Back to another long off season

[Doc Fumble]

I agree with him. In my mind, how far we go this season will depend on how quickly our QB develops.

If Raiola has a freshman season like Trevor Lawrence did for Clemson back in the day (unlikely, but also not beyond the realm of possibility given their mutual hype out of high school), how 'far' could mean the playoffs.

 

[Hunchback Johnny]

I agree with him. In my mind, how far we go this season will depend on how quickly our QB develops.

If Raiola has a freshman season like Trevor Lawrence did for Clemson back in the day (unlikely, but also not beyond the realm of possibility given their mutual hype out of high school), how 'far' could mean the playoffs.

Not going to post the Mora "Playoffs" thingy but we should probably reel it in just a bit Dr Fum . Seven or eight wins would be really nice though!

 

[Pavlov's Dog]

If DR gives us Taylor Martinez level results as Freshmen- I want 8 wins (including bowl game) minimum
Not even Tmagics running- just his passing

 

[innmc]

TM was a redshirt Freshman when he first took the field

 

[Doc Fumble]

Not going to post the Mora "Playoffs" thingy but we should probably reel it in just a bit Dr Fum .

It's easy for my heart to get carried away. But this year, my head is surveying the situation and saying the same thing.

Here's a friendly wager I'll make with anyone interested: I predict that at least one of the national CFB pundits will list Nebraska as one of their 'darkhorse candidates' for making the new 12-team playoff.

 

[Pavlov's Dog]

Yes INNMC- he was a Redshirt, I forgot. Still, first year as a starter he was less developed at that point than DR appears now. I think DR will compare favorably to TM.

 

[Doc Fumble]

Yes INNMC- he was a Redshirt, I forgot. Still, first year as a starter he was less developed at that point than DR appears now. I think DR will compare favorably to TM.

A better comparison is Trevor Lawrence.

As a new freshman, Trevor started the season as the back-up QB at Clemson but received equal reps as the starter did. After the first four games, Dabo announced that his freshman QB would become the new starter. Lawrence threw for over 3200 yards and 30 TDs for the season.

Is it possible that five-star Raiola could come anywhere close to duplicating Lawrence's freshman numbers? It's highly unlikely. Lawrence benefited from seven friendly home game crowds that year and Clemson had a monster defense to back him up.

But that doesn't mean we should automatically dismiss the possibility out-of-hand. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sure seems to me that Dylan is the first five-star QB to garner the kind of national attention he's gotten throughout his HS career---since Trevor Lawrence.

 

[innmc]

A better comparison is Trevor Lawrence.

As a new freshman, Trevor started the season as the back-up QB at Clemson but received equal reps as the starter did. After the first four games, Dabo announced that his freshman QB would become the new starter. Lawrence threw for over 3200 yards and 30 TDs for the season.

Is it possible that five-star Raiola could come anywhere close to duplicating Lawrence's freshman numbers? It's highly unlikely. Lawrence benefited from seven friendly home game crowds that year and Clemson had a monster defense to back him up.

But that doesn't mean we should automatically dismiss the possibility out-of-hand. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sure seems to me that Dylan is the first five-star QB to garner the kind of national attention he's gotten throughout his HS career---since Trevor Lawrence.

Nebraska has some speedy receivers and Raiola has a gun for an arm so there is that for sure.

 

[Doc Fumble]

Nebraska has some speedy receivers and Raiola has a gun for an arm so there is that for sure.

I know being "cautiously optimistic" is the prudent thing to say going into the fall. But....DAMN....

Everything about this upcoming season looks promising -- the returning OL with a strong veteran addition -- the returning RBs with a dynamic, bulldozer, addition -- a five-star and four-star QB joining HH -- a pair of veteran WR beasts joining our speedy, young guns -- a slew of returners to a top ten defense led by DL studs, Ty and Nash -- potential all-stars returning at PK and punter -- one of the best coaching staffs in CFB led by (IMHO) the classiest Coach in football, period: Matt Rhule -- and Year 2 of his rebuilt culture

 

[RED ED]

https://x.com/HuskerFootball/status/1762219784597323920?s=20

 

[Cigarman]

To me it takes a complete team to make a great QB. A potent running game is a QBs best friend. When you look at all the great QBs, Tarkington, Bradshaw, Montana, Griese all the way up to Mahomes, they all had great RBs to take the pressure off them.

