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Nebraska Cornhuskers 2006 Football Preview:
One Nation, Under Red
By Big12-Fans Writer Brandon Reese
The Big Red Nation is getting antsy. There’s confidence abound, but it’s the apprehensive sort, more hopeful than arrogant, about possibilities rather than certainties. It seems crazy to say, but it’s been since 1999, six full seasons, since those vaunted Huskers won the North, much less the conference. That hasn’t wavered the Red Nation though. The Shuckers’ belief in Big Red is a powerful thing, and this year could be the year they return to the throne in the North.
Let’s face it, Nebraska is the frontrunner in the North. They should be. This is a deep, mature squad, full of upperclassmen and performers in the third year of Bill Callahan’s No Coast implementation. Quarterback Zac Taylor is a strong starter, more than capable controlling the offense and keeping his mistakes to a minimum. Sophomores Cody Glenn and Marlon Lucky will split time in the backfield and expect to revive Nebraska’s AWOL rushing attack. Also returning is receiver Nate Swift. Swift led the team in receptions, yards, yards per reception, and showed a keen ability to haul in balls in traffic. Terrence Nunn and Frantz Hardy will help to stretch the field, with a battery of young receivers looking to crack into the rotation. Tight End Matt Herian is expected to shake things up as he returns from a Theismann-like leg injury. On potential alone, he’s made the list of many preseason All Big 12 lists, and with sure hands and an innate physicality, everyone is looking for big things from the senior. If the offense has anything shaky about it, it’s on the offensive line. At this early time in the season, this group has the potential to be second only to Texas in its ability. Until that potential is fulfilled, this is a young unit anchored by Outland hopeful Kurt Mann and senior Greg Austin.
If the offense wasn’t enough to look forward to, the defense should be. Ola Dagunduro’s push is almost as hard to block as his name is hard to pronounce. He’ll be expected to get penetration with cohort Barry Cryer. A daunting task will be keeping this set of ends from the quarterback. Preseason All American Adam Carriker and senior Jay Moore get in the backfield fast and play tough off the edge. Of course, the primary job of this line is to keep the real stars free. The Huskers will field one of the finest groups of linebackers in the history of the conference. Lance Brandenburgh, Steve Octavien and Corey McKeon are all healthy, with Octavien and McKeon coming off injuries last year. They can run two deep at the position with strong backups in Dontrell Moore and Andy Kadavy and Phillip Dillard allowing the Huskers to keep fresh legs on the field at any time. The defensive backfield will need to come together quickly, as it’s the most vulnerable piece on this side of the ball. Former cornerback Tierre Green will move to safety with Andrew Shanle. Neither has an interception over their career. Cortney Grixby and senior Zackary Bowman will man the corner spots with only three career interceptions between them.
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Top to bottom, Nebraska will field the most potential in the North this year. That said, I don’t think Bill Callahan has fielded a poor set of players in his time there. His teams appear unmotivated at times, and play to the strength of the opponent. Come the end of the season though, that could all be in the past. The Huskers will have a shot at both combatants in last year’s national championship Rose Bowl, with USC following Nicholls State and La Tech. They bring Troy State to Lincoln, and open the conference slate with Kansas at home and trips to Iowa State and Kansas State. Texas will be tough, even in Lincoln, and could expose some wounds for North contender Missouri, but it’s likely Nebraska’s fate will be known six weeks into the season. I would certainly expect this Husker squad to fight tooth and nail with Iowa State and Missouri for the division, and likely emerge as the representative in the Big 12 Championship game. This team doesn’t have the firepower to contend nationally yet, but they’ll definitely make a splash in their division.
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