EARLY BIRD 2007 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2006
NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
OFFENSE - 8
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 5
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Zac Taylor-QB, Dane Todd-FB, Matt Herian-TE, Greg Austin-OG
DEFENSE: Jay Moore-DE, Ola Dagunduro-NT, Barry Cryer-DT, Adam Carriker-DE, Stewart Bradley-SLB, Andrew Shanle-FS
Running Back/Offensive Line

The famous I-back position is stacked with depth, led by All-Big 12 performer Brandon Jackson. Paving the way is an OL that returns every single starter.

Defensive Line

If this is the biggest concern coaches face, it's going to be a good year. All four starters are gone on the DL but names such as Turner, Suh and Steinkuhler should help ease the reloading phase.

IB Brandon Jackson
 
LB Bo Ruud
 

* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2007 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
NEBRASKA 2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Joe Ganz-Jr Beau Davis-Jr / Sam Keller-Sr
FB Matt Senske-Sr ..
IB Brandon Jackson-Sr Marlon Lucky-Jr
WR Terrence Nunn-Sr Todd Peterson-Jr
WR Maurice Purify-Sr Nate Swift-Jr / Frantz Hardy-Sr
TE J.B. Phillips-Sr Hunter Teafatiller-Jr / Josh Mueller-Sr
OT Chris Patrick-Sr Lydon Murtha-Jr
OG Andy Christensen-Jr ..
C Brett Byford-Sr ..
OG Mike Huff-Jr ..
OT Matt Slauson-Jr ..
K Jordan Congdon-Jr ..
DEFENSE
DE Barry Turner-Jr ..
NT Ndamukong Suh-So ..
DT Ty Steinkuhler-Jr ..
DE .. ..
SLB .. ..
MLB Corey McKeon-Sr Lance Brandenburgh-Sr
WLB Bo Ruud-Sr Steve Octavien-Sr
CB Andre Jones-Sr ..
CB Cortney Grixby-Sr ..
SS Tierre Green-Sr Ben Eisenhart-Sr
FS .. ..
P Dan Titchener-Jr ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

To some degree Nebraska Football is back - at least when it comes to winning the Big 12 North Division, which these days is not one of the greatest all-time achievements. Bigger and better things await this team, soon under the third year of Bill Callahan's tutelage. The famous Nebraska option went out the window when Callahan arrived. Enter the west coast offense where 30-40 passes a game is often the norm. Through the metamorphosis has been QB Zac Taylor from the beginning. He's gone now, and the QBs recruited to fit into this new system are ready to put Callahan's future to the test. Hold on! Don't forget about Arizona State transfer Sam Keller who will be available this coming fall. Keller started seven games for the Sun Devils in 2005 and was projected by many to be a future NFL signal caller. He will have one year to play at Nebraska and they will need him as other replacements have yet to prove their worthy of directing this team to a conference title. The I-back situation should be a blessing with All-Big 12 honoree Brandon Jackson leading the charge. Plenty of depth exists in this backfield. The receivers are as good as any Lincoln has seen this past decade and the OL returns every single starter from a group that helped pave the way for the nation's 25th-rated rushing offense and 9th total offense. On the defensive side, the entire starting DL is departing, but plenty of bodies have earned significant playing time, which prevents a total rebuilding situation. Bo Ruud and Corey McKeon are former All-Big 12 selections at LB. The secondary has to improve. The talent is too plentiful (with three seniors returning) to underachieve much like they did in ‘06 (89th pass defense). Nebraska has been making strides since the embarrassment of a 5-6 record two years ago. Big 12 opponents beware - this may be the year the Huskers take their revenge and get back to doing more than just winning a Division title.

 

NEBRASKA
2007 SCHEDULE

9-1 Nevada
9-8 @ Wake Forest
9-15 Southern California
9-22 Ball State
9-29 Iowa State
10-6 @ Missouri
10-13 Oklahoma State
10-20 Texas A&M
10-27 @ Texas
11-3 @ Kansas
11-10 Kansas State
11-23 @ Colorado