Nebraska Cornhuskers face two ranked teams in preseason poll
The Nebraska Cornhuskers have one of the more intriguing games to start the season. However, their 2015 season debut against BYU, will be a battle of unranked teams. In the same fashion of many of their opponents, Nebraska faces a load of teams that are undervalued entering the season.
During the release of Sunday’s preseason College football AP Top 25 poll, the Nebraska Cornhuskers received six total votes. In total, it was not nearly enough for the Cornhuskers to be ranked at the beginning of the season. Despite their low ranking, the Huskers will have plenty of opportunities to climb the charts as the season progresses.
However, Nebraska doesn’t have the most daunting schedule in college football. As it stands now, the Cornhuskers only face two ranked teams (Michigan State, Wisconsin) on the current schedule, so aspirations should be high for Mike Riley’s first season in Lincoln.
Despite displaying great offensive rhythm in wins, the Huskers only averaged 23.3 points per game in those defeats, and never scored more than 24 points in a loss.
Last season, the Cornhuskers lost three regular season games. The first two came against the aforementioned Michigan State Spartans, and Wisconsin Badgers, but they also lost to the Minnesota Golden Gophers last November. Plenty of problems came on the defensive end in those losses, but it was the offenses inability to put up points that crushed their chances for a Big Ten Championship berth. Despite displaying great offensive rhythm in wins, the Huskers only averaged 23.3 points per game in those defeats, and never scored more than 24 points in a loss. Fortunately, the Cornhuskers have the chance to avenge all three defeats this season.
De’Mornay Pierson-El will miss the beginning of the 2015 Nebraska Cornhuskers season
The Huskers host Wisconsin in early October, and Michigan State in November. Realistically, both opponents can be in the Top 10 at the time of their visits. The Badgers face Alabama to start the season, then have a relatively easy venture until the Big Ten schedule heats up. The Spartans have a home rematch with Oregon, as their most impressive non-conference opponent. These games could set the stage for Nebraska’s College football Playoff run, but the Huskers must take care of their own business first.
In addition to BYU, the Cornhuskers face off with the Miami Hurricanes in the non-conference portion of the schedule. Although, neither of these teams are ranked in the preseason, they are extremely capable of having strong seasons. BYU’s Taysom Hill, and Miami’s Brad Kaaya are two of the most recognizable quarterbacks in college football today.
Due to the injury to WR De’Mornay Pierson-El, Tommy Armstrong Jr. must be on top of his game from the opening kickoff. Armstrong is entering his third season as the Huskers starting QB, and it’s time for him to take another step towards reaching his peak. Due to his ability to run the ball, coach Riley is more than ready to utilize Armstrong’s legs this year. In 2014, Armstrong was second on the team in rushing with 664 yards, behind Ameer Abdullah’s 1523 yards. Still, it will be the improvement in Armstrong’s passing game that will take Nebraska to new heights.
After completing 52 percent of his passes over the first two seasons, it would be a great accomplishment for Armstrong to surpass the 60 percent completion mark in 2015. That feat alone could set the Cornhuskers up for plenty of success, whether they started the season ranked or not.