2007 Big 12 football previews

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2007 Nebraska Cornhuskers Football Preview

Nebraska Cornhuskers

2006 Record: (9-5, 6-2)
Coach: Bill Callahan (21-15 at Nebraska, 21-15 overall)

Starters Returning: 11 (5 offense, 5 defense, 1 specialist)

Offensive Starters Lost: QB Zac Taylor, HB Brandon Jackson, FB Dane Todd, TE Matt Herian, OL Chris Patrick, OL Greg Austin

Offensive Starters Returning: WR Terrence Nunn, TE J.B. Phillips, OL Brett Byford, OL Mike Huff, OL Matt Slauson

Defensive Starters Lost: DT Barry Cryer, DT Ola Dagunduro, DE Adam Carriker, DE Jay Moore, LB Stewart Bradley, S Andrew Shanle

Defensive Starters Returning: LB Corey McKeon, LB Bo Ruud, CB Cortney Grixby, CB Andre Jones, S Tierre Green

Starting Specialists Lost: K Jordan Congdon

Starting Specialists Returning: P Dan Titchener

Nebraska looks to continue their return to glory after going 9-5 last season. Season four under Coach Bill Callahan should be even better with his players finally filling up most of the roster. After years of pumping in junior college players to fill the team needs, the Cornhuskers now have the luxury of recruiting quality high school prospects that fit into the spread offense.

2007 Nebraska Offense:

After two years of Zac Taylor under center, Nebraska is searching for a replacement. Pocket passer Sam Keller, a senior transfer from Arizona State, is the big name, but junior Joe Ganz has more experience in the system and will not go down without a fight. There is even more talent down the ranks, most notably junior college transfer Zac Lee. With plenty of quality options at quarterback, the offensive concern moves to the rest of the backfield. Brandon Jackson rushed for 989 yards as a junior before heading to the NFL. Yet, once again, the Huskers have plenty of replacement options. Marlon Lucky should take over the bulk of the carries after rushing for 728 yards last year. Short yardage specialist Cody Glenn also returns. It will be more difficult to replace fullback Dane Todd and even tight end J.B. Phillips will get a look at that position.

It still sounds odd to say, but Nebraska’s strength on offense may be the wide receivers. Led by Terrence Nunn and Maurice Purify, the receiving group returns four players who earned starts last season.

2007 Nebraska Defense:

The back seven is solid, but replacing the front four will be a major problem. Ends Adam Carriker, the 13th overall pick in the 2007 draft, and Jay Moore, the 104th pick, leave many question marks behind them. Positional journeyman Clayton Sievers and seniors Andy Poulosky, Tony Sullivan and Thomas Rice are the favorites to take over. In the middle of the line there is a little more experience and Barry Turner and Zach Potter should anchor the front four.

The linebackers are once again an experienced and talented group, but it was the defensive backs that were a cause for concern last year. The corners are deeper with the return of starters Cortney Grixby and Andre Jones. Adding to the much needed depth at the position is Zackary Bowman, who missed all of the 2006 campaign with a knee injury, but further injuries may keep him sidelined in 2007.

The Bottom Line for the 2007 Cornhuskers:

There is a buzz of excitement in Lincoln for the first time in a while, but still Nebraska has a ways to go to become an elite squad once again. The Cornhuskers will beat the teams they are supposed to beat, but they still need that big win over a Texas or USC caliber team, and they will get their chance.

by Joel Welser