To get a better look at what we should expect from Nebraska this weekend, we turned to our colleagues at Corn Nation for a Q&A. My responses to CN are available here.

1. So, four games into the Pelini era, what have we learned about Nebraska so far?

Blankman: This is clearly a rebuilding year for the program as a whole.  There is solid talent but I would argue that there is not the proper staff to coach every aspect of the team and perform other duties.  I think that Bo is finding his head coach identity and it’s going to take a year or two to truly find if it’s simply intensity that defines him.

 

Husker Mike:  Sadly, the coaching change hasn't corrected as many problems as we had hoped.  While our red zone defense has improved significantly, we still struggle with fundamentals.  On offense, we're way too inconsistent and struggle with running the ball.

 

Corn Blight: It’s going to be a tough road back and it isn’t going to happen all in a single season. I knew that already. I fear for the sanity of those who thought that the return of Tom Osborne and hiring Bo Pelini would automatically give us seven points to start the game. 

With regards to the team on the field, I’m disappointed that we’re not more physical than we are, and that particularly is true on the offensive line. I had hoped these guys would be monsters, and so far that’s not been the case. Apparently you can’t flush Bill Callahan’s influence in only a few games. 

 

I figured the secondary would be a work in progress, but I thought that our safeties would be fine.

2. What are the biggest lessons Nebraska took out of the home loss to Virginia Tech? What deficiencies exposed during the game worry you the most when it comes to matching up with Mizzou?

Blankman: If you want to beat Nebraska, put eight men in the box and throw on offense.

 

Husker Mike:  Several times, Nebraska's secondary couldn't cover Tech's young receivers.  Fortunately, Tech's Tyrod Taylor missed those wide-open receivers. Chase Daniel won't.

 

Corn Blight: There’s still a lot of work to do in the secondary, and there’s still a huge problem with consistency. Some of this is due to playing young guys and learning a new defense, but some of it is a lackadaisical attitude that hasn’t yet been cleansed from the program. 

3. The blueprint for slowing down Mizzou's offense is generating pressure with four down linemen. Do you expect Nebraska to be able to generate that kind of pressure?

Blankman: Not unless changes are made. Pierre Allen looked far too slow against Virginia Tech whereas Cameron Meredith appeared to look very fast and capable of playing from a linebacker or lineman’s spot.  If Meredith doesn’t get his fair share of snaps against Mizzou, someone’s got naked pictures.

 

Husker Mike:  One area where there is clear improvement on defense is on the defensive line.  Ndamakong Suh has been living up to his reputation, and Ty Steinkuhler has been a force as well. Zach Potter has continued his strong play from last season.  By that same manner, Nebraska hasn't faced an offense like Missouri's  yet.  But there is a glimmer of hope that the defensive line can get Daniel out of rhythm occasionally.

 

Corn Blight: Yes, I do. Ndamukong Suh has played pretty well (other than a costly penalty against VaTech), coming up with a couple sacks, an interception which was returned for a TD, and a forced fumble. I disagree with Blankman in that I think Pierre Allen has done decently for a young guy taking over for the injured Barry Turner. Allen is third in tackles and has a sack of his own. 

 

We could see more rotation on the front four so they’d stay fresher later in the game.  

(More questions after the jump)

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Part One.

Coastal Division

Virginia Tech (7-1)

Game-Changing Stats

• Pass Defense (particularly on Passing Downs)
• Defensive Points Per Play
• Q4 Rushing Offense
• Rushing Defense

Top Ranks

#1: Defensive 1st Down Passing S&P+
#1: Defensive 3rd Down Rushing S&P+
#1: Defensive 3rd Down Line Yards+
#2: Defensive Q1 S&P+, Defensive 2nd Down S&P+, Defensive 2nd Down Rushing S&P+

Bottom Ranks

#106: Offensive Q3 S&P+
#93: Offensive 2nd Down Passing S&P+
#92: Defensive Q2 Line Yards+
#91: Offensive Q3 Rushing S&P+

With the program Frank Beamer has established at this point, and with the current status of the ACC, how far do you think Virginia Tech is capable of falling in a given year?  However you answer that question, that's what you're predicting for the Hokies in '08, as they are damn near starting from scratch at many, many positions.  Twelve starters are gone, including the top RB, four top receivers, sacks leader, and top three tacklers.  Is Beamer Ball well-established enough that returning personnel doesn't really matter--they're going to win their division (or seriously threaten to) anyway?

We start on offense, where there's at least some continuity at QB...though you could make the case that there's a little too much continuity.  Both Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor return.  Combined, Syrod Glennlor went for 2700 passing yards, a 17-8 TD-INT ratio, and about 400 rushing yards.  As long as harmony is maintained, this can be a pretty decent QB duo, but you always have to worry about clashing egos here.  Meanwhile, 4 starting OL's return as well, including star guard Sergio Render, who has started 26 games in two years.  VT only ranked #54 in the country in Line Yards+, and they gave up a ridiculous 54 sacks as well, so it's not like the line is going to be fabulous, but it will need to be much better to compensate for the dearth of ability and experience at the non-QB skill positions.

At RB, the Hokies are in the middle of a mind-boggling 6-way race for the starting job.  Juniors Kenny Lewis and Jahre Cheeseman (and maybe RSFr Josh Oglesby) currently lead the battle to replace Branden Ore, who was dismissed in the spring, but was extremely overrated--read: 3.7 yards per carry in '07--anyway.  None of the candidates have been very impressive, and you can't figure VT improves much in the rushing game.  Meanwhile, the leading returning receiver (TE Sam Wheeler) had all of 15 catches a year ago.  With the running game being only decent, it's going to be up to guys like sophomore Zach Luckett (UPDATE, 8/18: Luckett has been suspended indefinitely, so...strike that name, I guess), freshman Jarrett Boykin, converted QB Ike Whitaker, and RSFr Danny Coale catching passes, and somebody needs to turn into a big-play threat.

So with an offense in disrepair, VT will rely on its defense to stay competitive.  Only, they have to replace three starters on the DL, two big-name LBs in Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall, and All-American CB Brandon Flowers.  There's still some star power here--CB Macho Harris, safety Kam Chancellor, possibly DE Orion Martin--and it's impossible to imagine a Frank Beamer team being even only above-average on D--but depth could be an issue.

Verdict: Like I said at the top, what's your answer to "It's impossible to imagine a Frank Beamer team being worse than ___"?  Because that's where they're going to finish this year.  They're proven at QB, RG...and that's about it.  But they're still going to have a chance at the Coastal Division title, because it's not like anybody else is going to run away with it.

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