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| | Sunday, September 3 Huskers understated, but not overrated | |||||
| By Todd Cooper Special to ESPN.com Nebraska Cornhuskers 1999 record: 12-1 (7-1 Big 12) Coach: Frank Solich Returning starters: 14 (9 offense, 5 defense) Outlook The Huskers have always been a master of the understatement, from their stoic former coach Tom Osborne, to their diminutive current coach, Frank Solich, and on down to the slightest detail -- such as the skinny N on the white helmet. But split end Matt Davison might have made the understatement of fall camp when he was asked about Nebraska's place atop both the ESPN/USA Today and AP polls. "It's better than being ranked 50th," he said. You are correct, sir. But there's also something very ominous about No. 1. Except for Florida State's wire-to-wire winning last year, no one has owned No. 1 from pole to pole -- or poll to poll. Nebraska is well grounded in that fact, having started the season No. 1 five times and having finished out of the running in those five seasons. But it's last year's flirtation with No.1 that has the Huskers hungry. Quarterback Eric Crouch, a Heisman Trophy candidate, missed spring ball after having shoulder surgery but is stronger than ever at 205 pounds -- 10 more than last year's playing weight. Crouch, who last year became the first quarterback to lead the Huskers in rushing in a season since 1955, should get some help from behind. The Huskers have seven scholarship players at I-back -- including seniors Dan Alexander and Correll Buckhalter and sophomore Dahrran Diedrick. The biggest concern in the backfield is the Huskers' tendency to put the ball on the ground. They lost 25 fumbles last year and if they don't improve that number, it could be tough to go wire-to-wire. Defensively, Solich has some concerns about his linebacking corps. Nebraska graduated the top two players at both outside linebacking positions as well as dynamic defensive back duo Ralph. Brown and Mike Brown. But new defensive coordinator Craig Bohl, a linebackers coach who took over for the retired Charlie McBride, has plenty of options. Lightning-quick Randy Stella, who returned kickoffs last season, is poised to fill the void at linebacker for a group that will be anchored by Carlos Polk in the middle, a headhunter who had 83 tackles last year. Otherwise, the defense will be stingy and speedy as usual. Keep an eye on ... Newcombe. He became the first Husker to graduate in three years by taking 20 hours of classes this summer. Now, he's determined to graduate to the NFL by showing the same kind of game-breaking ability that marked his freshman year. It's a good season if ... Crouch stays healthy, the defense remains stingy and the I-backs' hands get sticky. Todd Cooper is a staff writer for the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald |
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