Offseason Q&A to whet your palate

So it’s only June and Nebraska’s first game is not for another 10 weeks or so. Well, it’s September 1 at home against Southern Mississippi to be exact. Once the last game ends, you always have questions running through your head as it pertains to next season and after the Huskers’ season-ending 30-13 Capital One Bowl loss to South Carolina, there are plenty of questions.

The ones running through my head at the present time for Nebraska are as follows:

Will Taylor Martinez be the quarterback fans and media hope he can be? Will his game management and decision making improve? Most importantly will he change his throwing form so he looks like a quarterback passing to a receiver instead of a shortstop throwing off his back foot?

Martinez may never become a great quarterback but his management and decision making actually did improve last season. Most Husker fans remember his three-interception performance against Wisconsin in a 48-17 loss but what also bears mentioning is that he had a four-game streak with no interceptions. Martinez’s suspect mechanics have been a hot topic but the fact that he has spent part of the offseason working with quarterback guru Steve Calhoun, whose work in getting former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton to ascend to Heisman Trophy winner who led his team to a National Title in 2010 is especially significant. The fact that Martinez is taking the time to address his mechanics can only be a good thing.

Will Rex Burkhead show that he's not just a talented running back but an All American caliber stud by making a Heisman run?

Like most Husker fans, I love everything about Burkhead and what he stands for as a player and as a person. Nebraska is extremely fortunately having someone like him as the face of the program. However, Burkhead as a Heisman candidate is a longshot at best. For starters, Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck will likely try to reduce Burkhead’s workload to a) diversify the offense and b) keep him fresh. Plus, you have to understand “how” Burkhead gets his yards. Burkhead is the kind of back that if he carries the ball say 30 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns it is more likely to be a steady diet of 4, 6, 8 yards with an occasional 20-yarder than it is breaking off a 60-yarder that gets on Sportscenter. Let’s face it, in our style over substance society, the Sportscenter plays get noticed.

How will the Husker defense move forward without LaVonte David?

Nebraska has had its share of great linebackers throughout the years such as Trev Alberts, Tom Novak, Broderick Thomas, Barrett Ruud, Jerry Murtugh, Ed Stewart and Marc Munford. David definitely belongs in that conversation. Will Compton had a strong finish to the 2011 season and the Huskers will need him to find that extra gear this season and there’s no reason to think he won’t.

Will Cameron Meredith find a haircut and facial hair combination that doesn't make him look creepy in team photos?

An even bigger issue is will Meredith Cameron Meredith get some speed and power back in his body. The guy got shoved around a lot last year, and looked very slow. With all the talking he does, you’d think he might back it up at some point. I hope he or the coaches find a way to get more production. I’ve seen enough patty cake.

Will Nebraska fans ever be able to say “We’re Back” instead of “We’re close to being back?”

Bo Pelini made headlines after Nebraska’s 33-0 shutout win over Arizona in the 2009 Holiday Bowl when he said: “Nebraska’s back and we’re here to stay.” That win capped off a 10-4 season in which the Huskers won six of their last seven. However, Nebraska followed that season with a 10-4 campaign in 2010 and 9-4 in 2011. Granted, the program is in much better shape than the Bill Callahan years but considering that 1999 was the program’s last conference title, fans are getting restless.  

With Carl Pelini gone as defensive coordinator, will Bo Pelini become more hands-on with the defense?

Bo Pelini’s hands have always been on the defense. Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking otherwise.

Will Tim Beck’s offense click into the monster machine it has the potential to be?

Beck certainly has a lot of talent at his disposal and going through a year without having to revamp the offense will be a plus. It all comes down to the health and progress of Martinez and the health of Burkhead.

Will Brett Maher kick a 58 yard field goal?

I’ll say 53.

Will Nebraska finally make a BCS game or win a conference championship game?

Definitely possible. The Legends Division will be a three-horse race between Nebraska, Michigan and Michigan State. The schedule features more swing games than at any time in recent history. The 2013 season would appear more likely because Wisconsin and Ohio State will be replaced by Purdue and Illinois in the crossover games. However, that argument is somewhat hollow because if you win your division you’ll have to face Wisconsin or Ohio State in the Big 10 Conference Title Game anyway.