HANC
New member
Okay. I know that most on the board think we should drop a nuclear bomb on Memorial stadium and basically call off football for the unforeseen future. Although very frustrated, I am not one of those guys. He is my premature outlook on 2021. Maybe a little optimistic, but I don't think it could be too far off base.
Offensive prediction:
Smothers will be the starting QB, with Martinez staying on board as a team captain and leader. He and Frost have a father/son relationship and he will get his degree here. He also knows that rarely does a team make it through the season without needing a quality backup. Plus, with his passing deficiencies, not sure where he would go to find a great deal of success immediately. I will go out on a limb and say that McCaffery stays but move to slot back and replaces WanDale (who will be at Kentucky). The QB experiment is running out of time, and he knows his only shot at the next level will be at a slot. RB is still a concern. 3 of the 5 starters are still very young on the oline. projects that will continue to get better (noticed I didn't say "develop", since that term is not allowed on the board). Betts will take over as the bigger bodied WR and be the focal point with McCaffery in the slot. Hopefully Manning pans out, but can't count on that. At TE, Allen accepts Fidone challenge and at 6'8 becomes a massive force for us, and Fidone sees time as a true freshman.
Overall: Offense could be slight upgrade, but losing Robinson and with suspect play calling, may be status quo
Defensive prediction;
Chins is a lightening rod on board. I for one am NOT a fan. I will though, reluctantly say that I do see improvement. I truly think that our front 4 that will return will be very solid. Robinson will be a beast, who will be faced with a decision after next season. Combined with Rogers, Thomas, and Daniels this could be our best front in awhile. I am going to be a little optimistic at LB. I like the look of Reimer, Nelson, Henrich....these guys play with their hair on fire and are young. Yes, they make youthful mistakes, but these kids are homegrown and will bleed out for the program. They have shown flashes. Don't be suprised if Honas doesn't entertain another year, with hopes of turning nfl heads (late round). Combine Tannor in his 3-4 year as a starter and Payne in year 2, I think we will be faster and more athletic at this position. The back half of the defense is the concern. Will guys like Farmer, NPG, Newsome cut the mustard.
Overall: I think the front 7 will be as good as it has been in a few years.
Special teams Prediction
Who the heck knows. I am 51 and sure I can punt more consistently that what we have seen. We will miss Culp as he was much needed this year.
Schedule:
A pessimist can and does say that losing so many close games is a sign of a bad team and poor coaching. Very easy to do in this scenario (not saying that this thought is wrong). An optimist will say that so many 1 score games is a sign of a young team almost turning the corner. I do think you will see Nebraska winning a few of these type of games, and yes, losing some.
Illinois loses a TON on defense and bringing in a new coach........Winnable
Buffalo: loses about 90% of offensive firepower, but will depend on if Patterson (fb) declares for nfl......Winnable (not because of MAC school, but losses on offense)
Oklahoma: NO CHANCE
Michigan state: still youthful and growing. Same boat we are in. We will see which coach (another debate) can win.....toss up
Ohio State: NO CHANCE
Northwestern: home game. NW finally losses linebackers. Game we could have gotten this year.....toss up
Purdue: Lose the least, but one of those guys is top in Big 10...... if we lose to this team 3 years in a row, SF should walk home, which shouldn't be Lincoln.....winnable
Michigan: Home game against team some on this board are wanting to play this year... toss up
Iowa: Home game. Always close. The lose firepower, especially on defense. .... want to say toss up due to last 2 years
Wisconsin: Home game. This team isn't good this year, but really hasn't gotten a fair shake due to covid..... more than likely loss
Minnesota: Again, Ibriham (sp) is gone. Huge weapon. We couldn't beat them depleted....still a toss up
Forgot Southwest Louisiana: winnable
that is 4 winnable
that is 5 toss up.....let's say we win 2 (conservative), but yet very optimistic based on recent results
that is 2 NO CHANCE
that is 1 more than likely a loss
6-6 ?? Fair enough. Is that good enough for SF or it is one foot out the door? Or all the way out?