The fact that NU was second in the Big in rushing even with all the injuries they had, has me optimistic. If the incoming talent and the returners play close to potential, they could be even better. If they can keep their YPC average at 4.5 or better, it will take a lot of pressure off DR. On the other hand, a QB who can deliver, can make a good RB better as well.

 

[Doc Fumble]

To me it takes a complete team to make a great QB. A potent running game is a QBs best friend. When you look at all the great QBs, Tarkington, Bradshaw, Montana, Griese all the way up to Mahomes, they all had great RBs to take the pressure off them.

THIS!!!! ^^^^^

Cigar's take is one of the reasons why I'm feeling confident. It's not like DR had to step in and PRODUCE, PRODUCE, PRODUCE right off the bat. We've got enough talent on offense for Dylan to focus on running the offense and being a game manager. As he gets more and more PT and grows in confidence, the coaches will slowly flex his arm and add more to our arsenal.

The first half of the schedule gives DR and the whole offense time to develop.

 

[ATX_Husker]

https://x.com/HuskerFootball/status/1762219784597323920?s=20

https://twitter.com/x/status/1762219784597323920

 

[innmc]

It takes a lot of chemistry between the QB and the Oline and that takes time to develop. Timing with the Wideouts. So that is what young players have to work on. It's not going to come overnight. Just cutdown or come as close as possible to eliminate costly mistakes and that alone should get us 3 more wins.

 

[Pavlov's Dog]

I know being "cautiously optimistic" is the prudent thing to say going into the fall. But....DAMN....

Everything about this upcoming season looks promising -- the returning OL with a strong veteran addition -- the returning RBs with a dynamic, bulldozer, addition -- a five-star and four-star QB joining HH -- a pair of veteran WR beasts joining our speedy, young guns -- a slew of returners to a top ten defense led by DL studs, Ty and Nash -- potential all-stars returning at PK and punter -- one of the best coaching staffs in CFB led by (IMHO) the classiest Coach in football, period: Matt Rhule -- and Year 2 of his rebuilt culture

All they have to do is EARN the wins.

 

[ATX_Husker]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1762859409602986254

 

[Pavlov's Dog]

Love how guys keep blocking until the play is over.

 

[innmc]

According to Crawford, Big Red will finish 9-3 with a 6-3 record in the conference (a three-way tie for third) after a 5-7 finish in Matt Rhule's inaugural 2023 season. Writing:

There is a path to nine wins (or more) for Nebraska this season if the Huskers are able to establish early momentum with a favorable slate by Big Ten standards and get a boost of confidence under five-star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, should he be Matt Rhule's selection to start. The Huskers could be favored in their first seven games prior to a road trip to Ohio State. They only play one opponent ranked inside the preseason top 20. Rhule and his coaching staff need to do everything they can to take advantage of this schedule as a potential dark horse in the conference.
College Football Analyst Predicts Nebraska's W-L Record In 2024 (msn.com)

 

[innmc]

 

[Doc Fumble]

Tony White is the Real Deal. He is the Best Defensive Coordinator we've ever had at Nebraska since Charlie McBride.

I used to say Bo was the best. But White's work last season was reminescent of what Bo did back in 2003. Perhaps even better.

But -- and this is a big But -- Tony has all the intangibles that Pelini never had (and never will have.) We are damn lucky to have him.

EDIT - One more thing: Tony mentioned that he's never been around a head coach as supportive of him as Coach Rhule has been. He said its been unbelievable.

While I have no doubt that White will be a head coach sooner rather than later, the fact of the matter is that it's harder to leave when you have a great boss. With Nebraska's trajectory, the smart play might be to stick with the Huskers for now. The bigger Nebraska's success over the next few years, the more attractive Tony's options will become.