#18 Nebraska Huskers

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Nebraska

Bo Pelini is entering his fifth year as the Husker’s head coach, and he’s hoping it’s his best season yet. After finishing third in the B1G Legends division last season, the Huskers have a tough road ahead of them again this season.

They enter the season with Junior quarterback Taylor Martinez and are hoping that he will pull out some T-Magic and propel the Huskers ahead of Michigan State and Michigan. Martinez will have Senior running back Rex Burkhead (1300 yards and 15 TDs in 2011) to take some of the rushing load off of his back, but rushing isn’t where Nebraska has had trouble in recent years. The receiving corps for the Huskers has struggled along with Martinez’s passing game with not one receiver having over 500 total yards last season. Entering a year where Michigan looks poised to make a run at the Big 10 title and Michigan State is returning eight defensive starters, the offense for Nebraska will determine how high they climb in the Big 10 standings.

Nebraska will be favored in most of their games, but face a tough schedule on the road playing at UCLA, Ohio State, Northwestern, Michigan State, and Iowa.

Why Nebraska should be ranked higher:
Pelini has proven that he can win at least nine games in both the Big 12 and the Big 10, and he has a great quarterback that, while he struggles at times, can make plays and keep them in games, but nine wins won’t win the Big 10 this year. Pelini’s defense will be solid and ready for the offenses in the Big 10 and they could be enough to move the Huskers up to the top spot in the Legends division.

Why Nebraska shouldn’t be ranked higher:
Taylor Martinez is extremely inconsistent at times, and while he has the ability to make big plays, he also makes big mistakes. The Nebraska receivers have been horrible, but that could also be attributed to Martinez lack of passing ability.

Returning Starters: 8 Offense / 8 Defense

Best games: Wisconsin, at Ohio State, Michigan, at Michigan State, at Iowa

2011 Total Offense: 66th

2011 Total Defense: 37th

2011 Turnover margin: 67th

Championship odds: 18:1

Projected record: 9 – 3

18. Nebraska, 19. Ohio State, 20. South Carolina, 21. Stanford, 22. Oklahoma State, 23. Boise State, 24. Cincinnati, 25. Notre Dame