D-Line, secondary huge keys for Blackshirts

So I'm thinking about the Huskers for next year and I can think of two areas need to get shored up before the 2012 season begins.

The defensive line needs to get a pass rush. You don’t necessarily have to record a ton of quarterback sacks but if you can make opposing quarterbacks throw a fraction of a second too soon. The Husker secondary also struggled last season and needs to get shored up but that was partially because of the subpar pass rush.

Granted, losing LaVonte David at linebacker is a crushing blow but Will Compton and Alonzo Whaley provide a good starting point to develop the younger players at the position.

As for the defensive line, part of the problem was injuries, most notably Jared Crick (torn pectoral muscle), part of it was adjusting to the Big Ten and part of it was because the secondary lost a number of quality players from the previous season. Regardless of the reason, the Husker defensive line did not collapse the pocket last season which put added pressure on the secondary.

With the loss of Alfonso Dennard, the Huskers need JC transfer Mohammed Seisay and freshman Charles Jackson to contribute right away.

In closing, if the secondary can shore up things and the defensive line can generate pressure, Nebraska could win 10 or more games.