Big Ten Football: Preseason Stock Report Rankings

3. Nebraska

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Last year: 9-4 (5-3)

This Week: vs. Florida Atlantic (Aug 30 – 2:30 on BTN)

My Prediction: Nebraska 48-17

By the time the 2013 season ended, Husker fans had to be excited for the Blackshirt defense returning in 2014.

However, optimism for the defense has been hampered thanks to the loss of Charles Jackson, Micheal Rose-Ivey and LeRoy Alexander during fall camp.

Fortunately for the Huskers, unlike in years past, it appears Bo Pelini and staff have built up enough depth for the defense to take those hits and still be dominant behind stud defensive end Randy Gregory.

Nebraska has the ability to rely on that defense and a strong running game behind stud running back Ameer Abdullah.

How good the Huskers can be this season might rely on the development of sophomore quarterback Tommy Armstrong.

The Huskers can win nine or ten games again if Armstrong doesn’t take significant strides.

If he can develop into one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Nebraska will have a chance at the conference crown and a playoff berth.

That’s assuming those pesky turnover and penalty problems don’t surface again.