Nebraska Cornhuskers 2019 College Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Nebraska Cornhuskers 2019 College Football Preview

2018 Recap

Record – 4-8

ATS – 7-5

The Huskers kicked off the Scott Frost era in dubious fashion losing their first six games of the season. Three of those games were by a combined 13 points (Colorado, Troy, Northwestern). It had to be difficult to keep the faith but Nebraska gets full marks for winning four of their last six games, and the two games they lost were to really good teams (Iowa, Ohio St) by a total of 8 points.

Things are moving in the right direction and QUICKLY. Is it conceivable that Nebraska could challenge for a division title this season? Let’s take a look.

2019 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

West Division – #3

Big 10 – #7

Nebraska Cornhuskers 2019 Outlook

OFFENSE

It didn’t take QB Adrian Martinez long to flash some big-time talent. All Martinez did as a true frosh was throw for over 2,600 yards and 17 TDs (64.6%) while rushing for 629 yards and another 8 TDs on the ground in his spare time. Martinez started 11 games and collected 300+ total yards in seven of those contests. Basically, nothing other than a brick wall defense could slow him down. This should be an exciting year for Nebraska fans as QBs often make a big jump from their first to second campaign. <grabs popcorn>

The RB group has a lot of talent even with the departure of 1,000-yard back Devine Ozigbo. One storyline to keep an eye on is the status of their #1 returning RB Maurice Washington (also caught 24 passes) who is in the midst of legal troubles. More clarity should come to the situation near the end of July. In the event that Washington is unable to go the Huskers will have to rely on talented but unproven youngsters. The Huskers celebrated their first ever (!!) 1,000-yard receiver in Stanley Morgan Jr a season ago but he departs as the program’s #1 all-time WR in terms of receiving yards. The good news is that they still have a legit #1 option in JD Spielman who racked up 818 yards and 8 TDs a season ago in just 10 games. That yard total included an impressive 209 yards vs the Badgers. The OL returns three starters and did a decent job last season paving the way for 5.4 YPC (#4 Big Ten) whilst allowing 28 sacks.

We expect improvement in year two under Scott Frost. Nebraska scored 30 PPG last year and we think they will produce their best output since 2014 (37.8 PPG).

DEFENSE

You can’t have everything right away.

The Nebraska defense struggled a season ago and ranked #12 in the conference in total defense (434 YPG). They were decent vs the pass (#5 pass efficiency D Big Ten) but too soft vs the run (#12 Big Ten). The couldn’t get adequate PENETRATION bagging just 25 sacks, although that was an improvement on the 2017 season when they had a mere 14. What do things look like this year?

Let’s start with the bad news. The Huskers lose five of their top-six tacklers from a season ago and are coming off a campaign in which they allowed 31.3 PPG. The good news is that they return six starters and have some good things going at all three levels of the defense. We love the size on the interior of the DL as they have more than a few yuuuge bodies including Oklahoma St transfer Darrion Daniels. Last season’s leading tackler LB Mohamed Barry is back for duty (112 tackles, 11 TFL, 5 QBH) and the secondary has a bunch of players with starting experience including their fine CB Dicaprio Bootle.

The Huskers’ defense will be improved but it’s unclear whether or not they will make a big enough leap to help them become division champs.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Things appear to be in good shape. The combo of PK Barret Pickering (14/18 FG) and P Isaac Armstrong (37.0 net) are solid and JD Spielman is a dangerous return man.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – The schedule is a lot more forgiving than what they had to endure a season ago. They should be able to open the season with three or four wins before the big home date with Ohio St. That will be APPOINTMENT TELEVISION. Their road conference slate is as good as you could ask for with games against Illinois, Minnesota, Purdue, and Maryland.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Maryland (November 23)

This game follows a key battle with Wisconsin and precedes potentially the biggest game in a long while for Nebraska (home vs Iowa). Maryland is coming in off a bye and proved last year when they almost beat Ohio St (L 52-51 in OT) late in the year that they can be a handful.

Season Win Total

Over – 8.5 -110

Under – 8.5 -110

MEGALOCKS says:

LEANAGE to the over. There appears to be too much talent on this team to see them win fewer than nine games and the schedule certainly helps.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Legendary HC Tom Osborne had an amazing record of 255-49-3 (.836) (!) as head coach at Nebraska.

In the early 1970s, the “NU” on the helmet was changed to the single “N”, a design that is still in use today. Why? Legend has it that there was a shortage of “U” stickers and so the single “N” remained. Flabbergast your SADISTIC PERSONAL TRAINER with that trivia nugget.

MEGALOCKS ATS Outlook: Neutral

Nebraska should be in the hunt for all the Big Ten West marbles. We expect them to continue the momentum from the 2nd half of last season when they were playing as well as anyone in the Big Ten. They have a potential superstar at QB who just might be the best signal caller in the conference after just one (great) freshman season. Frost has recruited well and the program is being built for sustainability. We worry about the depth across the roster but you can’t have everything.

When it comes to the point spread, Nebraska is almost certain to be a darling of DEGENERATE NATION. Recall last season that they were a popular sleeper pick and had trouble covering spreads early in the campaign. Lines appeared to be shaded in their favor. As the season wore on, they played a better brand of football and were covering a lot of Vegas numbers. The books did not adjust fast enough. What about this year?

The secret is out on these guys but there will still be spots of ATS value, particularly when they have the role of short favorites or underdogs. Go Huskers!

Want more Nebraska football ?

WEBSITE

http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPID=22

FORUM

http://www.huskerboard.com/index.php?/forum/1-husker-football/

https://nebraska.forums.rivals.com/forums/husker-board.12/

https://247sports.com/college/nebraska/Board/Bugeaters-Place-105415/

http://www.scout.com/college/nebraska/forums/4511-bugeaters-place

https://nebraska.forums.rivals.com/forums/red-sea-scrolls.24/

NEWS

http://www.cornnation.com/

http://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/football/