Nebraska's 2009 schedule analysis and forecast
By The Prez
Bo Pelini seems to have the Nebraska Cornhuskers back on track following his first season as the Huskers’ head coach.
Things weren’t looking too good for a return to prominence for Nebraska in mid-October of last year. Consecutive losses to Virginia Tech, Missouri and Texas Tech dropped the Cornhuskers to 3-3.
But then things seemed to click. Nebraska finished the year 6-1, including a win over Clemson in the Gator Bowl. The result ended a nine-year win drought in January bowl games for Nebraska.
In fairness, not one of those six wins to end the year was over a ranked team and the one loss was a rout against Oklahoma. But the run still gave Nebraska fans hope for 2009, especially after a 5-7 season the year before under Bill Callahan.
Pelini joined Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne and Frank Solich as the only coaches in Nebraska history with nine wins in their first season.
This year, Nebraska returns just 11 starters. Running back Roy Helu was not a starter but finished the season as the team's strongest tailback.
With a first-year starting quarterback in Zac Lee, the Huskers will be running the ball a ton this year with Helu and Quentin Castille. That means things will be back to normal in Lincoln.
Here’s Nebraska’s 2009 schedule:
September 5 vs. Florida Atlantic
September 12 vs. Arkansas State
September 19 at Virginia Tech
September 26 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
October 8 at Missouri
October 17 vs. Texas Tech
October 24 vs. Iowa State
October 31 at Baylor
November 7 vs. Oklahoma
November 14 at Kansas
November 21 vs. Kansas State
November 27 at Colorado
Nebraska’s over/under for regular-season wins this season is 8.5 at BetUS.com, and I like the Huskers to exceed that number. Go ahead and mark down those three home non-conference wins, although Florida Atlantic isn’t too bad and could keep it close. The game at Virginia Tech has to be considered a loss with the Hokies a likely preseason top-10 team.
I also like a 4-0 month of October for the Huskers. Missouri is rebuilding and Texas Tech has to replace Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree, among others.
Remember that Nebraska nearly upset Texas Tech in Lubbock last year. Iowa State is, well, Iowa State, so that’s a lock. Baylor will be better than previous Baylor teams but will be an underdog.
So that takes Nebraska into that huge Oklahoma game at 7-1, but this team isn’t quite ready to upset the Sooners, who have as much talent as anyone in the country.
I also see a loss at Kansas, which brings back stellar QB Todd Reesing. But the Huskers should win out, following the loss to Kansas, to finish at 9-3 and 6-2 in Big 12 play.
Will that be enough to win the Big 12 North? It could be because Kansas has to play both Oklahoma and Texas and at Texas Tech. Kansas could easily lose three games in the conference.
Nebraska’s odds to win the Big 12 North are +175 and that’s a solid bet. It will come down to Brasky-pants and Kansas.