Offensive prediction:
Smothers will be the starting QB, with Martinez staying on board as a team captain and leader. He and Frost have a father/son relationship and he will get his degree here. He also knows that rarely does a team make it through the season without needing a quality backup. Plus, with his passing deficiencies, not sure where he would go to find a great deal of success immediately. I will go out on a limb and say that McCaffery stays but move to slot back and replaces WanDale (who will be at Kentucky). The QB experiment is running out of time, and he knows his only shot at the next level will be at a slot. RB is still a concern. 3 of the 5 starters are still very young on the oline. projects that will continue to get better (noticed I didn't say "develop", since that term is not allowed on the board). Betts will take over as the bigger bodied WR and be the focal point with McCaffery in the slot. Hopefully Manning pans out, but can't count on that. At TE, Allen accepts Fidone challenge and at 6'8 becomes a massive force for us, and Fidone sees time as a true freshman.
Overall: Offense could be slight upgrade, but losing Robinson and with suspect play calling, may be status quo
Defensive prediction;
Chins is a lightening rod on board. I for one am NOT a fan. I will though, reluctantly say that I do see improvement. I truly think that our front 4 that will return will be very solid. Robinson will be a beast, who will be faced with a decision after next season. Combined with Rogers, Thomas, and Daniels this could be our best front in awhile. I am going to be a little optimistic at LB. I like the look of Reimer, Nelson, Henrich....these guys play with their hair on fire and are young. Yes, they make youthful mistakes, but these kids are homegrown and will bleed out for the program. They have shown flashes. Don't be suprised if Honas doesn't entertain another year, with hopes of turning nfl heads (late round). Combine Tannor in his 3-4 year as a starter and Payne in year 2, I think we will be faster and more athletic at this position. The back half of the defense is the concern. Will guys like Farmer, NPG, Newsome cut the mustard.
Overall: I think the front 7 will be as good as it has been in a few years.
Special teams Prediction
Who the heck knows. I am 51 and sure I can punt more consistently that what we have seen. We will miss Culp as he was much needed this year.
Schedule:
A pessimist can and does say that losing so many close games is a sign of a bad team and poor coaching. Very easy to do in this scenario (not saying that this thought is wrong). An optimist will say that so many 1 score games is a sign of a young team almost turning the corner. I do think you will see Nebraska winning a few of these type of games, and yes, losing some.
Illinois loses a TON on defense and bringing in a new coach........Winnable
Buffalo: loses about 90% of offensive firepower, but will depend on if Patterson (fb) declares for nfl......Winnable (not because of MAC school, but losses on offense)
Oklahoma: NO CHANCE
Michigan state: still youthful and growing. Same boat we are in. We will see which coach (another debate) can win.....toss up
Ohio State: NO CHANCE
Northwestern: home game. NW finally losses linebackers. Game we could have gotten this year.....toss up
Purdue: Lose the least, but one of those guys is top in Big 10...... if we lose to this team 3 years in a row, SF should walk home, which shouldn't be Lincoln.....winnable
Michigan: Home game against team some on this board are wanting to play this year... toss up
Iowa: Home game. Always close. The lose firepower, especially on defense. .... want to say toss up due to last 2 years
Wisconsin: Home game. This team isn't good this year, but really hasn't gotten a fair shake due to covid..... more than likely loss
Minnesota: Again, Ibriham (sp) is gone. Huge weapon. We couldn't beat them depleted....still a toss up
Forgot Southwest Louisiana: winnable
that is 4 winnable
that is 5 toss up.....let's say we win 2 (conservative), but yet very optimistic based on recent results
that is 2 NO CHANCE
that is 1 more than likely a loss
6-6 ?? Fair enough. Is that good enough for SF or it is one foot out the door? Or all the way out?
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