Camp Opens: March 10
Spring Game: April 14
Nebraska is getting ready for year two in the Big Ten, and hoping to get over the four-loss hump. With a strong running game and special teams, as usual, the question will be whether or not they can win with their quarterback and up-and-down defense. With one of the more underrated schedules in September (Southern Mississippi, @ UCLA, Gus Malzahn and Arkansas State), getting off to a fast start this spring will be important for a team that could be anywhere from a Big Ten championship contender to an Outback Bowl participant.
Stability Factor (1 = chaos; 5 = rock solid): 3
Nebraska is bringing back eight starters on both sides of the football but that does not mean Nebraska is really standing on stable ground. Taylor Martinez remains a question mark on offense and the defense had their ups and downs last season as well.
Under the Microscope: Linebacker
Nebraska returns two starting linebackers in Sean Fisher and Will Compton, but the position is considered one of the most shallow in years in Lincoln. Nebraska will search for another starting linebacker to fill the 3-4 defense in the middle and hope that somebody at the position can develop in to a playmaker quickly. In fact, the entire defense could benefit from seeing somebody break out as a big playmaker.
On offense, quarterback Taylor Martinez will always be under a microscope. At this point Nebraska may not get much more out of him, but for 2012 he may just be their best option so they will likely live and die with him taking snaps.
Locked and Loaded: Rex Burkhead, Running Back
Without a doubt Nebraska has one of the finest running backs in the Big Ten with Rex Burkhead. Burkhead is every bit a monster that is tough to bring down, and after a very solid 2011 season it looks as though he will once again be the focus of the offense in 2012.
Jockeying for Position: Offensive Line
Nebraska has a center and offensive tackle position up for grabs this spring, and not a whole lot of studs ready to claim it. Consider these among the most crucial position battles this spring, and wait and see if Nebraska considers moving Andrew Rodriguez from offensive guard to one of the vacant spots.
Name to Know: Chase Rome, Defensive Tackle
Nebraska loses just one starter on the defensive line (although it is Jared Crick, two if you include Crick’s injury replacement Terrence Moore), but it looks as though sophomore Chase Rome will be a leading candidate to fill the line. Look for him to fill the vacancy alongside upper classmen Jason Ankrah, Baker Steinkuhler and Cameron Meredith.
Spring will be a success if…: The offensive line comes together
A solid offensive line cannot be underappreciated. Nebraska loses two starters on the offensive line, which will be even more critical in 2012. Burkhead’s effectiveness could be slowed with an unstable line in front of him, and who knows if Taylor Martinez has time to think about what he is doing and find an open receiver or two, maybe he can show some progress under center. Establishing that identity on offensive line now will be key for the Cornhuskers in the fall.
Kevin McGuire is the host of the No 2-Minute Warning podcast and managing editor of Nittany Lion’s Den. Follow Kevin McGuire on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
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