Hello football friends and welcome to the 2023 College Football Season! As always your favorite KnowItAll blogger is back to give you the insights on all things Husker and College Football. It's been a very busy offseason with a new Head Coach for the Huskers and mind-boggling conference realignment across the nation. I'll be working on some more in-depth posts later in the season on some of those topics and more, but this post will focus on my thoughts for the 2023 Huskers along with my predictions for the Week 0 games that start today. It's so great to have football back in our lives and I have a special announcement related to this new football season. While I enjoyed my last few years coaching youth football here in Lincoln, I found a great opportunity with the new Standing Bear High School and I am one of our Wide Receivers Coach for the new program. In addition to coaching up our pass catchers, I coordinate and run all of our social media content including a new podcast called In The Cave. Be sure to follow Lincoln Standing Bear Football on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Now, onto the college football preview & predictions.
Nebraska Football - 2023 Preview
Matt Rhule is in Lincoln to help right the ship for the Huskers, and has wasted no time in changing the tide. A big advocate of building culture, Rhule has quickly built a foundation that brings football to a level of character not recently seen on this campus. One of his primary efforts has been to get the team to be part of the UNL and Nebraska communities. From staying in the campus dorms for fall camp to giving Husker fans across the nation a "Look N" with social media, it's easy to see the positive culture change.
Despite all the "Rhule-Aid", this team still has a lot to prove on the field. With a tricky schedule, new system and a limited amount of experience, this team has a tough road ahead. Some may call me a bit negative with this prediction, but I have the Huskers at 4-5 wins in 2023. Don't get me wrong, there is talent on this team. Georgia Tech transfer Jeff Sims is QB1 for the Huskers, and his dual-threat ability should play well into OC Marcus Satterfield's offense that averaged 32.2 points per game at South Carolina last year. The running back room is stacked with both talent and experience as Gabe Irving Jr., Anthony Grant and Rahmir Johnson all return. However, my first issue for this Nebraska squad once again starts with the offensive line. The Huskers averaged just 124 yards per game on the ground in 2022, ranking 100th in the nation. They also gave up 33 sacks on the season. While there is experience with so many returning starters, concerns of depth and production still loom. Offensive Line Coach Donovan Raiola was the only assistant coach retained by Matt Rhule, so let's hope for some development from this unit. To round out the offense, we look to the pass catchers. There is some talent, but not much experience with this unit. Marcus Washington returns as the lead receiver with 471 yards a year ago, but former walk-on Alex Bullock has taken the media by storm the past few days as he's been touted for his route running and earned a scholarship earlier in the week. Hopefully the hype is real because the Huskers lack known playmakers on the outside.
Defensively the secondary will be the strength of this team. I've had the opportunity to attend multiple practices throughout the Spring and Fall camps, one thing I've learned is that DBs Coach Evan Cooper is a man who knows how to coach. Having watched him with the athletes, I know this unit will be ready for the challenge. Their size should help them compete well with the bigger receivers across the conference, but Myles Farmer's departure means more tackles will fall to the rest of the squad. The front seven has experience, primarily at the linebacker position, but size will be a factor as this unit does not have a lot of it. With BIG 10 offensive lines on the schedule, DC Tony White will need the front seven to use their speed and creativity to control the line of scrimmage. Last but not least, the Huskers will debut with a true freshman kicker from Omaha's Westside high school. Although he performed well in the state championship last fall on the turf at Memorial, we'll be on the lookout for consistency in a unit that has had none in recent years.
With the upcoming schedule, I think Nebraska gets 4-5 wins that include NIU, LA Tech, Northwestern and Iowa along with 1 of my toss up wins from Colorado, Maryland or Purdue. A bowl game isn't entirely out of reach if the Huskers can pull off some sneaky wins in my maybe category, but a full program reset takes time. Culture building takes time. Winning at a high level takes time. I think we'll be please with the style of football that is played, but the on filed result will still be a bit frustrating at times when it comes to the Huskers winning games. Progress is being made, results will come down the road.
Quick Hit Season Predictions:
- Illinois STEAMROLLS the BIG 10 West. Their November 18th road trip to Iowa City could be the deciding game, but with home stands against Penn State and Wisconsin along with momentum from an 8-5 finish a year ago, watch out for the Illini.
- Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State all contenders in the BIG 10 East. Michigan with a good opportunity to repeat from last year's success.
- Georgia should have no problem getting back to the playoffs. The DAWGS have an unbelievable amount of talent despite all the departures and a very manageable schedule with their biggest challenge being a road trip to Tennessee on November 18.
- Brian Kelley may have a threat with the Tigers in the Bayou, but the West still runs through Tuscaloosa in the SEC.
- USC should be a red hot team to watch in the final season of the PAC-12, but a gauntlet of the schedule will put Lincoln Riley to the test quite quickly.
- Texas and OU might not enjoy their last year in the Big XII. We saw TCU with an unbelievable run in 2022, K-State won the conference title, KU is on the rise and don't sleep on the sneaky Red Raiders in Lubbock. Plus you add upset-minded BYU and other new members with Cincy, UCF and Houston. As usual this conference will feature lots of fireworks.
- Are the 'Noles back? There's a lot of hype behind Florida State this year, but we'll learn a lot about them as they open with LSU and travel to the other Death Valley to take on Clemson just 3 weeks later. Early season success could set up a playoff run.
- Notre Dame opens up Week 0 of the season with rival Navy who always plays them tough. Second-year coach Marcus Freeman has a squad that could turn some heads though, and they're led by ex-Demon Deacon (and one of my personal favorites in College Football) QB Sam Hartmann. Watch out for the Irish!
Week 0 Predictions
Navy vs #13 Notre Dame
As previously mentioned, the Irish are now led by Wake Forest Transfer Sam Hartmann. Hartmann threw for nearly 8,000 yards and 77 TDs over the last two seasons, so look for the passing game to open up quick with Notre Dame. Irish win the opener in Ireland, 34-17.
Hawai'i at Vanderbilt
The Commodores play host to Hawai'i for the first time in history. I'll give them the nod playing at home. Vanderbilt 37, Hawai'i 21.
Florida International at Louisiana Tech
The Bulldogs are on the docket for my Huskers in a few weeks, so I'm anxious to see what their style looks like to start the season. LA Tech 30-14 in this one.
San Jose State at #6 USC
Caleb Williams is looking to turn in another Heisman-caliber year and it all starts with game 1. USC shouldn't have many headaches in this one as the show some flash with a 45-17 victory.
Thanks for reading and welcome back to football! Be sure to drop any comments about CFB or Husker Football topics you'd like me to cover this year. GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
No comments:
Post a Comment