a culture standpoint, a work ethic standpoint, and a scheme standpoint.  The roster is also going to have a ton of new faces.

I think fair expectations for this year are playing hard, playing smart, playing together, and never giving up.

Do I think they can win 8 or 9 games, yes.  Do I expect it?  Not at all.  GIVE THE COACHES TIME.

No I'm not apathetic, I'm just not impatient.  I believe Frost will do great here, but he's also not a magical genie... that I know of.

 

[huskerfan333157]

If everybody just gets the same amount better every year why do they even play the games?  

1.  They have their scheme already implemented.  2.  The teams are returning most of the starters.  We are building from the ground up. 1.  We won't fully grasp our scheme the first year.  2.  We gotta change the mindset.  We have to deal with correcting the last coaching staff's mistakes.  Even Frost said we're still missing pieces.  

 

[Enhance]

Or what?

What will you do if he doesn't?

The problem with generic "he needs to produce" statements (like the one King made) is they can mean so many different things. And, it's the biggest reason this thread has rambled on for seven pages.

 

[yort2000]

1.) Suh was... not good in 2007. He was developed into a monster.

2.) Source? Our SOS in 2008 was top 20 in multiple metrics, with 3 top 10 teams on the schedule.

Except we didn't beat any of the good teams and our only wins over teams with winning records were Western Michigan 9-4 and Kansas (8-5, 4-4 in the Big12).

 

[huskerfan333157]

I'd throw Memphis in the equally talented category and Maryland in the more talented category. I'm not missing the point. This is a better roster than he had at UCF and every team in our division is less talented than us. Frost has work to do but he has more talent to work with now and while we do have tougher competition that doesn't seem to be a bother to Frost

So you think the kids will fully grasp the system and we have all the players we need to make the system successful?   Even Frost said we're missing some pieces.

 

[Nebfanatic]

Are you sure about that?

According to 247 sports and talent still on roster it slipped every year he was here.

https://247sports.com/Season/2017-Football/CollegeTeamTalentComposite

2015 - 24th

2016 - 26th

2017 - 29th

On top of that, after testing our guys they had to decrease the winter workouts (in amount of time and weight (as a percent of max)) over what they did at UCF in their first year transition workouts. 

I would attribute roster talent decreasing  in part to poor recruiting by Bo in his last year. Recruiting under Riley 2015-30 2016-26 2017-23. 2014 class was 35th.